Cook Medical has released a new endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) needle, a single-use, disposable item for fine-needle biopsy (FNB) intended for sampling of submucosal and extramural lesions within or adjacent to the tracheobronchial tree or gastrointestinal tract.
It is reportedly the first endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) needle to be introduced in the US that can acquire histological samples.
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The EBUS needle offers an option that promises easier and cleaner results than standard fine needle aspiration.
The EchoTip ProCore EBUS needle is designed with a core-trap technology that gives physicians the ability to retrieve both cell and tissue samples from lymph nodes or tumours in the pulmonary area.
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 procedure.
Cook Medical Endoscopy division global leader Barry Slowey said: “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.”
The company recently introduced the 25-gage EchoTip Ultra endobronchial ultrasound needle, which has been designed to be 33% 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.
According to the company, the added flexibility can also allow physicians to reach more pulmonary target lesions.
According to GlobalData estimates, the US fine aspiration needles market was valued at $12.4m in 2012 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% to reach $15.4m by 2019.
Image: ProCore EBUS Handle. Photo: courtesy of Cook Medical.
