CN211094304U - Flush tube assembly and probe assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an irrigation tube assembly and a probe assembly. The flush tube assembly includes a flush tube and a flush tube cassette attached to the flush tube. The flush tube includes a first tube section and a second tube section that is softer than the first tube section so that the control means controls the opening or closing of the flush tube assembly by compressing or releasing the second tube section. The second tube segment is removably mounted in the flush tube cassette such that the flush tube assembly is adapted for a first type of biopsy device when the second tube segment is removed from the flush tube cassette and the flush tube assembly is adapted for a second type of biopsy device when the second tube segment remains mounted in the flush tube cassette; or the second tube portion is configured to include two sections, a first section located outside of the flush tube cassette such that the flush tube assembly is adaptable for a first type of biopsy device, and a second section mounted in the flush tube cassette such that the flush tube assembly is adaptable for a second type of biopsy device.

Description

Flush tube assembly and probe assembly

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an irrigation tube assembly for a biopsy device and a probe assembly including the irrigation tube assembly.

Background

In diagnosing and treating some medical conditions, such as a possible cancerous tumor of the breast, a biopsy is often required. A biopsy device (e.g., a breast biopsy device) may be utilized to obtain a tissue sample for diagnostic analysis.

A typical biopsy device generally includes a probe assembly and an irrigation tube assembly, both of which are important subcomponents of the biopsy device. The flush tube assembly is used to flush the tissue sample to flush away blood generated when the tissue sample is cut, thereby allowing the physician to more easily see the lesion contours. In operation, at least a portion of the flush tube assembly needs to be secured in the biopsy device via a corresponding securing mechanism in order for the control system to control the opening and closing of the flush tube assembly by means of the control component. However, the securing mechanisms in different types of biopsy devices currently on the market tend to have different configurations. Accordingly, the flush tube assembly needs to have different structural designs to accommodate these securing mechanisms. This results in a less versatile irrigation tube assembly, requiring the purchase of different irrigation tube assemblies for different types of biopsy devices.

In addition, current flush tube assemblies are sold separately from biopsy devices, requiring separate purchase. This results in an optional step of flushing the tissue sample with the flush tube assembly during a breast biopsy. In some cases, flushing a tissue sample with a flush tube assembly during a breast biopsy even becomes an unused step. This can cause problems, such as difficulty for the physician to visually know the lesion contours of the tissue sample, since the blood covers the tissue sample; tissue samples covered by blood can increase the chance of vacuum tube blockage; tissue samples covered by blood can affect pathological detection results and can lead to iatrogenic contamination when manually transported; and it takes longer to clean the probe of the biopsy device and thus prolong the time of the biopsy procedure.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In a first aspect of the present disclosure, a flush tube assembly is provided. The flush tube assembly includes a flush tube and a flush tube cassette attached to the flush tube. The flush tube includes a first tube section and a second tube section connected to each other, the second tube section being softer than the first tube section so that a control means controls the opening or closing of the flush tube assembly by compressing or releasing the second tube section. The second tube segment is configured to be removably mounted in the flush tube cassette such that the flush tube assembly is adapted for a first type of biopsy device when the second tube segment is removed from the flush tube cassette and is adapted for a second type of biopsy device when the second tube segment remains mounted in the flush tube cassette; or the second tube portion is configured to comprise two sections, a first of the two sections being located outside the irrigation tube cassette such that the irrigation tube assembly is adaptable to the first type of biopsy device by means of the first section, and a second of the two sections being mounted in the irrigation tube cassette such that the irrigation tube assembly is adaptable to the second type of biopsy device by means of the second section.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the irrigation cartridge is open, such that the control member is able to act directly on the second tube portion.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, at least a portion of the first tube section is extendable into the flush tube cartridge.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the flush tube cartridge includes a retaining element.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the holding element is configured as a snap-in holding element.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a holding portion for holding the first tube portion or the second tube portion of the flush tube is provided on the end wall of the flush tube cassette.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the holder comprises a cavity for receiving the first or second tube part of the flushing tube and an opening for the first or second tube part of the flushing tube to enter the cavity, the width of the opening being configured to be smaller than the diameter of the first or second tube part of the flushing tube.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a guide portion for guiding the first or second tube portion of the flush tube into the cavity via the opening is provided above the opening, the guide portion being configured to taper towards the opening.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the irrigation tube assembly further comprises a connection member for connecting with an irrigation liquid container.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the connecting member is configured as a puncture instrument.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the flush tube assembly further includes an adapter for connection with the flush line of the probe assembly.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the adapter is configured as a luer adapter.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first pipe portion is configured as a polyvinyl chloride pipe.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second tube part is configured as a silicone tube.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the first and second tube sections are fixedly connected together.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the first and second tube sections are removably connected together.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, a probe assembly is provided. The probe assembly includes a probe and a detachable sample collection basket, the tip of the probe assembly is provided with a vacuum suction line configured to connect with a vacuum source and an irrigation line to which is connected an irrigation tube assembly according to the present disclosure.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the probe includes a trocar for insertion into a patient and a tissue cutting mechanism for obtaining a tissue sample from the patient.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the tissue cutting mechanism is configured as an oscillating endocutter.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the probe assembly further includes a syringe adapter to facilitate introduction of anesthetic through the syringe to a biopsy site of a patient.

