Cook Medical has released a biopsy forceps that allows to obtain larger biopsy samples from renal pelvis and urethral tumors. Small samples are often insufficient to make a definite pathologic diagnosis, requiring multiple samples and sometimes even multiple procedures to obtain the samples. The BIGopsy Backloading Biopsy Forceps overcome this limitation with a 4 mm3 cup size, the largest currently on the market (although we must admit the thought of a urologist pushing this thing through your urethra and ureter makes us a little nervous). Because of the BIGopsy’s size, it needs to be backloaded through the working channel of a ureteroscope after which the handle is attached at the other end of the scope. See the video for an impression of how this thing works.
Press release: Improved Medical Technology Facilitates Accurate Diagnosis of Kidney Cancers…
Product page: BIGopsy Backloading Biopsy Forceps…