referring now to fig3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ( a ) and 6 ( b ), there are shown various views , respectively , of one embodiment of a transbronchial needle aspiration ( tbna ) device constructed according to the teachings of the present invention , said tbna device being represented generally by reference numeral 101 . device 101 comprises a handle assembly 103 , a wire 105 , a flexible catheter 107 , a sampling needle 109 , a hub 111 , a jacket 113 and a spring 115 . handle assembly 103 , in turn , comprises a body 117 , a cover 119 , a button slide 121 , a syringe connector 123 and a strain relief member 125 . referring now to fig7 ( a ) through 7 ( f ), body 117 is a unitary , generally c - shaped member , preferably made of a durable molded plastic or another similarly suitable material , comprising a top portion 131 , a distal end portion 133 and a bottom portion 135 , the sides and proximal end of body 117 being open . top portion 131 , distal end portion 133 and bottom portion 135 collectively define a longitudinally - extending cavity 139 , which , as will be described below , is shaped to accommodate a syringe or similar aspirating device . top portion 131 is shaped to include a pair of rails 141 - 1 and 141 - 2 , rails 141 - 1 and 141 - 2 being separated by a slot 142 whose purpose will become apparent below . a first pair of detents 143 - 1 and 143 - 2 are formed on the outer side surface of rail 141 - 1 , and a second pair of detents 145 - 1 and 145 - 2 are formed on the outer side surface of rail 141 - 2 , second detents 145 - 1 and 145 - 2 being staggered relative to first detents 143 - 1 and 143 - 2 . as will be described below , detents 143 - 1 , 143 - 2 , 145 - 1 and 145 - 2 are used in the coupling together of body 117 and cover 119 to form a handle . distal end portion 133 includes a proximal surface 147 , proximal surface 147 being shaped to receive syringe connector 123 . distal end portion 133 also includes a distally extending post 149 . a bore 151 ( which is seen best in fig7 ( f )) extends longitudinally through post 149 and continues through the remainder of distal end portion 133 to cavity 139 . bore 151 includes a distal portion 151 - 1 of comparatively greater cross - sectional diameter and a proximal portion 151 - 2 of comparatively lesser cross - sectional diameter , distal portion 151 - 1 extending for most of the length of bore 151 . as will be described further below , distal portion 151 - 1 is sized to securely receive the proximal end of catheter 107 , with the proximal end of wire 105 passing through proximal portion 151 - 2 . a transverse opening 153 is also provided in distal end portion 133 , transverse opening 153 intersecting distal portion 151 - 1 of bore 151 at an intermediate location thereof . bottom portion 135 has a top surface 155 and a bottom surface 157 . top surface 155 is contoured to receive a syringe or similar aspirating device thereon . bottom surface 157 is contoured to fit ergonomically within the hand of an operator . referring now to fig8 ( a ) through 8 ( e ), cover 119 is a unitary , generally trough - shaped member , preferably made of a durable molded plastic or another similarly suitable material , comprising a top portion 161 , a pair of side portions 163 - 1 and 163 - 2 , and a proximal end portion 165 , the bottom and the distal end of cover 119 being open . top portion 161 is shaped to include an elongated , longitudinally - extending slot 167 , through which , as will be further described below , the button portion of button slide 121 is adapted to extend . top portion 161 is also shaped to include a proximal pair of notches 169 - 1 and 169 - 2 and a distal pair of notches 171 - 1 and 171 - 2 , notches 169 - 1 and 169 - 2 being disposed on opposite sides of slot 167 near the proximal end thereof , notches 171 - 1 and 171 - 2 being disposed on opposite sides of slot 167 near the distal end thereof . as will be described further below , proximal notches 169 - 1 and 169 - 2 and distal notches 171 - 1 and 171 - 2 are alternately adapted to receive , in a releasably locking fashion , a pair of pawls formed on button slide 121 , notches 169 - 1 and 169 - 2 being adapted to receive said pawls in such a manner as to retain button slide 121 at a proximal position ( as in fig3 , 4 and 6 ( a )), notches 171 - 1 and 171 - 2 being adapted to receive said pawls in such a manner as to retain button slide 121 at a distal position ( as in fig6 ( b )). a first pair of recesses 175 - 1 and 175 - 2 are formed on the inside surface of side portion 163 - 1 , and a second pair of recesses 177 - 1 and 177 - 2 are formed on the inside surface of side portion 163 - 2 . recesses 175 - 1 and 175 - 2 are adapted to securely receive detents 143 - 1 and 143 - 2 , respectively , of rail 141 - 1 , and recesses 177 - 1 and 177 - 2 are adapted to securely receive detents 145 - 1 and 145 - 2 , respectively , of rail 141 - 2 . in this manner , body 117 and cover 119 may be secured to one another to form a handle . with body 117 and