Drawings

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other features and advantages of the disclosure are obtained will be readily understood, a more particular description of the disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. The drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, in which:

fig. 1 schematically illustrates a biopsy device according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an irrigation tube assembly suitable for use with only a first type of biopsy device.

FIG. 3 illustrates an irrigation tube assembly suitable for use with only a second type of biopsy device.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of an irrigation tube assembly suitable for use with first and second types of biopsy devices.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of an irrigation tube assembly suitable for use with first and second types of biopsy devices.

FIG. 6 illustrates a probe assembly including the flush tube assembly shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 illustrates a probe assembly including the flush tube assembly shown in FIG. 5.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, the embodiments described below are intended to provide a more complete disclosure of the present disclosure, and to fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. It is also to be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide further additional embodiments.

It should be understood that like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views. In the drawings, the size of some of the features may be varied for clarity. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. All terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the specification have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art unless otherwise defined. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

As used in this specification, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The terms "comprising," "including," and "containing" when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features. The term "and/or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

In the description, when an element is referred to as being "on," "attached to," connected to, "coupled to," or "contacting" another element, etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled to, or contacting the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly attached to," directly connected to, "directly coupled to," or "directly contacting" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

Referring to FIG. 1, a biopsy device 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is schematically illustrated. Biopsy device 10 may include a probe assembly 1, a driver assembly 2, a vacuum source 3, and an irrigation tube assembly 4.

The probe assembly 1 may comprise a probe and a removable sample collection basket at the end of the probe assembly 1. The probe may include a sharp sleeve needle for insertion into a patient and a tissue cutting mechanism (e.g., an oscillating tubular cutter) for obtaining a tissue sample from the patient. The tip of the probe assembly 1 may also be provided with a vacuum suction line for connection to a vacuum source 3 and an irrigation line for connection to an irrigation tube assembly 4. The probe assembly 1 may also include a syringe adapter to facilitate introduction of anesthetic agent through a syringe to a biopsy site of a patient.

The driver assembly 2 may be configured for releasably mounting the probe assembly 1 and operatively driving the probe assembly 1. In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the driver assembly 2 may be a motor.

The vacuum source 3 may be configured to create a negative pressure within the probe assembly 1 to draw the severed tissue sample into the removable sample collection basket of the probe assembly 1. In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the vacuum source 3 may be a vacuum pump.

The irrigation tube assembly 4 is configured for irrigating a tissue sample. The flush tube assembly 4 may include a flush tube. One end of the irrigation tube may be connected to an irrigation fluid container 5, such as a saline bag, and the other end may be connected to an irrigation line at the end of the probe assembly 1. For example, one end of the irrigation tube may be provided with a connection member connectable to the irrigation liquid container 5, which may be a piercer for piercing a septum for sealing the irrigation liquid container 5 and letting irrigation liquid into the irrigation tube. The other end of the irrigation tube may be provided with an adapter, which may be a luer adapter or any other suitable form of adapter, for connection with the irrigation line of the probe assembly 1.

