Patent ID: 8267869

Claim:
A method to perform an endoscopic biopsy, the method comprising: deploying a mechanical forceps through an accessory channel of an endoscope assembly; deploying an optical probe body comprising a distal end on which an optical probe is disposed through the accessory channel of the endoscope assembly to an area of investigation, wherein the mechanical forceps are removable from the optical probe and clip onto the optical probe body immediately before insertion into the accessory channel of the endoscope, wherein the optical probe body comprises a ring configured to engage a proximal end of the mechanical forceps; releasably clipping the mechanical forceps onto the optical probe body by engagement of the ring and the proximal end of the mechanical forceps; optically evaluating tissue at the area of investigation; actuating the mechanical forceps to grasp a sample of the tissue; and retrieving the mechanical forceps and the optical probe from the area of investigation through the accessory channel of the endoscope assembly.