Biopsy forceps instrument having irrigation and aspiration capabilities

• US 6,174,292 B1
• Filed: 02/24/1999
• Issued: 01/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbiosis Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Kratsch, Peter, McBrayer, Michael Sean, Turturro, Vincent, Kortenbach, Juergen Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): YU, JUSTINE ROMANG
• Application Number:
  US09/256,317
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 600/562, 600/563, 600/564, 600/565, 600/566, 600/570, 600/571, 600/573, 600/578, 600/579, 600/568, 604/22, 606/110, 606/114, 606/127, 606/170
• US Class Current: 600/565
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0266 means for severing sample
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/06 Biopsy forceps , e.g. with cup-shaped jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0225 for taking multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2939 Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/035 preventing further rotation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system

Abstract

A biopsy forceps instrument is provided having a proximal actuation handle, a flexible multi-lumen tubular member, at least one control member extending through a lumen, an irrigation means, an aspiration means, and a distal assembly. The proximal actuation handle includes a shaft and a spool slidably mounted on the shaft. The actuation handle is coupled to the proximal ends of both the flexible tubular member and the control member. Lumens of the tubular member form irrigation and aspiration conduits. The distal assembly includes a hollow jaw cup coupled to the aspiration conduit and a hollow movable jaw coupled adjacent the irrigation conduit. The movable jaw is coupled to the control member, such that actuation of the actuation handle moves the movable jaw relative to the jaw cup. Moving the hollow jaws into a closed position provides a substantially fluidtight coupling between the irrigation and aspiration conduits. The actuation handle is also provided with an assembly to control irrigation to and aspiration from the distal assembly. A proximal sample chamber having a removable screen is provided for filtering tissue samples aspirated from the distal assembly. The jaws are activated to cut a tissue sample and the irrigation and aspiration means are activated to move the sample into the sample chamber for retrieving the sample without removing the instrument from a patient.

Claims

1. A biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from a patient, the biopsy instrument having a distal end and a proximal end, the biopsy instrument comprising:

a distal end effector assembly at the distal end;

a proximal handle assembly at the proximal end;

a first flexible conduit extending between, and coupled to, the distal end effector assembly and the proximal handle assembly, the first conduit providing a passage for the tissue sample to travel in a first direction from the distal end to the proximal end;

a flexible control member extending between and coupled to the distal end effector assembly and the proximal handle assembly; and

a sample catcher assembly located along the first conduit to receive and retain the tissue sample, the sample catcher assembly including a sample chamber and a sample catch member insertable into an external opening in the sample chamber in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the sample catch member for filtering the tissue sample from a fluid flowing through the first conduit.

2. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein the first conduit extends through a flexible tubular member.

3. The biopsy instrument of claim 2, wherein the flexible tubular member is co-extruded with a support member for increasing the stiffness of the flexible tubular member.

4. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein the flexible control member extends through a second flexible conduit.

5. The biopsy instrument of claim 4, wherein the second flexible conduit provides a passage for a fluid to flow from the proximal end to the distal end.

6. The biopsy instrument of claim 4, further comprising:

a third conduit extending between, and coupled to, the distal end effector assembly and the proximal handle assembly, the third conduit providing a passage for a fluid to flow from the proximal end to the distal end.

7. The biopsy instrument of claim 6, further comprising:

a valve coupled to the third conduit to control the flow of the fluid through the third conduit.

8. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein the sample catch member is removable from the external opening in the sample chamber.

9. The biopsy instrument of claim 8, wherein the sample catch member is slidably insertable into the sample chamber.

10. The biopsy instrument of claim 8, wherein the a sample catch member includes a screen provided with a plurality of perforations that permits the fluid to pass therethrough and prevents the tissue sample from passing therethrough.

11. The biopsy instrument of claim 8, wherein the sample catch member has an engagement portion having an irregular shaped cross-section, and the sample catcher assembly is adapted to receive the sample catch member in a single orientation.

12. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, further comprising:

a valve coupled to the first conduit to control the passage of the tissue sample through the first conduit.

13. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein the distal end effector assembly has a first jaw and a second jaw, the second jaw being pivotable relative to the first jaw, and the flexible control member is coupled to the second jaw.

14. The biopsy instrument of claim 13, wherein a second conduit extends between, and is coupled to, the distal end effector assembly and the proximal handle assembly, and the second jaw and the first jaw are adapted such that when the second jaw and the first jaw are in a closed position, the second jaw and the first jaw form a substantially closed fluid passage between the first conduit and the second conduit.

15. A biopsy instrument for retrieving tissue samples from a patient, comprising:

a flexible tubular member having a first conduit and a second conduit, the tubular member having a length;

a distal assembly coupled to the tubular member, the distal assembly having a first jaw and a second jaw, the second jaw being pivotable relative to the first jaw;

a flexible control member coupled to the second jaw;

a proximal actuator coupled to the control member for moving the second jaw relative to the first jaw from an open position to a closed position to obtain a tissue sample from the patient; and

a sample catcher assembly coupled to the proximal actuator and to the tubular member, wherein the sample catcher assembly includes a sample chamber and a sample catch member removably coupled to the sample chamber in a direction transverse to the length of the tubular member.

