A TISSUE SPECIMEN COLLECTOR FOR USE IN BIOPSY

Abstract

A tissue specimen collector (8; 132), which is adapted for collecting tissue specimens during a biopsy procedure, is a multi-chamber collector having a main collector housing (58; 133) and a collector rack (59; 138) arranged lengthwise displaceable inside the main collector housing (58; 133). The collector rack (59; 138) has a series of adjacent chambers (60; 143) for accommodating tissue specimens, and said main collector housing (58; 133) has a collector port (71a; 167) adapted to connect to a supply of tissue specimens to receive tissue specimens in each consecutive chamber of the serious of adjacent chambers in the order they are resected from suspicious tissue.

Claims

1. A tissue specimen collector adapted for collecting tissue specimens during a biopsy procedure, wherein the tissue specimen collector is a multi-chamber collector having a main collector housing having at least two lengthwise extending sections in form of a proximal tubular housing end part and a distal tubular housing end part, and a collector port adapted to connect to a supply of tissue specimens and being aligned below a sample port, a collector rack having a series of adjacent chambers for accommodating tissue specimens, which collector rack is arranged lengthwise displaceable inside the main collector housing, said collector rack has a series of adjacent chambers for accommodating tissue specimens, and said main collector housing to move translatory inside said main collector housing by actuating means for moving the collector rack lengthwise along the longitudinal axis of the main collector housing to position said chambers one after another in fluid communication with the collector port.

2. (canceled)

3. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 1, wherein the tissue specimen collector comprises a coupling piece adapted for providing fluid coupling between the collector port and a sample port of an endosurgical biopsy device.

4. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 1, wherein the main collector housing has a liquid outlet to discharge liquid accompanying the tissue specimen entering the tissue specimen collector.

5. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 1, wherein the means for moving the collector rack lengthwise along the longitudinal axis of the main collector housing is a screw rod that engages with a threaded hole or bore in the collector rack.

6. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 1, wherein the means for moving the collector rack lengthwise along the longitudinal axis of the main collector housing is ratchet mechanism consisting of at least a linear rack on the collector rack and a pawl member.

7. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 1, wherein the collector rack is configured to allow liquid to pass through.

8. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 1, wherein the main collector housing is detachable assembled of at least two housing parts.

9. An endosurgical biopsy device comprising: a tube that has at least a first lengthwise extending channel for supplying a liquid to the end effector, a second lengthwise extending channel for removing matter from or at the end effector, and a third lengthwise extending channel for accommodating an electrical wire connected to the end effector to apply current to perform diathermy, an end effector provided at a distal tube end of the tube, and a tissue specimen collector according to claim 1 provided in fluid communication with a proximal tube end of the tube.

10. An endosurgical biopsy device according to claim 9, wherein the endosurgical biopsy device comprises an effector sleeve surrounding the tube at least at the distal tube end of said tube, and being arranged to reciprocate at least at the distal tube end of the tube, a device operating part comprising a slide rail assembly, which slide rail assembly comprises at least a main slide guide body that accommodates an end effector slider and a junction slider, the main slide guide body has a guideway with a proximal guide end and an opposite distal guide end that receives the tube, the end effector slider is adapted to reciprocatingly slide in the guideway at the distal guide end, and is connected to the effector sleeve to operate said effector sleeve in relation to the end effector, and the junction slider is adapted to reciprocatingly slide in the guideway between the proximal guide end and the end effector slider, which junction slider is connected to the tube to arrange at least the first lengthwise extending channel, the second lengthwise extending channel and the third lengthwise extending channel of the tube in communication with the end effector.

11. An endosurgical biopsy device according to claim 9, wherein the slide rail assembly further has a needle slider reciprocatingly disposed in the guideway in front of the junction slider at the proximal guide end, which needle slider has a needle or a nozzle secured thereto, which needle or nozzle is reciprocatingly arranged inside a fourth lengthwise extending channel of the tube between a first needle position in which the needle or nozzle is in a retracted position and a second needle position in which the needle or nozzle is exposed from the end effector.

12. An endosurgical biopsy device according to claim 10, wherein the junction slider has at least one of an inlet port in fluid communication with the first lengthwise extending channel for delivering a flushing liquid at and/or to the end effector, a diathermy port in communication with the third lengthwise extending channel, and/or a sample port in communication with the second lengthwise extending channel for coupling with the tissue specimen collector.

13. An endosurgical biopsy device according to claim 10, wherein the device operating part further comprises a flushing component having a first operating end part adapted to be mounted to an endoscope fluid valve port and to an endoscope suction valve port of an endoscope, and an opposite second operating end part adapted to be set in fluid communication with the slide rail assembly and with an instrument port of the endoscope.

14. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 3, wherein the coupling piece protrudes from the collector port of the main collector housing.

15. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 5, wherein the screw rod has a rotating knob at a free end facing away from the collector rack.

16. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 6, wherein the pawl member is a spring-biased pawl member that stepwise engages the linear rack of the collector rack.

17. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 7, wherein the collector is a filtering unit.

18. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 7, wherein a chamber of the series of adjacent chambers has a drainage canal that discharges into the main collector housing.

19. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 7, wherein the wall of the collector rack has one or more drainage channels.

20. A tissue specimen collector according to claim 8, wherein a seal or gasket is between said at least two housing parts.

Description

[0129] The invention will now be described below with reference to the drawing by way of an exemplary embodiment of an endosurgical biopsy device of the present invention.

