Brisbane, Australia —When Cook Medical decided to offer biopsy forceps, the first iteration—the Captura® Biopsy Forceps product—was straightforward and had no bells or whistles. When clinicians were taking a sample of tissue for a biopsy from the intestines or anywhere in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, this product did the trick. Now, Cook has upgraded this practical device.
The Captura Pro® Biopsy Forceps has been available in the US and the EU and it’s now commercially available to clinicians in Australia.
Although the product has the same simple purpose as its predecessor, it has some new features. Compared to the Captura Biopsy Forceps, the Captura Pro has a shorter throw handle, catheter markings, and a dual drive-wire design. Through these enhancements, the Captura Pro forceps now feature pivoting biopsy cups and external markings. These additions are designed to help clinicians identify the position and follow the movement of the forceps while it’s inside the patient.
Biopsy forceps are an essential tool for gastrointestinal healthcare providers. Forceps can be used in a variety of clinical settings to diagnose a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions. A recent survey of 10 tertiary referral centres across Europe showed that biopsy samples were taken in 56.6% of 9,425 recorded procedures where there was an indication of gastric inflammation.[1]
In addition, obtaining tissue samples with tools such as the Captura Pro for histological testing is often the first step in addressing many diseases and cancers of the GI tract. One study of GI biopsies showed that of 1,297 biopsies taken, ‘in patients with normal upper endoscopy, 22% of esophageal, 44% of gastric and 12% of duodenal biopsies were abnormal.’[2]
‘Our goal is to provide clinicians with reliable devices like our Captura Pro Biopsy Forceps’, said Barry Slowey, vice president of Cook Medical’s Endoscopy specialty. ‘Gastroenterologists use forceps within a variety of clinical scenarios, so it’s important that we offer reliable tools that will assist clinicians in treating their patients.’
About Cook Medical
Since 1963, Cook Medical has worked closely with physicians to develop technologies that eliminate the need for open surgery. Today we invent, manufacture, and deliver a unique portfolio of medical devices to the healthcare systems of the world. Serving patients is a privilege and we demand the highest standards of quality ethics and service. We have remained family owned so that we have the freedom to focus on what we care about: our patients, our employees and our communities.
Find out more at www.cookmedical.com.au and for the latest news, follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
References
[1]. Bornschein J, Tran-Nguyen T, Fernandez-Esparrach G, et al. Biopsy sampling in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: a survey from 10 tertiary referral centres across Europe. Dig Dis. 2020:39(3):179–189.
[2]. Teriaky A, AlNasser A, McLean C, et al. The utility of endoscopic biopsies in patients with normal upper endoscopy. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016;2016:3026563.