Biopsy instrument having irrigation and aspiration capabilities

• US 7,297,121 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2005
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Kortenbach, Juergen, Francese, Jose L., Turturro, Vincent, Gottlieb, Saul
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg; Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US11/150,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20050245841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 600562-568, 606205-207, 606/127, 606/170
• US Class Current: 600/563
• 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 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/31 Apparatus therefor

Abstract

The invention may include a biopsy instrument having a proximal end and a distal end. The biopsy instrument may include a distal assembly for performing a surgical operation, an elongate flexible member connected to and extending in a proximal direction from the distal assembly, the flexible member including a conduit thereth rough, a proximal actuation handle coupled to a proximal end of the flexible member, the proximal actuation handle including an access opening in fluid connection with the conduit, and a sample collector including a catcher handle and a catcher body. The catcher body may be configured for insertion into the access opening and is removably attached to the catcher handle.

Claims

1. A biopsy instrument having a proximal end and a distal end, comprising:

a distal assembly for performing a surgical operation;

an elongate flexible member connected to and extending in a proximal direction from the distal assembly, the flexible member including a conduit therethrough;

a proximal actuation handle coupled to a proximal end of the flexible member, the proximal actuation handle including an access opening in fluid connection with the conduit; and

a sample collector including a catcher handle and a catcher body, wherein the catcher body is configured for insertion into the access opening and is removably attached to the catcher handle.

2. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein the conduit is an aspiration conduit and the proximal actuation handle includes an aspiration port in fluid connection with a proximal end of the aspiration conduit and for fluid connection to a suction device.

3. The biopsy instrument of claim 2, further comprising an irrigation conduit through the elongate flexible member, and the proximal actuation handle includes an irrigation port in fluid connection with a proximal end of the irrigation conduit and for fluid connection to a fluid source.

4. The biopsy instrument of claim 2, wherein the sample collector is disposed in-line with the aspiration conduit and the suction device and located therebetween.

5. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein the catcher body includes a screen.

6. The biopsy instrument of claim 5, wherein the proximal actuation handle includes a suction passageway with the access opening at a proximal end of the suction passageway,

wherein the screen is positionable within the suction passageway upon insertion into the access opening.

7. The biopsy instrument of claim 5, wherein the catcher handle includes a securing end;

wherein the screen is removably attached to the securing end of the catcher handle.

8. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein at least one flexible ring encircles one of the catcher handle or the catcher body for providing a seal with the access opening.

9. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein the sample collector includes a screen and a cover positionable between an open position displaced from the screen and a closed position overlaying the screen.

10. The biopsy instrument of claim 9, wherein the cover is slidably attached to one of the catcher body or the catcher handle.

11. The biopsy instrument of claim 9, Wherein the cover is rotatably attached to one of the catcher body or the catcher handle.

12. The biopsy instrument of claim 9, wherein the catcher body with the cover in a closed position overlaying the screen fits a pathology or histology processing cartridge.

13. The biopsy instrument of claim 9, wherein the catcher handle, the catcher body, the cover and a cover hinge are integrally molded.

14. The biopsy instrument of claim 13, wherein deformation of the material of the cover hinge preferably permits the cover to rotate from an open position to a closed position.

15. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein the sample collector includes a screen including a plurality of perforations.

16. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein the catcher handle includes a securing end configured for insertion into the access opening and complements the access opening to provide a seal therewith.

17. The biopsy instrument of claim 16, wherein at least one flexible ring encircles the securing end for providing a seal with the access opening.

18. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein a portion of the catcher body complements the access opening to provide a seal therewith.

19. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein the sample collector includes a flow opening on an upstream side and a screen on a downstream side.

20. The biopsy instrument of claim 9, wherein the cover is removably attached to one of the catcher body or the catcher handle.

21. The biopsy instrument of claim 9, wherein the cover includes a screen.

22. The biopsy instrument of claim 1, wherein the catcher body is removably attached to the catcher handle via a break-away tab.