Patent ID: 7867173

Claim:
A biopsy device, comprising: A. a probe assembly, comprising: i. a probe support structure, ii. a probe attached to the probe support structure and having a side aperture, wherein the probe includes a vacuum lumen communicating with the side aperture, and iii. a cutter tube slidingly received by the probe and sized to translate across the side aperture; B. a hand piece, comprising: i. a hand piece support structure having a lateral engaging portion operatively configured to receive the probe assembly, ii. a lead screw for cutter translation attached for rotation to the hand piece support structure, and iii. a cutter carriage longitudinally translated by rotation of the lead screw and having an engagement mechanism positioned to engage a proximal portion of the cutter tube; and C. a pneumatic valve, comprising: i. a valve body attached to the probe support structure, wherein the valve body comprises: a. a distally open cylinder body having a first port distally positioned and connectable to a first pressure source, b. a second port positioned proximal to the first port and connectable to a second pressure source having lower pressure than the first pressure source, and c. a third port positioned between the first and second port and in communication with the vacuum lumen, and ii. a valve actuator having distal and proximal dynamic seals, wherein the dynamic seals of the valve actuator are spaced to encompass the first and third ports when distally positioned to place the first port into communication with the third port during at least a portion of proximal translation of the cutter tube, and wherein the dynamic seals of the valve actuator are spaced to encompass the second and third ports when proximally positioned to place the second port into communication with third port during at least a portion of distal translation of the cutter tube.