Patent ID: 8357104
Filing Date: 2013-01-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A biopsy needle assembly comprising: a cannula including a cannula handle and a cannula shaft extending outward from the handle, the cannula shaft having an axial passage extending through a proximal end of the shaft secured to the handle and a sharp distal tip, a stylet including a stylet handle and a stylet shaft extending outward from the stylet handle, the stylet shaft having a sharp distal tip and being adapted to be slidably received in the axial passage of the cannula shaft, the stylet handle being adapted to be releasably connected to the cannula handle when the stylet shaft is received in the cannula shaft to form a handle of the needle assembly; a safety shield including a locking mechanism configurable between an unlocked configuration, in which the locking mechanism permits the shield to be moved axially along the stylet shaft when the shield is proximal of the tip of the stylet shaft, and a locked configuration, in which the locking mechanism prevents axial movement of the shield when the shield is at a location covering the tip of the stylet shaft, the safety shield and the handle of the stylet being adapted for releasable interengagement such that the shield moves with the stylet handle after the stylet handle and the cannula handle are released from securement with each other and as the stylet shaft is axially withdrawn from the cannula shaft; and a shield release device mounted on the stylet handle and operable for pushing the safety shield in a direction out of engagement with the stylet handle.