Biopsy instrument having aspiration capabilities

• US 6,832,990 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2002
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Miami Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbiosis Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Turturro, Vincent, Kortenbach, Juergen Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): James, Mary Beth
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US10/228,278
• Publication Number:
  US 20030073928A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 600/564, 600/565-572, 606/205, 606/206-208
• US Class Current: 600/564
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/85 with gas or fluid supply means, e.g. for supplying rinsing fluids or anticoagulants for negative pressure wound therapy A61M1/92, A61M1/94; combined with tracheal tubes A61M16/0463; dental instruments with combined rinsing and aspirating A61C17/0208

Abstract

According to an aspect, the invention includes a biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from a patient that may include a tubular member having an aspiration conduit, a distal end effector assembly coupled to the distal end of the tubular member and adapted to detach the tissue sample from the patient, and a proximal actuation handle coupled to the proximal end of the tubular member. The biopsy instrument may further include a sample catch assembly coupled to the aspiration conduit and adapted to receive the tissue sample from the aspiration conduit, the sample catch assembly including a chamber and a sample catch member adapted to separate the tissue sample from the fluid, the sample chamber having a first opening to receive the fluid, a second opening to discharge the fluid from the chamber, and a third opening to removably receive the sample catch member.

Claims

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

a tubular member having proximal and distal ends, the tubular member including an aspiration conduit adapted to provide a conduit through which a fluid flows and through which the tissue sample is aspirated from the patient;

a distal end effector assembly coupled to said distal end of said tubular member and adapted to detach the tissue sample from the patient;

a proximal actuation handle coupled to the proximal end of the tubular member; and

a sample catch assembly coupled to said aspiration conduit and adapted to receive the tissue sample from said aspiration conduit, said sample catch assembly including a chamber and a sample catch member adapted to separate the tissue sample from the fluid, said chamber having a first opening to receive the fluid, a second opening to discharge the fluid from the chamber, and a third opening to removably receive said sample catch member.

2. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said sample catch member has a screen provided with a plurality of holes that permit the fluid to pass therethrough and prevent the tissue sample from passing therethrough.

3. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said sample catch member substantially seals said third opening in said chamber when said sample catch member is inserted into said chamber.

4. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said sample catch member has an engagement portion having an irregular shaped cross-section, and said sample catch assembly is adapted to receive said sample catch member in a single orientation.

5. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said chamber has an internal cross-section and said sample catch member includes a screen having a shape that complements said internal cross-section.

6. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said sample catch member has a rigid screen adapted to prevent the tissue sample from passing through said chamber, said screen having perforations to allow the fluid to pass through said chamber.

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

an irrigation conduit having proximal and distal ends, said irrigation conduit adapted to provide a conduit through which an irrigation fluid is provided to the distal end of said tubular member; and

a valve coupled to said irrigation conduit, said valve adapted to control the flow of the irrigation fluid through said irrigation conduit.

8. The biopsy instrument of claim 7, wherein said distal end effector forms a fluid passage between said irrigation conduit and said aspiration conduit when said distal end effector is in a closed position.

9. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said proximal actuation handle includes a stationary member coupled to one of said tubular member and a control member, and a movable member movable relative to said stationary member and coupled to the other of said tubular member and said control member, wherein movement of said movable member relative to said stationary member moves said control member relative to said tubular member and actuates said distal end effector assembly so as to obtain the tissue sample.

10. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said tubular member is flexible.

11. The biopsy instrument of claim 10, wherein said tubular member further includes an embedded support member.

12. The biopsy instrument of claim 11, wherein said embedded support member is at least partially made from a shape memory material.

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

at least one flexible control member coupled to said distal end effector and said proximal actuation handle.

15. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said tubular member is a multi-lumen extrusion.

16. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said distal end effector includes a movable cutting member having a sharp edge.

17. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said sample catch assembly includes a plurality of sample catch members.

18. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein said sample catch member has a sample compartment which includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a filter located between said inlet and said outlet.

19. The biopsy instrument of claim 18, wherein said sample compartment provides a fluid passageway between said first and second openings in said chamber when said sample catch member is inserted into said chamber.

13. The biopsy instrument of 10, claim wherein said tubular member further includes an irrigation conduit and wherein a cross-sectional area of said aspiration conduit is greater than a cross-sectional area of said irrigation conduit.