Patent · US Expired

Disposable handle and needle assembly

US6033369A · kind A · utility

109Cited by
6References
16Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 23, 1998
Grant dateMar 7, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 23, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/0046
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A disposable biopsy needle of simple construction is disclosed. The biopsy needle includes inner and outer tubes which are affixed, respectively, to a knob and handle assembly. A resiliently flexible lip is positioned within the handle to overlie and constrict the aperture through which the knob is received during assembly of the inner needle and the outer needle. During assembly, the lip deflects as the knob passes into the handle and then returns to an undeflected state once the knob is fully seated within the handle. The lip restrains axial movement of the knob and the inner tube in the fully assembled biopsy needle. The knob may be provided with a knurled surface which engages the free end of a resiliently flexible tab disposed within the handle when the knob is rotated. The interaction of ridges and valleys on the knurled surface with the free end of the flexible tab provides a positive tactile and audible indication of the relative rotation of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. The disposable biopsy needle may be subjected to a sterilization process to provide a sterile biopsy needle. A method for assembling a disposable biopsy needle is also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.