The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 08, 2012
Filed:
Feb. 13, 2008
Michael E. Miller, Trafalgar, IN (US);
Terry D. Hardin, Irvine, CA (US);
Michael E. Miller, Trafalgar, IN (US);
Terry D. Hardin, Irvine, CA (US);
Suros Surgical Systems, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US);
Abstract
A tissue sample collection device and method are described and disclosed. The tissue sample collection device has a filter that is removably disposed within a sleeve. The filter has an open proximal end and an internal passageway that is in fluid communication with the open proximal end for the passage of fluids. The filter is substantially impermeable to tissue samples but allows the passage of fluids into the internal passageway at a plurality of spaced apart locations along at least a portion of the filter's length. When used to collect tissue samples, the samples are collected on the exterior surface of the filter. Thus, the filter can be removed from the sleeve, and samples can be removed from the exterior surface of the filter. In certain exemplary versions of the tissue sample collection device, the filter is provided on a filter member, and the sleeve is adjustably attached to the filter to define a tissue collection configuration in which the filter is disposed within the sleeve and a tissue retrieval configuration in which filter projects away from the sleeve.