Patent ID: 8454531

Claim:
A biopsy system, wherein the biopsy system comprises: (a) a biopsy device configured to obtain tissue samples from a patient, wherein the biopsy device comprises: (i) a cannula having a transverse opening, and (ii) a cutter translatable relative to the cannula to sever a portion of tissue protruding through the transverse opening, wherein the cutter defines a cutter lumen; and (b) a vacuum control module, wherein the vacuum control module includes a source of vacuum in selective communication with the cutter lumen, wherein the vacuum control module further includes a user interface, wherein the user interface has user input features and associated icons to control operation of the biopsy device, wherein the vacuum control module is operable to selectively turn a maintenance vacuum pulse mode on or off, wherein the vacuum control module is configured to initiate a plurality of maintenance vacuum pulse cycles in response to the absence of any user input through the user input features within a predetermined period of time when the maintenance vacuum pulse mode is on, wherein the vacuum control module is configured to communicate a plurality of pulses of vacuum to the cutter lumen during the plurality of maintenance vacuum pulse cycles, wherein the vacuum control module is further configured to reciprocate the cutter by partially retracting the cutter relative to the transverse opening and advancing the cutter relative to the transverse opening during each maintenance vacuum pulse cycle, with the reciprocation of the cutter being in synchronization with the pulses of vacuum during the maintenance vacuum pulse cycle, wherein the icons comprise a vacuum pulse icon indicating whether the maintenance vacuum pulse mode is on or off.