Biopsy apparatus for use in endoscopy
First Claim
1. A biopsy apparatus for obtaining tissue samples from a body, comprising:
- a flexible sheath having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends and including a control wire extending therethrough, said control wire being longitudinally movable within said sheath;
means at said first end of said sheath to control longitudinal movement of said control wire therethrough;
a pair of biopsy jaw assemblies positioned adjacent said second end of said sheath;
at least one of said jaw assemblies being movable between open and closed positions with respect to the other of said jaw assemblies, said at least one jaw assembly having a hinge means as a part of an outside wall of said at least one jaw assembly to allow pivotal movement of said at least one jaw assembly about a pivot point on said outside wall of said at least one jaw assembly;
actuator means for coupling said pair of biopsy jaw assemblies to said control wire, said actuator means including coupling means to couple said actuator means to said control wire, said coupling means being longitudinally movable relative to said sheath along with said control wire, and linkage means secured to said at least one movable jaw assembly and coupled with said coupling means for acting on said at least on jaw assembly to apply force outwardly or inwardly relative to said at least one jaw assembly during longitudinal movement of said control wire to open and close said at least one jaw assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An instrument for use in endoscopic biopsy procedures comprising biopsy forceps which utilize a simple and cost effective construction. The apparatus of the invention eliminates the use of an outer housing and utilizes a simplified hinge assembly in conjunction with simple activation of the biopsy jaws. By eliminating the outer housing, the rigid portion of the device is greatly reduced thereby reducing the potential for damage to the instrument or to the narrow channel of the endoscope through which the instrument is inserted and retrieved. The apparatus includes an outer flexible tubular sheath which carries a control wire extending through the sheath. The control wire is movable within the flexible sheath, and includes an operating mechanism coupled to a first end of the tubular sheath for controlling movement of the wire within the sheath. The device further includes a pair of jaw assemblies and a simplified activator for opening and closing the jaws. The control wire actuates the opening and closing of the jaw assemblies and, more specifically, controls an activator for opening and closing the jaw assembly which reduces the number of articulating surfaces or points associated with the jaw assemblies.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A biopsy apparatus for obtaining tissue samples from a body, comprising:
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a flexible sheath having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends and including a control wire extending therethrough, said control wire being longitudinally movable within said sheath; means at said first end of said sheath to control longitudinal movement of said control wire therethrough; a pair of biopsy jaw assemblies positioned adjacent said second end of said sheath; at least one of said jaw assemblies being movable between open and closed positions with respect to the other of said jaw assemblies, said at least one jaw assembly having a hinge means as a part of an outside wall of said at least one jaw assembly to allow pivotal movement of said at least one jaw assembly about a pivot point on said outside wall of said at least one jaw assembly; actuator means for coupling said pair of biopsy jaw assemblies to said control wire, said actuator means including coupling means to couple said actuator means to said control wire, said coupling means being longitudinally movable relative to said sheath along with said control wire, and linkage means secured to said at least one movable jaw assembly and coupled with said coupling means for acting on said at least on jaw assembly to apply force outwardly or inwardly relative to said at least one jaw assembly during longitudinal movement of said control wire to open and close said at least one jaw assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A biopsy apparatus for obtaining tissue samples from a body, comprising:
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a flexible sheath having a longitudinal axis and first and second ends and including a control wire extending therethrough, said control wire being longitudinally movable within said sheath; means at said first end of said sheath to control longitudinal movement of said control wire therethrough; a pair of biopsy jaw assemblies positioned adjacent said second end of said sheath; at least one of said jaw assemblies being movable between open and closed positions with respect to the other of said jaw assemblies, said at least one jaw assembly having a hinge means as a part of an outside wall of said at least one jaw assembly to allow pivotal movement of said at least one jaw assembly about a pivot point on said outside wall of said at least one jaw assembly; actuator means for coupling said pair of biopsy jaw assemblies to said control wire, said actuator means including coupling means to couple said actuator means to said control wire, said coupling means being longitudinally movable relative to said sheath along with said control wire, and linkage means secured to said at least one movable jaw assembly and coupled with said coupling means for acting on said at least on jaw assembly to apply force outwardly or inwardly relative to said at least one jaw assembly during longitudinal movement of said control wire to open and close said at least one jaw assembly, wherein said actuator means further includes at least one connecting wire secured to said coupling means and extending through at least one guide means which directs said at least one connecting wire outwardly toward said at least one movable jaw assembly, such that upon longitudinal movement of said coupling means, said at least one connecting wire will apply said force outwardly or inwardly relative to said at least one movable jaw assembly. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification