Biopsy and sonography method and apparatus for assessing bodily cavities

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for performing a procedure on a uterine cavity of a patient are disclosed. The methods can include visualizing the uterine cavity, biopsying a tissue with a biopsy device, and ejecting fluid from the biopsying device into the uterine cavity. The apparatuses can have a sealable acorn tip, a handle, a repositioning clip, a distal indicia, proximal indicia, and a fluid reservoir. The biopsying device can be configured to biopsy and eject fluid under the control of a single hand of a user of the device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of performing a procedure on a uterine cavity of a patient, comprising:
 visualizing the uterine cavity;   biopsying a tissue comprising at least one of advancing, rotating, and withdrawing a biopsy device into the uterine cavity, wherein the biopsy device comprises a sealable tip on a repositionable component, proximal indicia and distal indicia; and   ejecting fluid from the biopsying, device into the uterine cavity, wherein the biopsying device is configured to biopsy and eject fluid under the control of a single hand of a user of the device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the visualizing is concurrent with the biopsying. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the visualizing is concurrent with the ejecting of the fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the visualizing comprises diagnostically visualizing. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising removing the biopsy device from the uterine cavity and then inserting a medical device into the uterine cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ejecting the fluid comprises ejecting a gel into the uterine cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ejecting the fluid comprises ejecting a foam into the uterine cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ejecting the fluid comprises ejecting a contrast agent into the uterine cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein ejecting the fluid comprises ejecting a or therapeutic agent into the uterine cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tip comprises a rigid plate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the rigid plate is embedded in the tip. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tip is acorn-shaped. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus for performing a procedure on a uterine cavity of a patient comprising:
 a sealable acorn tip;   a handle comprising a pumping lever and a biopsy instrument, wherein the biopsy instrument is configured to translate and rotate with respect to the handle;   a repositioning clip;   a distal indicia;   a proximal indicia; and   a fluid reservoir.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the tip is acorn-shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the tip comprises a rigid plate. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the rigid plate is embedded in the tip. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid reservoir comprises a refillable fluid bag. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the biopsy instrument is configured to advance 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the biopsy instrument is configured to withdraw 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for performing a procedure on a uterine cavity of a patient comprising:
 an elongated member;   a sealable tip;   a handle;   a repositioning clip;   a distal judicial;   a proximal indicia;   a fluid reservoir; and   a vaginal ultrasound probe comprising a rotatable clip attached to at least one of the elongated member and the handle.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the tip is acorn-shaped. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the tip comprises a rigid plate. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the rigid plate is embedded in the tip. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the fluid reservoir comprises a refillable fluid bag. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the rotatable clip is configured to be translatable along at least one of the elongated member and the handle.