Between the probe assembly 1 and the vacuum source 3, a residual liquid collection container 6 may be provided for collecting blood generated when a tissue sample is taken, a flushing liquid injected when a tissue sample is flushed, and the like. The residual liquid collecting container may be configured as a tub-shaped container.

Biopsy device 10 may also include a control system 7. The control system 7 may be configured to control the driver assembly 2. For example, the control system 7 may control activation and deactivation of the driver assembly 2; the control system 7 may be programmed to control the driver assembly 2 such that the driver assembly 2 operates continuously or intermittently (e.g., pulsed); the control system 7 may also include control buttons to manually control the driver assembly 2 in some cases; and so on.

The control system 7 may also control the washpipe assembly 4. For example, the control system 7 may control the opening and closing of the flush tube assembly 4; the control system 7 may be programmed to control the flush tube assembly 4 to operate for a predetermined length of time (e.g., 3 seconds); the control system 7 may also include control buttons to manually control the flush tube assembly 4 in some cases; and so on.

In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the control system 7 may control the flush tube assembly 4 by means of a control component. The control member may be a solenoid valve 8 having a valve stem. The valve stem of the solenoid valve 8 may directly contact the flush tube of the flush tube assembly 4 to close the flush tube assembly 4 when the valve stem is extended to compress the flush tube and to open the flush tube assembly 4 when the valve stem is retracted to release the flush tube.

To facilitate control of the flush tube assembly 4 by the solenoid valve 8, the flush tube of the flush tube assembly 4 may be configured to include a first tube section and a second tube section connected to one another. The second tube section may be configured to be softer than the first tube section and may be configured to be in direct contact with the valve stem of the solenoid valve 8 so that the valve stem of the solenoid valve 8 controls the opening and closing of the flush tube assembly 4 by compressing or releasing the second tube section. The first tube section may be configured to maintain a stiffness of the irrigation tube to avoid clogging of the irrigation tube due to kinking during use. In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the first tube portion may be configured as a polyvinyl chloride tube (PVC tube) and the second tube portion may be configured as a silicone tube.

In addition, to facilitate control of the irrigation tube assembly 4 by the solenoid valve 8, the biopsy device 10 may include a securing mechanism for securing at least a portion of the irrigation tube assembly 4. The securing mechanism may be configured such that when the flush tube of the flush tube assembly 4 is secured therein, the valve stem of the solenoid valve 8 may act directly on the relatively soft second tube portion of the flush tube.

The securing mechanism may be configured in any suitable manner. Two different forms of securing mechanism are known. The first fixing means is configured to itself comprise a fixing part with which, in operation, it is possible to fix the flushing pipe of the flushing pipe assembly 4 directly and to cause the solenoid valve 8 to act on the relatively soft second pipe section of the flushing pipe. The second type of securing mechanism is configured to require that at least the relatively soft second tube portion of the flush tube assembly 4 be installed in a flush tube cassette and then the flush tube cassette be placed in another cassette (e.g., a vacuum cassette for placing the flush tube cassette) that may be housed in the securing mechanism for operation.

To accommodate both of these securing mechanisms, two different forms of the flush tube assembly need to be designed. In a first type of flush tube assembly 20 shown in fig. 2, the flush tube comprises a first tube section 21 and a second tube section 22 which are softer than the first tube section 21, connected to each other. The first pipe section 21 comprises two sections and the second pipe section 22 is arranged between the two sections of the first pipe section 21. The first flush tube assembly shown in fig. 2 does not include a flush tube cassette and therefore can be used with the first securing mechanism described above but not with the second securing mechanism. In a second type of flush tube assembly 30 shown in fig. 3, the flush tube comprises a first tube section 31 and a second tube section 32 which is softer than the first tube section 31, connected to each other. To the second tube portion 32 is non-removably attached a flush tube cassette 33. The flush tube cassette 33 is open, so that the valve stem of the solenoid valve 8 can act on the second tube section 32. The second type of flush tube assembly shown in fig. 3 can be used for the second type of securing mechanism described above and cannot be used for the first type of securing mechanism because the flush tube cassette 33 is non-removably attached to the second tube portion 32 such that the flush tube assembly 30 cannot be secured using the securing features in the first type of securing mechanism. Thus, both flush tube assemblies are not versatile.

