a preferred biopsy assembly of the present invention is shown in fig1 a , 1b , 1 c and fig2 a , 2b , and 2 c . it includes : ( 1 ) a drive unit 2 shown in fig2 a , ( 2 ) a large number of disposable biopsy cartridge assemblies 1 , one of which is shown in detail in fig6 through 9 f and ( 3 ) a stapler unit shown at 11 shown in fig2 d and shown in detail in fig1 a through 16 . the preferred drive unit 2 includes electronic controls 9 , battery unit 8 , blade drive gear motor 3 , drive gear 5 , stapler drive gear motor 10 , oscillator drive motor 4 , oscillator drive pulley 27 , oscillator drive belt 12 and drive oscillator cam 6 with cam finger 6 a . preferred disposable biopsy cartridge assembly 1 shown in fig5 includes cam drive gear 21 driven by drive gear 5 in drive unit 2 . the cartridge also includes oscillator block 19 with finger slot 19 a into which cam finger 6 a fits and produces a back and forth oscillation of block 19 and blades 18 a and 18 b as well as all of the other components shown in fig8 e . the direction of the back and forth oscillation is indicated by double arrow 19 b in fig8 e . in a preferred embodiment the extent of the back and forth oscillation is about 0 . 2 mm . the turning of cam drive gear 21 in cartridge 1 by blade drive unit 2 causes blades 18 a and 18 b as shown in fig9 b to first move in a downward direction slicing into the skin with the back and forth oscillation produced by oscillator cam 6 . after the blades have cut into the skin to a predetermined depth within the range of about 2 to 4 mm , the continued rotation of gear 21 and cam action of cam 17 a and 17 b causes blade 18 a and 18 b to cut inward toward each other to cut under the skin section and to trap the biopsy sample within the blades as they move to their closed position . five sequential positions of one of the blade and other cartridge components are shown in fig1 a through 17e . the first preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes stapler unit 10 as shown in fig2 b and 2c and in detail in fig1 , 14 , 15 , 16 and 18 . the stapler cartridge 11 snaps into the drive unit 2 , and a tab in the end of stapler coupling 26 as shown in fig2 a engages stapler shaft engagement slot 46 a as shown in fig1 a . stapler coupling 26 couples the stapler shaft to stapler drive motor 10 in drive assembly 2 . the stapler is used to close the wound after the sample has been extracted . a sterile cartridge assembly 1 is removed from its package 24 as shown in fig1 , under sterile conditions and inserted into the driver assembly 2 as shown in fig1 a , 1b and 10 . the insertion engages gear 5 in drive unit 2 as shown in fig3 with the cam drive gear 21 in cartridge 1 as shown in fig5 . drive unit 2 comprises electromagnetic coils 7 as shown in fig3 . control electronics 9 are configured such that the pressing the cartridge release 15 once will activate the cartridge retaining electromagnetic coils 7 which will hold the cartridge in its place in the drive 2 by attracting the ferrous metal discs 26 on the sample cartridge 1 as seen in fig5 . cartridge assembly 1 is located , by a medical operator who is intending to obtain a skin sample , over a previously prepared skin location ( such as one containing a lesion ) from which a sample is required . when the operator presses the control switch 14 shown in fig1 on the driver assembly 2 the control electronics 9 as shown in fig2 receives a start signal , causing the gear motor 3 and oscillation gear motor 4 to begin to rotate their rotors . the output shaft of gear motor 3 is attached drive gear 5 and all begin to rotate with the rotor of gear motor 3 . drive gear 5 is engaged with the cam drive gear 21 in cartridge 1 as shown in fig5 when cartridge 1 is attached to the driver assembly as explained above . as cam drive gear 21 begins to turn , it rotates its attached cam drive shaft 20 as shown in fig8 b and blade actuation cam 17 a and also partial gear 17 a ( 1 ) which is an integral part of cam 17 a as shown in fig8 b . gear teeth on partial gear 17 a ( 1 ) are meshed with teeth on a second partial gear 17 b ( 1 ) on cam 17 b to rotate the two cams at the same speed in the opposite direction . as the cams rotate , they begin to force the two identical blades 18 a and 18 b down toward the skin surface , guided by slots 30 in the cartridge 1 . at this time the blades are approximately perpendicular to the skin surface as shown in fig9 b and fig1 a . at the time the blade drive gear motor 3 begins to turn , oscillation drive gearmotor 4 as shown in fig3 , with its attached oscillation drive pulley 27 starts to rotate . pulley 27 rotates the oscillation drive belt 12 which rotates the oscillation cam 6 . finger 6 a shown in fig4 on oscillation drive cam 6 is engaged in slot 19 a in the oscillation block 19 in the cartridge assembly 1 at the time the cartridge is attached to the driver assembly . the oscillation cam rotates , at a speed of 200 to 600 rpm in the preferred embodiment , causing the entire interior component set of the cartridge assembly 1 shown in fig8 a through 8f to oscillate back and forth a distance of about 0 . 1 to 0 . 5 mm ( preferably about 0 . 