Endoscopic device for multiple sample biopsy

Endoscopic biopsy device for collecting multiple tissue samples, wherein the endoscopic biopsy device comprises:

• a tubular body having in an axial direction a distal end and a proximal end;
• at least a first jaw member and a second jaw member attached to the distal end of the body, wherein the first and second jaw members are moveable with respect to each other between an OPEN position and a CLOSED position to secure a tissue sample, wherein the first and second jaw members in the CLOSED position define a sampling chamber;
• a collecting chamber for receiving multiple tissue samples, the collecting chamber being located within the body in a proximal direction adjacent to the sampling chamber;
• and
• an axially extending collecting member for transfixing secured tissue samples, the collecting member being axially displaceable between a retracted position in the collecting chamber and a deployed position where the collecting member penetrates into the sampling chamber,
• wherein the first jaw member includes a first retaining element arranged to project radially inward on a proximal portion of the first jaw member, and wherein the second jaw member includes a second retaining element arranged to project radially inward on a proximate portion of the second jaw member,
• wherein at least the first and second retaining elements engage to separate the sampling chamber and the collecting chamber from each other when at least the first and second jaw members are in the CLOSED position, and
• wherein at least the first and second retaining elements disengage to provide a passage for the transfer of transfixed tissue samples into and out of the collecting chamber when at least the first and second jaw members are in the OPEN position.