US4249541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Biopsy device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-04-26
•
Granted: 1981-02-10
•
Expires: 1999-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A biopsy unit comprising an outer catheter, and an inner aspirator, the catheter including a longitudinally extending hollow flexible housing tube and means for gripping the aspirator, the aspirator including a longitudinally extending hollow flexible aspirating tube adapted to slide longitudinally within the housing tube when not gripped by the gripping means, a connector adapted to be fitted to a suction source and fastened to one end of the aspirating tube, and a hollow needle fastened to the other end of the aspirating tube, the lumen of the needle communicating with the connector through the aspirating tube.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Pratt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:13
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0233; A61B10/0283; A61B10/04; A61B2010/045; A61B17/00; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00469; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A biopsy unit comprising: an outer catheter, and an inner aspirator disposed inside said catheter, said catheter including a longitudinally extending hollow flexible housing tube, and means for selectively gripping said aspirator disposed near one end of said housing tube, said aspirator including a longitudinally extending hollow flexible aspirating tube disposed inside said housing tube and longitudinally slidable within said housing tube when not gripped by said gripping means, a connector fastened to one end of said aspirating tube and adapted to be fitted to a suction source, and a hollow needle fastened to the other end of said aspirating tube, said needle being less flexible than said aspirating tube, the lumen of said needle communicating with said connector through said aspirating tube, whereby cell material is collected in the lumen of said needle when said aspirating tube is moved within said housing tube so that said needle is inserted into the cell material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A biopsy unit comprising: an outer catheter, and an inner aspirator disposed inside said catheter, said catheter including a longitudinally extending hollow flexible housing tube, and means for selectively gripping said aspirator disposed near one end of said housing tube, said aspirator including a longitudinally extending hollow flexible aspirating tube disposed inside said housing tube and longitudinally slidable within said housing tube when not gripped by said gripping means, a connector fastened to one end of said aspirating tube and adapted to be fitted to a suction source, and a hollow needle fastened to the other end of said aspirating tube, said needle being less flexible than said aspirating tube, the lumen of said needle communicating with said connector through said aspirating tube, whereby cell material is collected in the lumen of said needle when said aspirating tube is moved within said housing tube so that said needle is inserted into the cell material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The biopsy unit of claim 1 further comprising: an obturator having a longitudinally extending wire body slidingly fitting within said aspirating tube and the lumen of said needle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The biopsy unit of claim 2 wherein said obturator further comprises: a head attached to said wire body and being adapted to fit within said connector when said wire body is inserted in said aspirator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The biopsy unit of claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprises: a disc fastened to the proximal end of said housing tube, and levers pivotally mounted to said disc, said levers being adapted to clamp said aspirating tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The biopsy unit of claim 4 wherein, said disc has an integral guide rib, and each of said levers has a cooperating groove for movement along said guide rib.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The biopsy unit of claims 4 or 5 wherein said gripping means further comprises: means for biasing said levers away from said aspirating tube, said aspirating tube being normally unclamped by said levers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The biopsy unit of claim 5 wherein, each of said levers has a notch, said notch of one lever being opposed to said notch of the other lever to define a cavity, and said biasing means comprises a spring positioned within said cavity, said spring biasing said levers away from each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The biopsy unit of claim 7 wherein, said disc has stops to limit the movement of said levers under the biasing force of said spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The biopsy unit of claims 4 or 5 wherein, said aspirating tube is cylindrical, and each of said levers has a semicircular bushing adapted to clamp the periphery of said aspirating tube without crushing said aspirating tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The biopsy unit of claim 1 wherein, said housing tube and said aspirating tube are polyethylene.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The biopsy unit of claim 10 wherein, the walls of said housing tube are coated with Teflon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The biopsy unit of claim 1 wherein, said housing tube has an outside diameter no greater than 1.5 mm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The biopsy unit of claim 1 wherein, said needle is a stainless steel needle no greater than 22 gauge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The biopsy unit of claim 1 wherein, said connector includes means for fitting a syringe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The biopsy unit of claim 1 wherein, said connector includes means for fitting a manometer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The biopsy unit of claim 1 wherein, said housing tube has an integral stop to limit the longitudinal movement of said needle of said aspirator.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-10 | 1984-08-11 | 1985-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-10 | 1988-08-11 | 1989-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-10 | 1992-08-11 | 1993-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |