Flexible encoscope assembly
US4966162A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 25, 1989 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 25, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/320012
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A flexible assembly for use with a fiberoptic endoscope to collect tissue specimens from a site within the human body. The assembly includes a flexible outer catheter provided with a metal tip at its distal end, a flexible stylet, and a control structure at the proximal end of the catheter to control movement of the stylet within and axially along the catheter and for the introduction of fluids to the collection site and/or withdrawal of fluids within the catheter from the collection site. The stylet has a distal end provided with a brush terminating with a needle point or a looped type end at its distal end. The brush will be movable through an incision in tissue produced by the needle point allowing penetration through the body cavity wall into a tumor or lesion located therebeyond. The stylet can also include a coiled spring for providing a flexible connection between the control structure and the tissue collection device. In addition to a brush, the tissue collection device can include a hollow needle or a pair of selectively sliding needles. Specimen samples can be obtained and local flushing of the specimen collection site is possible. Specimen material can also be flushed fr…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.