Bone marrow biopsy device

Details Bone marrow biopsy device Bone marrow biopsy device

2000-04-25

2001-10-16

Hindenburg, Max (Department: 3736)

Surgery

Diagnostic testing

Sampling nonliquid body material

Reexamination Certificate

active

06302852

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to bone marrow biopsy devices and, more particularly, to a bone marrow biopsy device with a grip enhancement feature.
2. Background Art
Bone marrow biopsy devices have been known in the art for many years. In particular, many bone marrow biopsy devices have included a hollow outer cannula with some form of inner rod slidable within the outer cannula. The outer cannula conventionally consists of a proximal end, a distal end and some form of a handle associated with the proximal end. The inner rod may typically take several different forms, including a sharpened stylet for insertion of the bone marrow biopsy needle into a patient, an inner cannula for sampling bone marrow, and/or an ejector rod for forcing the sample out of the outer cannula. The inner rod also typically includes a second or connection handle which may be secured to the handle portion of the outer cannula.
For instance, Baldridge, U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,974, Tretinyak, U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,617, Tretinyak, U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,616, Lee, U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,266 and Strasser et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,282 all disclose bone marrow biopsy devices having a first handle mounted on the outer cannula and a second handle mounted on the inner rod. The first and second handle portions of these devices are constructed from the same material, typically a light weight plastic. Moreover, these handles are usually designed to securably mate with one another, for instance by a locking member, such as that taught in Mittermeier et al., Ser. No. 09/137,854, incorporated herein by reference.
Additionally, several of these bone marrow biopsy devices have included handle features which enhance the ability of a user to both grip and manipulate the bone marrow biopsy needle. For instance, Strasser, U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,282 discloses finger grooves in the outer cannula handle portion, while Tretinyak, U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,617 discloses ridges on both the first and second handle portions to facilitate a users grasping of the device.
Although these and other bone marrow biopsy devices have worked well, it is still to desired to provide an enhanced gripping surface which enhances the feel for a user of the instrument, while at the same time preventing slipping of a hand or fingers which grasp the handle portion of the instrument. It is likewise desired to provide an enhanced gripping surface which works well in condition where water, perspiration or other fluid may be present.
It is further desired to provide a bone marrow biopsy device with a handle having a cushioned gripping portion. In particular, many bone marrow biopsy devices must inherently be forced by a physician for insertion into a patient's bone, thus mandating a firm, tight grip on the handle of the instrument. It is beneficial to provide a softer, cushioned surface to alleviate some of the stress placed on the physician's hand.
It is also desirable to provide a bone marrow biopsy device with a handle which is easily molded, and which includes inserts which add to the weight of the handle and improve weight distribution throughout the handle. It is likewise desirable to provide an inexpensive, easily positioned insert which contributes to a comfortable handle weight, while also enhancing the grip of the handle.
It is also desired to provide a bone marrow biopsy device with a gripping surface which enhances the secured, locking relationship of the outer cannula handle portion to the inner rod handle portion, to facilitate simultaneous use of the outer cannula in conjunction with the inner rod, for insertion, manipulation, and removal of the bone marrow biopsy device from a patient.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims and drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a bone marrow biopsy needle including an outer cannula and an inner rod. The outer cannula includes a proximal end, a distal end, a hollow section therebetween and a handle portion associated with the proximal end. The handle portion further includes a front portion, a rear portion, a top portion, a bottom portion and a grip enhancement member which is formed from a material distinct from at least a portion of the handle portion.
In a preferred embodiment, the grip enhancement member comprises at least one tactile insert member. The at least one tactile insert member preferably fits into at to least one corresponding cavity in the handle portion of the outer cannula. In one embodiment, handle portion includes cavities in both the front and rear portions, both of which contain separate front and rear tactile insert members. In another embodiment, the front portion includes two separate cavities, each of which include separate tactile inserts.
In a preferred embodiment, the at least one tactile insert member is constructed from rubber. The rubber provides a non-slip gripping surface, while enhancing gripping ability under wet conditions, such as those generated by a perspiring palm or other liquids in the surgical environment. The grip enhancement member also provides cushioning for a user and adds weight to the handle portion to facilitate weight distribution throughout the outer cannula handle.
In another preferred embodiment, the at least one insert member is constructed from other, preferably heavier materials, to add additional weight to the handle portion of the outer cannula.
In one embodiment, the grip enhancement member comprises a single piece extending from a front portion cavity, across at least a portion of the bottom portion, and into a back portion cavity. In another embodiment, the grip enhancement member comprises a tactile overlay attached to one or both of the front and rear portions of the handle portion of the outer cannula.
The inner rod includes a proximal end, a distal end and a handle cap. The inner rod may take the form of a sharpened stylet, an inner cannula, an ejector rod, or other solid or hollow rods. The handle cap is preferably associated with the proximal end of the inner rod, and is capable of securable engagement with the handle portion of the outer cannula to facilitate simultaneous insertion of the outer cannula and the inner rod into and removal from a patient.
In a preferred embodiment, the grip enhancement member extends outwardly beyond the handle portion to enhance the secured engagement of the outer cannula with the inner rod when the handle cap is positioned over the handle portion of the outer cannula in a locking orientation.
In another preferred embodiment, the handle cap includes a separate locking member for releasably locking the handle cap onto the handle portion of the outer cannula. In yet another preferred embodiment, the handle cap includes an alignment member for alignment with an orientation indicia on the handle portion of the outer cannula for directing proper orientation of the handle cap onto the handle portion.


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