To this end, the present disclosure further provides a flush tube assembly that can be adapted for use with both of the above-described securing mechanisms, as well as other possible securing mechanisms, as shown in fig. 4 and 5.

Referring first to fig. 4, in the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the irrigation tube of the irrigation tube assembly 40 according to the present disclosure may comprise a first tube portion 41 and a second tube portion 42 being softer than the first tube portion 41, which are connected to each other. The first and second pipe portions 41 and 42 each comprise two sections, and the two sections of the first pipe portion 41 and the two sections of the second pipe portion 42 are alternately connected to each other such that the two sections of the second pipe portion 42 are spaced apart by the first pipe portion 41. The flush tube of the flush tube assembly 40 has a flush tube cassette 43 attached so that one of the two sections of the second tube section 42 can be mounted in the flush tube cassette 43 while the other section is located outside the flush tube cassette 43. In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the one section of the second tube section 42 is non-removably mounted in the flush tube cartridge 43. However, the one section of the second tube portion 42 may also be arranged to be removably mounted in the flush tube cartridge 43. The flush tube cassette 43 is open, so that a control element (for example a solenoid valve with a valve spindle) can act directly on the section of the second tube section 42 which is mounted in the flush tube cassette 43. A holding member for holding the wash pipe mounted in the wash pipe cassette 43 may be provided in the wash pipe cassette 43. The retaining element may be configured in any suitable manner, for example, the retaining element may be configured as a snap-in retaining element.

One end of one of the two sections of the first pipe section 41 may be provided with a connection member 44 for connection with the irrigation liquid container. The coupling member 44 may be a piercer that can pierce a septum for sealing the irrigation fluid container and allow irrigation fluid to enter the irrigation tube. In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, one end of the section of the second tube portion 42 mounted in the irrigation tube cassette 43 may be provided with an adapter 45 for connection with an irrigation line of a probe assembly of a biopsy device. Adapter 45 may be a luer adapter or any other suitable type of adapter.

When the flush tube assembly 40 according to the present disclosure is used in a biopsy device containing a first fixation mechanism, a section of the second tube segment 42 located outside of the flush tube cassette 43 may be used and have a control component acting on it; whereas when the flush tube assembly 40 according to the present disclosure is used in a biopsy device incorporating a second securing mechanism, the flush tube cassette 43 attached to the flush tube may be placed in another cassette (e.g., a vacuum cassette for placement of the flush tube cassette) housed in the second securing mechanism, with the control component acting on the section of the second tube segment 42 that is mounted in the flush tube cassette 43. As such, the flush tube assembly 40 according to the present disclosure may be adapted for use with both of the above-described securing mechanisms, as well as other possible securing mechanisms.

The flush tube assembly 40 may have other different configurations, for example, the first tube portion 41 of the flush tube assembly 40 may include three sections, while the second tube portion 42 may include two sections. The three sections of the first pipe section 41 and the two sections of the second pipe section 42 are alternately connected to each other such that the two sections of the second pipe section 42 are each located between the respective sections of the first pipe section 41. In this embodiment, one end of one of the three sections of the first tube part 41 may be provided with a connection part 44 for connection with an irrigation liquid container, while one end of another of the three sections of the first tube part 41 may be provided with an adapter 45 for connection with an irrigation line of a probe assembly of a biopsy device.

In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the first tube portion 41 and the second tube portion 42 may be fixedly connected. In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the first tube portion 41 and the second tube portion 42 may be detachably connected.

Referring next to fig. 5, in the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the irrigation tube of the irrigation tube assembly 50 according to the present disclosure may comprise a first tube portion 51 and a second tube portion 52 being softer than the first tube portion 51, which are connected to each other. The first pipe portion 51 comprises two sections. The second pipe section 52 is located between two sections of the first pipe section 51. One end of one of the two sections of the first pipe section 51 is provided with a connection member 53 for connection to a rinsing liquid container. The connecting part 53 may be a piercer which can pierce a septum for sealing the flushing liquid container and let the flushing liquid enter the flushing tube. One end of the other of the two sections of the first tube part 51 is provided with an adapter 54 for connection with an irrigation line of a probe assembly of a biopsy device. Adapter 54 may be a luer adapter or any other suitable type of adapter.

