Cook Medical introduces first endobronchial ultrasound needle in the U.S

Cook Medical is introducing the first endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) needle in the U.S. that can acquire histological samples. The EchoTip® ProCore™ Endobronchial Ultrasound Needle gives physicians the ability to retrieve both cell and tissue samples from lymph nodes or tumors in the pulmonary area.

The EchoTip ProCore EBUS needle is a single-use needle that collects cell and tissue samples in order for a physician to diagnose lung cancer and various mediastinal diseases. The needle can be used for fine-needle biopsy of lesions of submucosal and extramural lesions within or adjacent to the tracheobronchial tree or gastrointestinal tract.

Prior to the availability of the EchoTip ProCore EBUS needle, tissue samples from the pulmonary area could be obtained only by surgical methods. Minimally invasive procedures could obtain cell samples only through fine needle aspiration. The EchoTip ProCore EBUS needle is designed with a core-trap technology that allows physicians to collect tissue samples through a minimally invasive procedure.

"Cook's ProCore technology has already proven itself in the GI endoscopic ultrasound space," said Barry Slowey, global leader of Cook Medical's Endoscopy division. "We are so pleased that physicians can now use the same technology in the pulmonary area, and we hope that this technology will aid in quick and accurate diagnosis for patients."

Cook also recently introduced the 25-gage EchoTip Ultra Endobronchial Ultrasound Needle, which is 33 percent more flexible than the 22-gage needle. This flexibility allows physicians to deflect the endoscope to a greater degree than is possible with larger needles. The added flexibility can also allow physicians to reach more pulmonary target lesions.