Apparatus for removable distal internal cassette for in situ fixation and specimen processing with serial collection and storage of biopsy specimens

• US 20050256424A1
• Filed: 05/12/2004
• Published: 11/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David S. Zimmon
• Original Assignee: Zkz Science Corp.
• Inventors: Zimmon, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,445,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/564
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0096 Casings for storing test samples A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; preservation of living parts of the human or animal body A01N1/02; containers for retaining a material to be analysed B01L3/50; containers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/16; swab-sampler being part of enzymology or microbiology container C12M1/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/06 Biopsy forceps , e.g. with cup-shaped jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0225 for taking multiple samples

Abstract

An apparatus for performing a medical procedure comprises an elongated flexible member having an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough and an actuator positioned within the aperture. There is a biopsy means connected to the distal end of the actuator for cutting and collecting biopsy specimens and a removable distal storage and collection chamber connected to the elongated flexible member for receiving biopsy specimens cut and collected by the biopsy means. The removable storage and collection chamber is a means for immediate contact of the collected biopsy specimens with fixatives or reagents. The distal cassette is separable from the flexible member and can be sealed by a cap positionable over the storage and collection cassette for storage, in situ fixation and processing or later processing and analysis of biopsy specimens collected by the biopsy means in the order of collection.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing a medical procedure, comprising:

an elongated flexible member having an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, said member having a proximal and an opposite distal end;

an actuator positioned within the aperture, said actuator having a proximal end and an opposite distal end;

a biopsy device within the distal end of the actuator for cutting and collecting biopsy specimens of controlled size;

a distal storage and collection cassette removably held within said elongated flexible member for receiving biopsy specimens cut and collected by the biopsy means, wherein the storage cassette has an internal adhesive surface to adhere a cut or mucosal biopsy surface and thereby orient collected biopsy specimens in the storage chamber;

means for sealing the removable distal internal storage cassette before use or when said storage cassette has been separated from the flexible member for storage and processing of biopsy specimens collected by the biopsy means in the order of collection;

wherein the storage cassette incorporates a means for chemical, biological or genetic analysis by reacting with the biopsy specimens before metabolic changes, degradation or contamination can occur.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the biopsy means comprises a spring jaw having a cutting tool, said spring jaw being remotely deployable from said flexible member, and an internal jaw guide in the distal end of said member, said jaw guide controlling the precise movement of said jaw and said jaw forcing the biopsy specimen into the storage cassette cavity, and said jaw to provide a defined biopsy size.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage cassette is perforated to allow entrance of fixative or other reagents without handling.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage cassette incorporates tissue fixative or stain.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealing means is a cap positionable over said storage cassette before use or when said cassette is separated from the flexible member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cassette or cap is perforated.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member has a side arm for fluid sampling, irrigation, and injection of radiopaque contrast or tissue stains through the open tube shaft.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein multiple cassettes of similar or differing usages may be connected to the flexible member.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member is disposable or reusable after washing and disinfecting by connecting to a new tip tube containing a storage cassette.

10. An apparatus for performing a medical procedure, comprising:

an elongated flexible member having an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, said member having a proximal and an opposite distal end;

an actuator positioned within the aperture, said actuator having a proximal end and an opposite distal end;

a biopsy device within the distal end of the actuator for cutting and collecting biopsy specimens of controlled size;

a storage and collection cassette removably held within said elongated flexible member for receiving biopsy specimens cut and collected by the biopsy means, wherein the storage cassette has an internal adhesive surface to adhere a cut or mucosal biopsy surface and thereby orient collected biopsy specimens in the storage chamber;

means for sealing the removable internal storage cassette before use or when said storage cassette has been separated from the flexible member for storage and processing of biopsy specimens collected by the biopsy means in the order of collection;

wherein the storage cassette is translucent for visual inspection or spectrometry.