SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND PROCESS

摘要

An apparatus and method for enabling the extraction of a biopsy sample from the prostate through the urinary tract and for performing medical treatment in the prostate area. The apparatus includes an outer sheath (2) and removable obturator (20) portion which is located within the sheath during insertion of the sheath into the urinary tract. Once the sheath has been inserted, a sampling portion is substituted for the obturator to enable the extraction of a biopsy sample. The configuration of the sampling portion which cooperates with the sheath during extraction of the biopsy sample includes adjacent tubes (42 and 44) retained within the sheath (12) and a harpoon-shaped needle (48) movable through one of the tubes. The harpoon needle (48) cooperates with the one tube (42) to provide cutting and retention of the biopsy sample by movement of a shaft external (47) to the sheath portion. The other tube (44) enables the insertion of a light conducting pipe and lens structure to view the area from which the sample is taken. In use, the apparatus is a modified cystoscope which is employed to obtain a prostate biopsy by insertion of the sheath and first obturator through the external urethral orifice of the penis and through the urethra until the end is adjacent the prostate. The sampling portion is then inserted and the biopsy taken by piercing of the prostate and removal of the sampling portion. The same sampling portion can alternatively be used to provide treatment to the prostate area through the sheath.