2 mm ). the back and forth oscillation is preferably in a direction indicated at 19 b in fig8 e along the long axis of the proposed canoe shape cut to impart a rapid short slicing action to the blades . as the blades come in contact with the skin surface , they will begin to slice into the skin normal to the surface as shown in fig1 a , 17b and 17 c . when the blades reach to bottom of their guide slots 30 , as shown in fig1 c , a second surface on each cam will come into contact with mounting arms 34 a and 34 b on the blades as shown in fig9 d , forcing the blades to start to rotate toward each other as shown at 36 in fig1 d . the cut is completed when the blades come together and slightly overlap , as shown in fig9 d and as indicated in fig1 e cutting the sample free . the sample is thus trapped inside the cartridge , requiring no operator contact . a detent ( not shown ) on each blade control cam will act to hold the blades in the closed position so as to positively retain the tissue sample . the cut will have produced a skin sample with a cross section similar to the shape of a canoe section and the cut shape and approximate dimensions as shown in fig1 a , 10b and 10 c with dimensions of width , depth , and length being defined by the specific cartridge selected . in the preferred embodiments a variety of cartridges are provided with cut depth preferably ranging from about 2 mm to about 4 mm . all the power and timing come via the control electronics module 9 shown in fig2 , which is connected to battery 8 and a wire harness not shown . sensors are provided to mark the rotational position of the drive gear 5 and the presence of the cartridge 1 . cartridge case 15 is provided with internal walls to protect the drive assembly from possible blood contamination . the interior of the drive unit is further protected by flexible seals ( not shown ) at the motor shafts . the drive assembly is designed for easy cleaning as it is not a disposable item . should blood contamination occur , the cavity in the driver assembly 2 wherein the cartridge is installed may be rinsed out by any appropriate means using denatured alcohol , betadine , distilled water or the unit may be gas - sterilized . stapler unit 11 is shown in fig2 b and 2c and in detail in fig1 , 14 15 and 16 . drive shaft 46 is integral with the fold cam 43 , position cam 46 , and foot actuation cam 47 . the points of the first - in - line staple in preformed stapler stack 49 are positioned typically about 2 mm from each edge of the gap in the skin left by the removal of the biopsy sample . pressing the stapler control switch 16 in fig1 b will start stapler drive gear - motor 10 turning , which turns the cams and initiates stapler operation . as seen in fig1 a , 13b , and 13 c , when the cams rotate the fold cam 43 contacts pusher 41 which slides in a slot in base rear 40 . tabs on pusher 41 contact the two pinch arms , pusher arms 42 a and 42 b . at the same time position cam 46 pushes pin holder 44 and its integral pin 50 down toward the bottom of the stapler , carrying the pinch arms 42 a and 42 b along with it . pusher arms 42 a and 42 b pivot around pin 50 . the pinch arms 42 a and 42 b contact the first - in - line preformed staple 49 and push the staple 49 out of stapler case 54 as shown in fig1 and into the patient &# 39 ; s skin . staple 49 is spread in its initial form to allow skin entry outside of the open skin incision . as the staple is folded to the shape shown in fig1 a and further skin penetration occurs , the staple pulls of the edges of the incision together to close the wound left by the removal of the biopsy sample . the staple 49 is pushed into the skin until it contacts foot 48 , which stops the progress of the staple 49 . the pinch arms 42 a and 42 b continue to rotate , bending the staple 49 to the folded staple configuration 51 . the staples 49 may be pre - scored to ease the folding operation . when the folding action is completed continued turning of the foot actuation cam 47 pulls the foot actuator 45 up forcing a tapered tang at the bottom of the foot actuator 45 to work on a similar tapered surface on the foot 48 to pull the foot 48 out from the folded staple 51 , allowing the stapler to be removed from the patient with the staple in place as shown in fig1 . as the cams continue to turn the foot 48 is pushed back into the start position through action of the foot actuation cam 47 and the foot actuator 45 . the other components return to their start positions under the influence of return springs ( not shown ). a spring in the cartridge ( not shown ) acts upon the stack of staples 49 to push the next staple into the ready position . the stapler cartridge 11 is conceived as a single - patient disposable unit , with inexpensive , mostly molded plastic component and a small number of staples to minimize opportunities for contamination of other patients and medical personnel . after use on its patient the stapler cartridge 11 may be snapped out of the drive assembly 2 and discarded in a suitable sanitary receptacle . staples may be removed from the patient as shown via use of a tool having a three - pronged configuration as shown in fig1 a and 19b . the shape of the staples and their removal tool will minimize tearing of the patient &# 39 ; s tissue at removal . the forward portion of the body of cartridge 1 is preferably molded of clear plastic and is transparent so the operator can see clearly through it to achieve a precise location for the incision . the sample shape as shown in fig1 , 10a and 10 b is similar to the plan view of a canoe , with dimensions similar to those shown in the figures . other patterns can be obtained depending on the cartridge selected . the operator presses the cartridge lightly and evenly against the skin and presses the sample trigger control switch 14 . the sample is taken in 1 to 3 seconds . it is trapped inside the cartridge at the end of the cycle . the operator then lifts the sampler away from the skin with the sample trapped in the cartridge . the wound shape is ideal for best closure , most effective healing , and minimal scarring . using a stapler 10 that in the preferred embodiment is incorporated in the driver 2 as shown in fig1 , the operator closes the wound . fig1 shows the preferred position of two staples to close the wound . the operator places the cartridge back into its package 24 , which has been maintained in a sterile condition , and presses the cartridge release switch 15 . the cartridge drops back into its sterile seat in the package and the package is closed and sealed