Patent Publication Number: US-2022225971-A1

Title: Vacuum-assisted soft tissue biopsy device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/139,180, filed on Jan. 19, 2021 and titled, “Vacuum-Assisted Soft Tissue Biopsy Device,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to devices used to acquire a tissue sample, such as in medical devices. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to devices used to acquire a soft tissue sample using a vacuum assist. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The embodiments disclosed herein will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only typical embodiments, which will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a biopsy device. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the biopsy device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of an embodiment of a top cover of the biopsy device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3B  is a bottom view of the top cover of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stylet assembly including a vacuum member of the biopsy device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cutting cannula assembly of the biopsy device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an arming slide of the biopsy device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an adjustable stop member of the biopsy device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of the biopsy device of  FIG. 1  in an armed state. 
         FIG. 8B  is a perspective view of the biopsy device of  FIG. 1  inserted through the skin of a patient and adjacent a lesion. 
         FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the biopsy device of  FIG. 1  wherein the stylet is driven into the lesion and a tissue sample is sucked into a sample notch. 
         FIG. 8D  is a perspective view of the biopsy device of  FIG. 1  wherein the cutting cannula is displaced over the sample notch to sever the tissue sample from the lesion. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In certain instances, a soft tissue lesion (e.g., tumor) may grow within a patient at various locations, such as breast, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, prostate, lymph nodes, etc. Sampling of a small portion of the lesion to determine the type of lesion such that a treatment regimen can be planned and implemented may be recommended to the patient. In some embodiments, the tissue sampling can be performed utilizing a biopsy device percutaneously inserted into the lesion. The biopsy device can include an inner cannula or stylet including a sample notch configured to receive a tissue sample and an outer cannula configured to sever the tissue sample from the lesion. A pathologist may desire that the tissue sample be of a minimum size (e.g., length, volume) to most effectively determine the lesion type. 
     Embodiments herein describe biopsy devices and methods to assist in obtaining a tissue sample of adequate size from a lesion within a patient&#39;s body. The devices can be percutaneously inserted into the lesion. In some embodiments within the scope of this disclosure, the devices include a stylet including a sample notch configured to receive a tissue sample, an outer cannula configured to sever the tissue sample from the lesion, a vacuum member in fluid communication with the sample notch, and an actuating member or handle configured to displace the stylet and outer cannula sequentially from proximal positions to distal positions either automatically or manually. The vacuum member is configured to generate a vacuum when the stylet is displaced by the actuator. The actuating member is armed by an arming slide such that the stylet and outer cannula are disposed in the proximal positions when the actuator is armed. A throw or penetration distance of the needle is adjustable by an adjustable stop member. 
     In use, in some embodiments within the scope of this disclosure, the biopsy device is armed by positioning the stylet and the outer cannula in proximal positions utilizing the arming slide. The stylet and the outer cannula are percutaneously inserted into the patient adjacent the lesion. The actuating member is actuated to displace the stylet into the lesion. The vacuum member generates a vacuum within the sample notch of the stylet as the stylet is displaced into the lesion. The tissue sample is sucked or drawn into the sample notch by the vacuum to increase the size of the tissue sample. The actuating member is actuated to displace the outer cannula over the stylet to sever the tissue sample from the lesion. The stylet and the outer cannula are removed from the patient. The tissue sample is removed from the sample notch. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an embodiment of a biopsy device  100 .  FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate an embodiment of a top shell  111  of the biopsy device  100 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of a stylet assembly  130  including a vacuum member of the biopsy device  100 .  FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a cutting cannula assembly  150 .  FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of an arming slide  170  of the biopsy device  100 .  FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of an adjustable stop or penetration depth member  180  of the biopsy device.  FIGS. 8A-8D  illustrate the biopsy device  100  in one embodiment of use. In certain views each device may be coupled to, or shown with, additional components not included in every view. Further, in some views only selected components are illustrated, to provide detail into the relationship of the components. Some components may be shown in multiple views, but not discussed in connection with every view. Disclosure provided in connection with any figure is relevant and applicable to disclosure provided in connection with any other figure or embodiment. