Apparatus for serial collection, storage and processing of biopsy specimens

• US 6,071,248 A
• Filed: 11/20/1998
• Issued: 06/06/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David S. Zimmon
• Original Assignee: Zimmon Science Corporation
• Inventors: Zimmon, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): HINDENBURG, MAX F
• Application Number:
  US09/197,373
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 600/564-567, 600/569, 600/572, 606/167, 606/170, 606/184
• US Class Current: 600/566
• 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 10/02 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 10/0266 means for severing sample
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0283 with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence
• 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 comprising an elongated shaft having multiple apertures extending therethrough. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end. An actuator is positioned within the aperture and has a proximal end and an opposite distal end. A spring jaw is connected to the distal end of the actuator for cutting and collecting biopsy specimens. The spring jaw is closed by advancing the shaft over the jaw while holding the actuator in place. This action cuts the biopsy specimen without moving the cutting jaw away from the desired biopsy site, thus facilitating multiple biopsies. Multiple methods for moving the biopsies from the spring jaw into the storage chamber include facilitated suction by entraining air and fluid through the perforated biopsy jaws and fluid injection from the distal shaft into the jaws that entrains the biopsies as it exits proximally through perforations in the storage chamber. Biopsies within the chamber are constrained by a constriction in the spring jaw that forms as the jaws are opened for each subsequent biopsy. After serial acquisition of several biopsies, the holding segment of the tube shaft is separated from the remainder and is closed by a cap to form a processing cassette. The cassette holds the specimens in order of acquisition through fixation and processing, to be opened for slicing or analysis.

Claims

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

an elongated shaft having a central lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, said shaft having a proximal and a distal end and forming a storage chamber for the storage of biopsy specimens, said shaft having proximally accessed side lumens to act as a suction means and draw biopsy specimens into the storage chamber in order of acquisition;

an actuator positioned within said central lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end;

a spring jaw having two jaw members with a cutting tool disposed thereon, said spring jaw being connected to the distal end of the actuator for cutting and collecting biopsy specimens, said spring jaw being remotely deployable by extending and retracting the shaft; and

a cap positionable over each end of the shaft, said caps closing said shaft for storage and processing of biopsy specimens collected by the biopsy means.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spring jaw is perforated to aid in suction by aspirating air and fluid injected into the storage chamber to entrain the biopsy specimens in to the storage chamber.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side lumens are connected to the central lumen.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side lumens are connected to the spring jaw and wherein the storage chamber is perforated.

5. An apparatus for performing a medical procedures, comprising:

an elongated shaft having a central lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, said shaft having a proximal and a distal end and forming a perforated storage chamber for the storage of biopsy specimens, said shaft having proximally accessed side lumens, to act as a suction means and draw biopsy specimens into the storage chamber in order of acquisition;

an actuator positioned within said central lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end;

a spring jaw having two jaw members with a cutting tool disposed thereon, said spring jaw being connected to the distal end of the actuator and the side lumens for cutting and collecting biopsy specimens, said spring jaw being remotely deployable by extending and retracting the shaft; and

a cap positionable over each end of the shaft, said caps closing said shaft for storage and processing of biopsy specimens collected by the biopsy means; and

a slot in the side lumens to allow fluid injected through the side lumens to enter the closed spring jaw and exit proximally through the storage chamber perforations to entrain the biopsy specimen into the storage chamber.