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.”