Scope-Mounted iNod Handle

Abstract

A handle for a medical device includes a distal portion extending longitudinally and including a distal channel extending therethrough, the distal end of the distal portion including a connector configured to connect to a proximal end of an endoscope, a central portion slidably connected to the distal portion, the central portion extending longitudinally. The handle also includes a central channel extending therethrough, the distal end of the central portion connected to a sheath, the central portion including an introducer port extending laterally therefrom so that an auxiliary tool inserted through the introducer port is directed through a lumen of the sheath. Further, the handle includes a proximal portion slidably connected to the central portion, the proximal portion extending longitudinally and including a proximal channel extending therethrough, the distal end of the proximal portion connected to a needle so that the needle is passed through the lumen.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A handle for a medical device, comprising:
 a distal portion extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a distal channel extending therethrough, the distal end of the distal portion including a connector configured to connect to a proximal end of an endoscope;   a central portion sized and shaped to be slidably connected to the proximal end of the distal portion, the central portion extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a central channel extending therethrough, the distal end of the central portion being configured to be connected to a sheath, the central portion including an introducer port extending laterally therefrom so that an auxiliary tool inserted through the introducer port is directed through a lumen of the sheath; and   a proximal portion sized and shaped to be slidably connected to the proximal end of the central portion, the proximal portion extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a proximal channel extending therethrough, the distal end of the proximal portion being configured to be connected to a needle so that the needle is passed through the lumen of the sheath, the distal, central and proximal portions longitudinally movable relative to one another to adjust a relative positioning between the endoscope, sheath and needle.   
     
     
         17 . The handle of  claim 16 , wherein the distal portion includes a longitudinal slot extending longitudinally from the proximal end thereof, the longitudinal slot sized and shaped to slidably receive the introducer port of the central portion therein. 
     
     
         18 . The handle of  claim 16 , wherein the distal portion is a C-shaped tube. 
     
     
         19 . The handle of  claim 16 , wherein the proximal end of the proximal portion including a connection mechanism configured to connect the needle to an aspirating source. 
     
     
         20 . The handle of  claim 16 , wherein the introducer port includes a locking feature for locking the auxiliary tool relative thereto. 
     
     
         21 . The handle of  claim 20 , wherein the locking feature includes one of a slot sized and shaped to wedge a portion of the auxiliary tool therein and a clamp configured to clamp the auxiliary tool to the introducer port. 
     
     
         22 . The handle of  claim 16 , further comprising a locking element for locking the distal and central portions relative to one another. 
     
     
         23 . The handle of  claim 22 , wherein the locking element including a thumb screw threadedly engaging a hole extending laterally through the distal portion so that, when in a locked configuration, an end of the thumb screw engages an exterior surface of the central portion. 
     
     
         24 . The handle of  claim 16 , further comprising an adjustable needle stop configured to limit advancement of the needle relative to the sheath. 
     
     
         25 . The handle of  claim 24 , wherein the adjustable needle stop includes a collar slidably mounted over the proximal portion and a thumb screw threadedly engaging a hole extending laterally through the collar so that, when the thumb screw is tightened within the hole, the adjustable needle stop is fixed in a desired position along the proximal portion, a cross-sectional area of the collar being larger than a cross-sectional area of the central portion. 
     
     
         26 . A tissue sampling device, comprising:
 a handle member including:   a distal portion extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a distal channel extending therethrough;   a central portion sized and shaped to be slidably connected to the proximal end of the distal portion, the central portion extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a central channel extending therethrough along with an introducer port extending laterally therefrom; and   a proximal portion sized and shaped to be slidably connected to the proximal end of the central portion, the proximal portion extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a proximal channel extending therethrough;   an endoscope connected to the distal portion via a connector at the distal end thereof;   a sheath extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough, the proximal end of the sheath connected to a distal end of the central portion; and   a needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal, the proximal end of the needle mounted within the proximal channel so that the needle passes through the lumen of the sheath.   
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , further comprising an auxiliary tool sized and shaped to be inserted through the introducer port, the auxiliary tool directed through the lumen of the sheath when inserted through the introducer port. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the auxiliary tool is an ultrasound probe. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the distal portion includes a longitudinal slot extending longitudinally from the proximal end thereof, the longitudinal slot sized and shaped to slidably receive the introducer port of the central portion therein. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein the introducer port includes a slot sized and shaped to wedge a portion of the auxiliary tool therein to lock the auxiliary tool relative thereto. 
     
     
         31 . A method for tissue sampling, comprising:
 connecting an endoscope to a distal end of a distal portion of a handle member via a connector at the distal end of the distal portion, the handle member including the distal portion, a central portion and a proximal portion slidable with respect to one another, a distal end of the central portion connected to a sheath, which passes through the endoscope, and the proximal portion connected to a needle so that the needle passes through a lumen of the sheath;   adjusting the distal portion, the central portion and proximal portion relative to one another so that the endoscope, sheath and needle are in a desired insertion configuration relative to one another;
 inserting the endoscope to a target area within a living body; 
   advancing the sheath distally out of the endoscope such that a distal end thereof is proximate a target tissue to be sampled;
 inserting an auxiliary tool into the introducer port and through the sheath; and 
   advancing the needle distally out of the sheath so that a distal end of the needle is inserted into the target tissue to be sampled.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the auxiliary tool is an ultrasound probe providing visualization of the target tissue to be sampled. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising connecting an aspirating source to a proximal end of the proximal portion to provide aspiration to the needle. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising locking the auxiliary tool relative to the sheath by wedging the auxiliary tool within a slot along the introducer port. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising adjusting a needle stop mounted over the proximal portion of the handle member to limit a maximum advancement of the needle relative to the sheath.