Other

Symantec Operating Corporation

Ko P Wang

Margaret E Knight

Yateendra Kulkarni

Christopher B Lee

A controller for use with a hollow endoscopic needle for collecting tissue, cell and/or fluid specimens from a patient that includes an outer body enclosing a slidably retaining a spring loaded plunger, a click and release plunger holder, a vacuum port, and a hollow needle attached to the plunger that is slidably retained in an outer tube or sheath. The controller permits a surgeon to positively control the needle and penetrate tissue, to pulse the needle, and to quickly and positively return the plunger and its needle back to its original un-pushed position. A vacuum or fluid pathway is defined between proximal and distal seals and along the needle's exterior and the interior of the outer tube or sheath and leads to a distal end of the hollow needle. A stylet can be slidably retained within the hollow needle, and can include a sensor to permit navigation.

Click and release endobronchial specimen collection histology needle

A system and method for determining a storage configuration for an application, where the storage configuration specifies a storage layout for data objects associated with the application. A Storage Configurator program may display a graphical user interface (GUI) for guiding the user through creation of the storage configuration. User input to specify properties of the storage configuration and/or properties of the application may be received to the graphical user interface. The Storage Configurator program may determine a storage configuration for the application, based on the user input received to the graphical user interface.

Graphical user interface for creating a customized storage layout for an application

A system and method for determining a storage configuration for an application, where the storage configuration specifies a storage layout for data objects associated with the application. A Storage Configurator program may display a graphical user interface (GUI) for guiding the user through creation of the storage configuration. User input to specify properties of the storage configuration and/or properties of the application may be received to the graphical user interface. The Storage Configurator program may determine a storage configuration for the application, based on the user input received to the graphical user interface. In one embodiment, the Storage Configurator may provide an option allowing the user to save the storage configuration, e.g., in a file or database. Saving the storage configuration may allow the user to utilize the storage configuration at a later time. In one embodiment, the Storage Configurator may also provide an option allowing the user to implement the storage configuration. Implementing the storage configuration may comprise storing the plurality of data objects associated with the application on one or more storage devices according to the storage layout specified by the storage configuration. For example, the user may simply click a button to cause the data objects to be stored according to the storage layout.

Pleural biopsy device for reducing the probability of effecting pneumothorax in a patient during a pleural biopsy procedure, for facilitating the cutting of sample tissues of the parietal pleura, and for aspirating and removing large quantities of fluid from the patient's body without switching needles. Proximal ends of two hollow, inner and outer needles are directly attached to the plunger and the barrel of a syringe, respectively. When properly assembled, the syringe, and the inner and the outer needles form a closed system that seals out the external air and the arrangement permits tissue collection without intermediate needle withdrawal during the procedure.

Pleural biopsy syringe-needles

A flexible assembly for use with a fiberoptic endoscope to collect tissue specimens from a site within the human body. The assembly includes a flexible outer catheter provided with a metal tip at its distal end, a flexible stylet, and a control structure at the proximal end of the catheter to control movement of the stylet within and axially along the catheter and for the introduction of fluids to the collection site and/or withdrawal of fluids within the catheter from the collection site. The stylet has a distal end provided with a brush terminating with a needle point or a looped type end at its distal end. The brush will be movable through an incision in tissue produced by the needle point allowing penetration through the body cavity wall into a tumor or lesion located therebeyond. The stylet can also include a coiled spring for providing a flexible connection between the control structure and the tissue collection device. In addition to a brush, the tissue collection device can include a hollow needle or a pair of selectively sliding needles. Specimen samples can be obtained and local flushing of the specimen collection site is possible. Specimen material can also be flushed from within the catheter.

Flexible encoscope assembly

A biopsy needle assembly comprised of an outer flexible catheter and a reciprocating interior structure on which the needle is mounted. In one embodiment, the needle is directly connected to an internal guide wire. In another, the needle is directly connected to an inner flexible catheter and the guide wire can either extend through the needle or be stopped within the needle. In each embodiment, the needle includes a lateral opening providing a fluid path from the hollow needle, through the catheter, either between the catheter and guide wire or the inner and outer catheters to an outlet at the proximal end of the assembly. The invention also relates to a syringe plunger stop end lock attachment.

Removable locking device for use with syringes

Percutaneous aspiration lung biopsy needle assembly comprises a hollow outer needle in which a second hollow needle of smaller diameter is disposed, the second inner needle being retractable from a first extended position to a second retracted position within the first needle. The inner needle, which extends for only a portion of the distance has a bevelled tip and is constructed such that its outer diameter closely matches the inner diameter of the outer needle. When the inner needle is in its extended position the needle assembly may be forced through the skin and into the lung with relative ease. Subsequently, the inner needle is retracted so that only the flat-tipped duller edged outer needle is exposed, thereby allowing a large tissue sample, suitable for histological examination, to be obtained. A pressure monitor is engaged with the needle apparatus to more accurately determine when lung and tumor entries are achieved. The assembly minimizes the risk of pneumothorax, excessive bleeding and embolism, and additionally allows continuous fluoroscopy of the target site without exposure of the physician's hand to x-rays.

Percutaneous aspiration lung biopsy needle assembly

Transendoscopic needle

A completely flexible bronchoscopic needle assembly having fixed and retractable needle embodiments for use with a fiberoptic bronchoscope.

Bronchoscopic needle assembly

A completely flexible bronchoscopic needle assembly for use with a fiberoptic bronchoscope includes a flexible catheter having a hollow sampling needle rigidly and coaxially fixed to the distal end thereof. The sampling needle defines a lateral opening rearwardly of a cutting edge so as to permit an increased quantity of tissue sample to pass through the lateral opening and into the hollow sampling needle. The rearward portion of the lateral opening is defined by a lateral cutting edge to cut into the surrounding tissues so as to obtain a sample therefrom when the sampling needle is forcibly advanced into the tissue. The forward portion of the lateral opening is defined by a gradual inwardly sloped surface which prevents the tissue from being cut when the sampling needle is withdrawn from the tissue. An inner needle is slidably received within the hollow of the sampling needle for moements between an advanced position and a retracted position so as to effectively mask the forward and lateral cutting edges of the sampling needle when in its advanced position while yet permitting cutting of tissue when in its retracted position.

Growing community of inventors

Stevenson, MD, United States of America

Ko P Wang