Disposable soft tissue biopsy apparatus.

摘要

Soft tissue biopsy apparatus (10) for obtaining a tissue specimen. An elongate housing (12) has an opening (20) at one end (14). A hollow cannula (26) is positioned within the housing (12), is reciprocally movable therewithin, and one end (28) of the needle extends through the opening (20) for insertion into tissue from which a specimen is to be taken. A needle (44) is positioned within the cannula (26), is reciprocally movable therewithin, and also has an end (46) extending through the opening (20) for insertion into the tissue. This needle (44) has a recess (50) adjacent its outer end in which a tissue specimen is captured. The needle (44) is connected to a slide (68) by which the needle is moved independently of the cannula (26). A sleeve (110) installed over the housing (12) is manually operable to move the slide to a selected and cocked position prior to insertion of the cannula/needle into the tissue. Movement of the slide moves the second needle from a first position to a second position while the cannula (26) remains stationary. A release mechanism (114) operable by the user after insertion of the assembly into the tissue initially returns the needle to its first position and then moves the cannula (26) from a first position to a second position. Movement of the cannula (26) to its second position causes the end of the said cannula to cover the end of the needle (44) to capture the tissue specimen within the recess (50).