Biopsy forceps instrument having irrigation and aspiration capabilities

Abstract

A biopsy forceps instrument is provided having a proximal actuation handle, a flexible multi-lumen tubular member, at least one control member extending through a lumen, an irrigation means, an aspiration means, and a distal assembly. The proximal actuation handle includes a shaft and a spool slidably mounted on the shaft. The actuation handle is coupled to the proximal ends of both the flexible tubular member and the control member. Lumens of the tubular member form irrigation and aspiration conduits. The distal assembly includes a hollow jaw cup coupled to the aspiration conduit and a hollow movable jaw coupled adjacent the irrigation conduit. The movable jaw is coupled to the control member, such that actuation of the actuation handle moves the movable jaw relative to the jaw cup. Moving the hollow jaws into a closed position provides a substantially fluidtight coupling between the irrigation and aspiration conduits. The actuation handle is also provided with an assembly to control irrigation to and aspiration from the distal assembly. A proximal sample chamber having a removable screen is provided for filtering tissue samples aspirated from the distal assembly. The jaws are activated to cut a tissue sample and the irrigation and aspiration means are activated to move the sample into the sample chamber for retrieving the sample without removing the instrument from a patient.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.