US5827305A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tissue sampling device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1997-02-14
•
Granted: 1998-10-27
•
Expires: 2017-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A tissue sampling device for retrieving multiple tissue samples from a body has a catheter and a tissue collector formed proximate the distal end of the catheter. The tissue collector is configured so as to facilitate the removal of a tissue sample from its in-situ anatomical location and so as to capture the tissue sample within the first lumen of the catheter. A passage provides fluid communication between a first lumen within which the collected tissue sample is disposed and a second lumen into which a fluid may be caused to flow. Flowing the fluid distally through the second lumen moves the tissue sample proximally through the first lumen so as to facilitate the collection of a plurality of such tissue samples.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark G. Gordon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0233; A61B10/0266; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/007; A61F9/00736; A61F9/00754; A61F9/00763; A61B10/0275; A61B10/04; A61B2010/0225; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00544
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A tissue sampling device for retrieving multiple tissue samples from a body, the tissue sampling device comprising: a) a catheter having proximal and distal ends, the catheter comprising first and second lumens; b) a tissue collector formed proximate the distal end of the catheter for removing a tissue sample from its in-situ anatomical location and for capturing the tissue sample within the first lumen of the catheter; c) a passage disposed proximate the distal end of the catheter for providing fluid communication between the first and second lumens, the passage being configured such that fluid flowed distally through the second lumen moves the tissue sample proximally through the first lumen; and d) wherein moving the tissue sample proximally through the first lumen facilitates collection of a plurality of such tissue samples.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A tissue sampling device for retrieving multiple tissue samples from a body, the tissue sampling device comprising: a) a catheter having proximal and distal ends, the catheter comprising first and second lumens; b) a tissue collector formed proximate the distal end of the catheter for removing a tissue sample from its in-situ anatomical location and for capturing the tissue sample within the first lumen of the catheter; c) a passage disposed proximate the distal end of the catheter for providing fluid communication between the first and second lumens, the passage being configured such that fluid flowed distally through the second lumen moves the tissue sample proximally through the first lumen; and d) wherein moving the tissue sample proximally through the first lumen facilitates collection of a plurality of such tissue samples.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 1, wherein the first lumen is larger than the second lumen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a deflector for directing fluid from the second lumen to the first lumen, the deflector being configured to direct a substantial portion of the fluid distal of the tissue sample so as to move the tissue sample proximally.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 3, wherein the deflector comprises an end cap for the catheter, the end cap having a channel formed therein for directing the fluid from the second lumen into the first lumen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 1, wherein the deflector comprises a protuberance formed upon an inner wall of the catheter for directing the fluid from the second lumen into the first lumen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 1, wherein the tissue collector comprises a seal for mitigating fluid leakage from within the catheter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 6, wherein the seal comprises a hermetic seal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 1 wherein the tissue collector is configured to cut tissue away from its in-situ anatomical location.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a check valve disposed proximate the proximal end of the catheter and in fluid communication with the first lumen so as to facilitate fluid flow proximally therethrough while mitigating fluid flow distally therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 1 further comprising: a) a check valve disposed proximate the proximal end of the catheter and in fluid communication with the first lumen so as to facilitate fluid flow proximally therethrough while mitigating fluid flow distally therethrough; and b) a valved port in fluid communication with the first lumen through which the tissue samples are withdrawn.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a controlled flow fluid source in communication with the first lumen, the controlled flow fluid source selected from the list consisting of: a) a syringe; b) a squeeze bulb; c) a pump; d) a gravity feed container; and e) a gas pressurize ullage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 1 wherein the catheter is configured to pass through a working channel of an endoscope.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
215 words
A tissue sampling device for retrieving multiple tissue samples from a body, the tissue sampling device comprising: a) a catheter having first and second lumens; b) a blade formed upon the distal end of the catheter; c) a cap hingedly attached to the distal end of the catheter proximate the blade, the cap having an open position wherein a tissue sample can be urged into the first lumen of the catheter and having a closed position in which the cap abuts the blade and seals the catheter; d) an actuator in mechanical communication with the cap for moving the cap from the open position to the closed position thereof; e) a passage disposed proximate a distal end of the catheter for providing fluid communication between the first and second lumens, the passage being configured such that fluid flowed through the second lumen causes the tissue sample to move proximally through the first lumen; and f) wherein causing the actuator to move the cap from the open position to the closed position thereof causes the blade to cut the tissue sample from its in-situ anatomical location so as to capture the tissue sample within the catheter and wherein moving the tissue sample proximally through the first lumen facilitates collection of a plurality of such tissue samples.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
215 words