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a biopsy device  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the biopsy device  100  includes three broad groups of components; each group may have numerous subcomponents and parts. The three broad component groups are: a handle  110 , a stylet assembly  130 , and a cutting cannula assembly  150 . The biopsy device  100  can be configured to obtain a soft tissue sample from a lesion with vacuum assistance. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of the biopsy device  100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the handle  110  can include a top shell  111 , a bottom shell  112 , an arming slide  170 , a return spring  173 , and the adjustable stop member  180  including a threaded stop  181 , and an adjustment wheel  182 . The stylet assembly  130  may include a stylet hub  131 , a proximal stylet cannula  132 , a distal stylet cannula  133 , a trocar tip  134 , a vacuum tube  135 , a piston  136 , a stylet drive spring  137 , and a stylet spring guide  138 . The cutting cannula assembly  150  can include a cutting cannula hub  151 , a cutting cannula  152 , a cutting cannula drive spring  153 , and a cutting cannula spring guide  154 . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a top view of the top shell  111  and  FIG. 3B  illustrates a bottom view of the top shell  111  of the handle  110 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the top shell  111  can include a first actuator  112  and a second actuator  113 . The first actuator  112  may include a first button  122  disposed at an end of a first cantilever arm  123 . The first button  122  can include an indicium, such as the letter “A” indicating an “automatic” mode of operation. Other indicia are contemplated. The second actuator  113  may include a second button  124  disposed at an end of a second cantilever arm  125 . The second button  124  can include an indicium, such as the letter “D” indicating a “delayed” mode of operation. Other indicia are contemplated. The actuators  112 ,  113  can be depressed by a user to actuate the biopsy device  100  as will be discussed below. The cantilever arms  123 ,  125  may return the actuators  112 ,  113  from an actuated state to a ready state. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 3A , the top shell  111  may include a penetration depth window  115  disposed through the top shell  111 . Penetration depth indicia  116  can be disposed adjacent the penetration depth window  115 . The penetration depth indicia  116  may include one or more numbers to indicate a desired penetration depth in millimeters. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the penetration depth indicia  116  include the numbers  15 ,  20 , and  25  indicating desired penetration depths of 15 millimeters, 20 millimeters, and 25 millimeters, respectively, and any length therebetween. A wheel window  117  can be disposed through the top shell  111  adjacent a distal end of the top shell  111 . The wheel window  117  can be configured to allow the adjustment wheel  182  to extend through the wheel window  117 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the top shell  111  can include a stationary shoulder or catch  118  distending from an inner surface configured to engage with trigger catches of the stylet hub  131  and the cutting cannula hub  151 . The stationary shoulder  118  can include a proximally directed face oriented substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the top shell  111 . In certain embodiments, the proximally directed face may be angled at about 10 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the top shell  111 . The first actuator  112  can include a first recess  119  and a second recess  120 , both recessed from an inner surface of the first actuator  112 . The first recess  119  is configured to engage with the trigger catch of the stylet hub  131  and the second recess  120  is configured to engage with the trigger catch of the cutting cannula hub  151 . A depth of the first recess  119  is less than a depth of the second recess  120  wherein the first recess  120  can engage the trigger catch of the stylet hub  131  before engaging the trigger catch of the cutting cannula hub  151 . This configuration allows the stylet hub  131  to be fired before or prior to the firing of the cutting cannula hub  151 . The second actuator  113  can include a protrusion  121  distending downwardly from the second actuator  113  and configured to engage with an actuator tab of the stylet hub  131  to fire the stylet hub. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the stylet assembly  130 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the stylet assembly  130  can include the stylet hub  131 , the proximal stylet cannula  132 , the distal proximal stylet cannula  133 , the trocar tip  134 , the vacuum tube  135 , and the piston  136 . The stylet hub  131  can include a cantilever arm  143 . The cantilever arm  143  may include a trigger catch  140  and an actuator tab  144 . The trigger catch  140  may include a distally directed face configured to engage with the proximally directed face of the stationary shoulder  118 . When engaged, the stylet hub  131  can be retained in a proximal position. The actuator tab  144  can extend proximally from the trigger catch  140 . The trigger catch  140  can be engaged by the first protrusion  119  when the first actuator  112  is depressed and the actuator tab  144  can be engaged by the third protrusion  121  when the second actuator  113  is depressed. When the trigger catch  140  and/or the actuator tab  144  are engaged, the cantilever arm  143  may be deflected downwardly causing the trigger catch  140  to disengage from the stationary shoulder  118  allowing the stylet hub  131  to be driven distally by the stylet drive spring  137 . A load catch  141  can be disposed on a bottom surface of the stylet hub  131 . The load catch  141  may include an angled finger  147  and an angled slot  148 . 
