A system of multiple biopsy forceps

A new system of flexible endoscopic biopsy forceps is described. These forceps are simple, cheap to produce, and disposable.

These forceps take larger and less traumatized biopsies than do existing single biopsy forceps. The principle involves that of a central wire with a barbed spike at one end, to which sliding sprung steel jaws are attached. An outer plastic sleeve surrounds the central wire, and conventional-type handles activate the jaws.

The device is passed along the biopsy channel of a fiberoptic endoscope, and the tissue to undergo biopsy is visualized. Opening and closing of the forceps occurs when the outer sleeve slides on the inner wire allowing the sprung steel jaws to open and close. With the jaws open, the barb is pushed into the tissue to undergo biopsy. The fishhook-like barb pulls back the tissue into the jaws, which bite the tissue at an optimal angle and can thus obtain cleaner and bigger biopsies. For the second biopsy, the jaws are simply reopened, and as the barbed spike again pierces the tissue, the first specimen is pushed along the central wire. Up to 6 biopsies are to be stored in this way, in a predictable order, with a single passage of the biopsy forceps through the endoscope.