# A Biopsy Cap with Helical Brushes for Endoscopes > This patent describes a specialized cap for endoscopes that uses brushes arranged in a spiral pattern to collect tissue samples during medical procedures. - **Patent:** US 12733796 - **Original title:** Biopsy cap for use with endoscope - **Granted:** 2026 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** medical_devices, biotech, mechanical, healthcare ## What it does The patent details an endoscope assembly that includes an endoscope with an internal channel and a port to access it. A cap attaches to this port. This cap has a base that secures it to the endoscope and an outer shell. Inside the cap, there is a brush section, which contains multiple brushes arranged in a helical, or spiral, fashion. This design allows for the collection of biopsy samples through the endoscope's channel, for example, by rotating the cap or moving it along the tissue to efficiently gather cells or small tissue fragments. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover biopsy caps that use different mechanisms for sample collection, such as suction or cutting blades, without brushes. - Does not cover biopsy caps where the brushes are arranged in a non-helical pattern, such as straight lines or random configurations. - Does not cover endoscopes or biopsy methods that do not involve a cap coupled to a port with an internal brush section. - Does not cover general endoscope components or biopsy tools that are not specifically a cap designed with helical brushes. - Does not cover methods of biopsy where the sample is collected directly by the endoscope itself without a separate cap attachment. ## The clever bit The novel aspect is arranging the multiple brushes within the cap in a helical fashion. This spiral arrangement likely improves the ability to sweep and collect tissue samples more thoroughly or from a wider area compared to other brush configurations. ## Real-world examples 1. Gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures 2. Bronchoscopy for lung tissue sampling 3. Colonoscopy for detecting polyps 4. Medical devices for tissue collection during minimally invasive surgery 5. Flexible endoscopes used in various medical fields ## Why it matters Biopsies are crucial for diagnosing many diseases, including cancers, by examining tissue samples. This type of specialized biopsy cap aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of sample collection during endoscopic procedures. Better sample collection can lead to more accurate diagnoses and earlier treatment for patients. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does A Biopsy Cap with Helical Brushes for Endoscopes cover? This patent describes a specialized cap for endoscopes that uses brushes arranged in a spiral pattern to collect tissue samples during medical procedures. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What problem does this patent solve? Biopsies are crucial for diagnosing many diseases, including cancers, by examining tissue samples. This type of specialized biopsy cap aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of sample collection during endoscopic procedures. Better sample collection can lead to more accurate diagnoses and earlier treatment for patients. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover biopsy caps that use different mechanisms for sample collection, such as suction or cutting blades, without brushes. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733796/biopsy-cap-for-use-with-endoscope **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12733796 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [A Medical Guidewire That Bends to Protect Tissue](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734341/medical-guidewire-assembly-having-predetermined-spatial-geometry) — This patent describes a medical guidewire assembly designed to safely puncture a body wall, featuring a flexible tip that automatically forms a protective shape once it exits a guiding tube, preventing the sharp piercing tool from accidentally harming nearby healthy tissue. - [How a Surgical Device Temporarily Anchors in the Intestine](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733932/surgical-device-for-controlled-anchoring-in-the-intestine) — This patent describes a surgical device designed to temporarily attach itself to the inner wall of the intestine using a controllable suction mechanism and a radially elastic wall. - [Surgical Tool with Flexible, Articulating, and Rotating End Effectors](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10736702/activating-and-rotating-surgical-end-effectors) — This patent describes a surgical tool with a flexible tip that can bend in multiple directions and also twist, allowing surgeons to precisely control instruments like graspers and cutters inside the body. - [How a Robotic Surgical Tool Clamps Tissue Manually and Automatically](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11786761/ultrasonic-robotic-tool-actuation) — This patent describes a surgical tool for robotic operations that can clamp tissue using a motor-driven yoke, but also allows a surgeon to manually control the clamping action. - [Customizing Surgical Dissectors Using 3D Printing](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10959744/surgical-dissectors-and-manufacturing-techniques) — This patent describes a surgical tool's working tip, called an end effector, which has two jaws whose gripping features can be custom-made using 3D printing for specific surgical needs.