Method and apparatus for taking a biopsy

• US 6,773,443 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2001
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Original Assignee: Regents of The University of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
• Inventors: Nelson, Randal, Truwit, Charles L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US09/919,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20020077646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 606/170, 606/159, 606/169, 606/171, 600/564, 600/566, 600/567
• US Class Current: 606/169
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/04 Endoscopic instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320783 through side-hole, e.g. sliding or rotating cutter inside catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00911 for fields applied by a magnetic resonance imaging system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32007 with suction or vacuum means

Abstract

There is described method and apparatus for taking a biopsy wherein the apparatus is formed of a biocompatible cylindrical member with an outer wall and a hollow core, the cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis. An opening in the outer wall of the member is provided and a cutting device cuts tissue entering the opening as it travels along the opening. Cut tissue is treated with a coagulating agent or member so that the coagulation occurs concurrently or just after the tissue is cut wherein the coagulation occurs at a trailing edge of the opening as it travels.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical introducer member with an outer wall and a hollow core, the cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis and an opening along a side; and

a hollow tube slidable in the hollow core with a hollow tube opening about the size of the opening and a cutting wire positioned on one end of the hollow tube opening.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wire is to be energized at a first frequency to cut tissue during a first traverse of the opening and at a second frequency to coagulate the cut tissue during a second traverse of the opening.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ultrasound energy source coupled to the cutting wire.

4. Apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical introducer member with an outer wall and a hollow core, the cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis and an opening along a side; and

a hollow tube slidable in the hollow core with a hollow tube opening about the size of the opening and a cutting wire positioned at an end of the hollow tube and forming an edge of the hollow tube opening.

5. Apparatus of claim 4 wherein the cutting wire is to be energized at a first frequency to cut tissue during a first traverse of the opening and at a second frequency to coagulate the tissue during a second traverse of the opening.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising an ultrasound energy source coupled to the cutting wire.