Importance

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Abstract

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is defined by a gradual inwardly sloped surface which prevents the tissue from being cut when the sampling needle is withdrawn from the tissue.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.

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First Claim