Method for scraping cellular material from tissue

• US 6,890,309 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2004
• Issued: 05/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medical Device Technologies, Inc. (Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Biopsy Sciences LLC
• Inventors: Fisher, John S.
• Primary Examiner(s): MARMOR II, CHARLES ALAN
• Application Number:
  US10/708,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20040167435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 417 Days
• Field of Search: 600562-567, 600/570, 600/571, 600/573, 600/576, 600/583, 606/79, 606/160, 606/167, 606/170, 606/171, 606/181, 606/184, 606/185, 604/22, 604/164.01, 604/44, 604/164.11, 604/264, 604/272
• US Class Current: 600/570
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0266 means for severing sample
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0275 with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet
• 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 10/04 Endoscopic instruments

Abstract

A dual action biopsy needle scrapes tissue of cellular thickness from a lesion during forward and rearward reciprocations of the needle along its longitudinal axis of symmetry. A first sharp edge, formed by a beveled distal end of the needle, scrapes tissue during proximal-to-distal travel of the needle. A second sharp edge is provided by a transversely disposed slot formed in the needle near the first sharp edge. The second sharp edge scrapes tissue during distal-to-proximal travel of the needle. In a first embodiment, the second sharp edge is coincident with an exterior surface of the needle. In a second embodiment, the second sharp edge is elevated with respect to the exterior surface and in a third embodiment the second sharp edge is recessed. Additional embodiments include a second slot, a channel, and a hinge for enabling pivotal movement of the second and third sharp edges.

Claims

1. A method for scraping cellular material from tissue, comprising the steps of:

providing a fine needle aspiration biopsy needle of elongate, hollow construction having a proximal end, a beveled distal end, and having a uniform diameter along an extent of said needle;

said beveled distal end being open and forming a first sharp edge adapted to scrape cellular material when said needle is inserted into tissue and displaced from a proximal position to a distal position during insertion;

forming a slot in said needle near said beveled distal end so that said slot is transversely disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of said needle, so that said slot is angled relative to a transverse axis of said needle such that a bottom of said slot is positioned distal to an opening of said slot, and so that said opening of said slot is in open communication with an exterior surface of said needle;

forming said slot so that it includes a second sharp edge adapted to scrape tissue of cellular size when said needle is displaced from a distal position to a proximal position;

communicating a vacuum to said proximal end of said needle so that cellular material removed by said first sharp edge during proximal-to-distal travel of said needle is pulled into a lumen of said needle and so that cellular material removed by said second sharp edge during distal-to-proximal travel of said needle is also pulled into said lumen;

providing a syringe, an endoscope having a proximal end in fluid communication with said syringe, and an elongate guide tube, and positioning said elongate guide tube within an operating channel of said endoscope;

securing said fine needle aspiration biopsy needle to a distal end of said elongate guide tube;

positioning said fine needle aspiration biopsy needle in operative relation to a lesion; and

retracting said elongate guide tube and hence said fine needle aspiration biopsy needle so that cellular material is scraped from said lesion as said fine needle aspiration biopsy needle is pulled from said lesion;

depositing said cellular material onto a slide, staining said cellular material, and subjecting said cellular material to microscopic inspection in the absence of any need to mechanically slice said cellular material.