Cutter drive assembly for biopsy device

摘要

A biopsy device comprises a body, a needle, and a cutter actuation mechanism. The needle extends distally from the body. The cutter actuation mechanism rotates and translates the cutter relative to the body and relative to the needle. The cutter has an overmold presenting a lead screw and a hex portion. The cutter actuation mechanism comprises a first gear disposed about the hex portion of the overmold and a second gear engaged with the lead screw of the overmold by a nut that is integral with the second gear. The cutter actuation mechanism is operable to simultaneously rotate the first gear relative to the body at a first rotational speed and the second gear relative to the body at a second rotational speed. With the lead screw and the nut rotating at different rotational speeds, the lead screw rotates relative to the nut at a third rotational speed.

主权项

1. A biopsy device, comprising:
(a) a body; (b) a needle extending distally from the body; (c) a cutter configured for translation relative to the needle; (d) a first rotating member disposed within the body; (e) a second rotating member disposed within the body; and (f) a drive assembly disposed within the body and operable to simultaneously rotate the first and second rotating members; wherein the first and second rotating members each comprise a gear, wherein one gear of the first or second rotating member is larger than another gear of the first or second rotating member, wherein the differently sized gears are configured to cause the first and second rotating members to rotate at different rotational speeds when the first and second rotating members receive a single rotational input; wherein the first rotating member and the second rotating member are rotatable about a common axis; wherein the difference in rotational speeds of the first and second rotating members with both first and second members rotating is configured to provide translation of the cutter relative to the needle.