LUNG BIOPSY NEEDLE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flexible needle configured to access a location near an airway, the flexible needle having a length and comprising:
- a proximal end;
a distal end comprising a piercing tip;
a flexible proximal tip region located along the length of the flexible needle between the distal end and the proximal end, the flexible proximal tip region having one or more flexibility increasing features and configured to bend; and
a flexible distal tip region located along the length of the flexible needle between the flexible proximal tip region and the distal end, wherein the flexible distal tip region is less flexible than the proximal tip region.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices for biopsying tissue, in particular lung nodules, with a flexible needle are described herein. Preferably, the flexible needle is able to articulate or bend so as to provide access to areas previously difficult or impossible to biopsy. Further embodiments provide for steering and navigating the flexible needle to a region to be biopsied.
80 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A flexible needle configured to access a location near an airway, the flexible needle having a length and comprising:
-
a proximal end; a distal end comprising a piercing tip; a flexible proximal tip region located along the length of the flexible needle between the distal end and the proximal end, the flexible proximal tip region having one or more flexibility increasing features and configured to bend; and a flexible distal tip region located along the length of the flexible needle between the flexible proximal tip region and the distal end, wherein the flexible distal tip region is less flexible than the proximal tip region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of manufacturing a flexible needle comprising:
-
providing a tube shaped length of resilient material having a distal end and a proximal end; forming an angled tip on the distal end of the tube shaped length of resilient material; forming one or more flexibility increasing features on the tube shaped length of resilient material, such that the flexible needle comprises; a flexible proximal tip region located along the tube shaped length of resilient material between the distal end and the proximal end, the flexible proximal tip region having one or more flexibility increasing features and configured to bend; and a flexible distal tip region located along the tube shaped length of resilient material between the flexible proximal tip region and the distal end, wherein the flexible distal tip region is less flexible than the proximal tip region. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A method for obtaining a tissue sample near an airway, the method comprising:
-
identifying a location in the airway in close proximity to a tissue sample site; introducing a flexible needle into the airway; navigating the flexible needle to the location in the airway; articulating the flexible needle in a direction toward the tissue sample site; and obtaining a tissue sample from the tissue sample site, wherein the flexible needle pierces the airway and into the tissue sample site, and wherein suction is applied to the flexible needle so as to collect tissue from the tissue sample site. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification