Patent ID: 8292824
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A biopsy device comprising: a biopsy needle moving mechanism for moving a biopsy needle to be inserted into a biopsy region of a mass to be examined in a piercing direction along which the biopsy needle pierces the mass to be examined and in a direction perpendicular to the piercing direction; a determining section for determining whether the biopsy needle has pierced the mass to be examined or not; a biopsy needle actuator for causing the biopsy needle moving mechanism to move the biopsy needle to a given position; a compression plate for compressing the mass to be examined, the compression plate having an opening defined therein through which the biopsy needle is movable; and a movement limiter comprising a biopsy needle position controller, which is disposed separately from the mass to be examined, for controlling the biopsy needle actuator, wherein the movement limiter controls the biopsy needle actuator such that movement of the biopsy needle within a plane perpendicular to the piercing direction along which the biopsy needle pierces the mass to be examined is limited, thereby to prevent unintentional movement of the biopsy needle within the plane perpendicular to the piercing direction, on condition that the determining section judges that the biopsy needle has pierced the mass to be examined, and wherein the movement limiter controls the biopsy needle actuator such that the movement of the biopsy needle within the plane perpendicular to the piercing direction is limited to within an opening range of the opening.