     The proximal stylet cannula  132  can be a cylindrical tube with a lumen extending therethrough. The proximal stylet cannula  132  may be fixedly coupled to the stylet hub  131  and a proximal end may extend through the piston  136  into the vacuum tube  135  such that the lumen is in fluid communication with the vacuum tube  135 . The distal stylet cannula  133  can be a cylindrical tube with a lumen extending therethrough. The distal stylet cannula  133  can be co-axially disposed over a distal portion of the proximal stylet cannula  132  such that the lumen of the distal stylet cannula  133  is in fluid communication with the lumen of the proximal stylet cannula  132  and the vacuum tube  135 . The proximal stylet cannula  132  and the distal stylet cannula  133  can be fixedly coupled using any suitable technique, such as welding, gluing, and frictional fit. Other techniques are contemplated. In other embodiments, the proximal and distal stylet cannulae  132 ,  133  may be a stylet cannula of a unibody construct. 
     A sample notch  139  may be disposed in the distal stylet cannula  133  adjacent a distal end and configured to receive a tissue sample. The sample notch  139  can have a length ranging from about 19 millimeters to about 22 millimeters and a depth ranging from about 50% to about 80% of a diameter of the distal stylet cannula  133 . The sample notch  139  may be in fluid communication with the vacuum tube  135  through the lumens of the proximal and distal stylet cannulae  132 ,  133 . 
     The trocar tip  134  may be disposed at the distal end of the distal stylet cannula  133 . The trocar tip  134  can be at least partially disposed within the lumen of the distal stylet cannula  133 . The trocar tip  134  may be fixedly coupled to the distal stylet cannula  133  utilizing any suitable technique. For example, the technique can include welding, gluing, and friction fit. Other techniques are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. The trocar tip  134  can include a sharp point  145  and sharp facets  146  configured to penetrate and cut tissue. 
     A vacuum member such as vacuum tube  135  can be disposed adjacent a proximal end of the stylet hub  131 . In some embodiments, a proximal end of the stylet hub  131  may extend into the vacuum tube  135 . The vacuum tube  135  may include a cylindrical tube having a closed proximal end, an open distal end, and a bore extending therebetween. The piston  136  can be slidingly disposed within the bore and can be configured to seal against an inner surface of the vacuum tube  135 . The piston  136  may be formed of a compliant material, such as rubber, latex, and thermoplastic elastomer. Other materials are contemplated, such as a rigid plastic piston with a compliant O-ring. The distal end of the proximal stylet cannula  132  can extend through the piston  136  into the bore of the vacuum tube  135  wherein the lumen of the proximal stylet cannula  132  is in fluid communication with the bore. The piston  136  may be fixedly coupled to the stylet hub  131 . When the stylet hub  131  is proximally translated, the vacuum tube  135  is stationary relative to the handle  110  and the piston  136  is proximally translated within the bore of the vacuum tube  135  causing air within the vacuum tube  135  to be expelled through the sample notch  139 . When the stylet hub  131  is distally translated, the vacuum tube  135  is stationary relative to the handle  110  and the piston  136  is distally translated within the bore of the vacuum tube  135  to generate a vacuum within the bore proximal to the piston  136  and within the sample notch  139 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the cutting cannula assembly  150 . As illustrated, the cutting cannula assembly  150  can include the cutting cannula hub  151  and the cutting cannula  152 . The cutting cannula hub  151  can include a cantilever arm  160 . The cantilever arm  160  may include a trigger catch  161 . The trigger catch  161  may include a distally directed face configured to engage with the proximally directed face of the stationary shoulder  118 . When engaged, the cutting cannula hub  151  can be retained in a proximal position. The trigger catch  161  can be engaged by the second protrusion  120  when the first actuator  112  is depressed. When the trigger catch  161  is engaged, the cantilever arm  160  may be deflected downwardly causing the trigger catch  161  to disengage from the stationary shoulder  118  allowing the cutting cannula hub  151  to be driven distally by the cutting cannula drive spring  153 . A load catch  156  can be disposed on a bottom surface of the cutting cannula hub  151 . The load catch  156  may include an angled finger  164  and an angled slot  165 . 