[0130] FIG. 1 is a perspective overview of an endosurgical biopsy device of the present invention in its operative set up environment ready for use in a biopsy procedure using a cystoscope,

[0131] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1 of a tube for the endosurgical biopsy device of the present invention,

[0132] FIG. 3 is fragmentary perspective end view of an embodiment of an end effector,

[0133] FIG. 4 a perspective, enlarged scale view of the endosurgical biopsy device seen in FIG. 1 mounted at a proximal handle part of a cystoscope, but with the electrical cord to the diathermy generator left out and liquid supply tubes and discharge tubes also left out,

[0134] FIG. 5 shows, in perspective and in partial exploded view, the slide rail assembly, the first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector and the adaptor,

[0135] FIG. 6 shows the same in assembled state,

[0136] FIG. 7 is an enlarged scale view of the adaptor of the device operating part seen from the side,

[0137] FIG. 8 shows the flushing component from the holder end and the first operating end part,

[0138] FIG. 9 shows the same from the second operating end part,

[0139] FIGS. 10 and 11 are exploded, enlarged scale views of the endosurgical biopsy device seen from the distal guide end and the proximal guide end, respectively, of the main slide guide body without the spring members, the adaptor and the flushing component,

[0140] FIG. 12 is a perspective enlarged scale fragmentary view of the encircled fragment to the right in FIGS. 15 and 16 of the endosurgical biopsy device seen from the distal tube end and with remote actuator assembly,

[0141] FIG. 13 shows the remote operating handle in perspective view from above,

[0142] FIG. 14 shows the same with a casing-half left out,

[0143] FIG. 15 shows the endosurgical biopsy device in its starting position,

[0144] FIG. 16 shows the endosurgical biopsy device in its configuration where the operating end of the endosurgical biopsy device has been exposed from the endoscope's working channel,

[0145] FIG. 17 shows the endosurgical biopsy device with the effector sleeve retracted from the end effector,

[0146] FIG. 18 shows the encircled operating end of the endosurgical device seen in FIG. 17 in an enlarged scale view,

[0147] FIG. 19 shows the operating end of the endosurgical device with the needle exposed between the jaws of the end effector,

[0148] FIG. 20 shows the encircled operating end of the endosurgical device seen in FIG. 19 in an enlarged scale view,

[0149] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a tissue specimen collector seen from its distal end,

[0150] FIG. 22 shows the same from its proximal end,

[0151] FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of a tissue specimen collector seen in FIG. 21,

[0152] FIG. 24 shows the second embodiment of a tissue specimen collector from the side,

[0153] FIG. 25 is an exploded view of the second embodiment of the collector rack assembly seen in FIG. 23.

[0154] FIG. 26 shows the collector rack assembly seen in FIG. 24 inclined from the side opposite the linear rack,

[0155] FIG. 27 shows the collector rack assembly seen in FIG. 24 inclined from above,

[0156] FIG. 28 shows the collector rack assembly seen in FIG. 24 inclined from the linear rack side,

[0157] FIG. 29 shows the push rod part from the pawl tip,

[0158] FIG. 30 is a sectional view taken along line XXX-XXX in FIG. 23 inside the proximal tubular housing part, and

[0159] FIG. 31 is a sectional view taken along line XXXI-XXXI in FIG. 23 inside the distal tubular housing part.

[0160] In the following it is by way of example assumed that the endoscope is a cystoscope and the organ, wherefrom tissue specimens are to be resected, is the urinary bladder. The examples are non-limiting and it should be understood that the endosurgical biopsy device of the present invention and the tissue specimen collector can be used with many other kinds of endoscopes, and that the target tissue can be many different kinds of tissue. It is emphasized that scaling used in the figures are made to illustrate features of the invention the best possible way. Ratio of scaling up and down may differ between different figures. Scaling is chosen arbitrarily to illustrate components of the invention the best. Other end effectors, such as scissors and other forceps designs, can be used in the endosurgical biopsy device.

[0161] FIG. 1 is a perspective overview of an endosurgical biopsy device 1 of the present invention in its operative set up environment ready for use in a biopsy procedure with an endoscope in form of a cystoscope 2. A plurality of conventional diathermy generators, liquid sources, and reservoirs can be used in the biopsy procedure. Those are not shown in FIG. 1. Furthermore, for the purposes of visual overview the distal insertion tube of the cystoscope and the fiber optic have been left out. The multi-channel tube 3 is shown uncovered by the distal insertion part of the endoscope.

[0162] The endosurgical biopsy device 1 has a device operating part 4, which comprises plural sub-components: including at least a slide rail assembly 5, a remote actuator assembly 6, a flushing component 7, and a first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 8. Each of these sub-components 5,6,7,8 will be described separately and in combination in further details in the following figures, as well at their operative relationship will be explained and discussed.

[0163] The flexible multi-channel tube 3, in the following just referred to as the tube, used in the endosurgical biopsy device 1 seen in FIG. 1, is shown in enlarged cross-sectional view in FIG. 2.

[0164] The tube 3 has four lengthwise extending channels: a first lengthwise extending channel 9 for supplying liquid to the distal tube end 13 of the tube 3, a second lengthwise extending channel 10 for removing, e.g. by expelling or aspirating, liquid and other matter from the tube 3, such as tissue specimens, out via the proximal tube end 14, a third lengthwise extending channel 15 for a diathermy wire 76, and a fourth lengthwise extending channel 16 for reciprocating a needle. It could be said that the lengthwise extending channels “divide” the working channel of the endoscope into several sub-channels that improve the functionality of the endoscope to a hitherto unknown extent and dispense with the need to insert and retract different instruments through the working channel of the endoscope numerous times, thus saves time for biopsying, and confers comfort to the patient.

[0165] An embodiment of an end effector 21 is seen in FIG. 3 in an enlarged scale view. The effector sleeve 17 seen in FIG. 3 has an internal diameter selected for the end effector 21 to move tightly in and out of said effector sleeve 17, e.g. in response to reciprocating the end effector 17 at the distal tube end 14 of the tube 3 in and out of the effector sleeve 17, or by reciprocating the effector sleeve 17 over and away from the end effector 21, thus reciprocating the end effector and the effector sleeve in relation to each other once the effector sleeve surrounded end effector 21 is placed in its biopsy position in front of the target site. When the end effector is in this biopsy position at the target site the jaws 19,20 are opened by retracting the effector sleeve. Next the tissue specimen is grasped by closing the jaws 19,20 by displacing the effector sleeve in the opposite direction above the end effector to make flexible hinge members 19a,20a of respective jaws to flex back. The effector sleeve 17 may be a metal pipe and the tube 3 may have an exterior structural reinforcement, such as a coil member 77, to provide the tube 3 with sufficient structure to be inserted into the working channel of the endoscope, and optionally to allow lengthwise movement in relation to the effector sleeve 17. In FIG. 3 of the end effector 17, the needle 22 has been exposed from the third lengthwise extending channel 16. The exterior structural reinforcement may be secured end-to-end to the effector sleeve and reciprocate simultaneously.