A tissue sampling device for retrieving multiple tissue samples from a body, the tissue sampling device comprising: a) a catheter having first and second lumens; b) a blade formed upon the distal end of the catheter; c) a cap hingedly attached to the distal end of the catheter proximate the blade, the cap having an open position wherein a tissue sample can be urged into the first lumen of the catheter and having a closed position in which the cap abuts the blade and seals the catheter; d) an actuator in mechanical communication with the cap for moving the cap from the open position to the closed position thereof; e) a passage disposed proximate a distal end of the catheter for providing fluid communication between the first and second lumens, the passage being configured such that fluid flowed through the second lumen causes the tissue sample to move proximally through the first lumen; and f) wherein causing the actuator to move the cap from the open position to the closed position thereof causes the blade to cut the tissue sample from its in-situ anatomical location so as to capture the tissue sample within the catheter and wherein moving the tissue sample proximally through the first lumen facilitates collection of a plurality of such tissue samples.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 13, wherein the blade is formed upon a beveled tip of the catheter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 13, wherein the blade comprises a sharpened edge formed upon the distal end of the catheter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in Claim 13, wherein the cap is attached to the catheter via a living hinge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 13, wherein the actuator comprises a cam formed upon the cap and a sheath within which the catheter is disposed, such that urging the sheath distally with respect to the catheter causes the tube to engage the cam and thus urge the cap into the closed position thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 13 wherein the cap is configured so as to be biased in the open position thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 13 wherein the cap is formed from a portion of the catheter wall and is thus curved is a manner which biases the cap in the open position thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
196 words
A tissue sampling device for retrieving multiple tissue samples from a body, the tissue sampling device comprising: a) a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen; b) a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen, the catheter being slidably disposed within the lumen of the sheath; c) a cap closing the distal end of the inner catheter; d) an opening formed in the catheter proximate the distal end thereof; and e) a blade formed at the distal end of the sheath proximate the cap such that sliding the sheath distally with respect to the inner cannula causes the cap to close and abut the blade, which results in cutting of tissue extending from its in-situ anatomical position through the opening formed in the catheter; f) a passage disposed proximate the distal end of the catheter for providing fluid communication between the first and second lumens, the passage being configured such that fluid flowed through the lumen causes the tissue sample to move proximally through the first lumen; and g) wherein moving the tissue sample proximally through the first lumen facilitates collection of a plurality of such tissue samples.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
196 words
A tissue sampling device for retrieving multiple tissue samples from a body, the tissue sampling device comprising: a) a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen; b) a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen, the catheter being slidably disposed within the lumen of the sheath; c) a cap closing the distal end of the inner catheter; d) an opening formed in the catheter proximate the distal end thereof; and e) a blade formed at the distal end of the sheath proximate the cap such that sliding the sheath distally with respect to the inner cannula causes the cap to close and abut the blade, which results in cutting of tissue extending from its in-situ anatomical position through the opening formed in the catheter; f) a passage disposed proximate the distal end of the catheter for providing fluid communication between the first and second lumens, the passage being configured such that fluid flowed through the lumen causes the tissue sample to move proximally through the first lumen; and g) wherein moving the tissue sample proximally through the first lumen facilitates collection of a plurality of such tissue samples.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 20, wherein the inner cannula fits within the sheath with a clearance of between approximately 0.001 inch and approximately 0.003 inch.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 20, wherein the cap comprises a deflector for directing fluid from the second lumen into the first lumen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 20, wherein the cap comprises a channel for directing fluid from the second lumen into the first lumen.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 20 wherein the blade comprises a sharpened portion of the distal end of the sheath.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue sampling device as recited in claim 20 wherein the blade comprises a metal blade attached to the distal end of the sheath.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for collecting multiple tissue samples from a body, the method comprising the steps of: a) positioning a distal end of a catheter proximate tissue to be sampled; b) removing a tissue sample from its in-situ anatomical location and capturing the tissue sample within the catheter; c) flowing a fluid through the catheter so as to cause the tissue sample to move proximally; and d) wherein moving the tissue sample proximally through the catheter facilitates collection of a plurality of such tissue samples.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for collecting multiple tissue samples from a body, the method comprising the steps of: a) positioning a distal end of a catheter proximate tissue to be sampled; b) removing a tissue sample from its in-situ anatomical location and capturing the tissue sample within the catheter; c) flowing a fluid through the catheter so as to cause the tissue sample to move proximally; and d) wherein moving the tissue sample proximally through the catheter facilitates collection of a plurality of such tissue samples.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method as recited in claim 26 wherein the step of capturing the tissue sample within the catheter comprises capturing the tissue sample within a first lumen and the step of flowing a fluid through the catheter comprises flowing the fluid distally through a second lumen and proximally through the first lumen.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 26 wherein the step of flowing a fluid through the catheter comprises flowing a saline solution through the catheter.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 26 wherein the step of removing a tissue sample comprises cutting the tissue sample from its in-situ anatomical location.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 26 wherein the step of removing a tissue sample comprises tearing the tissue sample from its in-situ anatomical location.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as recited in claim 26 wherein the step of positioning the distal end of the catheter proximate the tissue to be sampled comprises positioning the catheter by guiding it via an endoscope, the catheter being substantially disposed within a working channel of the endoscope.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method as recited in claim 26 wherein the steps of removing a tissue sample from its in-situ anatomical location and capturing the tissue sample within the catheter comprise sequentially removing a plurality of tissue samples from their respective in-situ anatomical locations and capturing each of the tissue samples at spaced apart locations within the catheter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as recited in claim 26 wherein the step of flowing a fluid through the catheter comprises generally flowing fluid through the catheter after each tissue sample is captured within the catheter so as to cause the tissue samples to move distally within the catheter.
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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) | 2001-10-26 | 2002-04-27 | 2002-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-26 | 2006-04-27 | 2006-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-26 | 2010-04-27 | 2010-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |