Medical probe with biopsy stylet

• US 5,470,308 A
• Filed: 11/19/1993
• Issued: 11/28/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vidamed, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Vidamed, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sharkey, Hugh R., Edwards, Stuart D., Lax, Ronald G., Lundquist, Ingemar H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, C. Fred
• Assistant Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US08/155,975
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 604/164, 604/280, 604/19-21, 604/53, 606/1-4, 606/4-17, 606/39, 606/45, 606/32, 601/2, 607/96, 607/101, 607/113, 607/102, 607/116, 607/138, 607/156
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0233 Pointed or sharp biopsy instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0241 for prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0275 with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/06 Biopsy forceps , e.g. with cup-shaped jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00092 using thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00101 using an array of thermosensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00106 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 : and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00181 : Means for setting or varying the pulse energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00194 : Means for setting or varying the repetition rate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00274 : Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00292 : mounted on or guided by flexible, e.g. catheter-like, means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 : Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 : shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22072 : with an instrument channel, e.g. for replacing one instrument by the other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22077 : with a part piercing the tissue A61B2017/22044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22082 : after introduction of a substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/248 : Operations for treatment of snoring, e.g. uvulopalatoplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2939 : Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3488 : Fixation to inner organ or inner body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00005 : Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 : with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00041 : Heating, e.g. defrosting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 : low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00095 : high, i.e. heat conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00101 : low, i.e. thermally insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 : reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 : Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00547 : Prostate
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 : Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00678 : upper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00726 : Duty cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00744 : Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00761 : Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 : measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 : measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00886 : Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 : Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 : with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00946 : slidable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 : combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1273 : including multiple generators in one device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/128 : generating two or more frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 : Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/2238 : with means for selectively laterally deflecting the tip of the fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3614 : using optical fibre
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/378 : using ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 : transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3786 : receiver only
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 : ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 : with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 : with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2007/0054 : with a closed fluid circuit, e.g. hot water
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0086 : the needles having bent tips, i.e. the needle distal tips are angled in relation to the longitudinal axis of the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0087 : Multiple injection needles protruding laterally from the distal tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/009 : the needle having a bent tip, i.e. the needle distal tip is angled in relation to the longitudinal axis of the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 : being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/018 : Catheters having a lateral opening for guiding elongated means lateral to the catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0068 : Static characteristics of the catheter tip, e.g. shape, atraumatic tip, curved tip or tip structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0279 : Cannula; Nozzles; Tips; their connection means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 : for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 : Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/02 : using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/04 : Radiators for near-field treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/045 : specially adapted for treatment inside the body

Abstract

A medical probe apparatus comprising a catheter having a stylet guide housing with at least one stylet port in a side thereof and a stylet guide for directing a flexible stylet outward through at least one stylet port and through intervening tissue to targeted tissues. The stylet guide has a biopsy sample device or other tissue manifesting device at the distal end thereof to gather tissue or perform other operations at the point of the desired tissue such as emitting electromagnetic energy as ablative power to target tissues;.

One embodiment of the biopsy sample stylet includes a hollow core sampler including a biopsy needle apparatus for gathering sample tissue. The hollow core sampler has a sharpened end for facilitating the penetration into and gathering of the sample tissue. A second embodiment of the biopsy sample stylet includes a harpoon-like sample stylet when the sharp tip thereof allows for easy entry into the target tissue. The sharpened barbed side opening allows for certain desired tissue to be sampled to be drawn into the side opening for individual cell gathering or complete sample excise or gathering of the desired tissue. The third embodiment is a clam shell or alligator type biopsy jaw device whereby the sharpened biopsy tip thereof allows a tissue sample to be clipped or cut upon activation of the stylet jaws. Still another embodiment comprises a biopsy knife device in conjunction with an electromagnetic emitter for selective tissue sampling or electromagnetic heat ablation, or both, of selected tissue.

Claims

1. A medical probe comprising a catheter having at least two stylet ports toward the distal end thereof, at least two flexible stylets disposed within the catheter and having sharp distal tips for puncturing tissue, means for advancing the stylets outward through the stylet ports and through intervening tissue to target tissue, means for energizing the stylets to apply ablating power to the target tissue, and means carried by the stylets for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue.