[0166] FIG. 4 is an enlarged scale perspective view of the endosurgical biopsy device 1 seen in FIG. 1, but without the electrical wire that connects the endosurgical biopsy device 1 to the diathermy generator, and without the flushing and evacuation tubes 23,24 to a priming pump (not shown) and without liquid reservoirs and liquid sources. A priming pump may be associated with the diathermy generator and adapted to fill the tube system coupled to the tube 3, including flushing via the slide rail assembly 5 the first lengthwise extending channel 9 with non-conductive liquid and collect aspirated/discharged non-conductive liquid in connection with expelling tissue specimens from the second lengthwise extending channel 10.

[0167] The flushing component 7 has a first operating end part 18 adapted to be mounted to an endoscope fluid valve port by means of a first push-activated valve 25 and to an endoscope suction valve port of the cystoscope 2 using a second push-activated valve 26. An opposite second operating end part 27 of the flushing component 7 is in fluid communication with the slide rail assembly 5 and with the instrument port of the cystoscope 2 by means of an adaptor 28 at said second operating end part 27.

[0168] The second push-activated valve 26 opens and closes for the supply of liquid from a source of liquid (not shown), e.g. a drip bag, coupled to an infusion connection piece 38 to infuse liquid through the cystoscope via the infusion tube 31 of the flushing component 7. Similarly the first push-activated valve 25 opens and closes for suction through the endoscope via the suction tube 32, which suction tube 32 is coupled to a vacuum source via a suction connection piece 39.

[0169] The grip 29 makes it easy for the surgeon to hold the endosurgical biopsy device and the cystoscope at the same time by simply placing the hand on the cystoscope through the grip 29. The grip 29 may incorporate internal irrigation tubes or have external irrigation tubes 31,32 for flushing liquid, such as saline, water or glycine, and evacuating liquid again, respectively, from the hollow organ, such as the urinary bladder, or other tissue surface, through the working channel of the cystoscope 2 via the tube 3, or through a liquid channel (not shown) of the cystoscope 2 especially allocated to said purpose prior to conducting biopsy.

[0170] The perspective, exploded view of FIG. 5 and the assembled view of FIG. 6 show the slide rail assembly 5, the first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 8 and the adaptor 28. Said adaptor 28 has a tubular adaptor body 33 that has a first adaptor end part 34 with a first adaptor end 35, which first adaptor end part 34 has a membrane (not shown) for inserting the tube 3, and an opposite second adaptor end part 36 with a second adaptor end 37 configured for coupling with the slide rail assembly 5.

[0171] The first adaptor end part 34 and the second adaptor end part 36 are, as seen best in the side view of FIG. 7, at an angle a in relation to each other, so that the slide rail assembly 5, which is secured to the second adaptor end part 36 is turned away from the cystoscope 2. The angle a is e.g. at least 45° to define a bend or curved flow channel through the tubular adaptor body 33.

[0172] The irrigation tubes 31,32 associated with the grip 29 are the infusion tube 31 and the suction tube 32. The suction tube 32 take part in application of suction to empty the urinary bladder, and the infusion tube 31 take part in infusing liquid to e.g. rinse the urinary bladder prior to the biopsy procedure and instill non-conductive liquid into the urinary bladder.

[0173] The adaptor 28 has a protruding flange 40 with seats 41,42. The seats 41,42 are adapted for mounting of a first coupling piece and a second coupling piece 44 for providing fluid communication to the suction tube 32 and the infusion tube 31, and to the vacuum source (not shown) and the liquid source (not shown), respectively. The first and second coupling pieces 43,44 may e.g. be barbed bayonet male connectors, having respective barbed tapering first coupling ends 43a,44a and opposite second coupling ends 43b,44b with an enlarged diameter flange 43c,44c in-between said coupling ends 43a,44a;43b,44b to promote the coupling pieces 43,44 staying in their respective seats 41,42 at the protruding flange 40.

[0174] As seen best in the enlarged scale detailed views of FIGS. 8 and 9 the flushing component 7 has a longitudinal grip 29 that extends between the first operating end part 18 and the second operating end part 27 of said flushing component 7. At the second operating end part 27, the flushing component 7 has a holder 30 for the slide rail assembly 5. The slide rail assembly 5 that is coupled to the first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 8 is docked in the holder 30 to be kept in a position protruding from the cystoscope 2. Both the slide rail assembly 5 and the first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 8 are thus located close to the proximal end of the cystoscope 2, and in convenient reach and view of the surgeon.

[0175] In use of the endosurgical biopsy device 1 the adaptor 28 is secured in the instrument port, the second operating end part 27 of the flushing component 7 is secured to the adaptor 28, the slide rail assembly 5, which is connected to the first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector assembly 8, is mounted in the holder 30, and the tube 3 with needle 22, end effector 21, effector sleeve 17, and diathermy wire 76 is inserted through the membrane of the adaptor 28. The suction tube 32 is connected to the barbed tapering first coupling end 43a of the first coupling piece 43. The infusion tube 31 is connected to the second coupling end 44b of the second coupling piece 44. An intermediate tube 45 connects the first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 8 to the barbed coupling end 43a of the first coupling piece 43 to establish liquid communication to the suction tube 32 of the grip 29 to evacuate liquid from the first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 8.

[0176] The flushing tube 24 is connected to the tube coupling end 44a of the second coupling piece 44 to establish liquid communication to the primping pump (not shown). The opposite tube coupling end 44b of the second coupling piece 44 connects to a source of non-conductive liquid via the infusion tube 31 of the grip 29 thereby establishing liquid communication between priming pump (not shown) and source of non-conductive liquid (not shown). Non-conductive liquid can thus be consecutively replenished from same or another source coupled to the infusion tube 32 via the flushing component 7 after the closed biopsy cup has been evacuated by application of suction to the first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 8 and the priming pump (not shown) is to be refilled for the next resecting of a tissue specimen.

[0177] The slide rail assembly 5 has, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a main slide guide body 46 for slidingly suspending an end effector slider 47, a junction slider 48, and a needle slider 49. The main slide guide body 46 is comprised of a tubular guide housing 50 with interior, opposite, lengthwise extending interior tracks 51. The opposite interior tracks 51 allow the end effector slider 47, the junction slider 48, and the needle slider 49 to reciprocate more or less to and from a proximal guide end 52 and an opposite distal guide end 53 of said main slide guide body 46. The main slide guide body 46 with the interior tracks 51 then defines a guideway 54 for the sliders 47,48,49 to reciprocate along.