     The cutting cannula  152  can be fixedly coupled to the cutting cannula hub  151  and co-axially disposed over the proximal and distal stylet cannulae  132 ,  133 . The cutting cannula  152  can include a cylindrical tube with a lumen extending therethrough. A distal end  158  of the cutting cannula  152  can be beveled wherein the distal end  158  may sever a tissue sample from a lesion when the cutting cannula  152  is translated over the sample notch  139 . The cutting cannula  152  may include marker bands  159  disposed along a length of the cutting cannula  152 . The marker bands  159  can be equally spaced to indicate an insertion depth of the cutting cannula  152 . For example, a distance between the marker bands  159  can be one centimeter. Other distances are contemplated. Further, the marker bands  159  may reflect ultrasound energy wherein a location of the cutting cannula  152  can be determined using ultrasound imaging techniques. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of the arming slide  170 . As illustrated, the arming slide  170  can include a hub catch  172  and a finger grip  174 . The arming slide  170  may be slidingly disposed over or within portions of the top and bottom shells  111 ,  112  to arm the biopsy device  100 . The hub catch  172  can be disposed within the arming slide  170  and extend upward from an inner surface. The hub catch  172  may include a V-shape having two catches, a stylet hub catch  175  and a cannula hub catch  176 , extending angularly away from one another from a central axis of the hub catch  172 . The stylet hub catch  175  can be configured to engage the load catch  141  of the stylet hub  131  wherein the stylet hub catch  175  is received within the angled slot  148 . The cannula hub catch  176  can be configured to engage the load catch  156  of the cutting cannula hub  151  wherein the cannula hub catch  176  is received within the angled slot  165 . When the hub catches  175 ,  176  are received within the angled slots  148 ,  165 , the hubs  131 ,  151  can be displaced proximally by the arming slide  170  to arm the biopsy device  100 . 
     The finger grips  174  may be disposed at a distal end of the arming slide  170 . The finger grips  174  can be grasped by fingers of the user to proximally displace the arming slide  170  when arming the biopsy device  100 . The finger grips  174  may include grip-enhancing features, such as ribs, grooves, bumps, dimples, a textured surface, and a compliant surface. Other grip-enhancing features are contemplated. The arming slide  170  may be returned to a distal position by a distally directed force applied by the return spring  173 . The return spring  173  can be co-axially disposed within the cutting cannula drive spring  153 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the adjustable stop member  180  configured to facilitate adjustment of the needle penetration depth. As illustrated, the adjustable stop member  180  can include the threaded stop  181  and the adjustment wheel  182  threadingly coupled with the threaded stop  181 . The threaded stop  181  may include male threads disposed adjacent a distal end and configured to engage with female threads of the adjustment wheel  182 . A proximally facing stop surface  183  can be disposed at a proximal end of the threaded stop  181 . The stop surface  183  may be configured to interface with distal ends of the hubs  131 ,  151  to stop distal movement of the hubs  131 ,  151  when the biopsy device  100  is actuated. A bore  185  may extend through the threaded stop  181  for passage of the cutting cannula  152 . An indicium  184  can be disposed on an upper surface of the threaded stop  181 . In the illustrated embodiment, the indicium  184  is an arrow. In other embodiments, other indicia are contemplated. The indicium  184  may be disposed within the penetration depth window  115  of the top shell  111  to indicate a desired depth of needle penetration. 
     The adjustment wheel  182  may include grip-enhancing features to improve handling of the adjustment wheel  182  when an adjustment of a desired penetration depth is made. The grip-enhancing features may include ribs, grooves, bumps, dimples, a textured surface, and a compliant surface. Other grip-enhancing features are contemplated. The adjustment wheel  182  can be disposed through the wheel window  117  of the top shell  111  and a wheel window of the bottom shell wherein the adjustment wheel  182  can be rotated by the user. When the adjustment wheel  182  is rotated, the threaded stop  181  is axially translated to adjust a stop position of the hubs  131 ,  151  and the depth of needle penetration. 
