Abstract: A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.

Abstract: Medical device used to cause hemostasis of blood vessels using a clip arrangement delivered to a target region through an endoscope. Method for using the device to cause hemostasis of a blood vessel through an endoscope. Medical device including a reversibly closeable clip, a locking arrangement, a control wire, a sheath, and a handle with an actuating trigger. Through the endoscope, hemostatic clipping device that is fully reversible and lockable. Hemostatic clip that reversibly targets and clips bleeding ulcers.

Abstract: A biopsy instrument and method of using such are provided wherein the biopsy instrument includes a proximal actuation handle, an elongate flexible member, and a distal assembly. The flexible member, connected to and extending from the actuation handle, includes an aspiration conduit for fluid connection with a vacuum source and for permitting the flow of fluid from the distal end to the proximal end of the biopsy instrument. The flexible member may include an irrigation conduit for supplying irrigation fluid to the distal end. The actuation handle includes a stationary member and an actuation device, and may include a sample chamber, a sample collector, valves for regulating the vacuum in the aspiration conduit and the fluid flow in the irrigation conduit, and a pressure increasing device for selectively increasing the pressure of the fluid supplied to the distal end.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying clips to tissue, comprises a plurality of clips, each of the clips including a proximal end having a pair of opposed jaws and a distal end including a linking feature, where the clips are linked to one another to form a clip chain with a linking feature of a distal-most one of the clips being gripped between the jaws of an immediately proximal one of the clips and a control linkage coupled to a proximal-most one of the clips for applying tension and compression to the clip chain in combination with a magazine containing the clip chain, the magazine including an abutment surface sized to prevent passage distally therebeyond of a clip having received between its jaws a linking feature of an immediately distal clip and an opening location within which the jaws of a clip are permitted to open to release a linking feature therefrom.

Abstract: According to an aspect, the invention includes a biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from a patient that may include a tubular member having an aspiration conduit, a distal end effector assembly coupled to the distal end of the tubular member and adapted to detach the tissue sample from the patient, and a proximal actuation handle coupled to the proximal end of the tubular member. The biopsy instrument may further include a sample catch assembly coupled to the aspiration conduit and adapted to receive the tissue sample from the aspiration conduit, the sample catch assembly including a chamber and a sample catch member adapted to separate the tissue sample from the fluid, the sample chamber having a first opening to receive the fluid, a second opening to discharge the fluid from the chamber, and a third opening to removably receive the sample catch member.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps instrument is provided having a proximal actuation handle, a flexible multi-lumen tubular member, at least one control member extending through a lumen, an irrigation means, an aspiration means, and a distal assembly. The proximal actuation handle includes a shaft and a spool slidably mounted on the shaft. The actuation handle is coupled to the proximal ends of both the flexible tubular member and the control member. Lumens of the tubular member form irrigation and aspiration conduits. The distal assembly includes a hollow jaw cup coupled to the aspiration conduit and a hollow movable jaw coupled adjacent the irrigation conduit. The movable jaw is coupled to the control member, such that actuation of the actuation handle moves the movable jaw relative to the jaw cup. Moving the hollow jaws into a closed position provides a substantially fluidtight coupling between the irrigation and aspiration conduits.

Abstract: An endoscopic multiple sample bioptome includes a hollow outer member and an axially displaceable inner member extending therethrough. The proximal ends of the outer and inner members are coupled to an actuator for axially displacing one relative to the other. The distal end of the outer member is coupled to one of a cylinder having a sharp distal edge and a jaw assembly, while the distal end of the inner member is coupled to the other. The jaw assembly includes a pair of opposed, preferably toothed jaw cups each of which is coupled by a resilient arm to a base member. The arms are bent to lie in planes which intersect the axis of the base member and to locate the jaws apart from each other. The base member is mounted inside the cylinder and axial movement of the jaw assembly and cylinder relative to each other draws the arms into the cylinder and brings the jaw cups together in a biting action.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps instrument is provided having a proximal actuation handle, a flexible multi-lumen tubular member, at least one control member extending through a lumen, an irrigation means, an aspiration means, and a distal assembly. The proximal actuation handle includes a shaft and a spool slidably mounted on the shaft. The actuation handle is coupled to the proximal ends of both the flexible tubular member and the control member. Lumens of the tubular member form irrigation and aspiration conduits. The distal assembly includes a hollow jaw cup coupled to the aspiration conduit and a hollow movable jaw coupled adjacent the irrigation conduit. The movable jaw is coupled to the control member, such that actuation of the actuation handle moves the movable jaw relative to the jaw cup. Moving the hollow jaws into a closed position provides a substantially fluidtight coupling between the irrigation and aspiration conduits.

Abstract: Medical device used to cause hemostasis of blood vessels using a clip arrangement delivered to a target region through an endoscope. Method for using the device to cause hemostasis of a blood vessel through an endoscope. Medical device including a reversibly closeable clip, a locking arrangement, a control wire, a sheath, and a handle with an actuating trigger. Through the endoscope, hemostatic clipping device that is fully reversible and lockable. Hemostatic clip that reversibly targets and clips bleeding ulcers.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps instrument is provided having a proximal actuation handle, a flexible multi-lumen tubular member, at least one control member extending through a lumen, an irrigation means, an aspiration means, and a distal assembly. The proximal actuation handle includes a shaft and a spool slidably mounted on the shaft. The actuation handle is coupled to the proximal ends of both the flexible tubular member and the control member. Lumens of the tubular member form irrigation and aspiration conduits. The distal assembly includes a hollow jaw cup coupled to the aspiration conduit and a hollow movable jaw coupled adjacent the irrigation conduit. The movable jaw is coupled to the control member, such that actuation of the actuation handle moves the movable jaw relative to the jaw cup. Moving the hollow jaws into a closed position provides a substantially fluidtight coupling between the irrigation and aspiration conduits.

Abstract: An endoscopic bioptome includes a flexible coil having a lumen with an axially displaceable wire extending therethrough. The proximal ends of coil and wire couple to a manual actuator for axially displacing one of the coil and wire relative to the other. The distal end of the coil couples to either a jaw assembly or a cylinder. The jaw assembly includes a pair of jaws each having a distal jaw cup having a proximal neck and a relatively narrow bent resilient arm. The distal end of the wire couples to the other of the cylinder or the jaw assembly. The cylinder is slidable over the jaw assembly. Axial movement of either the wire relative to the coil or vice versa moves the cylinder over the arms of the jaws and over the necks of the jaw cups, thereby forcing the jaw cups together in a biting action.

Abstract: A suction adapter for use with first and second medical devices capable of accommodating suction, the adapter including a manifold having at least three ports and a flexible flow valve. The ports may include: a suction port configured for connecting to a suction source; a first device port configured for accommodating a first medical device, preferably an endoscope; and a second device port configured for accommodating a second medical device, preferably a suction biopsy device. The flexible flow valve has at least one opening and may be located between the first device port and both the second device port and the suction port.

Abstract: A biopsy instrument and method of using such are provided wherein the biopsy instrument includes a proximal actuation handle, an elongate flexible member, and a distal assembly. The flexible member, connected to and extending from the actuation handle, includes an aspiration conduit for fluid connection with a vacuum source and for permitting the flow of fluid from the distal end to the proximal end of the biopsy instrument. The flexible member may include an irrigation conduit for supplying irrigation fluid to the distal end. The actuation handle includes a stationary member and an actuation device, and may include a sample chamber, a sample collector, valves for regulating the vacuum in the aspiration conduit and the fluid flow in the irrigation conduit, and a pressure increasing device for selectively increasing the pressure of the fluid supplied to the distal end.

Abstract: A biopsy instrument and method of using such are provided wherein the biopsy instrument includes a proximal actuation handle, an elongate flexible member, and a distal assembly. The flexible member, connected to and extending from the actuation handle, includes an aspiration conduit for fluid connection with a vacuum source and for permitting the flow of fluid from the distal end to the proximal end of the biopsy instrument. The flexible member may include an irrigation conduit for supplying irrigation fluid to the distal end. The actuation handle includes a stationary member and an actuation device, and may include a sample chamber, a sample collector, valves for regulating the vacuum in the aspiration conduit and the fluid flow in the irrigation conduit, and a pressure increasing device for selectively increasing the pressure of the fluid supplied to the distal end.