cover 119 thus coupled together , proximal end portion 165 of cover 119 is situated within the open proximal end of body 117 , the open distal end of cover 119 terminates just proximally of post 149 , and top portion 161 of cover 119 is spaced , for reasons to become apparent below , from the top surfaces of rails 141 - 1 and 141 - 2 . referring now to fig9 ( a ) through 9 ( e ), button slide 121 is a unitary , generally rectangular member , preferably made of a durable molded plastic or other similarly suitable material , comprising an outer frame portion 181 and an inner tab portion 183 . frame portion 181 , which is generally planar , is shaped to include a proximal end 185 , a distal end 187 , and a pair of sides 189 - 1 and 189 - 2 , all of which collectively define an interior cavity 190 . for reasons to become apparent below , frame portion 181 is appropriately dimensioned so that sides 189 - 1 and 189 - 2 are adapted to ride along the top surfaces of rails 141 - 1 and 141 - 2 , respectively , and below a pair of ribs 188 - 1 and 188 - 2 , respectively , formed on cover 119 ( see fig8 ( c ) through 8 ( e )). proximal end 185 of frame 181 is shaped to include a downwardly extending central portion 191 , central portion 191 being dimensioned to extend downwardly a short distance through slot 142 of body 117 . a slot 193 is provided in central portion 191 , slot 193 extending upwardly a short distance from the bottom surface of portion 191 . slot 193 is shaped to include a pair of substantially orthogonal arms 193 - 1 and 193 - 2 , which , as will be described further below , are adapted to matingly receive the proximal end of wire 105 . distal end 187 is shaped to include a generally rectangular central portion 195 , central portion 195 being dimensioned to extend downwardly a short distance through slot 142 . a bore 197 is provided in central portion 195 , bore 197 being aligned with arm 193 - 1 of slot 193 to receive an intermediate length of wire 105 . inner tab portion 183 is generally trapezoidal in shape and includes a proximal end 201 , a distal end 203 and a pair of sides 205 - 1 and 205 - 2 . proximal end 201 is hingedly connected to proximal end 185 of frame 181 , with distal end 203 being free and upwardly biased . a pair of pawls 207 - 1 and 207 - 2 extend upwardly from sides 205 - 1 and 205 - 2 , respectively , of tab portion 183 . pawls 207 - 1 and 207 - 2 are adapted to be received either within proximal notches 169 - 1 and 169 - 2 , respectively , or distal notches 171 - 1 and 171 - 2 , respectively , of cover 119 . a button 209 is provided on the top surface of tab portion 183 proximate to distal end 203 , button 209 being adapted to extend upwardly through slot 167 of cover 119 . with button 209 thus accessible through slot 167 , an operator may use button 209 to exert downward pressure on tab portion 183 to disengage pawls 207 - 1 and 207 - 2 from either notches 169 - 1 and 169 - 2 or notches 171 - 1 and 171 - 2 , as well as to slide button slide 121 proximally or distally along rails 141 - 1 and 141 - 2 . gripping elements 211 extend outwardly from the top of button 209 to facilitate manipulation of button 209 . referring now to fig1 ( a ) through 10 ( e ), syringe connector 123 is a generally teardrop - shaped unitary member , preferably made of a durable molded plastic or another similarly suitable material , comprising a proximal end 221 , a distal end 223 and a side 225 . a port 227 extends proximally a short distance from proximal end 221 , port 227 defining a tapered cavity 229 adapted to receive the medical luer of a syringe . the proximal end of port 227 is shaped to include a pair of radially outwardly extending tabs 229 - 1 and 229 - 2 , tabs 229 - 1 and 229 - 2 being adapted for threaded engagement with the internally threaded sleeve of a syringe . port 227 is oriented so that , with a syringe connected thereto and with connector 123 mounted on body 117 , said syringe extends longitudinally through cavity 139 and on top of bottom portion 155 of body 117 . an oval - shaped ridge 231 extends distally a short distance from distal end 223 , ridge 231 being receivable within a correspondingly shaped groove 235 provided in distal end portion 133 of body 117 ( see fig7 ( d )). an adhesive ( not shown ) may be used , if desired , to more securely retain ridge 231 within groove 235 . ridge 231 defines an oval - shaped cavity 237 that is adapted to bounded proximally by distal end 223 of syringe connector 123 and distally by distal end portion 133 of body 117 . cavity 237 is adapted to be aligned with distal portion 151 - 1 of bore 151 of body 117 for reasons to become apparent below . a first transverse bore 241 extending between proximal end 221 and distal end 223 is provided in syringe connector 123 , bore 241 being in fluid communication with each of cavity 229 and cavity 237 . accordingly , by connecting a syringe to connector 121 , one can apply negative or positive suction force through cavity 229 , bore 241 , and cavity 237 and into bore 151 . a second transverse