Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
An endocervical strip biopsy instrument which comprises: a handle means, an elongated basket member affixed to said handle means, said basket member having a wall surface defining an elongated cavity and an elongated entrance into said cavity generally coextensive therewith from an upper side of said basket member, said wall surface of said elongated cavity comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion including a back wall, sidewalls extending between said end portions, and a floor also extending between said end portions; and a non-movable, exposed continuous blade means, affixed to said proximal end, said continuous blade means having an exposed transversely extending cutting edge bounded by downwardly extending cutting edges adjacent to and overlying said entrance of said cavity, said blade means projecting above said sidewalls of said elongated cavity whereby said sidewalls act as guide members limiting insertion of said blade means into tissue to be cut, and all of said cutting edges of said blade means being oriented towards said distal end of said basket member, whereby tissue strips cut by said cutting edges will pass in a coherent mass into said cavity through said elongated entrance thereof as the instrument is drawn in a distal direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
An endocervical strip biopsy instrument which comprises: a handle means, an elongated basket member affixed to said handle means, said basket member having a wall surface defining an elongated cavity and an elongated entrance into said cavity generally coextensive therewith from an upper side of said basket member, said wall surface of said elongated cavity comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion including a back wall, sidewalls extending between said end portions, and a floor also extending between said end portions; and a non-movable, exposed continuous blade means, affixed to said proximal end, said continuous blade means having an exposed transversely extending cutting edge bounded by downwardly extending cutting edges adjacent to and overlying said entrance of said cavity, said blade means projecting above said sidewalls of said elongated cavity whereby said sidewalls act as guide members limiting insertion of said blade means into tissue to be cut, and all of said cutting edges of said blade means being oriented towards said distal end of said basket member, whereby tissue strips cut by said cutting edges will pass in a coherent mass into said cavity through said elongated entrance thereof as the instrument is drawn in a distal direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The endocervical strip biopsy instrument of claim 1 wherein said wall surface of said elongated cavity comprises a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, sidewalls extending between said end portions, and a floor also extending between said end portions, said floor being removably affixed to said end portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The endocervical strip biopsy instrument of claim 1 wherein said wall surface of said elongated cavity comprises a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, sidewalls extending between said end portions, and a floor also extending between said end portions, said floor being pivotally affixed to one of said end portions and removably affixed to the other of said end portions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The endocervical strip biopsy instrument of claim 1 wherein the downwardly extending cutting edges form leading cutting edges and the transverse cutting edge is a trailing edge when said instrument is drawn in a distal direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The endocervical strip biopsy instrument of claim 1 wherein the transverse cutting edge has a width that is less than the maximum distance between the downwardly extending cutting edges.