Patent ID: 8025627

Claim:
A biopsy forceps device comprising: a flexible catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said flexible catheter includes an outer tube member, an inner tube member disposed within said outer tube member, an operating member, disposed within said inner tube member and coupled to a handle portion and an end jaw assembly, said operating member configured for translational movement within said outer tube, and an inner region between said inner tube member and said outer tube member; a handle at said proximal end of said tube, said handle including a handle body with two finger loops and two arms, a hinge configured for pivotally connecting said two arms, a fluid inlet assembly, and a catheter tube coupling, said fluid inlet assembly including a fluid inlet configured for receiving a cleaning and sterilizing fluid and a fluid inlet tube in fluid communication with said inner region between said inner tube member and said outer tube member of said catheter tube, said fluid inlet assembly in fluid communication with said inner region of said catheter tube, for introducing said cleaning and sterilizing fluid into said catheter tube inner region to sterilize and clean said inner region of said catheter tube; an end jaw assembly at said distal end of said tube, said end jaw assembly including a pair of opposed end jaws operable between an open position and a closed position in response to said translational movement of said operating member, said pair of opposed end jaws pivotable about an axis that is fixed without any translational movement in a longitudinal direction; and a first opening at said distal end of said handle, for securing said catheter tube inside of said catheter tube coupling.