turning now to fig1 a multiple sample biopsy forceps instrument 10 is shown . the biopsy forceps instrument generally includes a proximal actuation handle 12 , a flexible multi - lumen tubular member 14 , a pull wire 20 , and a distal assembly 22 . several coupling tubes are preferably provided to couple the proximal actuation handle 12 to the tubular member 14 and to irrigation and aspiration means . in particular , a control coupling tube 23 , first and second irrigation coupling tubes 24 , 25 and first and second aspiration coupling tubes 26 , 27 are provided . the proximal actuation handle 12 includes a shaft 30 having a transverse slot 32 and a spool 34 slidably mounted on the shaft and having a transverse bar ( not shown ) extending through the slot 32 , as is common in the art . the actuation handle 12 is provided with a pinch valve 45 which regulates irrigation and aspiration and a sample catch assembly 41 which includes a sample chamber 42 and a sample catch member 44 . turning to fig2 and 3 , the sample chamber 42 includes irrigation connectors 46 , 47 which couple the first irrigation coupling tube 24 to the second irrigation coupling tube 25 . the sample chamber 42 also includes first and second aspiration connectors 48 , 49 which couple the first aspiration coupling tube 26 to the second aspiration coupling tube 27 . as shown in fig3 the diameter of the chamber 42 is significantly larger than the diameter of the first ( and second ) aspiration coupling tubes 26 ( 27 ). as also shown in fig3 the chamber 42 includes a sample catch connector 43 for removably coupling the chamber to a distal portion of the shaft 30 . the sample catch connector 43 is preferably t - shaped for mating with a slot ( not shown ) on the shaft 30 , but may be otherwise shaped for connection to the shaft . referring to fig3 through 5 , the sample catch member 44 includes a handle portion 52 , an engagement portion 54 which removably engages the sample catch member 44 to the sample chamber 42 , and a screen 56 . the screen 56 extends through the sample chamber 42 between the first and second aspiration connectors 48 , 49 . the screen 56 includes a front side 58 and a back side 60 and is provided with a plurality of perforations 62 which are preferably frustoconical in shape and expand from the front side 58 to the back side 60 . as further shown in fig3 through 5 , the engagement portion 54 and the opening of the sample chamber 42 preferably have irregular shaped cross - sections which enable the engagement of the engagement portion 54 into the sample chamber 42 in one orientation only . as a result , the frustoconical perforations 62 of the screen 56 can be easily aligned in the proper front to back orientation . as shown in fig2 the first irrigation coupling tube 24 and the first aspiration coupling tube 26 extend through the pinch valve 45 which operates to control the flow of fluid through the tubes 27 . the pinch valve is biased to clamp closed the first irrigation coupling tube 24 and the first aspiration coupling tube 26 , i . e , to collapse the tubes on top of each other . pressing downward on the pinch valve 45 with a practitioner &# 39 ; s finger counters the bias of the pinch valve to permit fluid flow through the first irrigation coupling tube 24 and the first aspiration coupling tube 26 . turning to fig6 and 7 , and in accord with the first embodiment of the invention , the tubular member 14 is preferably an ovoid multi - lumen extrusion . the tubular member includes a proximal end 66 , a distal end 68 , a control conduit 70 , an irrigation conduit 72 , and an aspiration conduit 74 , each of which extends through the tubular member to the distal assembly 22 . at the proximal end 66 of the tubular member , the control conduit 70 is coupled to the control coupling tube 23 , the irrigation conduit 72 is coupled to the second irrigation coupling tube 25 and the aspiration conduit 74 is coupled to the second aspiration coupling tube 27 . referring to fig7 through 9 , the distal assembly 22 includes a substantially rigid molded collar 80 and a hollow movable jaw 90 . the collar 80 is preferably made from a unitary piece of polycarbonate , a glass - filled polycarbonate , a hard grade styrene , or other plastic , while the movable jaw 90 is preferably made from cast metal . the collar includes a central opening 81 , a circumferential channel 83 , a distally extending control passage 82 , a distally extending hollow jaw mount 84 , a distally extending hollow stationary jaw 88 , and a proximal socket 86 . the central opening 81 of the collar 80 is of similar diameter to the outer diameter of the endoscope and is designed to couple the collar to the outside of the distal end of an endoscope . the circumferential channel 81 receives a portion of a silicone rubber sock ( not shown ), which is used to secure the collar 80 to the endoscope . the stationary jaw 88 preferably includes a blunt edge or lip 92 . the movable jaw 90 is pivotally mounted at a pivot 94 on the jaw mount 84 and is pivotable relative to stationary jaw 88 . the movable jaw 90 is preferably provided with a sharp cutting edge 98 , a stop 100 for limiting the extent to which the movable jaw pivots away from the stationary