BIOPSY FORCEPS HAVING A DETACHABLE PROXIMAL HANDLE AND DISTAL JAWS

摘要

An endoscopic biopsy forceps (10) has a detachable proximal handle portion (12) and a distal portion (14) which includes a pair of jaws (38, 40) mounted at the distal end of a flexible conduit. At least one pull wire extends through the conduit (32) and is coupled to the jaws so that movement of the pull wire(s) (42, 44) through the conduit causes the jaws (38, 40) to open and close. The proximal end of the pull wire(s) is provided with a mating tip (50) and the proximal end of the conduit is provided with a mating sleeve (46). The handle portion includes a shaft (16) and a spool (26). The conduit (32) is detachably attached to the shaft (16), while the pull wire(s) (42, 44) is detachably attached to the spool (26). Attachment is effected by spring biased coupling devices (24, 30) which engage the mating tip (50) of the pull wire(s) and the mating sleeve (46) of the conduit.