Cassette Including Plural Catch Trays For Retaining Plural Tissue Samples From A Fluid Stream

Abstract

A cassette for retrieving plural tissue samples from a fluid stream. The cassette includes a bypass conduit and plural voids. A catch tray is removably seated in each of the voids. A fitting extends from the cassette. The cassette has an outlet opening through which a suction is drawn. The cassette also has a valve. The valve directs the fluid stream from the fitting so the fluid stream flows through the bypass conduit or through one of the voids in which a catch tray is seated.

1 . A cassette for collecting a tissue sample from a fluid stream, the cassette comprising:
 a body comprising a shell defining an outlet opening through which suction is to be drawn, and a cap coupled to the shell to define a void internal to the body, wherein the cap comprises a head comprising a top face, a bottom face, and a front face that is most distally located surface of the head, wherein the head defines plural voids that extend inwardly from the front face, and openings extending through the top face and into a respective one of the plural voids;   a catch tray removably seated in each of the plural voids; and   a valve rotatably coupled to the top face and comprising an inlet fitting that extends distal to the front face of the head and is configured to receive a proximal end of a suction line, wherein the inlet fitting defines an inlet bore,   wherein the valve and the inlet fitting are configured to be rotated relative to the head to align the inlet fitting with one of the plural voids to place the inlet bore of the inlet fitting in registration with a corresponding one of the openings.   
     
     
         2 . The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the head further defines a bypass bore extending through the top face and opening into a bypass conduit, wherein the valve and the inlet fitting are configured to be rotated relative to the head to place the inlet bore of the inlet fitting in registration with the bypass bore. 
     
     
         3 . The cassette of  claim 2 , wherein the openings are located on opposing sides of the bypass bore. 
     
     
         4 . The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the head further comprises a finger extending upwardly from the top face, wherein the valve is rotatably coupled to the finger. 
     
     
         5 . The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the top face and the bottom face are planar, and wherein the front face is arcuately shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the head is formed with a recessed step that is proximal to the front face, and wherein the openings are defined within the recessed step. 
     
     
         7 . The cassette of  claim 6 , wherein the recessed step is arcuate in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the valve further comprises a stop defining a hole that is aligned on a top-to-bottom plate in which the inlet fitting extends, wherein the stop is configured to block fluid flow through the head other than through the hole that is based on a position of the inlet fitting. 
     
     
         9 . The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the valve further comprises a lock feature located distal to the front face of the head, wherein the lock feature is configured to prevent removal of the catch tray corresponding to a position of the inlet fitting. 
     
     
         10 . The cassette of  claim 1 , wherein the head further comprises indentations, and wherein the valve further comprises a tab configured to engage the indentations and provide varying resistance as tactile feedback as to a setting of the valve. 
     
     
         11 . A cassette for collecting a tissue sample from a fluid stream, the cassette comprising:
 a body comprising a shell defining an outlet opening through which suction is to be drawn, and a cap coupled to the shell to define a void internal to the body, wherein the cap comprises a head comprising a top face, a bottom face, and a front face extending between the top face and the bottom face and arcuately shaped, wherein the head defines plural voids that are arcuately arranged, and openings that open into a respective one of the plural voids;   a catch tray removably seated in each of the plural voids; and   a valve rotatably coupled to the head and comprising an inlet fitting configured to receive a proximal end of a suction line, wherein the inlet fitting defines an inlet bore,   wherein the valve and the inlet fitting are configured to be moved relative to the head in an arcuate translation motion about the arcuately-shaped front face to align the inlet fitting with one of the plural voids to place the inlet bore of the inlet fitting in registration with a corresponding one of the openings.   
     
     
         12 . The cassette of  claim 11 , wherein the head further defines a bypass bore that opens into a bypass conduit, wherein the valve and the inlet fitting are configured to be moved relative to the head in the arcuate translation motion about the arcuately-shaped front face to place the inlet bore of the inlet fitting in registration with the bypass bore. 
     
     
         13 . The cassette of  claim 11 , wherein the head is formed with a recessed step that is proximal to the front face and arcuate in shape, and wherein the openings are defined within the recessed step. 
     
     
         14 . The cassette of  claim 11 , wherein the valve further comprises a plate distal section, and an arcuate rim that extends from an undersurface of the plate distal section, wherein the arcuate rim is positioned distal to the arcuately-shaped front face. 
     
     
         15 . The cassette of  claim 14 , wherein the valve further comprises a plate proximal section coupled to the plate distal section, and a stop coupled to the plate proximal section and formed as a curved plate, wherein the stop defines a hole. 
     
     
         16 . A cassette for collecting a tissue sample from a fluid stream, the cassette comprising:
 a body comprising a shell defining an outlet opening through which suction is to be drawn, and a cap coupled to the shell to define a void internal to the body, wherein the cap comprises a head comprising a top face, a bottom face, and a front face extending between the top face and the bottom face, wherein the head defines plural voids that extend inwardly from the front face, openings extending through the top face and into a respective one of the plural voids, and a bypass bore extending through the top face and opening into a bypass conduit;   a catch tray removably seated in each of the plural voids; and   a valve movably coupled to the top face and comprising an inlet fitting configured to receive a proximal end of a suction line, wherein the inlet fitting defines an inlet bore,   wherein the valve and the inlet fitting are configured to be rotated relative to the head to align the inlet fitting with one of the plural voids to place the inlet bore of the inlet fitting in registration with a corresponding one of the openings, or to place the inlet bore of the inlet fitting in registration with the bypass bore.   
     
     
         17 . The cassette of  claim 16 , wherein the openings are located on opposing sides of the bore. 
     
     
         18 . The cassette of  claim 16 , wherein the head is formed with a recessed step proximal to the front face, and wherein the openings and the bypass bore are defined within the recessed step. 
     
     
         19 . The cassette of  claim 16 , wherein the plural voids are arranged arcuately on the head, and wherein the valve is movably coupled to the head to be moved in an arcuate translation motion. 
     
     
         20 . The cassette of  claim 16 , wherein the plural voids are arranged linearly on the head, and wherein the valve is movably coupled to the head to be moved linearly.