jaw 88 , and two jaw holes 102 , 104 , for receiving a pull wire 20 , as described below . referring to fig9 through 11 , the proximal socket 86 is aligned with the control passage 82 , the jaw mount 84 and the stationary jaw 88 , and is designed to receive the distal end 68 of the flexible tubular member 14 . the distal end 68 of the tubular member is secured in the proximal socket 86 , preferably using an adhesion bonding agent , such that the control passage 82 is coupled to the control conduit 70 , the jaw mount 84 is coupled substantially fluidtight to the irrigation conduit 72 , and the stationary jaw 88 is coupled substantially fluidtight to the aspiration conduit 74 . turning back to fig1 , 7 and 10 , a central portion of the pull wire 20 extends through the jaw holes 102 , 104 and the ends of the pull wire 20 extend through the control passage 82 , the control conduit 70 , and the control coupling tube 23 to the spool 34 . referring to fig1 , alternatively the pull wire 20 a forms a secure loop 106 a through the jaw holes 102 a , 104 a by doubling back on itself and forming a twist 108 a . referring to fig1 , in yet another alternative , two pull wires 20 b , 21 b may be used , the distal end of each pull wire being coupled to a jaw hole 102 b , 104 b by a z - bend 110 b , 112 b and extending through the control passage 82 b . referring to fig1 , and 8 , it will be appreciated that movement of the spool 34 relative to the shaft 30 results in movement of the pull wire 20 relative to the tubular member 14 and consequently moves the movable jaw 90 relative to the stationary jaw 88 such that the jaws open ( fig7 ) and close ( fig8 ). referring to fig7 through 11 , when the stationary and movable jaws 88 , 90 are in a closed position a substantially fluidtight passage is formed therebetween . because the stationary jaw 88 is coupled to the aspiration conduit 74 and the movable jaw 90 is coupled over the irrigation conduit 72 , a substantially fluidtight coupling of the irrigation and aspiration conduits is achieved . in use , it will be appreciated that the distal end of the endoscope to which the collar 80 is coupled is maneuvered adjacent the desired tissue for sampling and the distal assembly is brought into contact with tissue 110 ( fig1 and 11 ). the actuation handle 12 is actuated to close the jaws 88 , 90 and cut off a tissue sample 112 . when the jaws 88 , 90 are in a closed position , the irrigation means and the aspiration means are activated and the first proximal irrigation coupling tube and the first proximal aspiration coupling tube 24 , 26 are released from the clamping action of the pinch valve 45 by depressing the pinch valve . irrigating fluid is thereby permitted to flow through the first and second proximal irrigation coupling tubes 24 , 26 , through the irrigation conduit 72 and the hollow jaw mount 84 , and to the jaws 88 , 90 at the distal end of the instrument . the fluid flows through the jaws and is aspirated back to the proximal end of the instrument such that the sample held within the jaws is aspirated with the water . turning back to fig2 through 6 , as the water is aspirated through the aspiration conduit 74 and into the sample chamber 42 , the sample is filtered onto the screen 58 . the frustoconical shape of the perforations 62 permits increased fluid flow through the perforate screen while preventing the tissue sample from passing through the screen . irrigation and aspiration means are interrupted by releasing the pinch valve 45 such that the pinch valve clamps down on the first proximal irrigation and aspiration coupling tubes 24 , 26 and causes the tubes to collapse on top of each other . the screen 58 may easily be removed to retrieve the sample by gripping the handle portion 52 of the sample catch member 44 and pulling the sample catch member from the sample chamber 42 . the sample is recovered from the screen , and the sample catch member is reinserted into the sample chamber to continue the procedure . it will be further appreciated that the entire procedure of cutting a sample and retrieving the sample may be performed without removing the endoscopic multiple sample biopsy forceps instrument from its location within the body . unlimited subsequent samples may be obtained in an identical manner . a second embodiment of the proximal actuation handle is also provided , substantially similar to the first embodiment . referring to fig1 to 18 , the second embodiment has an alternate sample catch assembly 900 able to receive and keep separate samples without necessitating the removal of a sample catch between each sample retrieval . the sample catch assembly 900 generally includes a sample tray holder 902 having front and rear walls 908 , 910 , a sample tray 904 situated in the tray holder between the front and rear walls , and a threaded connector 906 extending through the front wall 908 of the tray holder 902 and the tray 904 and removably threaded into the rear wall . the tray 904 is rotatable about the threaded connector 906 and relative to the tray holder 902 . the threaded connector preferably includes an enlarged head 912 for easier manipulation by a practitioner &# 39 ; s fingers . the front wall 908 of the tray holder 902 