Accessory device for eus-fna needle for guidewire passage

Abstract

A combined system for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures includes a needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough, the distal end including a sharp grind for cutting a tissue sample to be collected in the lumen of the needle and a protective sheath sized and shaped to be inserted through the lumen of the needle such that a distal end of the protective sheath extends distally past the distal end of the needle, the protective sheath extending longitudinally from a proximal end to the distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . A system for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, comprising:
 a hollow needle extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a sharpened distal end configured for cutting a tissue sample to be collected in the needle;   a guide wire; and   a protective sheath sized and shaped to be inserted through the needle, a length of the protective sheath being selected so that a distal end of the protective sheath may be extended distally past the distal end of the needle, the protective sheath including a lumen extending therethrough sized and shaped to slidably receive the guide wire therethrough, a distal portion of the protective sheath being formed of a material selected to prevent shearing thereof when the distal portion is bent around the sharpened distal end of the needle.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the distal portion of the protective sheath includes a reinforced portion formed of a material having an increased stiffness relative to a stiffness of a portion of the protective sheath extending proximally from the distal portion. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the material of which the reinforced portion is formed as a metal ring located so that, when the protective sheath is inserted in the lumen of the needle with the distal end of the protective sheath extending beyond the distal end of the needle to a desired distance, is positioned in contact with the distal end of the needle. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the needle includes an engaging element at the proximal end thereof. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the protective sheath includes an engaging structure at the proximal end thereof engagable with the engaging element of the needle so that, when the protective sheath is inserted in the lumen of the needle, the engaging element and the engaging structure engage one another to lock the protective sheath relative to the needle. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the engaging element is a luer fitting. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 36 , further comprising:
 a stylet extending from a proximal end to a distal end and sized and shaped to be inserted through the lumen of the needle.   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the protective sheath is formed of one of Nitinol and Cobalt Chromium. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein an outer diameter of the protective sheath ranges from between 0.030 inches and 0.035 inches. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein an inner diameter of the protective sheath ranges from between 0.0265 inches and 0.030 inches. 
     
     
         46 . A device for treating tissue, comprising:
 a hollow protective sheath sized and shaped to be inserted through a lumen of a needle such that when a distal end of the protective sheath extends distally beyond a distal end of the needle to a desired distance, the protective sheath is interposed between a guidewire inserted through the protective sheath and a sharp end of the needle, a distal portion of the protective sheath being formed of a material selected to prevent shearing thereof when the distal portion is bent around the sharp end of the needle.   
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein the distal portion of the protective sheath includes a reinforced portion formed of a material having an increased stiffness relative to a stiffness of a portion of the protective sheath extending proximally from the distal portion. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 47 , wherein the material of which the reinforced portion is formed as a metal ring located so that, when the protective sheath is inserted in the lumen of the needle with the distal end of the protective sheath extending beyond the distal end of the needle to the desired distance, is positioned in contact with the distal end of the needle. 
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein the protective sheath is formed of one of Nitinol and Cobalt Chromium. 
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein an outer diameter of the protective sheath ranges from between 0.030 inches and 0.035 inches and an inner diameter of the protective sheath ranges from between 0.0265 inches and 0.030 inches.