There is provided herein a tip section of a multi-viewing element endoscope, the tip section comprising: two or more side-pointing viewing elements positioned at or in proximity to a distal end of said tip section, wherein each of said two or more side-pointing viewing elements having a discrete illuminator associated therewith, wherein the field of view provided by the two or more side-pointing viewing elements covers a front and side views; a working channel configured for insertion of a surgical tool; and a pathway fluid injector for inflating and/or cleaning a body cavity into which the endoscope is inserted.

Method and devices are provided for assessing tissue samples from a plurality of tissue sites in a subject using molecular analysis. In certain aspects, devices of the embodiments allow for minimally invasive collection of liquid tissue samples and delivery of the samples for mass spectrometry analysis.

A forceps may include: a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis extending between proximal and distal ends of the housing; a first jaw and a second jaw each slidably and pivotably connected to the housing, where the first and second jaws have an open configuration and a closed configuration; a first connection member having a first end pivotably connected to the first jaw; a second connection member having a first end pivotably connected to the second jaw; a connecting pin assembly that slidably and pivotably connects the first and second jaws to the housing; and a driver operably connected to a second end of the first connection member and a second end of the second connection member. Longitudinal movement of the driver in a proximal direction relative to the housing moves the first and second jaws, along with the connecting pin assembly, relative to the housing.

A forceps may include: a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis extending between proximal and distal ends of the housing; a first jaw and a second jaw each slidably and pivotably connected to the housing, where the first and second jaws have an open configuration and a closed configuration; a first connection member having a first end pivotably connected to the first jaw; a second connection member having a first end pivotably connected to the second jaw; a connecting pin assembly that slidably and pivotably connects the first and second jaws to the housing; and a driver operably connected to a second end of the first connection member and a second end of the second connection member. Longitudinal movement of the driver in a proximal direction relative to the housing moves the first and second jaws, along with the connecting pin assembly, relative to the housing.

Microgrippers adapted to capture, manipulate, and contain single cells in both in vitro and in vivo cell applications are disclosed. The energy required to actuate these microgrippers is derived from the release of residual stress and does not require any wires, tethers, or batteries. Because the microgrippers are made from biocompatible and biosorbable materials, they do not accumulate in tissue. Accordingly, they can be used for in vivo applications, such as for gripping single cells in tissue biopsies.

Microgrippers adapted to capture, manipulate, and contain single cells in both in vitro and in vivo cell applications are disclosed. The energy required to actuate these microgrippers is derived from the release of residual stress and does not require any wires, tethers, or batteries. Because the microgrippers are made from biocompatible and biosorbable materials, they do not accumulate in tissue. Accordingly, they can be used for in vivo applications, such as for gripping single cells in tissue biopsies.

A device may comprise a work element, an outer tube co-axially disposed around a portion of the work element and a collar assembly. The work element may be configured to rotate and define proximal and distal ends, and may comprise a body portion, one or more articulable beak(s) configured to cut tissue, and a beak actuation portion. The collar assembly may be coupled to the work element away from the articulable beak(s), and may comprise a distal collar element coupled to the body portion, a middle collar element coupled to the outer tube and a proximal collar element coupled to the beak actuation portion. The distal collar element may comprise a first peripheral surface that extends around the distal collar element and that faces the proximal end and the middle collar element may comprise a second peripheral surface that that extends around the middle collar element, faces the distal end and at least partially contacts the first peripheral surface. The first and second peripheral surfaces each may comprise a smooth undulating surface that comprises a plurality of peaks and valleys. The distal, middle and proximal collar elements may be configured to control opening, closing, extending and retracting the articulable beak(s) by rotating in synchronicity, rotating differentially and/or moving toward the distal or proximal ends.

A device may comprise a work element, an outer tube co-axially disposed around a portion of the work element and a collar assembly. The work element may be configured to rotate and define proximal and distal ends, and may comprise a body portion, one or more articulable beak(s) configured to cut tissue, and a beak actuation portion. The collar assembly may be coupled to the work element away from the articulable beak(s), and may comprise a distal collar element coupled to the body portion, a middle collar element coupled to the outer tube and a proximal collar element coupled to the beak actuation portion. The distal collar element may comprise a first peripheral surface that extends around the distal collar element and that faces the proximal end and the middle collar element may comprise a second peripheral surface that that extends around the middle collar element, faces the distal end and at least partially contacts the first peripheral surface. The first and second peripheral surfaces each may comprise a smooth undulating surface that comprises a plurality of peaks and valleys. The distal, middle and proximal collar elements may be configured to control opening, closing, extending and retracting the articulable beak(s) by rotating in synchronicity, rotating differentially and/or moving toward the distal or proximal ends.

A device for soft tissue biopsy or excision for either handheld or stereotactic table use may comprise a work element configured to selectively open and close at least one articulable beak configured to penetrate tissue, or follow a central lumen of another device or over a wire in a longitudinal direction. Flush and vacuum tissue transport mechanisms may be incorporated. A single tube or an inner sheath and an outer sheath which may be co-axially disposed relative to a work element may be configured to actuate a beak or beaks and provisions for simultaneous beak closing under rotation may be incorporated.

A device for soft tissue biopsy or excision for either handheld or stereotactic table use may comprise a work element configured to selectively open and close at least one articulable beak configured to penetrate tissue, or follow a central lumen of another device or over a wire in a longitudinal direction. Flush and vacuum tissue transport mechanisms may be incorporated. A single tube or an inner sheath and an outer sheath which may be co-axially disposed relative to a work element may be configured to actuate a beak or beaks and provisions for simultaneous beak closing under rotation may be incorporated.