includes a first bore 916 ( see fig1 ) through which extends the threaded connector 906 , an inside surface 917 , and a first aspiration connector 918 which extends through the front wall 908 to the inside surface 917 . the rear wall 910 is provided with a second bore 920 , preferably threaded , into which the threaded connector 906 is secured , and a sample catch connector 926 which removably couples the sample catch assembly 900 to a distal portion of the shaft 30 . the rear wall is also provided with an inside surface 921 , a second aspiration connector 922 , and a proximal aspiration conduit 924 extending from the inside surface 921 to the second aspiration connector 922 . the tray holder 902 is also preferable provided with irrigation connectors 914 , 915 which couple the first irrigation coupling tube 24 to the second irrigation coupling tube 25 . the tray 904 , preferably polygonally shaped , includes an axial bore 927 and a plurality of chambers or cups 928 a - h ( indexed 1 through 8 , respectively , in fig1 ). referring to fig1 and 18 , each cup 928 a - h has a filter or screen 930 a - h and tapers to an outlet 932 a - h ( 932 a , 932 e shown in fig1 ) proximal of the screen . the screen preferably has frustoconical perforations . the tray 904 is rotatable within the tray holder 902 such that each of the cups 928 a - is positionable between the first aspiration connector 918 and the proximal aspiration conduit 924 for receiving a tissue sample . the cups 928 a - are maintained in position by providing indentations 934 a - in the tray 904 which receives a protruberance 935 on the inside surface 921 of the rear wall 910 ( see fig1 and 17 ); i . e ., a cup ( for example , 928 a ) is held is position until sufficient force is provided to the tray 904 to rotate the tray and thereby position the next cup ( for example , 928 b ) for receiving a tissue sample . each of the cups may thereby be positioned to receive a tissue sample without necessitating the removal of a screen between retrieving individual tissue samples . alternatively , or in conjunction with the indentations 934 a - and the protruberance 935 , a ratchet mechanism ( not shown ) can be provided to prevent rotation of a tray opposite to a predetermined direction . preferably a stop 936 is also provided on the tray 904 to prevent the tray from being rotated through more than one cycle without first retrieving the samples received in the cups ; i . e ., to prevent contamination of an earlier retrieved sample by a later retrieved sample . the tray is also preferably provided with indicia 938 to indicate to the practitioner which cup is currently positioned to receive a sample . after an individual sample has been received into a first cup , according to a similar method as described above with respect to the first embodiment , the aspiration and irrigation are interrupted and the tray 904 is rotated such that the next cup is positioned between the first aspiration connector 918 and the proximal aspiration conduit 924 . the process is repeated after each sample is received into a cup . once the practitioner has obtained all of the desired samples , or once each cup of the tray contains a sample , the threaded connector 906 is uncoupled and the tray is removed and the samples may be removed from the cups of the tray . index numbers adjacent the cups indicate the order in which the samples were retrieved . turning to fig1 and 20 , a third embodiment of a multiple sample biopsy forceps instrument 210 is shown . the instrument includes a proximal actuation handle 212 , a flexible multi - lumen tubular member 214 , a pull wire 220 , and a distal assembly 222 . several coupling tubes are preferably provided to couple the proximal actuation handle 212 to the tubular member 214 and to irrigation and aspiration means . in particular , a y - shaped control coupling tube 223 , first and second irrigation coupling tubes 224 , 225 , and first and second aspiration coupling tubes 226 , 227 are provided . the proximal actuation handle 212 is substantially similar to the first embodiment ( with like parts having numbers incremented by 200 ). referring to fig2 , 21 and 22 , the tubular member 214 is preferably a multi - lumen multi - layer extrusion , and preferably includes a first metal braid 276 beneath the outermost layer to add desired stiffness to the tubular member . if desired , a second metal braid 277 may be additionally provided around the aspiration conduit 274 to stiffen and support the aspiration conduit 274 . the tubular member 214 has a proximal end 266 , a distal end 268 , two control conduits 270 , 271 , an irrigation conduit 272 , and an aspiration conduit 274 , each of the conduits 270 , 271 , 272 , 274 extending through the tubular member to the distal assembly 222 . the aspiration conduit 274 has a substantially circular cross section . the irrigation conduit 272 has a generally kidney - shaped cross section and is separated from the aspiration conduit 274 by a membrane 275 . the control conduits 270 , 271 are preferably situated one on either end of the membrane 275 . referring to fig2 through 25 , the distal assembly 222 according to the third embodiment of the invention includes a stationary jaw 281 coupled , preferably by adhesion bonding , to the distal end 268 of the tubular member . the stationary jaw 281 , preferably made of plastic , includes a jaw cup 288 , an integral central clevis 293 and integral proximal ramps 295 , 296 . the jaw cup 288 is located over the aspiration conduit 274 and preferably has a blunt cutting surface or lip 292 . the central clevis 293 and proximal ramps 295 , 296 extend from the stationary jaw 281 and abut and partially cover the irrigation conduit . a movable jaw 290 , preferably made of metal , is provided with a sharp cutting edge 298 , defines two jaw holes 302 , 304 for receiving a pull wire 220 , and is provided with two bosses 312 , 314 for mounting the jaw . the bosses 312 , 314 loosely engage the central clevis 293 and a pivot pin 294 extends through the bosses and the central clevis . the ramps 295 , 296 of the stationary jaw 281 guide the movable jaw 290 when opening and closing and assist to form a substantially fluidtight passage between the movable jaw 290 and the stationary jaw cup 288 when the jaws are in a closed position . a central portion of the pull wire 220 which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the instrument extends through the jaw holes 302 , 304 and the ends of the pull wire extend into the control conduits 270 , 271 . turning back to fig2 , the y - shaped coupling tube 223 facilitates alignment of the ends of the pull wire 220 for coupling the pull wire to the proximal actuation handle . the pull wire 220 may be coated , e . g ., in a plastic , to inhibit the pull wire from cutting into the tubular member . referring to fig2 and 25 , the distal end 268 of the tubular member is inserted through the lumen of an endoscope to a biopsy site . the jaws 288 , 290 are moved into a closed position cutting off a tissue sample and further providing a substantially fluidtight coupling between the irrigation and aspiration conduits 272 , 274 . while it appears from the illustrations of fig2 and 25 that the irrigation conduit 272 is obstructed at the distal end by clevis 293 , it will be appreciated that the irrigation conduit 272 is substantially wider than the clevis and that fluid may flow around the clevis to the aspiration conduit 274 . turning now to fig2 through 28 , a fourth embodiment of a multiple sample biopsy forceps , substantially similar to the third embodiment ( with like parts having numbers incremented by another 200 ) is shown . the tubular member 414 has a proximal end 466 , a distal end 468 , an irrigation conduit 472 , and an aspiration conduit 474 . the aspiration conduit 474 has a substantially circular cross section , while the irrigation conduit 472 has a generally crescent - shaped cross section . a control coupling tube 423 is coupled to the second irrigation coupling tube 425 . two pull wires 420 , 421 extend through the control coupling tube 423 , pass through a substantially fluidtight valve ( not shown ) coupling the control coupling tube 423 and the second irrigation coupling tube 425 , enter into the second irrigation coupling tube 425 , and extend through the irrigation conduit 472 to the distal end 468 of the tubular member . an aspiration coupling tube 427 is coupled to the aspiration conduit 474 . referring to fig2 , the distal assembly 422 of the fourth embodiment of the invention includes a stationary jaw 481 bonded to the distal end 468 of the tubular member , and a movable jaw 490 coupled thereto . the stationary jaw 481 includes a jaw cup 488 , an integral central clevis 493 , and ramps 495 , 496 . the jaw cup abuts the distal end of the tubular member and is positioned over the aspiration conduit 474 and preferably has a blunt cutting surface or lip 492 . the central clevis 493 and ramps 495 , 496 extend from the stationary jaw 481 and abut and partially cover the irrigation conduit 474 . a movable jaw 490 , preferably made of metal , is provided with a sharp cutting edge 498 , defines two jaw holes 402 , 404 for receiving a pull wire 420 , and is provided with two bosses 512 , 514 for mounting the jaw . the bosses 512 , 514 loosely engage the central clevis 493 and a pivot pin 494 extends through the bosses and the central clevis . by partially covering the irrigation conduit , the ramps form entrances 499 , 500 for the pull wires . the movable jaw 490 rides on the proximal ramps 495 , 496 when moving from an open to a closed position . the pull wires 420 , 421 are coupled to the jaw holes 502 , 504 by a z - bend 506 , 507 and extend through the entrances 499 , 500 into the irrigation conduit 472 , through a portion of the second irrigation coupling tube 425 , and further into a control coupling tube 423 coupled thereto . the entrances 499 , 500 are sufficiently small that only an insubstantial amount of fluid exits from the irrigation conduit when the jaws are in a closed position and irrigant is forced through the irrigation conduit 474 to the distal assembly . turning to fig2 , a fifth embodiment of the invention , substantially similar to the fourth embodiment ( with like parts having numbers incremented by 200 ) is shown . the tubular member 614 is preferably a multi - lumen extrusion co - extruded with support wires 676 , 677 , 678 . the tubular member 614 has two irrigation conduits 672 , 673 , and an aspiration conduit 674 . the aspiration conduit 674 has a substantially circular cross section , and the irrigation conduits 672 , 673 have a generally ovoid cross section . the extrusion is preferably made of a polymer ( e . g ., polyurethane , a polyether block amide , polyethylene , or pvc ) or another bondable material . a pull wire 620 , 621 extends through each irrigation conduit 672 , 673 . by way of example , the preferred diameter for the tubular member 614 is approximately 2 . 