Patent ID: 8025626

Claim:
A jaw assembly hold open locking device for biopsy forceps device comprising: a flexible catheter tube having a proximal end and a distal end; a handle disposed at said proximal end of said flexible catheter tube, said handle including a body portion and an actuator portion axially displaceable along a longitudinal direction relative to said body portion; an end jaw assembly disposed at said distal end of said flexible catheter tube, said end jaw assembly including a pair of opposed end jaws operable between an open position and a closed position, said pair of opposed end jaws pivotable about an axis that is fixed without any translational movement along said longitudinal direction; and a locking mechanism disposed on an exterior surface of said handle, said locking mechanism having a first end pivotably fixed to said actuator portion on said exterior surface of said handle and a second end configured for moving in and out of engagement with an end region of said body portion on said exterior surface of said handle, when in engagement with said end region of said body portion of said exterior surface of said handle for locking said jaw assembly in said open position to facilitate the removing of the biopsy sample, and when disengaged from said end region of said body portion of said exterior surface of said handle, for allowing said jaw assembly to return to said closed position.