Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A sheath and insertion tube assembly comprising: an endoscope having an insertion tube including a working end; a sheath including a body portion adapted to completely encapsulate the working end of the insertion rube and having a distal end portion adapted to be proximate the working end when the sheath assembly is positioned on the insertion tube; a biopsy sampling device attached to the sheath and including a collection member proximate the distal end portion; and a cover member attached to the sheath proximate the biopsy sampling device, the cover member being moveable between a first position at least partially covering the collection member, and a second position at least partially exposing the collection member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A sheath and insertion tube assembly comprising: an endoscope having an insertion tube including a working end; a sheath including a body portion adapted to completely encapsulate the working end of the insertion rube and having a distal end portion adapted to be proximate the working end when the sheath assembly is positioned on the insertion tube; a biopsy sampling device attached to the sheath and including a collection member proximate the distal end portion; and a cover member attached to the sheath proximate the biopsy sampling device, the cover member being moveable between a first position at least partially covering the collection member, and a second position at least partially exposing the collection member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The sheath assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover member includes an actuator extending along at least part of the body portion, the actuator being moveably coupled to the body portion for controllably actuating the cover member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sheath assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover member is slideably attached to the sheath.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sheath assembly of claim 1 wherein the biopsy sampling device is attached to the body portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sheath assembly of claim 1 wherein the sheath includes an enclosed end cap attached to the distal end portion, the biopsy sampling device being attached to the enclosed end cap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The sheath assembly of claim 1 wherein the sheath includes an enclosed end cap attached to the distal end portion, the enclosed end cap having an outer peripheral surface, the biopsy sampling device being attached to the outer peripheral surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sheath assembly of claim 1 wherein the collection member comprises a brush member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sheath assembly of claim 1 wherein the collection member comprises a needle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sheath assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover member is resiliently biased into the first position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sheath assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover member is hingeably attached to the sheath.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The sheath assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a control member coupled to the cover member and extending along the body portion, the control member being moveable for controllably actuating the cover member between a first position and a second position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The sheath assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an actuation member coupled to the cover member and extending along the body portion, the actuation member being moveable in a first direction for controllably actuating the cover member into the first position, and being moveable in a second direction for controllably actuating the cover member into the second position.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for obtaining a biopsy sample from a target within a body, comprising: providing an endoscope including an insertion tube having a body portion terminating at a distal end; inserting the insertion tube of the endoscope into a protective sheath that completely encapsulates a major portion of the body portion including the distal end, the sheath having a biopsy sampling device attached thereto that includes a collection member proximate the distal end of the body portion, the sheath further having a cover member proximate the biopsy collection member to at least partially enclose the collection member; inserting at least part of the body portion of the endoscope including the distal end and the collection member into the body; actuating the cover member to at least partially expose the collection member engaging the collection member with the target; and removing the body portion of the endoscope and the collection member from the body.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for obtaining a biopsy sample from a target within a body, comprising: providing an endoscope including an insertion tube having a body portion terminating at a distal end; inserting the insertion tube of the endoscope into a protective sheath that completely encapsulates a major portion of the body portion including the distal end, the sheath having a biopsy sampling device attached thereto that includes a collection member proximate the distal end of the body portion, the sheath further having a cover member proximate the biopsy collection member to at least partially enclose the collection member; inserting at least part of the body portion of the endoscope including the distal end and the collection member into the body; actuating the cover member to at least partially expose the collection member engaging the collection member with the target; and removing the body portion of the endoscope and the collection member from the body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 13 wherein providing an endoscopic assembly comprises providing an endoscopic assembly including a sheath having an enclosed distal end and a biopsy the sampling device is attached to the sheath adjacent the enclosed distal end of the insertion tube body portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the biopsy sampling device comprises a biopsy brush attached to the sheath.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 13 wherein providing an endoscopic assembly comprises providing an endoscopic assembly including a sheath having a cover member proximate the biopsy collection member, and wherein the method further comprises, after inserting at least the collection member into the body, actuating the cover member to at least partially expose the collection member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 13 wherein inserting at least the collection member into the body comprises inserting the biopsy sampling device and a distal portion of the endoscope assembly into the body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 wherein engaging the collection member with the target comprises brushing a biopsy brush against the target.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 13 wherein providing an endoscopic assembly comprises providing an endoscopic assembly including a sheath having a cover member proximate the biopsy collection member, and wherein the method further comprises, prior to removing the collection member from the body, actuating the cover member to at least partially enclose the collection member.