[0178] A first spring member 55 is inserted in the tubular guide housing 50 between the end effector slider 47 and the junction slider 48, and a second spring member 56 is inserted between the junction slider 48 and the needle slider 49 to spring-bias any of said sliders 47,48,49 when they slide along the length of the guideway 54. In addition to the interior tracks 51 the wall 57 of the main slide guide body 46 also has a lengthwise extending opening 85, which is shorter than the interior tracks to define the maximum possible stroke distance of the junction slider 48 and of the needle slider 49 in view of also the length of the end effector slider 47, but still allowing the end effector slider 47 to slide close to the distal guide end 53 of the main slide guide body 46.

[0179] The end effector slider 47 is connected to the effector sleeve, via a reinforcing coil 77, and by moving the reinforcing coil 77 in relation to the tube 3 the effector sleeve 17 moves lengthwise in relation to the end effector 17 and the jaws 19,20 open and/or close.

[0180] The junction slider 48 is connected to the proximal end 14 of the tube 3 and is in fluid communication with the first lengthwise extending channel 9 and the second lengthwise extending channel 10 of the tube 3. The junction slider 48 also provides electrical communication between the end effector 21 and a diathermy generator (not shown) by means of an electrical wire 76 through the third lengthwise extending channel 15 of the tube 3. The electrical wire 76 is kept insulated from liquid flowing inside the first and second lengthwise extending channels 9,10 by the surrounding tube's 3 wall. The electrical wire 76 is externalized via the junction slider 48 to be brought in electrical contact with the diathermy generator (not shown) to apply current to the end effector 21 to perform diathermy.

[0181] The structure of the end effector slider 47, the junction slider 48, and the needle slider 49 will be described in further details below.

[0182] The first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 8, which is seen in partly exploded view in FIGS. 5 and 6, has a main collector housing 58, a collector rack 59 with a series of adjacent chambers 60 for accommodating tissue specimens, and means 61 for moving the collector rack 59 lengthwise along the longitudinal axis of the main collector housing 58, which means 61 in the present exemplary embodiment is a screw rod 62 that engages with a threaded hole 63 or bore in the collector rack 59. The screw rod has a rotating knob 64 at a free end 65 facing away from the collector rack 59 and an opposite end 66 that threadingly engages the collector rack 59 to displace said collector rack 59 in response to rotating the rotating knob 64.

[0183] The main collector housing 58 is tubular and has a proximal housing end 67 that is threaded to mount a detachable cap 69, and an opposite liquid outlet 68 to be coupled to the intermediate tube 45, as seen in e.g. FIG. 4, to discharge flushing liquid entering the first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 8 from the junction slider 48 of the slide rail assembly 5, when the second lengthwise extending channel 10 is being flushed or evacuated to carry a tissue specimen out of the tube 3.

[0184] Other kinds of coupling means between the main collector housing 58 and the detachable cap 69, such as male and female snap couplings are also suitable. The detachable cap 69 facilitates that the collector rack 59 with the tissue specimens can be taken out of the main collector housing 58 after completing the biopsy procedure. The free end 65 of the screw rod 62 passes through a cap hole 70 in the detachable cap 69 so that the rotating knob 64 is accessible from outside the main collector housing 58. Preferably, the cap hole 70 is at the centre of the detachable cap 69 to allow the screw rod 62 to rotate, which cap hole 70 thus also serves to keep the screw rod 62 substantially centered during the surgery so that the position of the chambers 60 is easily shifted and the collector rack 59 does not skew or gets misaligned during its translatory movement in the main collector housing 58.

[0185] The main collector housing 58 has a collector port 71a, which, via a protruding coupling piece 71, fluidly couples the tissue specimen collector 8 to a sample port 72 of the junction slider 48, which sample port 72 protrudes from the lengthwise extending opening 85 of the tubular guide housing 50 of the main slide guide body 46.

[0186] The main collector housing 58 has at least two lengthwise extending sections: a proximal tubular housing end part 74 and a distal tubular housing end part 75 in extension thereof. The proximal tubular housing end part 74 accommodates the screw rod 62, and depending on which chamber 60 of the series of chambers of the collector rack 59 that is brought into communication with the collector port 71a and the sample port 72 via the coupling piece 71, the proximal tubular housing end part 74 also accommodates more or less of the length of said collector rack 59. The proximal tubular housing end part 74 ends in the proximal housing end 67. Opposite said proximal housing end 67 the proximal tubular housing end part 74 extends into the distal tubular housing end part 75 that, depending on which chamber 60 of the series of chambers of the collector rack 59 that is brought into communication with the collector port 71a and the sample port 72 via the coupling piece 71, accommodates the entire collector rack 59 or a part of the collector rack 59 only. The cross-section of the distal tubular housing end part 75 may corresponds substantially to the cross-section of the collector rack 59, to avoid that the collector rack 59 rotates inside the distal tubular housing end part 75 about its longitudinal axis so that a chamber 60 cannot be aligned with the sample port 72 of the junction slider 48.

[0187] The sliders 47,48,49 are shown in perspective in FIGS. 10 and 11, and seen assembled into the slide rail assembly 5 in FIG. 12. FIGS. 10 and 11 also show, in perspective, the tube 3 and the reinforcing coil member 77 for the tube 3, which reinforcing coil member 77 may be secured distally to the effector sleeve 17, e.g. by means of an exterior heat-shrinking tube, the needle 22. FIGS. 10 and 11 further show the diathermy wire 76, and the sheave assembly 78 from different ends. The spring members 55,56 are left out to better overview the structural features of the sliders 47,48,49, and of the main slide guide body 46.

[0188] The end effector slider 47 has a first bifurcated main body 79 with a tubular front connection piece 80 that allows the tube 3 to pass through its lumen to reach the junction slider 48 where it is mounted so that the junction slider can slide all of the tube 3, the reinforcing coil member 77, the effector sleeve 21, the end effector 21 in combination and simultaneously.

[0189] The reinforcing coil member 77 is connected to a tubular front connection piece 80 of the end effector slider 47 and oppositely to the effector sleeve 21 to reciprocate the effector sleeve 21 to open and close the jaws 19,20.

