# US 10,765,454 B2 · Sampling needle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,454 B2 - Document ID: US10765454B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/884,776 - Filed: 2018-01-31 - Published: 2018-05-31 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2007-09-28 - Assignees: Vitrolife Sweden AB - Applicants: Vitrolife Sweden AB - Inventors: Urban Hagby - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765454B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/435: for embryo {or ova} transplantation - A61B 10/0283: {with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe (A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence)} - A61B 17/425: for reproduction or fertilisation - A61B 2010/045: {Needles (pointed biopsy devices with vacuum aspiration A61B10/0283)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An oocyte retrieval needle is provided. The needle comprises a first tubular region in fluid communication with a second tubular region. The first tubular region comprises a sharp point leading end configured for insertion into a subject. The second tubular region comprises an open trailing end. The leading and trailing ends form respective opposite ends of the needle. Internal passages of the first and second tubular regions form a continuous open passage extending from the leading end to the trailing end. The first tubular region has an outer diameter which is less than an outer diameter of the second tubular region and the internal passage of the first tubular region has an inner, luminal diameter which is less than an inner diameter of the internal passage of the second tubular region. The oocyte retrieval needle is a double lumen needle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An oocyte retrieval needle comprising a first tubular region in fluid communication with a second tubular region, the first tubular region comprising a sharp point leading end configured for insertion into a subject and the second tubular region comprising an open trailing end, the leading end and the trailing end forming respective opposite ends of the needle, wherein: internal passages of the first and second tubular regions form a continuous open passage extending from the leading end to the trailing end; the first tubular region has an outer diameter which is less than an outer diameter of the second tubular region and the internal passage of the first tubular region has an inner, luminal diameter which is less than an inner diameter of the internal passage of the second tubular region; the first tubular region and the second tubular region have a combined length of from 150 mm to 500 mm, and the first tubular region has a length of from 30 mm to 100 mm; the first tubular region and the second tubular region are formed from one or more materials selected from stainless steel, carbon fibre, hard plastics, ceramic, or glass; and the oocyte retrieval needle is a double lumen needle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the oocyte retrieval needle has a central axis, and the first tubular region and the second tubular region are arranged along the central axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the sharp point leading end is echogenic. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the inner, luminal diameter of the internal passage of the first tubular region is greater than or equal to 0.2 mm and less than the inner diameter of the internal passage of the second tubular region. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the inner, luminal diameter of the internal passage of the first tubular region is greater than or equal to 0.4 mm and less than the inner diameter of the internal passage of the second tubular region. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the inner, luminal diameter of the internal passage of the first tubular region is greater than or equal to 0.6 mm and less than the inner diameter of the internal passage of the second tubular region. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the internal passage of the second tubular region is 0.9 mm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the internal passage of the second tubular region is 1.1 mm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the inner diameter of the internal passage of the second tubular region is 1.2 mm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the first tubular region is from 0.6 mm to 1.2 mm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 10, wherein the outer diameter of the first tubular region is from 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 11, wherein the outer diameter of the first tubular region is 0.9 mm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the second tubular region is 1.1 mm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the second tubular region is 1.2 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the second tubular region is 1.4 mm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the first tubular region and the second tubular region are connected via a tapered region. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the first and second tubular regions have a combined length of from 200 mm to 400 mm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the length of the first tubular region is 40 mm to 60 mm. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the first tubular region is formed from one or more stainless steels selected from AISI 304, AISI 316, SIS 2346 and SIS 2543. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the second tubular region comprises stainless steel selected from AISI 304, AISI 316, SIS 2346 and SIS 2543. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The oocyte retrieval needle according to claim 1, wherein the first tubular region and the second tubular region are formed from a single piece of material. ### Claim 22 A method of retrieving an oocyte from a subject comprising: inserting an oocyte retrieval needle into a site on the subject from which the oocyte is to be retrieved; and withdrawing the oocyte from the subject by aspiration through the oocyte retrieval needle, wherein the oocyte retrieval needle comprises a first tubular region in fluid communication with a second tubular region, the first tubular region comprising a sharp point leading end configured for insertion into the subject and the second tubular region comprising an open trailing end, the leading end and the trailing end forming respective opposite ends of the needle, wherein: internal passages of the first and second tubular regions form a continuous open passage extending from the leading end to the trailing end; the first tubular region has an outer diameter which is less than an outer diameter of the second tubular region and the internal passage of the first tubular region has an inner, luminal diameter which is less than an inner diameter of the internal passage of the second tubular region; the first tubular region and the second tubular region have a combined length of from 150 mm to 500 mm, and the first tubular region has a length of from 30 mm to 100 mm; the first tubular region and the second tubular region are formed from one or more materials selected from stainless steel, carbon fibre, hard plastics, ceramic, or glass; and the oocyte retrieval needle is a double lumen needle. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, wherein the first tubular region of the oocyte retrieval needle penetrates a vaginal wall, an ovary, and a follicle of the subject, and the second tubular region of the oocyte retrieval needle does not penetrate the vaginal wall, the ovary, or the follicle of the subject. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, wherein the subject is a human. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, further comprising flushing a flushing medium into the oocyte retrieval needle. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method according to claim 25, wherein the flushing medium is flushed into the oocyte retrieval needle through flushing tubing. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The method according to claim 22, further comprising collecting the oocyte in a fluid container. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method according to claim 27, wherein the fluid container is separate from the oocyte retrieval needle and is coupled to the open trailing end so as to place an interior of the fluid container in fluid communication with the continuous open passage. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method according to claim 28, wherein the fluid container comprises a test tube, and the open trailing end and the test tube are coupled by aspiration tubing.