Abstract: Pleural biopsy device for reducing the probability of effecting pneumothorax in a patient during a pleural biopsy procedure, for facilitating the cutting of sample tissues of the parietal pleura, and for aspirating and removing large quantities of fluid from the patient's body without switching needles. Proximal ends of two hollow, inner and outer needles are directly attached to the plunger and the barrel of a syringe, respectively. When properly assembled, the syringe, and the inner and the outer needles form a closed system that seals out the external air and the arrangement permits tissue collection without intermediate needle withdrawal during the procedure.

Abstract: A flexible assembly for use with a fiberoptic endoscope to collect tissue specimens from a site within the human body. The assembly includes a flexible outer catheter provided with a metal tip at its distal end, a flexible stylet, and a control structure at the proximal end of the catheter to control movement of the stylet within and axially along the catheter and for the introduction of fluids to the collection site and/or withdrawal of fluids within the catheter from the collection site. The stylet has a distal end provided with a brush terminating with a needle point or a looped type end at its distal end. The brush will be movable through an incision in tissue produced by the needle point allowing penetration through the body cavity wall into a tumor or lesion located therebeyond. The stylet can also include a coiled spring for providing a flexible connection between the control structure and the tissue collection device.

Abstract: A biopsy needle assembly comprised of an outer flexible catheter and a reciprocating interior structure on which the needle is mounted. In one embodiment, the needle is directly connected to an internal guide wire. In another, the needle is directly connected to an inner flexible catheter and the guide wire can either extend through the needle or be stopped within the needle. In each embodiment, the needle includes a lateral opening providing a fluid path from the hollow needle, through the catheter, either between the catheter and guide wire or the inner and outer catheters to an outlet at the proximal end of the assembly. The invention also relates to a syringe plunger stop end lock attachment.

Abstract: Percutaneous aspiration lung biopsy needle assembly comprises a hollow outer needle in which a second hollow needle of smaller diameter is disposed, the second inner needle being retractable from a first extended position to a second retracted position within the first needle. The inner needle, which extends for only a portion of the distance has a bevelled tip and is constructed such that its outer diameter closely matches the inner diameter of the outer needle. When the inner needle is in its extended position the needle assembly may be forced through the skin and into the lung with relative ease. Subsequently, the inner needle is retracted so that only the flat-tipped duller edged outer needle is exposed, thereby allowing a large tissue sample, suitable for histological examination, to be obtained. A pressure monitor is engaged with the needle apparatus to more accurately determine when lung and tumor entries are achieved.

Abstract: A completely flexible bronchoscopic needle assembly having fixed and retractable needle embodiments for use with a fiberoptic bronchoscope.