Endoscopic biopsy device with no moving parts

Abstract

A biopsy device includes an elongate tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen. The biopsy device further includes a cutting member disposed in an opening of the distal end of the elongate tube, the cutting member being immovable relative to the elongate tube. The cutting member comprises a blunting surface that faces outward from the elongate tube, and a hollow truncated cone having a truncated end comprising a cutting surface that maintains a fixed radial distance from the elongate tube and that faces into the elongate tube and away from the distal end of the elongate tube, wherein the cutting surface has a contiguous perimeter, and wherein the truncated end is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tube such that the cutting member has a shape of a right circular hollow cone or an oblique oval hollow cone.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An endoscopic biopsy device, comprising:
 an elongate tube comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end; and   a cutting member disposed in an opening of the distal end of the elongate tube, the cutting member being immovable relative to the elongate tube, wherein the cutting member comprises:
 a hollow truncated cone having a truncated end comprising a cutting surface that maintains a fixed radial distance from the elongate tube and that faces into the elongate tube and away from the distal end of the elongate tube, wherein the cutting surface has a contiguous perimeter, and wherein the truncated end is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tube such that the cutting member has a shape of a right circular hollow cone or an oblique oval hollow cone; and 
 a blunting surface that faces outward from the elongate tube. 
   
     
     
         2 . The endoscopic biopsy device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the elongate tube is of sufficient diameter, length, composition, and flexibility to be slidably disposed in an instrument channel of an endoscope and to extend from a distal end of the endoscope. 
     
     
         3 . The endoscopic biopsy device as recited  claim 1 , wherein the truncated end of the cutting member comprises a beveled edge. 
     
     
         4 . The endoscopic biopsy device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cutting member comprises a flange at a base thereof that comprises the blunting surface, wherein the flange is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube and has a circular or oval shape. 
     
     
         5 . The endoscopic biopsy device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the truncated end of the cutting member is disposed axially within the lumen at the distal end of the elongate tube. 
     
     
         6 . The endoscopic biopsy device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flange attached to the distal end of the elongate tube.   
     
     
         7 . The endoscopic biopsy device as recited in  claim 1 , the cutting member having been manufactured by stamping, milling, or depositing material capable of retaining a sharp edge for the cutting surface. 
     
     
         8 . The endoscopic biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the elongate tube is configured to draw tissue of the body into the distal end of the elongate tube responsive to actuation of a valve; and   the cutting member is configured to cut the tissue while the tissue is drawn into the distal end of the elongate tube to create a tissue sample.   
     
     
         9 . The endoscopic biopsy device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a valve disposed proximate to the proximal end of the elongate tube, wherein actuation of the valve causes suction to be applied within the elongate tube.   
     
     
         10 . The endoscopic biopsy device of  claim 9 , wherein the valve is open to ambient air and attached to a suction device. 
     
     
         11 . The endoscopic biopsy device of  claim 9 , wherein the valve is interposed between the proximal end of the elongate tube and a suction device. 
     
     
         12 . The endoscopic biopsy device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the valve is constructed such that at least partially blocking an opening of the valve transmits suction to the lumen of the elongate tube. 
     
     
         13 . The endoscopic biopsy device of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the elongate tube is configured to draw tissue of the body into the distal end of the elongate tube responsive to the actuation of the valve; and   the cutting member is configured to cut the tissue while the tissue is drawn into the distal end of the elongate tube to create a tissue sample.   
     
     
         14 . The endoscopic biopsy device of  claim 1 , wherein the endoscopic biopsy device is configured to collect multiple tissue samples from a body and to transport the multiple tissue samples outside of the body without removal of the endoscopic biopsy device from the body. 
     
     
         15 . A cutting member for a biopsy device, wherein:
 the cutting member is configured for insertion into an opening of a distal end of an elongate tube of the biopsy device, wherein the cutting member is configured to be immovable relative to the elongate tube; and   the cutting member comprises:
 a hollow truncated cone having a truncated end comprising a cutting surface that maintains a fixed radial distance from the elongate tube and that faces into the elongate tube and away from the distal end of the elongate tube, wherein the cutting surface has a contiguous perimeter, and wherein the truncated end is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tube such that the cutting member has a shape of a right circular hollow cone or an oblique oval hollow cone while the cutting member is disposed in the opening of the distal end of the elongate tube; and 
 a blunting surface that faces outward from the elongate tube. 
   
     
     
         16 . The cutting member of  claim 15 , wherein the truncated end of the cutting member comprises a beveled edge. 
     
     
         17 . The cutting member of  claim 15 , wherein the cutting member comprises a flange at a base thereof that comprises the blunting surface, wherein the flange is configured to be angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate tube and has a circular or oval shape. 
     
     
         18 . The cutting member of  claim 15 , wherein the truncated end of the cutting member is configured to be disposed axially within the lumen at the distal end of the elongate tube. 
     
     
         19 . The cutting member of  claim 15 , the cutting member having been manufactured by stamping, milling, or depositing material capable of retaining a sharp edge for the cutting surface. 
     
     
         20 . The cutting member of  claim 15 , wherein the cutting member is a cutting member for an endoscopic biopsy device.