Device for taking a tissue sample

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 , wherein the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element comprises one or a combination of two or more of following features: the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element has a helical course; the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element surrounds a free axial passage space; a spiral of the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element, in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction, has a width smaller than one third of a global diameter taken by the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element; the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element extends over several turns; the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element has a sharp point at a free front extremity; the sharp point at the free front extremity extends in the direction along the prolongation of the spiral course of the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element; the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element has a body with a flat cross-section; the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element has a body having a cross-section tapering towards an outside; the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element has a body with lateral surfaces having an inclination of less than about 30 degrees with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of the device.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2 , wherein the body having the tapering cross-section tapering towards the outside ends in a tip.

Claim 5

The device of claim 1 , wherein the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element is located at an end of a shaped portion.

Claim 6

The device of claim 4 , wherein the shaped portion has a shape selected from the group consisting of oblong shape, bar-shape, wire-shape, and combinations thereof.

Claim 7

The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one cylindrical element surrounding the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element.

Claim 8

The device of claim 6 , wherein the cylindrical element forms the cutting element, and wherein the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element and an edge of the cylindrical element mutually cooperate for creating the cutting function.

Claim 9

The device of claim 7 , wherein the cutting function is created by a mutual rotational and/or axial movement of the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element and the cylindrical element.

Claim 10

The device of claim 8 , wherein the front edge of the cylindrical element forms a cutting edge.

Claim 11

The device of claim 9 , wherein an inclination of the cutting edge is opposed to an inclination of the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element.

Claim 12

The device of claim 9 , wherein an inclination of one or more portions of the cutting edge is opposed to an inclination of the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element.

Claim 13

The device of claim 7 , wherein the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element is of a springy material deformable between at least two positions, a free position and a deformed position, wherein in the free position the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element takes shape of a spiral and in the deformed position the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element is flattened, elongated, respectively, to a minor or major extent.

Claim 14

The device of claim 12 , wherein the cylindrical element is a holder for slidingly receiving one or more shaped tissue-receiving elements for moving the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element in and out of the cylindrical element, and wherein the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element is in the undeformed condition when situated in the cylindrical element.

Claim 15

The device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one hollow or thread shaped spirally shaped element cooperating with the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element.

Claim 16

The device of claim 14 , wherein the spirally shaped element is the cutting element extending around the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element, wherein a cutting effect is created during a mutual turning movement of the spirally shaped element and the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element.

Claim 17

The device of claim 15 , further comprising a motorized driver for turning the spirally shaped element and the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element and for driving the cutting element in a rotating manner around the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element.

Claim 18

The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a biopsy needle or is adaptable for a biopsy needle.

Claim 19

The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a flexible catheter or is adaptable for a catheter.

Claim 20

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a localization element axially movable in the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element.

Claim 21

The device of claim 19 , wherein the localization element is a localization needle.

Claim 22

A device for taking a tissue sample comprising a flexible catheter and the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element of claim 18 cooperating with the flexible catheter.

Claim 23

The device of claim 21 , wherein the spirally shaped tissue-receiving element is displaceable with respect to the catheter between at least two positions, wherein in one position the tissue-receiving element is situated at least partially outside a front end of the catheter and in another position the tissue-receiving element is situated in a drawn-in position in the catheter.