# US 6,139,508 A · Articulated medical device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,139,508 A - Document ID: US6139508A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 09/248,361 - Filed: 1999-02-10 - Granted: 2000-10-31 - Earliest claimed: 1998-08-04 - Assignees: Endonetics, Inc. - Inventors: Philip J. Simpson; David G. Matsuura; John Kilcoyne - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6139508A ## CPC - A61B 10/06: Biopsy forceps {, e.g. with cup-shaped jaws} - A61B 2017/2926: {Details of heads or jaws} - A61B 2017/2933: {camming or guiding means} - A61B 2017/2939: {Details of linkages or pivot points} - A61B 2017/294: {Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable} - A61B 2017/320064: {with tissue or sample retaining means} - A61B 2090/035: {preventing further rotation} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An articulated medical device as disclosed, incorporated in one embodiment into a biopsy device. The biopsy embodiment comprises an elongated actuator shaft which is slidable within an outer sleeve. A jaw portion coupled to the actuator shaft and the outer sleeve opens when the shaft is moved in a first direction relative to the sleeve and closes when the shaft is moved in a second direction relative to the sleeve. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tissue collection device, comprising: an elongate body, having a proximal end, a closed distal end, and an open inner lumen; a control on the proximal end of the body; a cutting tip on the distal end of the body, the cutting tip comprising a slit extending in a proximal direction from the closed distal end, the slit dividing the cutting tip into first and second opposing jaws integrally formed with the elongate body, the jaws being adapted to move between an open and a closed configuration; the jaws having an outside diameter delimiting an interior space when the jaws are in the closed configuration, the space being in communication with the open inner lumen; and at least one distally extending sample guide prong in the cutting tip, the at least one guide prong being contained within the outside diameter when the jaws are in the closed configuration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A tissue collection device as in claim 1, wherein the body comprises an elongate flexible tubular body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A tissue collection device as in claim 2, wherein the body comprises an elongate flexible tubular spring coil. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A tissue collection device as in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a relatively rigid tubular body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A tissue collection device as in claim 1, wherein the body comprises an elongate tubular body, and further comprising an actuator element axially movably positioned within the tubular body and connected to the cutting tip, so that axial displacement of the actuator with respect to the tubular body causes the jaws to move between a closed position and an open position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A tissue collection device as in claim 5, wherein the actuator comprises a solid rod. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) A tissue collection device as in claim 5, wherein the actuator comprises a tubular element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A tissue collection device as in claim 1, further comprising a sample collection chamber in a distal portion of the device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A tissue collection device as in claim 8, wherein the sample collection chamber is defined within a tubular housing, said housing axially movably positioned within the cutting tip. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) A tissue collection device as in claim 6, wherein the sample collection chamber further comprises a sample ejector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A tissue collection device as in claim 10, wherein the sample ejector comprises an opening in the wall of the sample collection chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A tissue collection device as in claim 1, wherein each of the first and second jaws is provided with a limit surface on a proximal portion thereof, for contacting the outer surface of the tip to limit opening of the jaws. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A tissue collection device as in claim 1, wherein the elongate body comprises a tubular housing, and each of the first and second opposing jaws is connected to the tubular housing by at least one flexural element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A tissue collection device as in claim 13, wherein each of the first and second opposing jaws is connected to the tubular housing by at least two flexural elements. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A tissue collection device as in claim 1, wherein the guide prong comprises an annular distal edge. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A tissue collection device as in claim 1, comprising two bilaterally symmetrical guide prongs. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A tissue collection device as in claim 1, wherein the guide prong extends substantially linearly in the distal direction. