Endoscopic urological biopsy forceps

Abstract

An endoscopic urological biopsy forceps includes a hollow tube member with a control member extending therethrough, an actuator coupled to the proximal ends of the tube member and the control member and a jaw assembly coupled to the distal ends of the tube and control member. The jaw assembly includes a stationary jaw with an axle pin, and a movable jaw with an arcuate slot through which the axle pin extends such that the movable jaw is coupled to the stationary jaw and is movable both translationally and rotationally relative to the stationary jaw. The stationary jaw has a basket-like opening and part of the movable jaw fits inside the opening. The movable jaw has a pair of sidewalls each of which define a row of cutting teeth and a distal buck tooth which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the side walls and is angled toward the proximal end of the movable jaw. When the jaws are closed, the cutting teeth of the movable jaw are received in the opening if the stationary jaw and the buck tooth resides outside and adjacent the distal end of the stationary jaw. The movable jaw is preferably provided with a gouged interior defining a roof palate making additional room for the capture and storage of biopsy samples. The basket-like opening in the stationary jaw is preferably provided with bottom openings for fluid drainage and to accommodate larger and plural biopsy samples.