Optical forceps system and method of diagnosing and treating tissue

A system comprising:

• biopsy forceps comprising:
• a flexible outer tubular member having a first lumen therethrough, the outer tubular member extending from a proximal end to a distal end and adapted for insertion into a working channel of an endoscope;
• cutting jaws mounted proximate to the distal end of the outer tubular member for selective opening and closing in a biopsy cutting movement, the cutting jaws mounted with the closed cutting position coaxially aligned with the first lumen;
• an inner tubular member having a second lumen therethrough, the inner tubular member extending through the first lumen of the outer tubular member and operatively connected to open and close the cutting jaws;
• an optical fiber removably disposed within the second lumen of the inner tubular member, the optical fiber extending from a proximal end to a distal end and adapted at its proximal end for connection to an electro-optical histopathological diagnostic apparatus system;
• an actuator mechanism coupled with the proximal end of the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member, where the actuator mechanism is operatively coupled with the inner tubular member;
• and
• an access port communicatively coupled with the second lumen;
• and
• an electro-optical diagnostic apparatus for optical biopsy and histopathological analysis of tissue, the diagnostic apparatus comprising:
• a source of optical radiation coupled with the optical fiber, the source of optical radiation providing optical radiation entering the proximal end of the optical fiber;
• and
• a diagnostic member coupled with the biopsy forceps, the diagnostic member for analyzing returned illumination entering the distal end of the optical fiber to provide a diagnosis of the tissue.