Patent ID: 6494845
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for use in conjunction with an endoscope, said endoscope comprising a channel extending the length of the endoscope; said endoscope being sized to fit into the nasopharynx, hypopharynx, pharynx, trachea, larynx, or the upper esophagus areas of a patient; said apparatus comprising a rod passing through said channel having a distal and a proximal end; a retractable non-lacerational tissue remover having closed and open positions, said tissue remover attached to the distal end of said rod, said tissue remover being in a closed position as said rod passes through said endoscope, and a force applied to said tissue remover to open said tissue remover after it passes through said channel, said tissue remover bearing transversely against the tissue being examined and being controlled by said rod to remove tissue from a tissue area being examined, said tissue remover comprising means to non-lacerationally remove cells from at least two contiguous tissue layers in said nasopharynx, hypopharynx, pharynx, trachea, larynx, or the upper esophagus areas of a patient; said retractable tissue remover being closed before being withdrawn from said endoscope, so as to retain the collected cells and remove them as the closed tissue remover is withdrawn from the endoscope.