bore 245 extending between proximal end 221 and distal end 223 is provided in syringe connector 123 , bore 245 being alignable with bore 151 for an intermediate portion of wire 105 to pass therethrough . referring now to fig1 ( a ) through 11 ( d ), strain relief member 125 is a unitary member , preferably made of a durable molded plastic or another similarly suitable material , comprising a generally cylindrical proximal portion 251 and a frustoconical distal portion 253 . a longitudinal bore 255 extends the length of member 125 , the proximal portion 256 of bore 255 being shaped to receive , among other things , post 149 of body 117 , the distal portion 257 of bore 255 being shaped to receive , and thereby provide strain relief to , a length of catheter 107 proximate to the proximal end of catheter 107 . referring now to fig1 ( a ) and 12 ( b ), hub 111 is a unitary tubular member , preferably made of stainless steel or another similarly suitable material , comprising a proximal portion 261 and a distal portion 263 . proximal portion 261 is straight and has a uniform diameter over its entire length . distal portion 263 flares outwardly from proximal portion 261 to a distal end 265 for reasons to become apparent below . ( it should be understood that the proximal end could also be outwardly flared , if desired .) referring back to fig3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ( a ) and 6 ( b ), catheter 107 is a unitary flexible tubular member , preferably made of nylon or another similarly suitable material , having a length of about 160 cm and comprising a proximal end 271 and a distal end 273 . proximal end 271 of catheter 107 is coaxially received and fixedly secured within distal portion 151 - 1 of bore 151 . as seen best in fig6 ( a ) and 6 ( b ), catheter 107 is dimensioned relative to hub 111 so that hub 111 may be press - fit into catheter 107 through distal end 273 , with distal end 273 of catheter 107 being inverted over distal end 265 of hub 111 and shaped to define an opening 275 . although not shown herein , the shaping of distal end 273 of catheter 107 around distal end 265 of hub 111 to define opening 275 may be performed by inserting a mandrel through hub 111 and catheter 107 and then using heat to shape distal end 273 to said mandrel . preferably , opening 275 of catheter 107 is dimensioned to conform closely to the outer diameter of a shaft 277 of needle 109 to promote an air - tight seal between shaft 277 and catheter 107 when needle 109 is extended through opening 275 ( as in fig6 ( b )). alternatively , one could position an annular seal ( not shown ) coaxially within catheter 107 between distal end 273 of catheter 107 and distal end 265 of hub 111 , said annular seal being appropriately dimensioned and made of a suitable material to promote an air - tight interface with the outer surface of needle 109 inserted therethrough . referring now to fig1 , wire 105 is a solid flexible unitary member , preferably made of stainless steel or another similarly suitable material , comprising a proximal portion 281 and a distal portion 283 . proximal portion 281 , which has a length of about 52 inches and a thickness of about 0 . 022 inch , includes a proximal end 285 . proximal end 285 is bent into an l - shape and is adapted to be securely received within slot 193 of button slide 121 . the remainder of proximal portion 281 is adapted to be inserted through bore 197 of button slide 121 , through an annular seal 291 ( see fig4 and 5 ) positioned between button slide 121 and syringe connector 123 , through bore 245 of syringe connector 123 , through bore 151 of body 103 and into catheter 107 , terminating a few inches proximally of hub 111 . distal portion 283 , which has a length of about 2 inches , is shaped to include a proximal segment 287 - 1 and a distal segment 287 - 2 . proximal segment 287 - 1 has a length of about 0 . 2 inch and decreases uniformly in thickness from about 0 . 022 inch at its proximal end to about 0 . 01 inch at its distal end . distal segment 287 - 2 , which extends distally from segment 287 - 1 , has a length of about 1 . 8 inch and a uniform thickness of about 0 . 01 inch over its entire length . as will be described further below , the reason for providing a reduced thickness over much of the length of distal portion 283 of wire 105 is to endow distal portion 283 with additional flexibility , which may be advantageous in enabling distal portion 283 to be delivered to certain remote sampling sites accessible only through contorted paths . endowing distal portion 283 of wire 105 with additional flexibility may also be advantageous in allowing passage through aggressive scope channels . notwithstanding the above , distal portion 283 may be varied in size and / or shape depending upon the characteristics desired therefor . referring now to fig1 ( a ) and 14 ( b ), jacket 113 is a unitary tubular member , preferably made of arnitel , polypropylene or another similarly suitable material . jacket 113 is shaped to include a proximal end 301 , a distal