16. The biopsy instrument of claim 15, wherein the first jaw is coupled to the first conduit, the second jaw is coupled to the second conduit, and the first jaw and the second jaw are adapted such that when the first jaw and the second jaw are in a closed position, the first jaw and the second jaw form a substantially closed fluid passage between the first conduit and the second conduit.

17. The biopsy instrument of claim 15, wherein the sample catch member is slidably removably coupled to the sample chamber.

18. The biopsy instrument of claim 15, further comprising a valve coupled to the proximal actuator and to the tubular member, the valve for controlling a first flow in the first conduit.

19. The biopsy instrument of claim 18, wherein the valve controls a second flow in the second conduit.

20. A biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from a patient, comprising:

a flexible tubular member having proximal and distal ends, the tubular member having a first conduit;

a distal end effector assembly coupled to the distal end of the tubular member;

a flexible wire having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the flexible wire coupled to the distal end effector assembly;

a proximal actuator coupled to the proximal end of the flexible wire such that actuation of the actuator tensions and moves the flexible wire relative to the tubular member thereby actuating the end effector assembly to obtain the tissue sample; and

a sample catcher assembly coupled to the first conduit and adapted to receive and retain a tissue sample traveling through the first conduit in a first direction, the sample catcher assembly including a sample chamber and a sample catch member insertable into an external opening in the sample chamber in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the sample catch member for filtering the tissue sample from a fluid flowing through the first conduit.

21. The biopsy instrument of claim 20, wherein the sample catcher assembly is coupled to the proximal actuator.

22. The biopsy instrument of claim 21, wherein the sample catch member is removable from the external opening in the sample chamber.

23. The biopsy instrument of claim 22, wherein the sample catch member is slidably insertable into the sample chamber.

24. The biopsy instrument of claim 22, wherein the sample catch member includes a screen provided with a plurality of perforations.

25. The biopsy instrument of claim 22, wherein the sample catch member has an engagement portion having an irregular shaped cross-section, and the sample catcher assembly is adapted to receive the sample catch member in a single orientation.

26. The biopsy instrument of claim 20, further comprising:

a valve coupled to the tubular member, the valve for controlling passage of the tissue sample traveling through the first conduit.

27. The biopsy instrument of claim 26, further comprising:

a second conduit extending through the tubular member, the second conduit for providing a fluid to the distal end of the tubular member; and

wherein the valve controls a flow of the fluid through the second conduit.

28. The biopsy instrument of claim 26, wherein the tubular member has a second conduit and is co-extruded with a support member.

29. A proximal actuation handle for a biopsy instrument, the biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from a patient and having a flexible tubular member with proximal and distal ends and a first conduit extending therethrough, the first conduit having a length, a distal end effector assembly coupled to the distal end of the flexible tubular member, and a flexible actuator having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the actuator coupled to the distal end effector assembly, the proximal actuation handle comprising:

a first member connectable to the tubular member;

a second member movable relative to the first member and connectable to the actuator, wherein movement of the second member relative to the first member moves the actuator relative to the tubular member to actuate the distal end effector assembly so as to obtain the tissue sample; and

a sample catcher assembly along the first conduit to receive and retain the sample from the first conduit, the sample catcher assembly including a sample chamber and a sample catch member, the sample catch member insertable into the sample chamber in a direction transverse to the length of the first conduit.

30. The proximal actuation handle of claim 29, wherein the sample catch member, in the inserted configuration, seals the sample chamber.

31. The proximal actuation handle of claim 30, wherein the sample catch member has a screen provided with a plurality of perforations, the screen preventing the tissue sample from passing therethrough.

32. The proximal actuation handle of claim 30, wherein the sample catch member has an engagement portion having an irregular shaped cross-section, and the sample chamber is arranged to receive the engagement portion in a single orientation.

33. The proximal actuation handle of claim 29, further comprising:

a valve for controlling the passage of the tissue sample through the first conduit.

34. The proximal actuation handle of claim 29, wherein the biopsy instrument further includes a second conduit extending through the tubular member, and the second conduit is coupled to a fluid source, the proximal actuation handle further comprising:

a valve for controlling the passage of the tissue sample through the first conduit and the passage of the fluid from the fluid source in the second conduit.

35. A biopsy instrument for retrieving tissue samples from a patient, comprising:

a flexible tubular member having a first conduit and a second conduit;

a distal assembly coupled to the tubular member, the distal assembly having a first jaw and a second jaw, the second jaw being pivotabte relative to the first jaw;

a flexible control member coupled to the second jaw;

a proximal actuator coupled to the control member for moving the second jawrelative to the first jaw from an open position to a closed position to obtain a tissue sample from the patient;

a sample catcher assembly coupled to the proximal actuator and to the tubular member; and

a valve coupled to the proximal actuator and to the tubular member, the valve for controlling a first flow in the first conduit and for controlling a second flow in the second conduit.

