Patent US4989614A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4989614A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Fine-needle aspiration cell sampling methods
Assignee: Cook Urological Inc
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Filing: 1988-02-23
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Granted: 1991-02-05
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Expires: 2008-02-23
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods for performing fine-needle aspiration biopsies are disclosed. Each method and apparatus includes a needle having an opening which can be occluded during both the penetration and withdrawal stages of the aspiration cycle. After penetration of the target area, the needle is reciprocated a predetermined number of times determined by the desired cytological sample yield. The needle is unoccluded during the reciprocation phase of the cycle. Both manual and automatic apparatus for performing the fine-needle aspiration biopsy procedures in accordance with the disclosed method are disclosed. Numerous sheath configurations for various biopsy applications are illustrated, including those applicable to prostate and breast or other soft tissue biopsies and for use in conjunction with ultrasonic transducers. Alternative needle configurations are disclosed to improve sample yield, reduce coring and minimize needle fouling.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen W. Dejter, Jr.
- 👤 Richard H. Goodwin, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0233; A61B10/0283; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of aspirating a cytological sample from a target area using a selectively occludable needle, comprising the steps of: penetrating the target area with the needle in its occluded position; creating a partial vacuum in the needle and unoccluding the needle; collecting the cytological sample; releasing the partial vacuum and re-occluding the needle; and withdrawing the needle from the target area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of aspirating a cytological sample from a target area using a selectively occludable needle, comprising the steps of: penetrating the target area with the needle in its occluded position; creating a partial vacuum in the needle and unoccluding the needle; collecting the cytological sample; releasing the partial vacuum and re-occluding the needle; and withdrawing the needle from the target area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sample collecting step further comprises the step of reciprocating the needle a predetermined number of times within the target area while it is unoccluded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 2, wherein the excursion of needle reciprocation is precisely determinable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 2, wherein at least one of the steps is performed automatically.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 2, wherein at least one of the steps is performed manually.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 2, wherein all of the steps are performed automatically.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 2, wherein the needle is occluded and unoccluded by, respectively, blocking and unblocking an interior portion of the needle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 2, wherein the needle is occluded and unoccluded by, respectively, blocking and unblocking an exterior portion of the needle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 2, further comprising the step of expressing the collected cytological sample from the needle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, wherein the partial vacuum is created before the needle is unoccluded.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, wherein the partial vacuum is created after the needle is unoccluded.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, wherein the partial vacuum is released before the needle is re-occluded.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, wherein the partial vacuum is released after the needle is re-occluded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, wherein the target area is penetrated a predetermined distance by the needle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the steps is performed automatically.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the steps is performed manually.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, wherein all of the steps are performed automatically.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, wherein the needle is occluded and unoccluded by, respectively, blocking and unblocking an interior portion of the needle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, wherein the needle is occluded and unoccluded by, respectively, blocking and unblocking an exterior portion of the needle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of expressing the collected cytological sample from the needle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 20, wherein the sample expression step comprises the steps of drawing air through an orifice in a syringe connected to the needle, unoccluding the needle, closing the orifice, and compressing the air to express the sample through the unoccluded needle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 20, wherein the sample expression step comprises the steps of drawing air through an orifice in the needle, unoccluding the needle, closing the orifice, and compressing the air to express the sample through the unoccluded needle.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of aspirating a cytological sample as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sample expression step is performed automatically.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-04 | 1994-08-06 | 1995-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-04 | 1998-08-06 | 1999-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-04 | 2002-08-06 | 2003-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |