Patent ID: 6419640
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for obtaining multiple tissue biopsies of an organ through an endoscope, the method comprising the sequential steps of:(a) inserting an endoscope having a biopsy channel to visualize an area to be biopsied; (b) nserting a biopsy forceps through the biopsy channel, the biopsy forceps comprising: a tubular body having a length and outside diameter for passage through the biopsy channel; a tubular housing affixed to the tubular body; a central wire disposed in the tubular body with the distal end of the central wire extending through the tubular housing, the distal end of the central wire having a barbed spike for penetrating tissue of an organ; a set of jaws cooperatively mounted to the distal end of the central wire; a proximal activating handle for displacing the central wire such that as the distal end of the central wire is drawn toward the tubular housing, the tubular housing forces the jaws to close; (c) placing the barbed spike of the central wire in penetrating contact with the tissue to be biopsied; (d) withdrawing the central wire, forcing the jaws to grasp a sample of the tissue to be biopsied; (e) retaining the grasped tissue on the central wire; (f) repeating steps (c) through (e) to sequentially collect tissue samples on the central wire; (g) withdrawing the biopsy forceps from the biopsy channel to retrieve the tissue samples.