8 - 3 . 3 mm , the preferred diameter for the aspiration conduit 674 is approximately 1 . 5 mm , and the preferred diameter for each of the support wires 676 , 677 , 678 is approximately 0 . 4 mm . the support wires are preferably made of stainless steel and are also preferably round , but alternatively may be flat . the tubular member of the fifth embodiment is incorporated into the invention in a manner substantially similar to the tubular member of the fourth embodiment and several advantages are realized with this embodiment . first , a three support wire co - extrusion provides necessary rigidity to the wall of the aspiration conduit . second , the three wire co - extrusion is easy to manufacturer . turning to fig3 , it will be further appreciated that the three support wires may be replaced with a single larger high tensile support wire 676 a or multiband cable through the tubular member 614 a . the support wire is preferably located substantially between the two irrigation conduits and the aspiration conduit . the single support wire 676 a provides necessary support to the aspiration conduit 674 a and is also easy to manufacture . moreover , the entire support wire or just its distal end may be made from a shape memory material , e . g ., nitinol , which will bend in a predetermined manner when heated to a predetermined temperature . as a result , by heating the support wire to a predetermined temperature , e . g ., by applying a current thereto , the shape memory distal end of the support wire can be made to bend in a predetermined manner and consequently the tubular member can be made to bend in a predetermined manner . tissue samples can thereby be retrieved which are not linearly aligned with the endoscope through which the distal end of the biopsy forceps instrument extends . there have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments of a multiple sample endoscopic biopsy instrument . while particular embodiments of the invention have been described , it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto , as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise . therefore , while a particular manner of coupling the proximal actuation handle to the tubular member has been disclosed for the several embodiments , it will be appreciated that other manners of coupling the proximal and distal assemblies may be used as well . in addition , while a pinch valve is described for regulating aspiration and irrigation through the tubular member , it will be appreciated that other valve means may likewise be used to the same effect . also , it will be appreciated that separate valve means may be provided to individually control aspiration and irrigation . it will also be appreciated that while the valve means has been shown coupled to the proximal actuation handle , the valve means may be separable and / or independent from the proximal actuation handle . furthermore , while the chamber has been described as being removably coupled to the shaft , it will be appreciated that the chamber may be integral with the shaft or , alternatively , not coupled to the actuation handle . moreover , the shapes of the chamber and the catch member may be different from that described . in addition , it is not necessary to provide first and second irrigation connectors as a single uninterrupted coupling tube may extend from the irrigation conduit of the tubular member through the valve means . furthermore , while a spool and shaft type actuation means has been disclosed which moves the pull wire ( s ) relative to the tubular member , it will be appreciated that the actuation means may be of another type well known in the art . for example , a laparoscopic type handle ( scissor - type ) may also be used . it will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as so claimed .
according to an aspect , the invention includes a biopsy instrument for retrieving a tissue sample from a patient that may include a tubular member having an aspiration conduit , a distal end effector assembly coupled to the distal end of the tubular member and adapted to detach the tissue sample from the patient , and a proximal actuation handle coupled to the proximal end of the tubular member . the biopsy instrument may further include a sample catch assembly coupled to the aspiration conduit and adapted to receive the tissue sample from the aspiration conduit , the sample catch assembly including a chamber and a sample catch member adapted to separate the tissue sample from the fluid , the sample chamber having a first opening to receive the fluid , a second opening to discharge the fluid from the chamber , and a third opening to removably receive the sample catch member .