Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A medical device for localization of target tissue comprising: a shaft having a distal end with a distal tip and having a cutting element; and at least one radially extendable fixation member which has a free end, which is spaced proximal from the distal tip and which is radially extendable from a side of the distal end of the shaft to secure the distal end of the shaft within target tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A medical device for localization of target tissue comprising: a shaft having a distal end with a distal tip and having a cutting element; and at least one radially extendable fixation member which has a free end, which is spaced proximal from the distal tip and which is radially extendable from a side of the distal end of the shaft to secure the distal end of the shaft within target tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medical device as recited in claim 1 , wherein said medical device comprises a surgical instrument.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The medical device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the radially extendable and retractable member comprises a radially extendable and retractable wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
A tissue acquisition device for retrieving target tissue from a patient's body comprising: a shaft having a distal end configured for entry into the patient's body; a cutting element disposed on the distal end of the shaft configured for cutting target tissue surrounding the shaft; and a fixation agent disposed on the distal end of the shaft for securing the shaft adjacent target tissue, said fixation agent being configured for penetrating tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
A tissue acquisition device for retrieving target tissue from a patient's body comprising: a shaft having a distal end configured for entry into the patient's body; a cutting element disposed on the distal end of the shaft configured for cutting target tissue surrounding the shaft; and a fixation agent disposed on the distal end of the shaft for securing the shaft adjacent target tissue, said fixation agent being configured for penetrating tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tissue acquisition instrument as recited in claim 4 , wherein the fixation agent comprises a mechanical fixation agent extendable outwardly into the target tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The tissue acquisition instrument as recited in claim 5 , wherein said mechanical fixation agent comprises a plurality of radially extendable and retractable wires.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tissue acquisition instrument as recited in claim 1 , wherein said mechanical fixation agent comprises a tube and plurality of radially expandable flaps extending from said tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tissue acquisition instrument as recited in claim 4 wherein said instrument comprises a biopsy instrument.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tissue acquisition instrument as recited in claim 4 , wherein the cutting element disposed on the distal end of the shaft comprises an electrosurgical cutting element.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising: a) providing a medical device comprising a shaft having a distal end with a distal tip configured for entry into a patient's body within target tissue, a radially extendable fixation member which has a free end and which is spaced proximal from the distal tip and a cutting element; b) placing the distal end of the shaft within the patient's body, so that the distal end is disposed within target tissue; and c) extending into the target tissue the free end of at least one radially extendable fixation member from a side of the shaft so that the distal end of the shaft becomes secured within the target tissue.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of performing a medical procedure, comprising: a) providing a medical device comprising a shaft having a distal end with a distal tip configured for entry into a patient's body within target tissue, a radially extendable fixation member which has a free end and which is spaced proximal from the distal tip and a cutting element; b) placing the distal end of the shaft within the patient's body, so that the distal end is disposed within target tissue; and c) extending into the target tissue the free end of at least one radially extendable fixation member from a side of the shaft so that the distal end of the shaft becomes secured within the target tissue.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for performing a tissue acquisition procedure using a tissue acquisition device having a shaft with a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and a cutting element, comprising: a) placing the distal end of the instrument in a patient's body, so that the distal end is disposed adjacent the target tissue; b) securing the distal end of the shaft adjacent the target tissue by extending into the target tissue at least one radially extendable and retractable member from a side of the shaft spaced proximal to the distal end, said member having a free end configured for engaging tissue; and c) actuating the cutting element to acquire one or more tissue samples of target tissue.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for performing a tissue acquisition procedure using a tissue acquisition device having a shaft with a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, and a cutting element, comprising: a) placing the distal end of the instrument in a patient's body, so that the distal end is disposed adjacent the target tissue; b) securing the distal end of the shaft adjacent the target tissue by extending into the target tissue at least one radially extendable and retractable member from a side of the shaft spaced proximal to the distal end, said member having a free end configured for engaging tissue; and c) actuating the cutting element to acquire one or more tissue samples of target tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein securing the distal end of the shaft comprises securing the distal end of the shaft effective that the device does not move relative to the target tissue during the tissue acquisition procedure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the tissue acquisition procedure is a biopsy procedure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 11 , wherein the patient is transported from one location to another between steps b) and c).