The flush tube of the flush tube assembly 50 has a flush tube cassette 55 attached such that the second tube section 52 is removably mounted in the flush tube cassette 55. The flush tube cassette 55 is configured in an open manner, so that a control element (for example a solenoid valve with a valve stem) can act directly on the second tube section 52. A holding element 56 may be provided in the flush tube cassette 55 for holding flush tubes mounted in the flush tube cassette 55. The retaining element 56 may be configured in any suitable manner, for example, the retaining element may be configured as a snap-in retaining element.

In order to facilitate easier installation of the relatively soft second tube section 52 of the flush tube into the flush tube cassette 55 and to enable the retaining element to more firmly retain the relatively soft second tube section 52 of the flush tube which is installed in the flush tube cassette 55, at least a part of the relatively hard first tube section 51 of the flush tube may extend into the flush tube cassette 55 and snap into the at least one retaining element.

The end wall of the flush tube cassette 55 may be provided with a holding portion 57 for holding the first tube portion or the second tube portion of the flush tube. The holder 57 may comprise a cavity for receiving the first or second tube portion of the flush tube and an opening for the first or second tube portion of the flush tube to enter the cavity. The width of the opening is configured to be smaller than the diameter of the first or second tube portion of the flush tube to facilitate retention of the first or second tube portion of the flush tube within the cavity. A guide portion for guiding the first or second tube portion of the flushing tube into the cavity via the opening may also be provided above the opening. The guide portion is configured to taper toward the opening.

When the flush tube assembly 50 according to the present disclosure is used in a biopsy device that incorporates a first type of securing mechanism, the flush tube cassette 55 may be removed from the flush tube of the flush tube assembly 50 (in other words, the second tube portion 52 of the flush tube assembly 50 may be removed from the flush tube cassette 55), thereby securing the flush tube of the flush tube assembly 50 directly in the first type of securing mechanism and having the control component act on the second tube portion 52; whereas when the flush tube assembly 50 according to the present disclosure is used in a biopsy device incorporating a second fixation mechanism, it is possible to directly place the flush tube cassette 55 attached to the flush tube of the flush tube assembly 50 in the other cassette housed in the second fixation mechanism and have the control component act on the second tube portion 52. As such, the flush tube assembly 50 according to the present disclosure may be adapted for use with both of the above-described securing mechanisms, as well as other possible securing mechanisms.

The irrigation tube assemblies 40 and 50 according to the present disclosure have greater versatility as they may be adapted for different securing mechanisms of different biopsy devices. This not only saves costs, but also avoids the physician not performing an irrigation step during a biopsy procedure due to the lack of an appropriate type of irrigation tube assembly.

In addition, to avoid a physician from performing an irrigation step during a biopsy procedure due to the lack of an irrigation tube assembly, an irrigation tube assembly according to the present disclosure may be sold in conjunction with a probe assembly. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a probe assembly 60 with irrigation tube assemblies 40 and 50, respectively, attached according to the present disclosure. The probe assembly 60 may include a probe 61 and a removable sample collection basket 62. The probe 61 may include a sharp sleeve needle for insertion into a patient and a tissue cutting mechanism (e.g., an oscillating tubular cutter) for obtaining a tissue sample from the patient. The distal end of the probe assembly 60 may also be provided with a vacuum suction line 63 and an irrigation line 64. The probe assembly 60 may also include a syringe adapter to facilitate introduction of anesthetic agent through the syringe to a biopsy site of a patient.

The vacuum suction line 63 may be configured to be connected to a vacuum source. In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, the vacuum suction line 63 may be first connected to a vacuum box 65 for placing an irrigation tube box and then connected to a vacuum source via a vacuum tube provided in the vacuum box 65. In other embodiments according to the present disclosure, the vacuum suction line 63 may not be connected to the vacuum box 65 but directly connected to a vacuum source via a vacuum tube.

A flush tube assembly according to the present disclosure may be connected to the flush line 64. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a flush tube assembly 40 according to the present disclosure is connected to the flush line 64; in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, however, a flush tube assembly 50 according to the present disclosure is connected to the flush line 64.