     In use, the biopsy device  100  may be utilized to obtain a tissue sample, such as a soft tissue sample of a lesion located in the breast, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, prostate, or lymph nodes of a patient. The lesion can be a tumor or any other type of soft tissue malformation.  FIGS. 8A-8D  illustrate the biopsy device  100  during an embodiment of a use within the scope of this disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , the biopsy device  100  may be loaded or armed when the arming slide  170  is gripped by the user to displace the arming slide  170  proximally. As the arming slide  170  is translated proximally a first time, the cutting cannula hub  151  can engage the arming slide  170  when the cannula hub catch is received within the angled slot as previously described. The cutting cannula hub  151  can be translated proximally to a proximal position in an armed state wherein the cannula drive spring is compressed. Tactile, visual, and/or audible feedback may be provided to the user to indicate that the cutting cannula hub  151  is in the armed state. The cutting cannula hub  151  may be retained in the proximal position by engagement of the stationary shoulder and the trigger catch as previously described. Proximal displacement of the cutting cannula hub  151  causes the cutting cannula  152  to be translated proximally. The arming slide  170  can be released to return to the distal position by a distally directed force applied by the return spring. 
     In some embodiments, the arming slide  170  may be gripped again by the user and translated proximally a second time. As the arming slide  170  is translated proximally a second time, the stylet hub  131  may be engaged by the arming slide  170  when the stylet hub catch is received within the angled slot. The stylet hub  131  can be translated proximally to a proximal position in an armed state wherein the stylet drive spring is compressed. Tactile and/or audible feedback may be provided to the user to indicate that the stylet hub  131  is in the armed state. The stylet hub  131  may be retained in the proximal position by engagement of the stationary shoulder and the trigger catch as previously described. Proximal displacement of the stylet hub  131  causes the proximal and distal stylet cannulae  132 ,  133  to be translated proximally. Further, when the stylet hub  131  is displaced proximally, the piston  136  may be translated proximally within the vacuum tube and the air within the vacuum tube can be expelled through the sample notch. In certain embodiments, a desired penetration depth can be set when the adjustment wheel  182  is rotated to adjust a position of the threaded stop  181  as indicated by the position of the indicium  184  in relation to the penetration depth indicia  116 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8B , the arming slide  170  may be translated distally by the distally directed force applied to the arming slide  170  by the return spring. The trocar tip  134  and the cutting cannula  152  can be inserted through a patient&#39;s skin  102  and positioned adjacent a lesion  104 . In another embodiment, the trocar tip  134  and the sample notch may be positioned within the lesion  104 . In some embodiments, the marker bands  159  of the cutting cannula  152  can be utilized as a depth reference to determine an insertion depth of the cutting cannula  152 . In other embodiments, the marker bands  159  may be utilized in conjunction with ultrasound imaging to determine a position of the cutting cannula  152  relative to the lesion  104 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8C , in certain embodiments, the first button  122  can be depressed such that the first protrusion engages the stylet hub trigger catch to disengage the stylet hub trigger catch from the stationary shoulder. When disengaged, the stylet hub  131  can be driven distally by the stylet drive spring until the stylet hub  131  impacts the threaded stop  183 . The trocar tip  134  can penetrate the lesion  104  and the sample notch  139  may be disposed within the lesion  104 . When the stylet hub  131  is driven distally, the piston  136  can be displaced distally within the vacuum tube creating a vacuum within the vacuum tube and the sample notch  139 . In other words, the vacuum within the vacuum tube and the sample notch can  139  be generated while the sample notch  139  is displaced distally and disposed within the lesion  104 . A tissue sample  106  may be drawn or sucked into the sample notch  139  by the vacuum. The vacuum can facilitate fully filling the sample notch  139  with the tissue sample  106  resulting in an increase in size (e.g., volume) of the tissue sample  106  when compared to a non-vacuum-assisted biopsy procedure. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8D  the first button  122  can be further depressed such that the second protrusion engages the cutting cannula hub trigger catch to disengage the cutting cannula hub trigger catch from the stationary shoulder. When disengaged, the cutting cannula hub  151  can be driven distally by the cannula drive spring until the cutting cannula hub  151  impacts the threaded stop  183 . In other words, the stylet assembly and the cutting cannula assembly can be automatically, sequentially actuated via depression of the first button  122 . The sequential actuation is due to the difference in the heights of the first protrusion and the second protrusion. Said another way, the trigger catch of the stylet hub is disengaged from the stationary shoulder by the taller first protrusion prior to the disengagement of the trigger catch of the cutting cannula hub from the stationary shoulder by the shorter second protrusion. When the cutting cannula hub  151  is driven distally, the cutting cannula  152  is displaced over the sample notch  139  wherein the beveled end  158  severs the tissue sample  106  disposed within the sample notch  139  from the lesion  104 . Following severing of the tissue sample  106 , the cutting cannula  152  can cover the tissue sample  106  disposed within the sample notch  139  to retain the tissue sample  106  within the sample notch  139 . 
