Patent ID: 6083150
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An endoscopic biopsy device having a proximal end and a distal end defining a longitudinal axis, the distal end of which is adapted for obtaining from a tissue mass in a body cavity a plurality of tissue samples without withdrawing the distal end from the cavity, the device comprising:an elongate flexible tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;a drive wire having a proximal end and a distal end, the drive wire slidably supported in the shaft; anda jaw assembly mounted to the distal end of the shaft in a longitudinally fixed position with respect to the shaft, the jaw assembly comprising:a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the housing attached to the distal end of the shaft;a puller member positioned inside the housing and attached to the distal end of the drive wire;a pair of jaws, a distal end of each of the jaws extending from the housing and adapted to cut a portion of tissue from the tissue mass, a first shank extending from a proximal end of each of the jaws, the first shank of each jaw laterally offset from and in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the device, the first shank of each jaw extending into the distal end of the housing, the first shank of each jaw supporting cam means and pivot means, the first shank of each jaw connected to the distal end of the housing by one of the cam means and the pivot means, and connected to the puller member by the other of the cam means and the pivot means, whereby longitudinal movement of the drive wire relative to the shaft causes the pair of jaws to open and close; anda tissue sample storage area adapted to receive the plurality of tissue samples, at least a portion of the tissue sample storage area defined by the first shank of each jaw being offset from the longitudinal axis;wherein the pair of jaws is the only jaw assembly element movable relative to the shaft that is exposed externally of the biopsy device.