Patent ID: 7769426
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of performing a biopsy of tissue located at coordinates in a first, second, and third dimension, the method comprising: (a) localizing a patient's breast in a localization fixture, wherein the localization fixture comprises: (b) locating suspicious tissue with an MRI scan; (c) defining coordinates in the first, second, and third dimensions that correspond to the location of the suspicious tissue; (d) inserting the probe assembly into the patient's breast guided by the probe assembly guide, wherein the probe assembly is inserted along the third dimension, wherein the probe assembly is inserted through one of the elongate slots of the compression plate; (e) performing a selected one of a diagnostic procedure, surgical procedure and a therapeutic procedure with the probe assembly inserted into tissue and detached from a biopsy instrument; (e) engaging a handle of the biopsy instrument to the proximal end of the probe assembly, wherein the biopsy instrument comprises a cutter sized to translate in the lumen of the probe assembly, wherein the cutter is retracted in the handle at the initiation of the act of coupling the handle to the probe assembly; and (f) advancing the cutter through the lumen in the probe assembly to the tissue.