Patent ID: 7465279

Claim:
A method of deployment of a biopsy marker at a biopsy surgical site within a body by use of a biopsy device, the method comprising: providing a biopsy device including a probe defining a cutter lumen having proximal and distal openings, and a hollow cutter configured to be distally advanceable and proximally retractable through the cutter lumen, wherein the cutter is generally tubular, wherein the cutter has a sharp open distal end configured to sever tissue; advancing the cutter through the cutter lumen to sever a tissue sample with the sharp open distal end of the cutter; retracting the cutter to expose the proximal opening of the cutter lumen; providing a biopsy marker introduction assembly comprising an introducer tube, a marker disposed in the introducer tube, and a marker deployment rod disposed for translation within the introducer tube, the marker deployment rod having trailing and leading ends and a cutter seat portion proximate to the trailing end, configured to abut with the sharp open distal end of the cutter, the cutter seat having a diameter greater than that of the cutter; inserting the biopsy marker introduction assembly into the proximal opening of the cutter lumen; bringing the sharp open distal end of the cutter and the cutter seat portion of the marker deployment rod into abutment; and distally advancing the cutter to drive the marker deployment rod and thus the marker to cause deployment of the marker through the distal opening of the cutter lumen at the biopsy surgical site.