end 303 , a central bore 305 , and a plurality of external ribs 307 - 1 through 307 - 4 . bore 305 is appropriately dimensioned to securely receive wire 105 by a friction - fit , with proximal end 301 of jacket 113 being aligned with that portion of wire 105 that is disposed within distal portion 151 - 1 of bore 151 when button slide 121 is in its retracted position and with distal end 303 of jacket 113 being aligned with that portion of wire 105 that is positioned just proximally of distal portion 283 . an alternative to the aforementioned friction - fit between wire 105 and jacket 113 is a sliding - fit between wire 105 and jacket 113 . such a sliding - fit allows wire 105 to move with respect to jacket 113 in situations where jacket 113 encounters resistance when sliding within catheter 107 . this allows for movement of wire 105 to occur in the manner of least resistance . ribs 307 - 1 through 307 - 4 , which extend longitudinally along the entire length of jacket 113 , are evenly spaced about the circumference of jacket 113 . each of ribs 307 - 1 through 307 - 4 extends in a direction radially outwardly from bore 305 and is generally triangular in shape , as viewed from an end of jacket 113 . ribs 307 - 1 through 307 - 4 are appropriately sized so that at least one of their respective vertices 309 - 1 through 309 - 4 is adapted to be in contact with the inside surface of catheter 107 . in this manner , ribs 307 - 1 through 307 - 4 serve to keep wire 105 substantially centered within catheter 107 throughout its length ( even when a load force is applied to needle 109 ) while , at the same time , providing ample space ( i . e ., between adjacent ribs 307 ) for fluid flow within catheter 107 . as can readily be appreciated , there are a myriad number of ways in which ribs 307 - 1 through 307 - 4 may be changed in size , shape and number while still satisfying the foregoing objectives of keeping wire 105 centered within catheter 107 and providing an ample volume within catheter 107 for fluid flow . ( for examples of these and other modifications , see commonly - assigned u . s . pat . no . 6 , 454 , 702 and commonly - assigned u . s . patent application ser . no . 09 / 716 , 710 , both of which are incorporated herein by reference .) in another embodiment ( not shown ), one could replace jacket 113 with a plurality of beads or similarly suitable elements over - molded around wire 105 at spaced intervals thereof , said beads being sized to engage the inside surface of catheter 107 and , thus , to keep wire 105 centered within catheter 107 . if desired , said beads could have longitudinal grooves or channels oriented along the longitudinal axis of catheter 107 to allow maximum fluid flow from the proximal to the distal portions of catheter 107 and vice versa . the dimensions of said beads may also be chosen so as to regulate fluid flow by controlling the gap between the bead surface and catheter 107 . in still another embodiment ( not shown ), one could replace both jacket 113 and wire 105 with a wire that is shaped ( e . g ., by machining , stamping , etc .) to include one or more elements adapted to keep said wire centered within catheter 107 . referring now to fig1 ( a ) and 15 ( b ), spring 115 is a unitary member , preferably made of stainless steel or another similarly suitable material , comprising a plurality of closely spaced or compressed coils 311 terminating at a proximal end 313 and a distal end 315 . ( although coils 311 are shown in the present embodiment having a rectangular transverse cross - sectional shape , it is to be understood that coils 311 are not limited to a rectangular transverse cross - sectional shape and could have , for example , a circular transverse cross - sectional shape or the like .) as seen best in fig1 ( a ) through 16 ( c ), spring 115 coaxially surrounds distal portion 283 of wire 105 , with proximal end 313 of spring 115 being secured , preferably by a weld 314 - 1 ( see fig1 ( c )) or like means , to wire 105 just proximally of segment 287 - 1 and with distal end 315 of spring 115 being secured , preferably by a weld 314 - 2 ( see fig1 ( d )) or like means , to the distal end of segment 287 - 2 . spring 115 has a uniform inner diameter of about 0 . 026 inch , which is slightly greater than the thickness of wire 105 , and a uniform outer diameter of about 0 . 034 inch . the purpose of spring 115 is to provide greater column strength to distal portion 283 of wire 105 , i . e ., to make distal portion 283 less likely to buckle when a compressive force is applied thereto . such increased column strength is desirable since , as noted above , distal portion 283 has a decreased thickness as compared to the remainder of wire 105 . one advantageous feature of spring 115 is that , whereas spring 115 cannot be compressed and , therefore , provides the aforementioned column strength to distal portion 283 , spring 115 can be bent and , therefore , does not substantially diminish the flexibility of distal portion 283 . referring now to fig1 ( a ) through 17 ( d ), needle 109 is a unitary member , preferably made of stainless steel or another similarly suitable material , comprising a proximal base portion 321 and a distal stem portion 323 . base portion 321 , which is generally cylindrical in shape , is about 0 . 