[0190] The first spring member 55 can be positioned between opposite first legs 81,82 of the first bifurcated main body 79 to aid in spring-biasing any of the sliders 47,48,49. The junction slider can move in the lengthwise extending opening 85 of the tubular guide housing 50 of the main slide guide body 46 towards the distal guide end 53 of said main slide guide body 46 between the first legs 81,82 of the end effector slider 47 until it hits on the end stop 83 constituted by the distal end of the lengthwise extending opening 85 of the main slide guide body 46. The exterior wall 86 of the end effector slider 47 has opposite lengthwise extending protrusions 87 that slide in the interior tracks 51 of the tubular guide housing 50 of the main slide guide body 46. A first operating string securing arm 88 protrudes from the end effector slider 47 close to the tubular front connection piece 80 in a plane below the first bifurcated main body 79. The first operating string securing arm 88 has a first eye or hole 89 for securing of or passage of a first operating string 116 connected to a trigger button 125 of the remote operating handle 120 of the remote actuator assembly 6, as will be explained in further details with references to FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0191] The junction slider 47 has a slide part 90 and protruding first sliding shoes 91 of dimensions selected to control and facilitate smooth sliding of the junction slider 48 along the interior tracks 51 and along the guideway 54. The junction slider 47 can also slide between the first legs 81,82 of the end effector slider 47. The junction slider 48 further has a main junction body 92 with a through-going axially extending bore 93 that receives the tube 3 so that the first lengthwise extending channel 9 is put in fluid communication with an inlet port 94 of the junction slider 48, and the second lengthwise extending channel 10 is put in liquid communication with the sample port 72 of the junction slider 48. The slide part 90 may be a front part of the main junction body 92. The opposite first sliding shoes 91 protrude from the main junction body 92 to slide in the interior tracks 51. A bearing 119 for a sheave member 73 of a sheave assembly 78 protrudes from the main junction body 92 through the lengthwise extending opening 85 of the main slide guide body 46. The bearing 119 has a coupling hole 121 for attaching a sheave assembly 78 of the remote actuator assembly 6, e.g. attaching a shaft or pin. The sheave member may be rotationally arranged in the bearing 119 or be stationary.

[0192] The electrical diathermy wire 76 runs inside the third lengthwise extending channel 15 and is externalized via a diathermy port 95 of the junction slider 47, which diathermy port 95 is further configured for plugging in an electrical plug (not shown) of the diathermy generator (not shown).

[0193] The through-going bore 93 extends lengthwise through the main junction body 92 inside the fourth lengthwise extending channel of the tube 3 to allow the needle 22 to pass through to reach the needle slider 49.

[0194] A second operating string securing arm 96 protrudes from the junction slider 48 in a plane below the main junction body 92. The second operating string securing arm 96 has a second eye of hole 97 for guiding the operating strings of the remote actuator assembly 6, which is seen in FIG. 12.

[0195] The needle slider 49 is also bifurcated in that it has a second bifurcated main body 98 constituted by opposite second legs 99,100 that join in an injection port 101 that have liquid access to the needle 22. The second legs 99,100 is configured to grasp around the sample port 72 of the junction slider 48, to allow the sample port 72 to slide in between said second legs 99,100.

[0196] In order to couple to the junction slider 48 and the needle slider 49, the tube 3 may be divided in its respective sub-tubes with the first lengthwise extending channel 9 turned in communication with the inlet port 94 of the junction slider 48, the second lengthwise extending channel 10 is turned in communication with the sample port 72 of the junction slider 48, the third lengthwise extending channel 15 is turned in communication with the diathermy port 95 of the junction slider 48, and the fourth lengthwise extending channel 16 is directed into or towards the injection port 101 of the needle slider 49 via the junction slider 48. The fourth lengthwise extending channel 16 of the tube 3 may seal around the needle 22 that runs inside the fourth lengthwise extending channel 16 of the tube 3. The needle 22 alone, or the fourth lengthwise extending channel 16 and the needle 12, may continue into the injection port 101. Other arrangements of obtaining liquid communication between the injection port 101 and the needle 22 are within the scope of the present invention. Medicament may be injected into the needle 22 via the injection port 101, e.g. by using a hypodermic needle to penetrate a membrane (not shown) of the injection port.

[0197] The needle slider 49 has a protruding curved flexible clamp 102 that conforms around the exterior wall of the tubular guide housing 50 of the main slide guide body 46. Thus the needle slider 49 may be slidingly snapped on the main slide guide body 46. The protruding curved flexible clamp 102 also has a third eye of hole 104 below the second bifurcated main body 98 to also serve as a securing arm 103 for a third operating string 118 to put the needle slider 49 in operatively communication with the remote actuator assembly 6, thus to move the needle 22 in and out of the end effector 22.

[0198] A detachable cover or plug 105 can open and close the proximal guide end 52 of the main slide guide body 46 to mount the sliders 47,48,49 and the spring members 55,56 in the guideway 54. The detachable cover or plug 105 may have an indent or similar coupling component 106 to mate firmly with mating means 107 at a free holder end 108 of the holder 30. To that aspect the end 109 of the holder 30 opposite the free holder end 108 has a hole 110 for inserting the tube 3 and for guiding said tube 3 into the instrument port of the cystoscope 2 via the adaptor 28

[0199] The tubular guide housing 50 has a fourth eye 111 at the proximal guide end 52 and a fifth eye 112 at the opposite distal guide end 53.

[0200] The sheave assembly 78 includes a sheave member 113 having a first sheave track 114 and a second sheave track 115, a first operating string 116, a second operating string 117, and a third operating string 118. The sheave member 113 is suspended in the bearing 119 of the junction slider 48 and extends through the lengthwise extending opening 85 of the tubular guide housing 50 of the main slide guide body 46 to keep the second operating string 117 under control and free of entangling with the first operating string 116 and the third operating string 118.

