Cook Medical launches new histology needle for endoscopic ultrasound

Cook MedicalFeb 17 2011

A new histology needle for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) from Cook Medical is now on the market, giving physicians the ability to retrieve tissue samples from hard-to-reach regions within or adjacent to the GI tract with a minimally invasive procedure. The EchoTip® ProCore™ High Definition Ultrasound Biopsy Needle from Cook Medical is developed to allow the targeting of small lesions with increased sampling yields and potentially fewer needle passes compared to what was previously available, which could minimize patient trauma and may improve the accuracy and efficiency of core biopsies. The EchoTip ProCore needle incorporates proven EUS technology developed by Cook, a pioneer in EUS needles and accessories and the only full-line supplier of endoscopic devices.

"With the EchoTip ProCore needle, there is no real learning curve involved in using the needle," say Dr. John Deutsch, St. Mary's Duluth Clinic. "It is designed to be easy to use, and the sharpness and accuracy of the needle could be beneficial to patients. I've had good tissue samples in my initial experience with the needles."

"The design of the EchoTip ProCore needle assists the physician in consistently obtaining histological samples through endoscopic ultrasound," said Dr. Sri Komanduri, interventional gastroenterologist, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. "In our early experience, the ProCore needle has improved our diagnostic yield over standard fine needle aspiration and has already impacted patient outcomes."

Until now, histological samples have been commonly acquired by other more invasive modalities to diagnose malignant and benign lesions of the GI tract. Now, with Cook's EchoTip ProCore, tissue samples can be obtained using the less-invasive EUS procedure. In a typical EUS procedure, a physician passes an endoscope with a small ultrasound transducer at its tip through the mouth and esophagus of a sedated patient so that the GI tract can be imaged from within. To acquire a histology sample, the EchoTip ProCore needle is inserted in the echoendoscope and guided by ultrasound imaging to the site of the lesion, where it collects the target tissue. This modality, called fine-needle biopsy (FNB), is a less invasive alternative to open surgical biopsy.

The EchoTip ProCore is a single-use, disposable needle for FNB intended for sampling of submucosal lesions, mediastinal masses, lymph nodes and intraperitoneal masses. It builds on the advantages of the EchoTip Ultra line, and its use and functionality are almost identical to the EchoTip Ultra ultrasound needle, so physicians familiar with that product won't need to learn new techniques. The core trap at the tip of the needle receives the tissue sample while the reverse bevel promotes the collection of core sample by shearing material from the target lesion during retrograde movement of the needle. The needle surface is dimpled with a high-definition pattern similar to Cook's EchoTip Ultra needles, promoting ultrasound visibility that helps the physician keep the needle tip on target. The redesigned, naturally contoured handle is designed for precise needle control and stability.

"Cook continues to be at the forefront of the endoscopy market, offering innovative and advanced endoscopic devices," said Barry Slowey, global business unit leader for Cook Medical's endoscopy division, the industry's only full-line supplier of endoscopic devices. "With the introduction of the EchoTip ProCore needle and its ability to yield core samples that provide vital tissue and cell information, we expand what is already the most complete and diverse line of endoscopic ultrasound devices for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders."