Endoscopic apparatus with integrated multiple biopsy device

Abstract

An imaging endoscope comprising a shaft having a proximal end adapted to be secured to a handle, and a distal end having a biopsy forceps disposed therein. The biopsy forceps includes one or more end-effector elements that are actuated with a control cable that may be connected to the handle. The endoscope shaft includes a biopsy sample lumen that is configured to receive a biopsy sample obtained from the forceps assembly. A sample collection apparatus is attached to the handle to capture multiple biopsy samples. In some embodiments, the endoscope is a single-use endoscope.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method for performing a medical procedure, comprising:
 inserting an endoscope into a body, the endoscope comprising:
 an elongated shaft; 
 a medical device disposed within the elongated shaft; and 
 a handle permanently fixed and stationary relative to the elongated shaft, the handle including a device control for actuating the medical device to perform the medical procedure; 
   positioning the endoscope at a site within the body; and   actuating the device control to perform the medical procedure.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the medical procedure is a biopsy procedure, the medical device includes a biopsy forceps, and the device control includes a forceps control. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising closing the biopsy forceps around a tissue sample by actuating the forceps control. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising steering a position of the elongated shaft by actuating a steering control of the handle. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the endoscope further comprises a sample collector removably secured to the handle and configured to receive the tissue sample from the biopsy forceps, wherein the biopsy forceps and the sample collector are fluidly coupled via a lumen. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising one of applying a fluid through the lumen to transport the obtained tissue sample to the sample collector and applying a vacuum source to the lumen to transport the obtained tissue sample to the sample collector. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising removing the sample collector housing the obtained tissue sample from the handle and positioning another sample collector onto the handle to receive a second tissue sample. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the endoscope further comprises an imaging system, and the handle includes an imaging control for operation of the imaging system. 
     
     
         37 . A method for performing a medical procedure, comprising:
 inserting an endoscope into a body, the endoscope comprising:
 an elongated shaft; 
 a medical device disposed within the elongated shaft; 
 a handle permanently fixed and stationary relative to the elongated shaft, the handle including a device control for actuating the medical device; and 
 a sample collector removably secured to the endoscope; 
   positioning the endoscope at a site within the body;   actuating the device control to obtain a first tissue sample;   collecting the first tissue sample in the sample collector; and   actuating the device control to obtain a second tissue sample.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the medical procedure is a biopsy procedure, the medical device includes a biopsy forceps, and the device control includes a forceps control. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the endoscope further comprises an imaging system, and the handle includes an imaging control for operation of the imaging system. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising steering a position of the elongated shaft by actuating a steering control of the handle. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the medical device and the sample collector are fluidly coupled via a lumen. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising applying a fluid through the lumen to transport the first tissue sample to the sample collector. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the sample collector is removably secured to the handle, and the sample collector includes a first sample vial and a second sample vial, and further comprising adjusting the sample collector to individually receive the first and second tissue samples in the first and second sample vials, respectively. 
     
     
         44 . A method for performing a medical procedure, comprising:
 inserting an endoscope into a body, the endoscope comprising:
 an elongated shaft; 
 a medical device disposed within the elongated shaft; 
 a handle permanently fixed and stationary relative to the elongated shaft, the handle including a device control for actuating the medical device to perform the medical procedure; 
 a sample collector removably secured to the endoscope and configured to receive a tissue sample; and 
 a lumen fluidly coupling the medical device and the sample collector; 
   positioning the endoscope at a site within the body;   actuating the device control to obtain a tissue sample with the medical device; and   applying a fluid through the lumen to transport the obtained tissue sample to the sample collector.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the medical procedure is a biopsy procedure, the medical device includes a biopsy forceps, and the device control includes a forceps control. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the endoscope further comprises an imaging system, and the handle includes an imaging control for operation of the imaging system. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , further comprising steering a position of the elongated shaft by actuating a steering control of the handle. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the sample collector is removably secured to the handle, and further comprising removing the sample collector housing the obtained tissue sample from the handle and positioning another sample collector onto the handle.