Improved biopsy forceps for kidney cancer diagnosis
18 June 2010
Cook Medical has introduced the BIGopsy Backloading Biopsy
Forceps, a device designed to obtain large renal or ureteral tissue
specimens up to 4 mm3 for cancer diagnosis.
It will give urologists treating patients with suspicious ureteral
or kidney lesions a tool to help them more effectively make
diagnoses.
The larger sample size helps produce biopsy results without the need
for repeat tissue-sampling procedures associated with other biopsy
devices.
“In addition to the increased specimen size, the BIGopsy has an
extremely small working shaft that improves flow, which can help the
urologist’s field of vision”
Approximately 90% of renal cancers are transitional cell
carcinomas (TCC), a common type of cancer that originates from
transitional epithelial cells lining the urinary tract and affects a
significant portion of the US population.
Early diagnosis of TCC is critical to successful treatment.
However, diagnosis is often complicated by the small size of tissue
samples obtained by current biopsy devices. Small tissue samples are
more likely to deliver inconclusive results. Consequently, patients
may need multiple procedures for accurate diagnosis, thereby adding
to their anxiety, discomfort and costs.
Designed in collaboration with practicing endourologists, BIGopsy
overcomes the issue of insufficient specimens for diagnosis by
having a 4 mm3 biopsy cup, which is over four times larger than
other biopsy forceps on the market. To accommodate the large cup
size, BIGopsy has a removable, replaceable handle that allows it to
be backloaded through the working channel of an endoscope.
In describing the importance of BIGopsy, Jaime Landman, M.D.,
director of minimally invasive urology at the Department of Urology
at Columbia University and one of the device’s inventors,
acknowledged, “There have been a number of significant advancements
in how we access, view and treat a tumour in the ureter or kidney,
but what’s been missing is our ability to obtain adequately sized
tissue samples for biopsy.”
“Cook Medical’s BIGopsy is a prime example of leading-edge
medical technology furthering the biopsy process, without negatively
impacting patient comfort. This unique device with its ability to
capture large samples up to 4 mm3 allows us to more precisely
diagnose tumors and determine the best treatment options for each
patient,” Dr. Landman added.
“In addition to the increased specimen size, the BIGopsy has an
extremely small working shaft that improves flow, which can help the
urologist’s field of vision,” said Nicky James, vice president and
global strategic business unit leader for Cook Urology. “Increasing
the size of the tissue specimens taken in just one procedure will
have a positive impact on both patients and physicians. We’re proud
to have created and brought to market a technology that directly
responds to the needs of physicians and patients.”