Patent ID: 6394964
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A system comprising:biopsy forceps comprising: a flexible outer tubular member having a first lumen therethrough, the outer tubular member extending from a proximal end to a distal end and adapted for insertion into a working channel of an endoscope; cutting jaws mounted proximate to the distal end of the outer tubular member for selective opening and closing in a biopsy cutting movement, the cutting jaws mounted with the closed cutting position coaxially aligned with the first lumen; an inner tubular member having a second lumen therethrough, the inner tubular member extending through the first lumen of the outer tubular member and operatively connected to open and close the cutting jaws; an optical fiber removably disposed within the second lumen of the inner tubular member, the optical fiber extending from a proximal end to a distal end and adapted at its proximal end for connection to an electro-optical histopathological diagnostic apparatus system; an actuator mechanism coupled with the proximal end of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member, where the actuator mechanism is operatively coupled with the inner tubular member; and an access port communicatively coupled with the second lumen; and an electro-optical diagnostic apparatus for optical biopsy and histopathological analysis of tissue, the diagnostic apparatus comprising: a source of optical radiation coupled with the optical fiber, the source of optical radiation providing optical radiation entering the proximal end of the optical fiber; and a diagnostic member coupled with the biopsy forceps, the diagnostic member for analyzing returned illumination entering the distal end of the optical fiber to provide a diagnosis of the tissue.