Patent ID: 6918880
Filing Date: 2005-07-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An excision and aspiration apparatus adapted to sample a tissue mass, comprising: receiving means for receiving a predetermined amount of tissue to be sampled, said receiving means being adapted to limit said predetermined amount to a superficial portion of the total tissue mass, said receiving means including a suction cup having a concave cavity sized and shaped to receive the superficial portion of the tissue mass; excising means for excising the superficial portion of the tissue mass; collection means for collecting the excised superficial portion of the tissue mass, wherein said collection means includes a suction tube, said suction cup being movably mounted in said suction tube between a first position, in which said suction cup extends across an opening in a tip of the suction tube and receives the superficial portion of the tissue mass under the influence of suction created by said suction means, and a second position away from said opening in which said suction cup releases the excised superficial portion of tissue mass under the influence of suction created by said suction means, said suction cup being pivotally mounted in the open-ended tip of said suction tube, whereby said suction cup is pivotable between its said first and second positions; and suction means for creating suction within said collection means, said suction being sufficient to draw the excised superficial portion of the tissue mass into the collection means.