Abstract: An endoscopic multiple sample bioptome includes a hollow outer member and an axially displaceable inner member extending therethrough. The proximal ends of the outer and inner members are coupled to an actuator for axially displacing one relative to the other. The distal end of the outer member is coupled to one of a cylinder having a sharp distal edge and a jaw assembly, while the distal end of the inner member is coupled to the other. The jaw assembly includes a pair of opposed, preferably toothed jaw cups each of which is coupled by a resilient arm to a base member. The arms are bent to lie in planes which intersect the axis of the base member and to locate the jaws apart from each other. The base member is mounted inside the cylinder and axial movement of the jaw assembly and cylinder relative to each other draws the arms into the cylinder and brings the jaw cups together in a biting action.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps instrument is provided having a proximal actuation handle, a flexible multi-lumen tubular member, at least one control member extending through a lumen, an irrigation means, an aspiration means, and a distal assembly. The proximal actuation handle includes a shaft and a spool slidably mounted on the shaft. The actuation handle is coupled to the proximal ends of both the flexible tubular member and the control member. Lumens of the tubular member form irrigation and aspiration conduits. The distal assembly includes a hollow jaw cup coupled to the aspiration conduit and a hollow movable jaw coupled adjacent the irrigation conduit. The movable jaw is coupled to the control member, such that actuation of the actuation handle moves the movable jaw relative to the jaw cup. Moving the hollow jaws into a closed position provides a substantially fluidtight coupling between the irrigation and aspiration conduits.

Abstract: A biopsy forceps instrument is provided having a proximal actuation handle, a flexible multi-lumen tubular member, at least one control member extending through a lumen, an irrigation means, an aspiration means, and a distal assembly. The proximal actuation handle includes a shaft and a spool slidably mounted on the shaft. The actuation handle is coupled to the proximal ends of both the flexible tubular member and the control member. Lumens of the tubular member form irrigation and aspiration conduits. The distal assembly includes a hollow jaw cup coupled to the aspiration conduit and a hollow movable jaw coupled adjacent the irrigation conduit. The movable jaw is coupled to the control member, such that actuation of the actuation handle moves the movable jaw relative to the jaw cup. Moving the hollow jaws into a closed position provides a substantially fluidtight coupling between the irrigation and aspiration conduits.

Abstract: An endoscopic bioptome includes a flexible coil having a lumen with an axially displaceable wire extending therethrough. The proximal ends of the coil and wire are coupled to a manual actuator for axially displacing one of the coil and wire relative to the other. The distal end of the coil is coupled to either a jaw assembly or a cylinder. The jaw assembly includes a pair of jaws each having a distal jaw cup having a proximal neck and a relatively narrow bent resilient arm. The distal end of the wire is coupled to the other of the cylinder or the jaw assembly. The cylinder is slidable over the jaw assembly. Axial movement of either the wire relative to the coil or vice versa moves the cylinder over the arms of the jaws and over the necks of the jaw cups, thereby forcing the jaw cups together in a biting action. In one embodiment, the axially displaceable wire is provided with a coaxial stopping band or sleeve which stops its movement as soon as the jaws close.

Abstract: An end effector assembly for an endoscopic instrument includes first and second end effectors, a screw and optionally a washer. The end effectors have arms which are biased away from each other. The screw has a threaded portion dimensioned to engage the distal end of the endoscopic instrument and a head portion with a pair of arm receiving grooves. In a presently preferred embodiment, the washer extends over arms of the end effectors which pass through grooves in the head of the screw. In this manner, the arms of the end effectors are captured between the screw and the washer. The grooves are preferably provided with upstanding pins which engage mounting holes in the arms of the end effectors.

Abstract: An endoscopic bioptome having a proximal end and a distal end includes a proximal handle assembly including first and second actuators, a distal end effector assembly having jaws for cutting tissue samples, and a hollow member extending between the handle and the end effector assembly. The hollow member includes a first axial portion extending from the proximal end to a second axial portion at the distal end of the hollow member. The second axial portion is more flexible than the first axial portion. The bioptome further includes a control member connected at the proximal end to the handle assembly and at the distal end to the end effector assembly. Actuation of the first actuator causes the control member to open and close the jaws. The bioptome further includes a deflecting device connected at the proximal end to the second actuator and extending through at least a portion of the hollow member.