Patent ID: 8172771
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A tissue sample collection device, comprising: a sleeve having an interior, an open proximal end and an open distal end; and a filter member having a length, an open proximal end, and comprising a filter extending along at least a portion of the length of the filter member, wherein the filter member has an internal passageway extending along a least a portion of the length of the filter member, the filter comprises an exterior tissue collecting surface, the filter is substantially permeable to fluids and substantially impermeable to tissue samples, wherein when the filter is disposed in the sleeve, the device defines a fluid flow path from the open distal end of the sleeve to the internal passageway of the filter member, out of the open proximal end of the filter member, and out of the open proximal end of the sleeve, and further wherein the filter is removable through the distal end of the sleeve; wherein the filter member is connected to the sleeve such that the device has a tissue collection configuration and a tissue retrieval configuration, and when the device is in the tissue collection configuration, the filter is disposed entirely within the sleeve, and when the device is in the tissue retrieval configuration, the filter member remains connected to the sleeve and extends through the distal end of the sleeve to permit access to the filter member; and wherein the sleeve is slidably adjustable along the length of the filter member to change the configuration of the device from the tissue collection configuration to the tissue retrieval configuration, the sleeve including a longitudinally extending inner surface configured to maintain engagement with the filter member as the sleeve is adjusted from the tissue collection configuration to the tissue retrieval configuration, the longitudinally extending inner surface defining a length sufficiently large that the longitudinally extending inner surface remains in engagement with the filter member at least until the filter member extends through the distal end of the sleeve to permit access to the filter.