Muscle Biopsy Device

Abstract

Mean for obtaining muscle tissue specimens from a body comprising a generally rectangular blade having a tapered and pointed distal puncturing and cutting tip, and with sheath means for slidably enveloping the blade. A slot is formed in the blade and is arranged generally obliquely to the central axis of the blade to form a generally sharpened hook in the blade. The hook has a point directed toward the proximate end of the blade and comprises an overhanging barb forming a sample-retaining cavity. The blade is slidable within the sheath between retracted and extended dispositions, with the forward edges of the sheath enclosing the barb when the blade is in retracted disposition, and with the sharpened tip of the barb being exposed when the blade is in extended disposition.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an improved biopsy device, and more particularly to a means for obtaining muscle tissue or other fibrous samples. The biopsy apparatus of the present invention is particularly adapted to obtain such samples without requiring the patient to undergo unusual or extensive surgical procedures, and without the requirement that large openings be formed within the body.

In the gathering of biopsy samples for clinical diagnosis, the nature of the same can be determined by pathological examination. For such examination to be meaningful in the clinical diagnosis, the biopsy material must be obtained in adequate quantities and also in undamaged condition.

At the present time, a variety of specific biopsy instruments are being utilized for obtaining specimens, with these methods normally making use of cylindrical punches having barbed hooks disposed thereon. However, such instruments are normally cumbersome when being utilized for obtaining biopsy specimens from fibrous or muscular tissue, or may suffer the disadvantage of obtaining extremely minute quantities for pathological examination. Accordingly, it is deemed desirable to utilize a device which reduces the complexity of the procedure for the operator, thereby reducing the incidents of complications resulting therefrom, and also to utilize apparatus which neither damages nor destroys the specimen when being obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, a biopsy means is provided for obtaining fibrous or muscle tissue specimens from a body, the means comprising a blade in the form of a generally rectangular parallelepipedon with opposed upper and lower surfaces, and with opposed lateral edges, with the blade having a tapered pointed distal puncturing and cutting tip. A slot is formed in the blade and is arranged obliquely to the central axis of the blade to form a generally sharpened hook in the blade, with the hook being spaced from the tip and remote from the tapered point of the blade, the hook forming an overhanging barb to define a sample-retaining cavity with opposed blade and barb walls. A hollow rectangular sheath is arranged to slidably envelope the blade and the sheath is provided with tapered cutting edges in continuation with the taper formed on the blade, to thereby form an extension of the pointed puncturing and cutting tip. The blade is slidable within the sheath between retracted and extended dispositions, with the forward edges of the sheath enclosing the barb when the blade is in retracted disposition and with the sharpened tip of the barb being exposed when the blade is in extended disposition.

Thus, the sheath is disposed so as to cover the hook means, and the device utilized to puncture the body with a stabbing push, and when the pertinent area is reached, the sheath is permitted to be withdrawn, while the blade is advanced so as to engage fibrous tissue or muscular tissue within the hook zone. When the tissue has been gathered, the sheath is then moved forwardly or advanced over the area covered by the blade so as to shear the gathered tissue and capture it within the specimen-retaining cavity zone. The apparatus is then withdrawn and the biopsy specimen utilized for its intended purpose of examination for diagnostic purposes.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved biopsy gathering device, particularly adapted to gather fibrous or muscular tissue without requiring unusual or difficult surgical procedures.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an improved device for obtaining biopsy specimens which device obtains specimens with minimal discomfort for the patient, and with a resulting minimal degree of damage or exposure to damage for the gathered specimen.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an improved device for obtaining biopsy specimens which reduces the complexity of the procedures for the operator, and thereby reduces the extent of complications resulting therefrom.

Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a study of the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the biopsy device of the present invention, and illustrating the blade in extended disposition, with the hook portion being exposed, and illustrating, in phantom, the disposition of the blade in retracted disposition, and with a portion of the sheath being broken away;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1, and with a portion of the sheath being broken away;

FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view, on a slightly enlarged scale, and illustrating a latch and locking mechanism for controlling the disposition of the sheath means of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and with the forward portion of the device being broken away;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 4--4 of FIG. 1, with this figure being on a slightly enlarged scale and illustrating the forward tip portion only of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 5--5 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the structure with the blade in retracted disposition, and with a muscle specimen retained within the specimen-retaining cavity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the preferred modification of the present invention, and with particular attention being directed to FIGS. 1 and 2, the biopsy means generally designated 10 comprises a blade portion or element 11 in the form of a generally rectangular parallelepipedone with opposed upper and lower surfaces 12 and 13, and lateral edges 14 and 15. The blade has a shank portion along with a tapered pointed distal puncturing and cutting tip 17, terminating in a point 18. A hollow rectangular sheath means 20 is arranged to slidably envelope the blade 11 and provides a hollow blade receiving sleeve for the blade 11. The tip end of each surface of the sheath is tapered as at 21, with this taper being in continuation with the taper formed on the blade and forms an extension of the pointed puncturing and cutting tip area 17.