2 inch in length and includes a proximal end 325 , a rounded distal end 327 , a longitudinal bore 329 and an upwardly - facing slot 331 , slot 331 extending distally from proximal end 325 to a point just prior to distal end 327 . slot 331 is bounded by a flat edge 332 onto which wire 105 may be secured , preferably by welding or like means . stem portion 323 , which is generally cylindrical in shape and coaxial with base portion 321 , is about 0 . 8 inch in length and includes a proximal end 333 , a distal end 335 and a longitudinal bore 337 . distal end 335 is shaped to define an upwardly - facing , open - ended tip , said tip being appropriately shaped and dimensioned to acquire a tissue sample for biopsy . as in the embodiment shown , slot 331 and the tip of needle 109 both face in the same direction ; in this manner , wire 105 may be ( but is not necessarily ) welded to needle 109 on the same side as the tip . this permits force applied to the tip to be transmitted along the axis of wire 105 . when joining wire 105 to needle 109 , a small space is left between the distal end of wire 105 and the distal end of slot 331 , said space being appropriately sized to permit fluid flow between catheter 107 and longitudinal bores 337 and 329 of needle 109 while , at the same time , preventing passage of the sample from needle 109 into catheter 107 . this gap may be varied in size and / or length to regulate fluid flow for a given purpose . rounded distal end 327 of base portion 321 and proximal end 333 of stem portion 323 together define a shoulder that is shaped to abut directly the proximal end of hub 111 in such a way as to form an air - tight seal therewith when needle 109 is placed in its advanced position . as discussed above , the outer diameter of stem portion 323 is appropriately dimensioned to form a tight seal with distal end 273 of catheter 107 when needle 109 is moved to its extended position ( see fig6 ( b )). in addition , as noted above , the shoulder formed by rounded distal end 327 of base portion 321 and proximal end 333 of stem portion 323 is appropriately dimensioned to engage proximal end 261 of hub 111 so as to form a seal therewith , as well as to delimit distal movement of needle 109 ( and , in so doing , prevent needle 109 from being lost distally from the remainder of device 101 and , perhaps , becoming lost in a patient ). although not shown , one could , if desired , enhance the seal formed between the shoulder of needle 109 and proximal end 261 of hub 111 by heat - shrinking an elastomeric sleeve over the shoulder of needle 109 , said sleeve conforming to the shape of the shoulder and forming a sealing interface with the proximal end 261 of hub 111 . ( it should be noted that the use of such an elastomeric sleeve in device 101 would make considerably more difficult any reprocessing of device 101 .) referring now to fig1 ( a ) through 18 ( c ), there are shown various views of a first alternate needle usable instead of needle 109 in device 101 , said first alternate needle being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention and being represented generally by reference numeral 359 . needle 359 is a unitary structure shaped to include a stem portion 361 and a base portion 363 . stem portion 361 , which is substantially identical to stem portion 323 of needle 109 , is a generally tubular element shaped to include a proximal end 365 and a distal end 367 , distal end 367 being an upwardly - facing , open - ended tip . base portion 361 includes a distal portion 369 and a proximal portion . distal portion 369 , which is generally tubular in shape , forms a shoulder with proximal end 365 of stem portion 361 . the proximal portion of base portion 361 is bifurcated into a left side member 373 and a right side member 375 , left side member 373 and right side member 375 being centered relative to the top and bottom surfaces of distal portion 369 of base portion 361 . wire 105 may be mounted along the top or bottom surfaces of left and right side members 373 and 375 , respectively . referring now to fig1 ( a ) through 19 ( c ), there are shown various views of a second alternate needle usable instead of needle 109 in device 101 , said second alternate needle being constructed according to the teachings of the present invention and being represented generally by reference numeral 379 . needle 379 is a unitary structure shaped to include a stem portion 381 and a base portion 383 . stem portion 381 , which is substantially identical to stem portion 323 of needle 109 , is a generally tubular element shaped to include a proximal end 385 and a distal end 387 , distal end 387 being an upwardly - facing , open - ended tip . base portion 383 is a generally tubular element shaped to include a transverse slot 389 extending distally a short