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A tissue collection device as in claim 1, wherein the guide prong curves radially outwardly in the distal direction. ### Claim 19 A method of obtaining multiple tissue samples, comprising the steps of: providing a sample collection device having an elongate body, a cutting tip on a closed distal end of the body, the cutting tip comprising a least one slit extending in a proximal direction from the closed distal end, the at least one slit dividing the cutting tip into at least two opposing jaws for isolating the samples from the surrounding tissue, and at least one distally extending sample guide prong; guiding a first tissue sample along the sample guide prong and into the jaws; closing the jaws to isolate the first tissue sample; opening the jaws; advancing a second tissue sample along the sample guide prong and into the jaws; and closing the jaws to isolate the second tissue sample. ### Claim 20 A cutter tip for mounting on the distal end of a biopsy device, the tip comprising: a tubular housing having a proximal end and a closable distal end, the distal end of the tubular housing axially bisected into first and second jaw portions by a proximally extending cut therethrough; at least one sample guide prong extending distally within the first and second jaws; a tubular sample collection container axially movably positioned within the housing; and a moveable connection between the tubular sample container and the first and second jaws such that axial displacement of the tubular sample collection container in a first direction causes the first and second jaws to move laterally away from each other, and axial displacement of the tubular sample container in a second axial direction causes the first and second jaws to advance medially towards each other. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A cutter tip as in claim 20, wherein each of the first and second jaws further comprises at least one flexural element extending between the tubular housing and the jaw. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A cutter tip as in claim 21, wherein the flexural member is integrally formed with the jaw and tubular housing. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) A cutter tip as in claim 21, comprising two flexural elements on each jaw. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) A cutter tip as in claim 20, wherein the sample guide prong is an integral extension of the wall of the sample container. ### Claim 25 An articulating mechanism for use in a medical device, comprising: a tube having an inner lumen; an actuator, axially moveably positioned within the tube; at least one slit extending in a proximal direction from a closed distal end of the tube, the at least one slit delimiting at least two laterally pivotable elements, at least a portion of which are integrally connected to the tube; the pivotable elements adapted to move into at least an open and a closed configuration; and the pivotable elements delimiting an interior space when they are in the closed configuration, the space being in communication with the inner lumen; wherein axial movement of the actuator with respect to the tube causes lateral movement of the pivotable elements. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A mechanism as in claim 25, comprising two laterally pivotable elements. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) A mechanism as in claim 26, wherein the laterally pivotable elements are biopsy jaws. ### Claim 28 A tissue collection device, comprising: an elongate body, having a proximal end and a distal end; a control on the proximal end of the body; a cutting tip on the distal end of the body, the tip comprising first and second opposing jaws; at least one distally extending sample guide prong in the cutting tip, and a sample collection chamber in a distal portion of the device, the sample collection chamber defined within a tubular housing, said housing axially movably positioned within the cutting tip. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) A tissue collection device as in claim 28, wherein the body comprises an elongate flexible tubular body. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A tissue collection device as in claim 29, wherein the body comprises an elongate flexible tubular spring coil. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) A tissue collection device as in claim 28, wherein the body comprises a relatively rigid tubular body. ### Claim 32 (depends on 28) A tissue collection device as in claim 28, wherein the body comprises an elongate tubular body, and further comprising an actuator element axially movably positioned within the tubular body and connected to the cutting tip, so that axial displacement of the actuator with respect to the tubular body causes the jaws to move between a closed position and an open position. ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) A tissue collection device as in claim 31, wherein the actuator comprises a solid rod. ### Claim 34 (depends on 31) A tissue collection device as in claim 31, wherein the actuator comprises a tubular element. ### Claim 35 (depends on 28) A tissue collection device as in claim 28 wherein the sample collection chamber further comprises a sample ejector. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) A tissue collection devices as in claim 35, wherein the sample ejector comprises an opening in the wall of the sample collection chamber. ### Claim 37 (depends on 28) A tissue collection device as in claim 28, wherein each of the first and second jaws is provided with a limit surface on a proximal portion thereof, for contacting the outer surface of the tip to limit opening of the jaws. ### Claim 38 (depends on 28) A tissue collection device as in claim 28, wherein each of the first and second opposing jaws is connected to the tubular housing by at least one flexural element. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) A tissue collection device as in claim 38, wherein each of the first and second opposing jaws is connected to the tubular housing by at least two flexural elements. ### Claim 40 (depends on 28) A tissue collection device as in claim 28, wherein the guide prong comprises an annular distal edge. ### Claim 41 (depends on 28) A tissue collection device as in claim 28, comprising two bilaterally symmetrical guide prongs. ### Claim 42 (depends on 28) A tissue collection device as in claim 28, wherein the guide prong extends substantially linearly in the distal direction. ### Claim 43 (depends on 28) A tissue collection device as in claim 28, wherein the guide prong curves radially outwardly in the distal direction.