Patent ID: 7481775
Filing Date: 2009-01-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for selectively blocking a proximal portion of a side aperture in a needle of a core biopsy instrument having a cutter that translates across the side aperture to sever prolapsed tissue, wherein the needle of the core biopsy instrument comprises a longitudinal axis, the device comprising: a half cylindrical tube portion having an inner contour corresponding to both the side aperture and a proximate upper portion of the needle of the core biopsy instrument, wherein a distal portion of the half cylindrical tube portion comprises an inner recessed contour sized to avoid contact with the cutter of the core biopsy instrument, wherein the half cylindrical tube portion comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the half cylindrical tube portion terminates at the distal end in a beveled edge; a first gripping flange attached to the half cylindrical tube portion positioned to resiliently lock to an underside of a proximate lower portion of the needle, wherein the first gripping flange comprises a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein the first gripping flange extends between the proximal edge and the distal edge; a second gripping flange attached to the half cylindrical tube portion positioned to resiliently lock to an underside of a proximate lower portion of the needle, wherein the second gripping flange comprises a proximal edge and a distal edge, wherein the second gripping flange extends between the proximal edge and the distal edge, wherein the second gripping flange is longitudinally staggered relative to the first gripping flange such that the proximal edge of the second gripping flange is positioned distally relative to the distal edge of the first gripping flange; a finger flange attached to a proximal portion of the half cylindrical tube portion sized for manual longitudinal positioning of the half cylindrical tube portion relative to the side aperture; and a pair of flanking horizontal tabs attached to the half cylindrical tube portion positioned proximally of the finger flange adjacent to the proximal end of the half cylindrical tube portion, wherein the pair of flanking horizontal tabs are fixed in a substantially horizontal plane; wherein the half cylindrical tube portion is configured to slidably translate along the longitudinal axis of the needle of the core biopsy instrument thereby blocking at least a proximal portion of the side aperture.