[0201] The second operating string 117 has a second distal string end 117a secured to the fifth eye 112 at the distal guide end 53 of the tubular guide housing 50 of the main slide guide body 46. The second operating string 117 then runs around the first track 114 of the sheave member 113 of the sheave assembly through the second eye 97 of the junction slider 48 further inside the guide tube 122, such as a Bowden conduit, and is fixed to the wheel button 125, such as a thumb wheel or roller, of the remote operating handle 120. From its fixation point at the wheel button 125 the second operating string 117 returns again inside the guide tube 122 via a second track 115 of the sheave member 113 of the sheave assembly 78 to have its second proximal string end 117b secured to a fourth eye 111 at the proximal guide end 52 of the tubular guide housing 50 of the main slide guide body 46. The second operating string 117 can then reciprocate the junction slider 48 to move the operating end 131 of the endosurgical biopsy device 1 of the present invention, thus the distal tube end 13 with the end effector 21 surrounded by the effector sleeve 17, in and out of the distal opening of the working channel of the cystoscope to position said operating end towards the target site.

[0202] This arrangement of the second operating string 117 minimizes slack and play, and the required dimension of guide tube 122, which e.g. is a Bowden conduit, is much smaller than if it would have been used in compression, thereby avoiding buckling of the guide tube 122 and trapping of the operating strings 116,117,118 extending therein.

[0203] The remote operating handle 120 of the remote actuator assembly is seen in perspective oblique from the side, and in the interior view of FIG. 14 of the same a casing-half 128a of the opposite casing halves 128a,128b of a casing 128 of the remote operating handle 120 has been left out to visualize the arrangement of the trigger button 126, the wheel button 125 and the slider button 129 and the operating strings 116,117,118. The casing 128 has a snap-on means 132 at it foremost end to snap the remote operating handle 120 to the distal tube part of the cystoscope 2. Opposite the snap-on means 132 the casing has en entry for the tube guide 122. The snap-on means 132 is suited to detachable snap the remote operating handle 120 on to the distal tube part of the cystoscope 2 perpendicularly protruding therefrom. Further or other snap-on means can be provided otherwise on the casing to facilitate other snap-on orientations of the remote operating handle 120.

[0204] The wheel button 125 may have its rotating shaft spring-suspended. In its normal position the wheel button 125 is locked against the casing 128 of the remote operating handle 120 by the wheel button 125 engaging the casing 128. When pushing the wheel button 125 down again in its operating opening 127 the axis of the rotating shaft shifts and the wheel button 125 releases from its engagement with the casing 128 and can rotate again. The locking arrangement of the wheel button 125 in relation to the casing 128, inside and free of its operating opening 127, is seen in enlarged scale view in FIG. 12. The remote operating handle is seen in assembled state in FIG. 13.

[0205] None of the spring members 55,56 are involved to expose the operating end 131 of the endosurgical biopsy device 1 of the present invention from the working channel of the cystoscope 2.

[0206] A first operating string 116 has a first distal string end 116b secured to the trigger button 126 at the remote operating handle 120. The first operating string 116 extends via the guide tube 122 towards its proximal string securing end 116a to be attached to the end effector slider 47, e.g. to the first eye 89. Moving the end effector slider 47 backwards by actuating the trigger button 126 pulls the effector sleeve free of the end effector 17, and compresses the first spring member 55 against the junction slider 48, thereby allowing the jaws 19,20 of the end effector 21 to spring apart. When releasing the trigger button 126, the spring force of the first spring member 55 closes the jaws 19,20 of the end effector with a limited force to avoid damage to the end effector 21 thereby ensuring repeatable conditions for the electrosurgical resecting sequence.

[0207] The end effector can be made from two pipe pieces each been given a tapered or blunt nose. The pipe pieces can be cut from separate pipes, e.g. by laser cutting lengthwise and providing the flexible members 19a,20a, the hinge members 19a,20a. The pipe pieces are subsequently joined e.g. to obtain a main tubular body with spring-biased hinged jaws thereby obtaining the end effector 21. After cutting the respective hinge members 19a,20a can deflect to curve away from each other. Thus the hinge members 19a,20a make the end effector jaws resilient and flexible in relation to each other. The respective hinge members 19a,20a can deflect by itself by inherent property given to them by outwards bending of the jaws to curve away when the effector sleeve is not covering the end effector, thus the end effector opens and closes resiliently.

[0208] A third operating string 118 has a third proximal string end 118a secured to the third eye 104 of the needle slider 49, and an opposite third distal string end 118b secured to a slider button 129 of the remote operating handle 120 to reciprocate the needle slider 49 between the opposite jaws 19,20. When the slider button 129 is moved forward towards the junction slider the second spring member 56 is compressed, which places a spring force on the needle slider that makes the needle 22 to retract by retracting the needle slider 49 once the slider button releases the compression force on the second spring member 56.

[0209] To control when the actions of the slider button 129, and thus release of the compression force of the second spring member 55, the slider button 129 may have a ratchet extension 130 facing the trigger button 126. The ratchet extension can engage a mating ratchet on the trigger button 126 to interlock the slider button 129 and the trigger button 126 so that the trigger button 126 does not unintentionally releases the spring force of the first spring member 55 and not unintentionally pushes the effector sleeve 17 forward to close the jaws 19,20 while the needle is still exposed between said jaws 19,20.

[0210] FIG. 15 shows the endosurgical biopsy device in its starting position. None of the spring members 55,56 are biased, the end effector 21 is inside the effector sleeve 17, and the wheel button 125 is locked to the casing 128 in its operating opening 127.

[0211] In the situation seen in FIG. 16 the wheel button 125 has been unlocked and rotated to advance the operating end of the endosurgical biopsy device 1 from the distal end of the cystoscope (not shown). During this advancing the junction slider 48 moves forward due to the second operating string's 117 attachment to the sheave member 73 of the junction slider 48. The needle 22, which is connected to the needle slider 49 slides inside or along the junction slider 48 when the junction slider moves in the guideway 54.

[0212] In the situation seen in FIG. 17 the trigger button 126 has been actuated to expose the end effector 21 from the effector sleeve 17 whereby the opposite jaws 19,20 of the end effector open. When depressing the trigger button 126 the first operating string 116 is pulled at, and the first operating string 116 pulls the end effector slider 47 towards the proximal guide end 52. The junction slider is thereby in a position at least partly between the opposite legs 81,82 of the end effector slider 47, which end effector slider 47 retracts the reinforcing coil to which the effector sleeve is mounted end-to-end, thereby leaving the end effector 21 free and the opposite jaws 19,20 to inherently open, as seen in the enlarged scale view of FIG. 18 of the operating end 131 of the endosurgical biopsy device 1.