distance from the proximal end of base portion 383 . slot 389 , which is appropriately sized for wire 105 to be mounted therewithin , extends from the left side of base portion 383 to the right side of base portion 383 and is centered relative to the top and bottom surfaces of base portion 383 . one desirable attribute of needle 379 is that slot 389 permits wire 105 to be coupled to needle 379 in such a way that wire 105 and needle 379 share a common axis . in use , prior to inserting device 101 into a bronchoscope , an operator typically tests device 101 by using button slide 121 to alternately position needle 109 in its advanced position and its retracted position . once the operability of said needle positioning mechanism has been confirmed , needle 109 is then locked in its retracted position by positioning slide 121 so that pawls 207 - 1 and 207 - 2 are positioned within notches 169 - 1 and 169 - 2 , respectively . the distal end of device 101 is then loaded into a bronchoscope ( which has previously been inserted into the patient to a neutral location ), and a syringe is attached to port 227 of connector 123 . once confirmation is received that distal end 273 of device 101 has passed entirely through the bronchoscope ( such confirmation typically being provided using a video channel of the same bronchoscope ), the bronchoscope and device 101 are advanced together to the target site , and needle 109 is advanced to its extended position by positioning slide 121 so that pawls 207 - 1 and 207 - 2 are positioned within notches 171 - 1 and 171 - 2 , respectively . distal end 335 of needle 109 is then inserted through the bronchial wall of the patient and into a nearby lymph node . at this time , the syringe is used to apply suction . in the unfortunate event that needle 109 has errantly penetrated a blood vessel , instead of a lymph node , the application of suction causes blood to be aspirated through bore 337 of needle 109 and into catheter 107 and the syringe , where such blood is detected . in such a case , the application of suction is discontinued and the soiled device 101 is removed from the bronchoscope and the patient . a fresh tbna device 101 is then loaded into the bronchoscope and the patient in the manner described above , and another attempt is made to penetrate the lymph node . if , while suction is applied , it appears that needle 109 has penetrated a lymph node , as is desired , catheter 107 is agitated to help shear tissue from the penetrated lymph node into bore 337 of needle 109 . with a tissue sample thus disposed within bore 337 of needle 109 , needle 109 is moved back to its retracted position within catheter 107 by positioning slide 121 so that pawls 207 - 1 and 207 - 2 are positioned within notches 169 - 1 and 169 - 2 , respectively . device 101 is then removed from the bronchoscope and the patient . needle 109 is then placed in its advanced position by positioning slide 121 so that pawls 207 - 1 and 207 - 2 are positioned within notches 171 - 1 and 171 - 2 , respectively , and negative suction is then used to expel the tissue from needle 109 onto a slide or the like for histological examination . device 101 is intended to be a single - use device . however , it is envisioned that , if device 101 is constructed from materials capable of withstanding reprocessing conditions , e . g ., flushing with suction , followed by ( or preceded by ) washing in an ultrasonic bath , flushing again with suction , and then autoclaving , device 101 may be reprocessed for additional use . the embodiments of the present invention described above are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art shall be able to make numerous variations and modifications to it without departing from the spirit of the present invention . all such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims .
transbronchial needle aspiration device . in one embodiment , the device comprises a handle and a flexible catheter , the handle having a bore , the proximal end of the catheter being fixed within the handle bore . a protective tubular hub having a flared distal end is press - fit coaxially within the distal end of the catheter , the distal end of the catheter being sealed around the distal end of the hub so as to define a distal opening . a hollow needle having a sharp tip at its distal end is disposed within the catheter , the needle tip being sized for insertion through the distal opening of the catheter . the distal end of a flexible wire is coupled to the proximal end of the needle , the proximal end of the wire extending through the handle bore and coupled to a button slide accessible through a slot in the handle . the button slide is movable between a distal position in which the needle tip extends through the distal opening of the catheter and a proximal position in which the needle tip is disposed within the hub . when in either its distal position or its proximal position , a pawl on the button slide releasably engages a corresponding notch on the handle to lock the button slide in place .