Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for intraductal cytology

US6840909B2 · kind B2 · utility

20Cited by
14References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 25, 2002
Grant dateJan 11, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 11, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2218/001
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

The invention is directed toward a micro-endoscope assembly for the removal of tissue and cells from breast ducts comprising a cylindrical guide tube with a beveled distal end defining an internal cylindrical passageway and a first smaller cylindrical tube eccentrically formed in the cylindrical passageway of a smaller diameter than the tube internal cylindrical passageway and adapted to receive and guide an endoscope with a handle assembly wherein the smaller cylindrical tube together with an inner wall surface of the cylindrical guide tube forms a second passageway. A second conduit of a smaller diameter than the smaller cylindrical tube is mounted in the second passageway to divide the second passageway into two separate divided sections and is of sufficient diameter to receive a laser fiber and a micro-endoscope is mounted in the smaller cylindrical tube and a laser is mounted in the second cylindrical tube in the second passageway. The assembly is inserted into a mammary duct and the interior of the duct is viewed until an abnormality is determined in the duct. The tissue and cells from the abnormality area are dislodged, irrigated and aspirated through a suction channel to a …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.