Instrument for collecting multiple biopsy specimens

摘要

The invention features a medical biopsy instrument including a relatively long shaft having proximal and distal ends, a biopsy assembly, located at the distal end of the shaft, an actuator located at the proximal end of the shaft, and a force-transmitting member associated with the shaft and extending from the actuator to the biopsy assembly. The biopsy assembly is constructed to receive tissue in a biopsy space and store severed tissue in a storage space. When collecting biopsy specimens, the biopsy assembly severs tissue located in the biopsy space and thereafter stores the severed tissue in the storage space. The storage space is arranged to store sequentially multiple severed biopsy specimens taken by multiple repeated actuations of the biopsy assembly. The biopsy assembly has a side cutting or a forward cutting embodiment and may be mounted of a catheter.