The sale of an irrigation tube assembly 40 or 50 according to the present disclosure attached to a probe assembly 60 effectively avoids the need for a physician to perform an irrigation step due to the lack of an irrigation tube assembly. Because the irrigation tube assemblies 40 and 50 according to the present disclosure are each adaptable to different types of securing mechanisms included with different types of biopsy devices, the probe assembly 60 with the irrigation tube assemblies 40 or 50 according to the present disclosure attached thereto can also be used in different types of biopsy devices, which not only increases their versatility, but also enhances the awareness of the physician performing the irrigation step during the biopsy procedure. Performing the irrigation step during the biopsy procedure brings further advantages, such as: enabling the physician to visually observe the contour of the lesion directly, reducing the risk of the vacuum line becoming blocked by a blood clot during the biopsy procedure, saving time for cleaning the probe and thus reducing the biopsy time, and requiring only a small number of irrigation tube assemblies to be purchased and stored in hospital stores.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure without substantially departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims. The disclosure is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Claims (20)

1. A flush tube assembly, comprising a flush tube and a flush tube cassette attached to the flush tube, wherein the flush tube comprises a first tube section and a second tube section connected to each other, the second tube section being softer than the first tube section, such that a control means controls the opening or closing of the flush tube assembly by compressing or releasing the second tube section; and is

Wherein the second tube segment is configured to be removably mounted in the flush tube cassette such that the flush tube assembly is adapted for a first type of biopsy device when the second tube segment is removed from the flush tube cassette and is adapted for a second type of biopsy device when the second tube segment remains mounted in the flush tube cassette; or the second tube portion is configured to comprise two sections, a first of the two sections being located outside the irrigation tube cassette such that the irrigation tube assembly is adaptable to the first type of biopsy device by means of the first section, and a second of the two sections being mounted in the irrigation tube cassette such that the irrigation tube assembly is adaptable to the second type of biopsy device by means of the second section.

2. The flush tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the flush tube cassette is open such that the control member is capable of acting directly on the second tube portion.

3. The flush tube assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first tube portion is extendable into the flush tube cassette.

4. The flush tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the flush tube cartridge includes a retaining element.

5. The flush tube assembly of claim 4, wherein the retaining element is configured as a snap-in retaining element.

6. A flush tube assembly according to claim 1, wherein a retaining portion for retaining the first or second tube portion of the flush tube is provided on an end wall of the flush tube cassette.

7. A flush tube assembly according to claim 6, wherein the retaining portion comprises a cavity for receiving the first or second tube portion of the flush tube and an opening for the first or second tube portion of the flush tube to enter the cavity, the opening having a width configured to be smaller than the diameter of the first or second tube portion of the flush tube.

8. The flush tube assembly according to claim 7, wherein a guide portion for guiding the first or second tube portion of the flush tube into the cavity via the opening is disposed above the opening, the guide portion being configured to taper toward the opening.

9. The irrigation tube assembly of claim 1 further comprising a connection member for connecting to an irrigation fluid reservoir.

10. The irrigation tube assembly of claim 9 wherein the coupling member is configured as a piercer.

11. The irrigation tube assembly of claim 1 further comprising an adapter for connection with an irrigation line of a probe assembly.

12. The irrigation tube assembly as recited in claim 11 wherein the adapter is configured as a luer adapter.

13. The flush tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the first tube portion is configured as a polyvinyl chloride tube.

14. The flush tube assembly of claim 1, wherein the second tube portion is configured as a silicone tube.

15. The flush tube assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first and second tube portions are fixedly connected together.

16. The flush tube assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first and second tube portions are removably connected together.

17. A probe assembly, characterized by: the probe assembly comprising a probe and a detachable sample collection basket, the probe assembly having a distal end provided with a vacuum suction line configured to connect with a vacuum source and an irrigation line connected with an irrigation tube assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. The probe assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the probe includes a trocar for insertion into a patient and a tissue cutting mechanism for obtaining a tissue sample from the patient.

19. The probe assembly of claim 18, wherein the tissue cutting mechanism is configured as an oscillating tubular cutter.

20. The probe assembly of claim 17, further comprising a syringe adapter to facilitate introduction of an anesthetic agent through a syringe to a biopsy site of a patient.

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