     In another embodiment, the second button  124  can be depressed to engage the actuator tab to disengage the first protrusion from the stationary shoulder. When disengaged, the stylet hub  131  may be driven distally by the stylet drive spring. Following distal displacement of the stylet hub  131 , the first button  122  can be depressed to disengage the second protrusion from the stationary shoulder and allow the cutting cannula hub  151  to be driven distally by the cannula drive spring. 
     When the stylet hub  131  and/or the cutting cannula hub  151  are driven proximally and stopped by the threaded stop  183 , a loud noise is created by the impact. The loud noise may be disturbing to the user and/or a patient. In some embodiments, the vacuum generated by the biopsy device  100  when the stylet hub  131  is driven distally can dampen the impact noise of the stylet hub  131  impacting the threaded stop  183 . 
     Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified. For example, a method of obtaining a tissue sample may include one or more of the following steps: arming a tissue sampling device; inserting an inner cannula and an outer cannula into a patient and positioning the inner cannula and outer cannula adjacent a lesion; triggering displacement of the inner cannula from a position adjacent the lesion to a position within the lesion; generating a vacuum in a notch of the inner cannula; sucking a tissue sample into the notch; triggering displacement of the outer cannula from a position adjacent the lesion to a position within the lesion; and severing the tissue sample within the notch from the lesion. Other steps are also contemplated. 
     Embodiments may be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     Similarly, in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. 
     It will be appreciated that various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. Many of these features may be used alone and/or in combination with one another. 
     The phrases “coupled to” and “in communication with” refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interaction. Two components may be coupled to or in communication with each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. For example, two components may be coupled to or in communication with each other through an intermediate component. 
     The directional terms “distal” and “proximal” are given their ordinary meaning in the art. That is, the distal end of a medical device means the end of the device furthest from the practitioner during use. The proximal end refers to the opposite end, or the end nearest to the practitioner during use. As specifically applied to a biopsy device of this disclosure, the proximal end of the biopsy device refers to the end nearest to the handle and the distal end refers to the opposite end, the end nearest to the trocar tip. 
     References to approximations are made throughout this specification, such as by use of the term “substantially.” For each such reference, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, or characteristic may be specified without approximation. For example, where qualifiers such as “about” and “substantially” are used, these terms include within their scope the qualified words in the absence of their qualifiers. For example, where the term “substantially perpendicular” is recited with respect to a feature, it is understood that in further embodiments, the feature can have a precisely perpendicular configuration. 
     The terms “a” and “an” can be described as one, but not limited to one. For example, although the disclosure may recite a housing having “a stopper,” the disclosure also contemplates that the housing can have two or more stoppers. 
     Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints. 
     Recitation in the claims of the term “first” with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element. 
     The claims following this written disclosure are hereby expressly incorporated into the present written disclosure, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims. Moreover, additional embodiments capable of derivation from the independent and dependent claims that follow are also expressly incorporated into the present written description. 
     Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the invention to its fullest extent. The claims and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, with the aid of the present disclosure, that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure herein. In other words, various modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed in the description above are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the order of the steps or actions of the methods disclosed herein may be changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order or use of specific steps or actions may be modified. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the following claims and their equivalents.