Patent ID: 7556622

Claim:
A tissue filter assembly comprising: a filter body having a first half, a second half, and a hinge; the hinge engaging a portion of the first half and a portion of the second half so as to hingedly connect the first and second halves together such that the first and the second halves are selectively movable relative to each other between an open configuration and a closed configuration; the first half and the second half cooperating to provide a tissue structure collection cavity and at least one opening into the tissue structure collection cavity when the first half and the second half are in the closed configuration; and a filter material engaged with said filter body within the tissue structure collection cavity the filter material and the filter body together creating a tissue collecting boundary when the filter body is in the closed configuration, and wherein the filter material is engaged such that the opening remains uncovered to permit tissue structures to enter the filter body, the filter material only partially filling the tissue collection cavity; wherein the filter material and the filter body both open together when urged into the open configuration; and where selective access to the tissue structure collection cavity is provided when the first half and the second half are in the open configuration such as to permit removal of tissue structures collected in the tissue collection cavity.