with closure 28 . the package may then be stored or transferred to a laboratory for analysis . alternatively , the cartridge may be ejected directly into a pathology specimen container filled with a tissue fixative , such as formalin . when the incision has been completed and the sample is trapped inside the cartridge the sampling system is lifted from the skin . the cartridge may be placed back inside its sterile package or in some other suitable container at the discretion of the operator by pressing the cartridge release switch 15 to shut off power to the cassette retention electromagnets 7 to allow the cartridge to release from the driver assembly . the operator may then close the wound using the stapler 11 built into the driver assembly , a separate stapler , stitches , or other methods as determined by the operator . the cartridges and their packaging are expected to be single - use , disposable items . the cartridge package 24 is preferably equipped with cartridge locating and seating package base and a snap - on package closure 25 to maintain an internal sterile condition prior to use and after re - insertion of the cartridge with the skin sample inside . removal of the cover allows the cartridge to be installed on the driver assembly with no operator contact being required . re - installation of the cartridge into the package also will not require any operator contact except for replacement of the package cover . at the analysis laboratory , the sample may be removed from the cartridge as follows : the cartridge package 24 is opened either under sterile conditions when microbiological analysis is needed or under non - sterile conditions . cartridge 1 is removed from the package by lifting it from its seat holding only the cartridge body 22 . the skin sample is removed from the cartridge by holding the cartridge &# 39 ; s central section over an appropriate receptacle and simultaneously rotating cam drive gear 21 , which rotates the two cutters 18 to allow the skin sample to drop out of the cartridge into the laboratory receptacle . the cartridge and its package may then be discarded in an appropriate waste container . single cut produces sample : 2 blades make tailored motion to achieve the desired cut shape . blades are retracted in cassette , extend automatically to start cut , stop at a central location at the end of the cut to trap sample . option of adding a light source at the point of excision for improved illumination sealed in package , eject into sterile package container after sample is taken . 2 blades cut simultaneously , guided in slots and by cams to rotate into skin to make the cut and capture the sample . staples can be removed after the wound has healed using a prior art three prong staple removal tool . a two edge prongs slide under the top portion of the staple and the center prong is positioned over the top of the top portion of the staple . downward pressure of the center prong causes the staple points to spread apart from each other and the legs of the staple to pull out of the skin . while the present invention has been described above in terms of a preferred embodiment , persons skilled in the medical arts will recognize that many changes , alterations and additions can be made to the described device . for example , a simpler design could eliminate the back and forth oscillation of the blades and the medical stapler does not have to be incorporated in or attached to the driver , in fact as indicated the wound can be closed with stitches . while transparency of the cartridge is desirable , it is not absolutely necessary . other obvious techniques are available for accurate placement of the cartridge on the skin . while battery power is desirable , wall power with an electrical connection is an obvious alternative and carries with it some obvious advantages , such as the unit could be lighter without the battery . batteries used may be standard disposables or rechargeable types . the cartridge retention and release can be effected by a simple latch mechanism rather than through use of electromagnetic coils . the oscillation drive may be direct rather than via belt , but clear vision for proper placement of the sample cartridge on the patient may be compromised . there may be situations where users would prefer that the cartridge be reusable , such as to obtain several samples from the same person . further , it should be stressed that the outer package of the driver device may be configured to fit ergonomically to the hand of the practitioner and these electronics and gears described herein would be placed into such a plastic form . therefore , the reader should determine the scope of the invention from the appended claims and not the examples that have been given .
an automatic skin biopsy device that includes a drive unit and a variety of shapes and sizes of disposable cartridges . the device is capable of automatic extraction of a small and precisely located portion of skin having a shape similar to a wide canoe . a disposable cartridge is mounted onto and driven by the drive unit which incorporates at least one gear motor . in a preferred embodiment the gear motor in the drive unit drives , via gears and cams , two cutter blades in the disposable cartridge through separate curved paths to extract from the skin the generally wide canoe - shaped skin sample . preferably another gear motor via gear and cam action produces back and forth oscillation of the blades to assure easy slicing of the skin tissue . the canoe - shape incision that is about 1 to 4 mm deep produces a good biopsy sample and the incision is easily closed with a medical staple or sutures . in preferred embodiments a stapler is provided as a part of the sample acquisition device . materials used to fabricate the driver and the cartridge preferably transparent to permit accurate placement of the incision .