Patent ID: 7717861
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A biopsy device, comprising: a piercing tube having a side aperture proximate to a distal end thereof defining a bowl portion within the piercing tube for receiving prolapsed tissue through the side aperture, wherein the piercing tube has an exterior and a closed distal end with a tissue piercing tip, wherein the piercing tube defines a longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal length running parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the piercing tube has a first length; a cutter tube positioned within the piercing tube, wherein the cutter tube is longitudinally translatable within the piercing tube; a cutter drive assembly operatively configured to distally translate the cutter tube across the side aperture and to sever prolapsed tissue; and a blocking member, wherein the blocking member has a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein the distal portion of the blocking member comprises an elongate portion extending distally toward the tissue piercing tip, wherein the proximal portion of the blocking member comprises an outwardly extending flange, wherein the blocking member is positioned on the exterior of the piercing tube, proximal to the closed distal end of the piercing tube, wherein the blocking member is longitudinally movable along the exterior of the piercing tube such that the elongate portion of the blocking member is selectably positionable longitudinally across a proximal portion of the side aperture, wherein the blocking member has a longitudinal length running along a portion of the longitudinal length of the piercing tube, wherein the elongate portion of the blocking member is dimensioned to be inserted in tissue with the piercing tube, wherein the elongate portion of the blocking member laterally terminates at two or more radial positions about the longitudinal axis defined by the piercing tube, the two or more radial positions being located on respective lateral edges of the blocking member that extend longitudinally along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the blocking member, wherein the lateral edges of the blocking member are separated by a gap, the gap being configured such that the piercing tube is received through the gap, between the lateral edges, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, through a snap fitting of the blocking member to the piercing tube, wherein the blocking member has a second length defined by distal and proximal edges of the blocking member, wherein the second length is less than the first length.