36. A biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from a patient, comprising:

a flexible tubular member having proximal and distal ends, the tubular member having a first conduit;

a distal end effector assembly coupled to the distal end of the tubular member;

a flexible wire having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the flexible wire coupled to the distal end effector assembly;

a proximal actuator coupled to the proximal end of the flexible wire such that actuation of the actuator tensions and, moves the flexible wire relative to the tubular member thereby actuating the end effector assembly to obtain the tissue sample;

a sample catcher assembly coupled to the first conduit and adapted to receive and retain a tissue sample traveling through the first conduit and;

a valve coupled to the tubular member, the valve for controlling passage of the tissue sample traveling through the first conduit; and

a second conduit extending through the tubular member, the second conduit for providing a fluid to the distal end of the tubular member, wherein the valve further controls a flow of the fluid through the second conduit.

37. A proximal actuation handle for a biopsy instrument, the biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from a patient and having a flexible tubular member with proximal and distal ends and a first conduit extending therethrough, a distal end effector assembly coupled to the distal end of the flexible tubular member, a flexible actuator having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the actuator coupled to the distal end effector assembly, and a second conduit extending through the tubular member and coupled to a fluid source, the proximal actuation handle comprising:

a first member connectable to the tubular member;

a second member movable relative to the first member and connectable to the actuator, wherein movement of the second member relative to the first member moves the actuator relative to the tubular member to actuate the distal end effector assembly so as to obtain the tissue sample;

a sample catcher assembly along the first conduit to receive and retain the sample from the first conduit, and

a valve for controlling the passage of the tissue sample through the first conduit and the passage of the fluid from the fluid source in the second conduit.

38. A biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from a patient, the biopsy instrument having a distal end and a proximal end, the biopsy instrument comprising:

a distal end effector assembly at the distal end;

a proximal handle assembly at the proximal end;

a first flexible conduit extending between, and coupled to, the distal end effector assembly and the proximal handle assembly, the first conduit providing a passage for the tissue sample to travel from the distal end to the proximal end;

a flexible control member extending between, and coupled to, the distal end effector assembly and the proximal handle assembly; and

a sample catcher assembly located along the first conduit to receive and retain the tissue sample, wherein the sample catcher assembly includes a sample chamber and a sample catch member insertable into an external opening in the sample chamber such that the sample catch member seals the external opening.

39. A biopsy instrument for retrieving tissue samples from a patient, comprising:

a flexible tubular member having a first conduit and a second conduit;

a distal assembly coupled to the tubular member, the distal assembly having a first jaw and a second jaw, the second jaw being pivotable relative to the first jaw;

a flexible control member coupled to the second jaw;

a proximal actuator coupled to the control member for moving the second jaw relative to the first jaw from an open position to a closed position to obtain a tissue sample from the patient; and

a sample catcher assembly coupled to the proximal actuator and to the tubular member, wherein the sample catcher assembly includes a sample chamber and a sample catch member capable of being removably coupled to the sample chamber such that the sample catch member, in the coupled configuration, seals the sample chamber.

40. A biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from a patient, comprising:

a flexible tubular member having proximal and distal ends, the tubular member having a first conduit;

a distal end effector assembly coupled to the distal end of the tubular member;

a flexible wire having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the flexible wire coupled to the distal end effector assembly;

a proximal actuator coupled to the proximal end of the flexible wire such that actuation of the actuator tensions and moves the flexible wire relative to the tubular member thereby actuating the end effector assembly to obtain the tissue sample; and

a sample catcher assembly coupled to the first conduit and adapted to receive and retain a tissue sample traveling through the first conduit, wherein the sample catcher assembly includes a sample chamber and a sample catch member insertable into and removable from an external opening in the sample chamber, such that the sample catch member, in the inserted configuration, seals the external opening and filters the tissue sample from a fluid flowing through the first conduit.

41. A proximal actuation handle for a biopsy instrument, the biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from a patient and having a flexible tubular member with proximal and distal ends, and a first conduit extending therethrough, a distal end effector assembly coupled to the distal end of the flexible tubular member, and a flexible actuator having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the actuator coupled to the distal end effector assembly, the proximal actuation handle comprising:

a first member connectable to the tubular member;

a second member movable relative to the first member and connectable to the actuator, wherein movement of the second member relative to the first member moves the actuator relative to the tubular member to actuate the distal end effector assembly so as to obtain the tissue sample; and

a sample catcher assembly along the first conduit to receive and retain the sample from the first conduit, wherein the sample catcher assembly includes a sample chamber and a sample catch member, the sample catch member insertable into and removable from the sample chamber such that, in the inserted configuration, the sample catch member seals the sample chamber.