2. The medical probe of claim 1 including non-conductive sleeves movable longitudinally of the stylets to expose selected portions of the stylets to the target tissue.

13. The medical probe apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue includes a cutting edge which faces rearwardly from the distal end of the stylet.

3. A medical probe apparatus comprising a catheter having a stylet port toward the distal end thereof, a flexible stylet disposed within the catheter and having a sharp distal tip for puncturing tissue, means for advancing the stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue to target tissue, means for energizing the stylet to apply ablating power to the target tissue, and means carried by the stylet for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue.

4. The medical probe apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means for energizing the stylet includes means for applying microwave energy to the target tissue.

5. The medical probe apparatus of claim 3 wherein the stylet is enclosed within a non-conductive sleeve, the stylet and sleeve being movable longitudinally of each other to expose a selected portion of the stylet in the target tissue.

11. The medical probe apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue includes a cutting edge which faces rearwardly from the distal end of the stylet.

12. The medical probe apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue comprises a biopsy needle.

14. The medical probe apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue comprises a clam shell or alligator tooth apparatus.

15. The medical probe apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue comprises a core sampling apparatus.

16. The medical probe apparatus of claim 11 wherein the means for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue comprises a hollow tube having a sharpened end for facilitating penetration into the tissue and collection of the sample.

6. A medical probe apparatus comprising a catheter having a stylet port toward the distal end thereof, a flexible stylet disposed within the catheter and having a sharp distal end for puncturing tissue, means for advancing the stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue to target tissue, and means near the distal end of the stylet for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue.

7. The medical probe apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue includes a cutting edge which faces away from the distal end of the stylet.

8. The medical probe apparatus of claim 7 further including a sleeve which surrounds the stylet and is longitudinally extensible and retractable relative to the stylet, the sleeve having a sharpened distal end which cooperates with the cutting edge of the stylet in cutting the target tissue as the stylet is retracted relative to the sleeve.

9. The medical probe apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue comprises a biopsy needle.

10. The medical probe apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue comprises a clam shell or jaw stylet.

17. The medical probe apparatus of claim 7 wherein the stylet is enclosed within an insulating sleeve which is longitudinally movable relative to the stylet to expose a selected portion of the stylet to the target tissue, and the stylet comprises a hollow tube having an aperture along the lateral side thereof toward the distal end of said tube, together with means for applying a negative pressure to the hollow tube to draw a tissue sample into the tube through the aperture.

18. The medical apparatus claim 17 wherein the cutting edge is positioned at one end of the aperture, and the insulating sleeve has a sharpened tip end which cooperates with the cutting edge of the tube to cut the sample from the target tissue as the tube is withdrawn into the sleeve.

19. The medical probe apparatus of claim 7 wherein means for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue comprises a clam shell or alligator tooth apparatus.

20. The medical probe apparatus of claim 7 wherein the stylet is enclosed within an insulating sleeve, the stylet and the sleeve being movable longitudinally of each other to expose a selected portion of the stylet surface, the means for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue comprises a clam shell or alligator tooth biopsy device which is opened when [deployed by the longitudinal movement of the stylus is extended longitudinally relative to the sleeve and closed when the stylet is withdrawn relative to the insulating sleeve.

21. The medical probe apparatus of claim 7 wherein the stylet is enclosed within an insulating sleeve, the stylet and the sleeve being movable longitudinally of each other to expose a selected portion of the stylet, and the means for cutting and collecting a sample of the target tissue comprises a hollow tube having a sharp, barbed distal end for cutting and gathering the sample.

22. The medical probe apparatus of claim 17 further including means for energizing the stylet to apply ablating power to the target tissue.

23. The medical probe apparatus of claim 22 including an antenna wire curled around the insulating sleeve from the proximal end to the distal end of said sleeve, and electromagnetic antenna means coupled to the antenna wire and capable of being deployed from the insulating sleeve.