A slot is formed in the blade means 11 as at 23, and is arranged obliquely to the central axis of the blade to form a generally sharpened hook in the blade at a point spaced from the tip 18. The lateral edges of the upper portion of the blade remaining after the slot has been formed are tapered away so as to form a generally sharpened hook as at 24, with these lateral edges being sharpened so as to form a sharpened cutting edge. The overhanging portion of the hook is, as indicated, spaced from the tip of the blade.

It will be noted, therefore, that the hook 24 has a point 25 which is directed toward the proximate end of the blade and comprises an overhanging barb forming the sample-retaining cavity 23 with its opposed blade and barb walls.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 3 wherein the details of the latching means are illustrated. The proximate end of the sleeve 20 is roughened or knurled as at 30 to enhance the gripping features of the sheath. A spring-loaded latching dogs 31 and 32 are provided, with the spring element being shown at 33. A dog-retaining recess is available at 35 and 36 to permit retraction of the dogs into the cavity to permit the sleeve to be slid thereover. A pivot means for the dogs is illustrated at 37 and 38, with a stop lug being shown at 39 and 40.

The sample-retaining cavity is preferably formed in a plane which is disposed substantially parallel to the plane of the tapered tip portion of the upper blade surface, since this sharpened tip area and cooperating sample-retaining cavity plane will diminish or otherwise reduce the tendency to damage the specimen to be obtained.

In use, therefore, the operator initially places the sheath over the tip portion of the structure, and urges the device forward with a stabbing push. Upon reaching the tissue area to be examined, the operator extends the blade forwardly by retracting the sheath, and urges the blade forwardly thereafter. When the blade has entered the muscle or other fibrous tissue a desired amount, the sheath is then forced forwardly and thereby is utilized to cut away or shear the muscle tissue retained within the hook area of the device, that is, the material retained within the specimen-retaining cavity, as is indicated in detail in FIG. 5 as at 42. With the sample thus retained, the device is retracted from the body and the sample then made available for examination for diagnostic purposes.

The structure of the present invention provides an opportunity to obtain samples of relatively large size because of the broad base of the rectangular structure. The sharp edges of the sheath are arranged to cut the fibrous bundle as the device enters the muscle, this being accomplished without causing unusual damage to the tissue. This procedure is also accomplished without unusual or difficult surgical procedures involved.

Claims

I claim:

1. Biopsy means for obtaining muscle tissue specimens from a body and comprising:

a. blade means in the form of a rigid generally rectangular parallelepipedon with opposed upper and lower surfaces and opposed lateral edges and having a shank portion with a tapered pointed distal puncturing and cutting tip;

b. hollow rectangular sheath means slidably enveloping said blade means and providing a hollow blade-receiving sleeve with the distal tip end of each surface of said sheath being tapered in continuation with the taper formed on said blade and forming an extension of said pointed puncturing and cutting tip;

c. a slot formed in said blade means and arranged obliquely to the central axis and extending toward the tip end thereof to form a generally sharpened hook in said blade spaced from the tip thereof and disposed on said upper surface along said shank portion and adjacent said tapered zone, said hook having a point directed toward the proximate end of said blade and comprising an overhanging barb forming a sample-retaining cavity with opposed blade and barb walls, said cavity having an inner end wall surface disposed generally within said shank portion;

d. said barb being rigid and having a generally triangular configuration with a sharpened tip and sharpened lateral cutting edges;

e. said blade being slidable within said sheath between retracted and extended dispositions, with the forward edges of said sheath enclosing said barb when said blade is in said retracted disposition and with the sharpened tip of said barb being exposed when said blade is in said extended disposition.

2. The biopsy means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said opposed blade and barb walls forming said sample-retaining cavity are arranged in planes disposed substantially parallel to the tapered tip portion of said upper blade surface.