Patent ID: 7608048
Filing Date: 2009-10-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A biopsy needle for collecting a tissue specimen, the needle including an inner tube with a snare coil at a distal end thereof, an outer cannula, a stylet and a handle assembly that includes a first torque generating mechanism that imparts a selective and controlled torque action to the outer cannula relative to the handle assembly to cause actuation of a second torque generating mechanism that imparts a selective and controlled torque action to the inner tube relative to the outer cannula as the inner tube and outer cannula arc advanced forward resulting in the snare coil at least partially closing, the first torque generating mechanism including a first component that is coupled to and associated with the outer cannula and a second component that is a part of a housing of the handle assembly, the needle further including an alignment sleeve that is disposed around a portion of the inner tube and the outer cannula, the alignment sleeve being received with a complementary groove formed in the housing so as to permit rotation of the alignment sleeve but restrict axial movement thereof, the alignment sleeve having guide channels formed therein to receive and control movement of the inner tube relative to the outer cannula such that in a first stage, both the inner tube and outer cannula move axially within the guide channels, while being prevented from rotating relative to one another and in a second stage, the inner tube is permitted to rotate relative to the outer cannula to cause actuation of the snare coil.