Patent ID: 6174292
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from a patient, the biopsy instrument having a distal end and a proximal end, the biopsy instrument comprising:a distal end effector assembly at the distal end;a proximal handle assembly at the proximal end;a first flexible conduit extending between, and coupled to, the distal end effector assembly and the proximal handle assembly, the first conduit providing a passage for the tissue sample to travel in a first direction from the distal end to the proximal end;a flexible control member extending between and coupled to the distal end effector assembly and the proximal handle assembly; anda sample catcher assembly located along the first conduit to receive and retain the tissue sample, the sample catcher assembly including a sample chamber and a sample catch member insertable into an external opening in the sample chamber in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the sample catch member for filtering the tissue sample from a fluid flowing through the first conduit.