[0213] Due to the securing of the third operating string 118 to both the slider button 129 and the needle slider 49, the needle slider 49 can be moved towards the junction slider 48 by sliding the slider button 129 forward, and thereby moving the needle 22 out between and beyond the open jaws 19,20, as seen in FIGS. 19 and 20 to make an injection. To make sure that the jaws do not close unintentionally while the needle 22 is exposed the slider button 129 and the trigger button 126 engages during the injection.

[0214] The needle is retracted by moving the slider button in the opposite direction; the jaws are then closed around the tissue by releasing the trigger button to move the effector sleeve forward. And diathermy is applied, e.g. by operating a foot pedal of the diathermy generator to resect the tissue specimen.

[0215] Regarding the end effector 21, said end effector has opposite jaws 19,20 arranged to diverge from a longitudinal axis of the end effector in a relaxed condition when the end effector 21 is at least partly outside the effector sleeve 17, due to flexible hinge members 19a,20a.

[0216] FIGS. 21 and 22 show in perspective a second embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 132 according to the present invention from opposite ends. The functionality of the second embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 132 corresponds to the functionality of the first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 8. The mechanism that arrange the chambers of the collector rack below the sample port of the rack assembly is however different.

[0217] The main collector housing 133 of the second embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 132 consist of two detachably assembled tubular housing parts, a proximal tubular housing part 134 which is assembled with a distal tubular housing part 135 with a seal 136 or gasket in-between those housing parts 134,135, as seen best in the exploded view of FIG. 23.

[0218] The collector rack assembly, which is also seen in more details in the enlarged scale perspective view of FIGS. 26 - 28, and in perspective exploded view in FIG. 25, includes a spring-biased ratchet mechanism 137. The spring-biased ratchet mechanism includes a collector rack 138 that has a first lengthwise extending face 139 with a linear rack 140, and an opposite extending lengthwise extending face 141 into which drainage canals 142 discharge liquid from the dedicated chambers 143 into the main collector housing 133, which chambers 143 has closed bottoms 144 so that the tissue specimens do not pass through. For the same reason the width of the drainage canals 142 are smaller than the diameter of chambers 143, such as e.g. half the diameter or less than the diameter of the chambers 143.

[0219] A top surface 145 of the collector rack 138 has inlet openings 146 for each of the dedicated chambers 143. In the second embodiment of a collector rack 138 of the collector rack assembly seen in perspective assembled view in FIGS. 26-28, and in exploded perspective view in FIG. 25, the collector rack 138 has ten dedicated chambers 143. In the configuration of the collector rack 138 seen in FIGS. 26-28, the collector rack 138 has its foremost chamber 143a below and aligned with the coupling piece 166 of the proximal tubular housing part 134.

[0220] The collector rack assembly further includes a pawl member 147 arranged reciprocatingly alongside the linear rack 140 and having a pawl tip 148 to stepwise engage any tooth 149 of the teeth of the linear rack 140, which tooth of the teeth depends on the axial position of the collector rack 138 inside the respective tubular housing parts 134,135, which collector rack is driven stepwise forward inside the distal tubular housing part 135 by means of application of a pressure force to the pawl member 147.

[0221] The pawl tip 148 extends into a push rod part 150 towards a proximal threaded push rod part 151. The proximal threaded push rod part 151 serves for securing an actuator button 152, which actuator button has an interior actuator button threading 153 that mate the threading on the proximal threaded push rod part 151. A third spring member 154 surrounds the proximal threaded push rod part 151 so that when the actuator button 152 has been depressed towards the distal tubular housing part 135 the third spring member 154 is compressed, and the collector rack moves one step forward along the length of the collector rack to place the next chamber in the series of chambers below the collector port. Next the force applied to the third spring member 154 is relieved making the push rod part 150 to return to its starting position thereby placing the pawl tip 148 behind the next tooth of the linear rack 140 to be moved forward.

[0222] As seen best in FIG. 23 the proximal tubular housing part 134 has a first proximal housing end 155 with a proximal housing opening 156 opposite a first distal housing end 157 with a distal housing opening 158. The distal tubular housing part 135 has a second proximal housing end 159 with a proximal housing opening 160 opposite a second distal housing end 161, which is blind.

[0223] The first distal housing end 157 has a first engagement means 162, and the second proximal housing end 159 has a second engagement means 163, that engagingly mates the first engagement means 162 to firmly secure the proximal tubular housing part 134 and the distal tubular housing part 135 to each other. The seal 136 ensures a leak-tight, preferably detachable, securing together of the tubular housing parts 134,135.

[0224] In the second embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 132 the first engagement means 162 is female and the second engagement means 163 is male. Within the scope of the present invention the arrangement of engagement means can be opposite, so that the male engagement means is on the first distal housing end 157 and the female engagement means is on the second proximal housing end 159. In the exemplary embodiment of engagement means shows e.g. in FIG. 23 the first engagement means 162 is in form of a dove-tail track for receiving a mating second engagement means 163 in form of a dove-tailed key, e.g. by slidingly force-fitting the dove-tailed key inside the dove-tail track to hold the tubular housing parts 134,135 frictionally together and unable to be pulled from each other. Within the scope of the present invention the arrangement of engagement means can be otherwise, such as clamped together, screwed together, etc.

[0225] While the proximal tubular housing part 74 and the distal tubular housing part 75 of the first embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 8 have different interior cross-sections, circular and square, respectively, the proximal tubular housing part 134 and the distal tubular housing part 135 of the second embodiment of a tissue specimen collector 138 both have generally square internal cross-sections of their respective tubular bores 164,165 to slidingly accommodate a substantially square collector rack.

[0226] It is preferred, although not mandatory, that at least the main collector housing 133 is transparent to let the surgeon monitor the tissue specimen-containing flow inside the tissue specimen collector 132, and to monitor that the tissue specimens actually are received inside the chambers 143 one after the other in each their respective chamber 143.

[0227] The proximal tubular housing part 134 has a coupling piece 166 adapted to couple together with e.g. a tubing or a sample port of an endosurgical biopsy device or instrument, such as e.g. coupling to the sample port 72 of the main junction body 92 of the junction slider 48 of the slide rail assembly seen and described in relation to FIGS. 1-21.

