US5980468A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for serial collection storage and processing of biopsy specimens
Assignee: Zimmon Science Corp
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Filing: 1997-09-22
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Granted: 1999-11-09
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Expires: 2017-09-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for performing a medical procedure comprising an elongated member having an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough. The member has a proximal and an opposite distal end. An actuator is positioned within the aperture and has a proximal end and an opposite distal end. Biopsy means are connected to the distal end of the actuator for cutting and collecting biopsy specimens. Either the elongated member or the distal tip is modified to receive the cut specimens in the order of acquisition. After serial acquisition, the holding segment is separated from the remainder and closed by a cap to form a processing cassette. The cassette holds the specimens in the order of acquisition through fixation and processing to be opened for slicing or analysis.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Zimmon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0096; A61B10/06; A61B10/0233; A61B10/0266; A61B10/0283; A61B2010/0225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for performing a medical procedure, comprising: an elongated flexible member having an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, said member having a proximal and an opposite distal end and a portion that is separable from said flexible member; an actuator positioned within the aperture, said actuator having a proximal end and an opposite distal end; biopsy means connected to the distal end of the actuator for cutting and collecting biopsy specimens; and a cap positionable over said separable portion when said portion is removed from the flexible member, said cap closing said portion for storage and processing of biopsy specimens collected by the biopsy means in the order of collection.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
An apparatus for performing a medical procedure, comprising: an elongated flexible member having an aperture extending longitudinally therethrough, said member having a proximal and an opposite distal end and a portion that is separable from said flexible member; an actuator positioned within the aperture, said actuator having a proximal end and an opposite distal end; biopsy means connected to the distal end of the actuator for cutting and collecting biopsy specimens; and a cap positionable over said separable portion when said portion is removed from the flexible member, said cap closing said portion for storage and processing of biopsy specimens collected by the biopsy means in the order of collection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elongated member comprises a catheter and the biopsy means comprises: a rounded head attached to the distal end of said actuation means; a cutting edge attached to one of said catheter and said head; and a cutting surface attached to the other of said catheter and said head, said cutting means being actuated to cut tissue when said head is moved with respect to said catheter by said actuator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the head is hollow and the cap closes the head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the head has a length of between 2 and 4 times the diameter of the elongated member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cap seals the catheter for storage and processing of biopsy specimens within the catheter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a conical packing shaft on the head and extending into the catheter for packing, aligning and maintaining the position of collected biopsy specimens within the catheter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the actuator comprises a wire, and further comprising a stopper attached to the wire at a predetermined position, to define a storage compartment between the cap and the stopper for the biopsy specimens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the wire is pulled out from the cap and fixed to compress the specimens within the apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the catheter is cut proximal to the stopper to form a capsule for the collected specimens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the head is perforated to allow packing of biopsy specimens by fluid injected through the catheter and permeation by fluid for fixation and processing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the head has a perforated flap that is peelably opened for removal of the biopsy specimens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cap is perforated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the biopsy means comprises a spring jaw having a cutting tool, said spring jaw being remotely deployable from said flexible member, and an internal jaw guide in the distal end of said member, said jaw guide contacting along said jaw for controlling the precise movement of said jaw and defining a cavity within said member for receiving a substantial portion of said jaw.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the member is a catheter and the spring jaw and jaw guide are elongated to form a chamber within the catheter for serial acquisition, storage and processing of specimens within the chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the catheter is a plastic extrusion having a large central lumen and two smaller side lumens.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the side lumens are connected via slits to the central lumen and act as a suction means to draw the biopsy specimens into the chamber in order of acquisition after each biopsy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the cap is perforated, and the catheter is cut proximal to the chamber and closed with the cap.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a second cap for closing the distal end of the flexible member after collection of biopsies.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for the serial collection, storage and processing of biopsy specimens, comprising cutting at least one specimen with a biopsy means deployed from an elongated hollow member; placing said specimen within said elongated hollow member in order of collection; removing said biopsy means from said elongated member; and closing said elongated member with at least one perforated cap, to create a processing cassette for said specimens.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
67 words
A method for the serial collection, storage and processing of biopsy specimens, comprising cutting at least one specimen with a biopsy means deployed from an elongated hollow member; placing said specimen within said elongated hollow member in order of collection; removing said biopsy means from said elongated member; and closing said elongated member with at least one perforated cap, to create a processing cassette for said specimens.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 19, further comprising compressing said specimens within said elongated hollow member and cutting said member to create a compact processing cassette.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for the serial collection, storage and processing of biopsy specimens, comprising cutting at least one specimen with a biopsy means on an apparatus having a hollow head; placing said specimen within said hollow head in order of collection; removing the hollow head from the apparatus; and closing the hollow head with a perforated cap to create a processing cassette for said specimens.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for the serial collection, storage and processing of biopsy specimens, comprising cutting at least one specimen with a biopsy means on an apparatus having a hollow head; placing said specimen within said hollow head in order of collection; removing the hollow head from the apparatus; and closing the hollow head with a perforated cap to create a processing cassette for said specimens.
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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) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |