ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 11 -- United States Patent no. 12,544,049, issued on Feb. 10, was assigned to Boston Scientific Scimed Inc. (Maple Grove, Minn.).
"Ramped biopsy needle device" was invented by Seamus O'Shaughnessy (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Colby Harris (Norfolk, Mass.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A biopsy needle system includes a needle extending from a tissue piercing distal end to a proximal end. The needle defines a lumen extending from the distal end at least a portion of a length thereof and houses a target tissue. The system also includes an elongated member defining a channel therethrough open at a proximal end. The channel is sized and shaped to permit passage of the needle there...