[0228] The coupling piece 166 protrudes from a collector port 167 of the proximal tubular housing part 134 opposite a liquid outlet 168 arranged for discharging liquid from the chambers 143 of the collector rack 137, optionally also discharging any liquid inside the main collector housing 133. As seen best in the side view of FIG. 24 the centre axis A of the liquid outlet 168 is lengthwise axially offset the centre axis B of the collector port a distance d corresponding to the distance d between the centers of two adjacent chambers 143, as illustrated in FIG. 27, so that when the collector rack is moved forward by the pawl member 137 engaging a tooth of the linear rack 141 a new chamber 143 is moved below the collector port 167, and the drainage canal 142 of the chamber 143 that accommodate the newest tissue specimen is simultaneously moved above and in alignment with the liquid outlet 168, whereby any liquid in at least said chamber 143 with the last arrived tissue specimen can be drained directly into a reservoir or other receptacle.

[0229] As seen best in FIGS. 25 and 29 the push rod part 150 has a distal push rod part 169 opposite the proximal threaded push rod part 151, where the pawl tip 148 is at the free end 170 of the distal push rod part 169.

[0230] The distal push rod part 169 protrudes from the proximal threaded push rod part 151 with a reduced cross-section lengthwise from said distal push rod part 169 thereby exposing an off centre stop face 171 at the transition 171 between the distal push rod part 169 and the proximal threaded push rod part 151. The stop face 171 defines the maximum possible stroke length of the push rod part 150 towards the collector rack 138, in that when the push rod part 150 is moved against the collector rack the stop face 171 hits on the proximal end of the collector rack 138. In this way the possible maximum travel of the push rod part 150 can e.g. be delimited to a travel of one tooth of the linear rack. Optionally said travel is thus the maximum possible depression of the push rod part 150. Such depression can be tactile so that when the surgeon feels the engagement between the free end 170 of the distal push rod part 169 and the next tooth along the linear rack he/she positively knows that engagement has taken place, and that a new chamber is aligned below the sample port. The longitudinal axial length of a tooth of the linear rack may allows a small freedom of travel of the push rod part 150 due to said length of the teeth, which preferably may be angled towards the push rod part 151 to improve engagement. The stop face 171 advantageously limits unintentional over-depression during a stroke of the push rod part 151.

[0231] A leaf spring 172 may advantageously be inserted resiliently between the interior face 175 of the proximal tubular housing part 135 and the free end part 173 of the distal push rod part 169 to apply a radial force on the free end 170 of the distal push rod part 169 against a tooth of the linear rack to prevent accidental dislocation of the alignment of a chamber below the sample port. The free end part 173 of the distal push rod part 169 may have a lengthwise extending recess 174 to accommodate the flexing of the leaf spring 172 when it is becomes pressed against the wall of the proximal tubular housing part 134.

[0232] As seen in the sectional view of FIG. 29 a guide rib 176 protrudes radially from the distal push rod part 169 lengthwise between the recess 174 and the stop face 171 to slide in a first housing track 177 along the bottom 178 of at least the proximal tubular housing part 134, as illustrated in FIG. 30, to allow the linear rack 138 to slide confined in a second housing track 179 adjacent the first housing track 177. The first housing track is delimited by a bottom protrusion 179 from the bottom 178 and a substantially perpendicularly extending protrusion 180 a distance above the bottom 178 that provides sufficient confined space for the guide rib 176 to slide. The second housing track 179 is delimited by the bottom protrusion 179 and a top protrusion 180 from the interior wall of the proximal tubular housing part 134 opposite the upright protrusion 179.

[0233] The second housing track 179 opens into a third housing track 181 that allows the free end 170 of the distal push rod part 169 to jump above the teeth of the linear rack 138 to engage one tooth of the liner rack after the other until all chambers are filled with a respective tissue specimen.

[0234] The distal tubular housing part 135, which is seen inside in the cross sectional view of FIG. 31, has a similar bottom protrusion 179 and top protrusion 180 in extension of same of the proximal tubular hosing part 134 so that the linear rack can slide inside the distal tubular housing part 125 when it is moved forward by the push rod part 150. Any of the housing tracks are advantageously dimensioned to accommodate its corresponding slide body, the linear rack and the guide rib so that these objects does not skew when slid.

[0235] Alternative means than lengthwise extending protrusions suited to divide the tubular housing parts lengthwise into appropriate housing tracks are within the scope of the present invention. E.g. can a housing part have the female mating part and the linear rack and the push rod part have the male mating part.

[0236] The multi-functional endosurgical biopsy device of the present invention suggests a whole new way to take biopsies from a hollow organ or tissue surface. Completely new conditions are created for the treatment of these patients. The costs can be drastically reduced and the patient benefit is extremely high. It will be possible to diagnose and correct outpatients with cancers in a few minutes on a regular visit. Patients no longer need any catheter treatment after surgery, which means they eliminate the high risk of urinary tract infection that a catheter entails. All different categories of staff no longer need to be involved; it is enough with a doctor and nurse, which means a huge cost reduction, and patients can receive cancer treatment much faster, and surgical capacity for other purposes are released.

[0237] It is emphasized that the tissue specimen collectors of the present invention can be used with any instrument or device than can be coupled to a tube, e.g. in connection with surgical needle biopsy devices, with or without using endoscopes. The organ from which the tissue specimen is taken can be others than the urinary bladder, such as the lungs, the stomach, the intestines, the vagina, etc.

[0238] Further the usability of the tissue specimen collector of the present invention is not limited to uses when coupled to a tube. In fact the tissue specimen collector of the present invention can be used as a stand alone unit and the tissue specimens placed in the dedicated chambers manually using syringes, tweezers or forceps. So although the latter uses reduce the demand on reduced risk of contamination, the cassette concept can anyway be used simply to keep a serious of specimens collected in same unit under combined identification data.

[0239] The tissue specimen collector of the present invention may conveniently be adapted for collecting tissue specimens during a biopsy procedure. The tissue specimen collector may be a multi-chamber collector having a main collector housing, a collector rack arranged lengthwise displaceable inside the main collector housing, wherein the collector rack can have a series of adjacent chambers for accommodating tissue specimens. Said main collector housing may conveniently have a collector port adapted to connect to a supply of tissue specimens to receive tissue specimens in each consecutive chamber of the serious of adjacent chambers in the order they are resected from suspicious tissue.