Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A bipolar bioptome comprising: a proximal handle assembly including an actuator; a distal end effector assembly including electrically conductive end effectors and an electrically conductive distal member proximate to and electrically isolated from the end effectors, the distal member being movable relative to the end effectors; a connection member mechanically coupling the actuator to the end effector assembly, the connection member having first and second electrically conductive portions, wherein actuation of the actuator causes the distal member to move relative to the end effectors and thereby open and close the end effectors; and an electrical coupling for supplying one pole of a current source through the first conductive portion to the distal member and the other pole of the current source through the second conductive portion to the end effectors so that current flows between the distal member and the end effectors during a biopsy procedure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
A bipolar bioptome comprising: a proximal handle assembly including an actuator; a distal end effector assembly including electrically conductive end effectors and an electrically conductive distal member proximate to and electrically isolated from the end effectors, the distal member being movable relative to the end effectors; a connection member mechanically coupling the actuator to the end effector assembly, the connection member having first and second electrically conductive portions, wherein actuation of the actuator causes the distal member to move relative to the end effectors and thereby open and close the end effectors; and an electrical coupling for supplying one pole of a current source through the first conductive portion to the distal member and the other pole of the current source through the second conductive portion to the end effectors so that current flows between the distal member and the end effectors during a biopsy procedure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 1, wherein the first conductive portion includes a hollow, electrically conductive coil electrically coupled to the distal member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 2, further comprising a non-conductive sheath over at least a portion of the coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 1, wherein the first and second conductive portions are electrically isolated from each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 1, wherein the second conductive portion includes an electrically conductive control wire electrically coupled to the end effectors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 5, further comprising a non-conductive sheath over at least a portion of the control wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 1, wherein the second conductive portion includes a hollow, electrically conductive coil electrically coupled to the end effectors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 1, wherein the first conductive portion includes an electrically conductive control wire electrically coupled to the distal member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 1, wherein the distal member includes a cylinder having a substantially non-conductive distal edge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 1, wherein distal member includes a cylinder having a substantially non-conductive interior surface and an exterior surface having electrically conductive portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 1, wherein the distal member includes a substantially non-conductive distal portion for electrically isolating the distal member from the end effectors.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 1, wherein the end effectors include a pair of resilient arms each terminating in a jaw.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 1, wherein the electrical coupling includes a first electrical connector for supplying the one pole of the current source to the distal member and a second electrical connector for supplying the other pole of the current source to the end effectors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 1, wherein the distal end effector assembly is adapted for use in retrieving multiple biopsy samples from a body without withdrawal of the bioptome from the body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
180 words
A bipolar bioptome comprising: a proximal handle assembly including an actuator; a distal end effector assembly including electrically conductive end effectors and an electrically conductive actuation member electrically isolated from the end effectors and movable relative to the end effectors; an electrically conductive flexible member and an electrically conductive control member mechanically coupling the actuator to the end effector assembly such that actuation of the actuator causes the actuation member to move relative to the end effectors and thereby open and close the end effectors, wherein the flexible member and the control member are electrically isolated from each other, and wherein the flexible member is electrically coupled to one of the actuation member and the end effectors and the control member is electrically coupled to the remaining other of the actuation member and the end effectors; and an electrical coupling for supplying one pole of a current source to the flexible member and the other pole of the current source to the control member so that current flows between the actuation member and the end effectors during a biopsy procedure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
180 words
A bipolar bioptome comprising: a proximal handle assembly including an actuator; a distal end effector assembly including electrically conductive end effectors and an electrically conductive actuation member electrically isolated from the end effectors and movable relative to the end effectors; an electrically conductive flexible member and an electrically conductive control member mechanically coupling the actuator to the end effector assembly such that actuation of the actuator causes the actuation member to move relative to the end effectors and thereby open and close the end effectors, wherein the flexible member and the control member are electrically isolated from each other, and wherein the flexible member is electrically coupled to one of the actuation member and the end effectors and the control member is electrically coupled to the remaining other of the actuation member and the end effectors; and an electrical coupling for supplying one pole of a current source to the flexible member and the other pole of the current source to the control member so that current flows between the actuation member and the end effectors during a biopsy procedure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15 wherein the electrically conductive flexible member is electrically coupled to the end effectors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15, further comprising a non-conductive sheath over at least a portion of the flexible member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15, wherein the flexible member is a coil.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive control member is electrically coupled to the end effectors.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15, further comprising a non-conductive sheath over at least a portion of the control member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive flexible member is electrically coupled to the actuation member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive control member is electrically coupled to the actuation member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15, wherein the actuation member includes a cylinder having a substantially non-conductive distal edge.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15, wherein the actuation member includes a cylinder having a substantially non-conductive interior surface and an exterior surface having electrically conductive portions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15, wherein the actuation member includes a substantially non-conductive distal portion for electrically isolating the actuation member from the end effectors.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15, wherein the end effectors include a pair of resilient arms each terminating in a jaw.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15, wherein the electrical coupling includes a first electrical connector for supplying the one pole of the current source to the flexible member and a second electrical connector for supplying the other pole of the current source to the control member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The bipolar bioptome of claim 15, wherein the distal end effector assembly is adapted for use in retrieving multiple biopsy samples from a body without withdrawal of the bioptome from the body.