What is claimed is:
1. A device for obtaining multiple biopsy samples from a body cavity, comprising:
a flexible hollow tube having a sample port in a wall of said tube, said sample port positioned toward a distal end of said tube and having a diameter sufficient to draw into the tube a biopsy sample of predetermined size;
a moveable helical cutting element within the tube, wherein the helical cutting element is configured to sever and hold multiple biopsy samples in an order of which they are severed;
means for moving the helical cutting element along the longitudinal axis of the tube into cutting alignment with the sample port;
a removable seal at the distal end of said tube; and
a vacuum port at the proximal end of the tube communicating with an interior of said tube whereby the sample is drawn through the port into the interior of the tube.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the distance between adjacent coils of the helical cutting element is at least equal to the longitudinal diameter of said sample port.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the space between successive coils of the helical cutting element define sample receiving areas of said helical cutting element.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the helical cutting element has a sharp leading edge.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the internal diameter of the helical cutting element is slightly less than the diameter of the sample port.
6. The device of claim 2, wherein the leading edge is sharp at intervals.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for moving the helical cutting element comprises a plunger.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the tube is adapted for insertion into a body cavity through an endoscopic biopsy channel.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the helical cutting element is activated by a monopolar current device.
10. The device of claim 7, wherein the activated helical cutting element cuts and coagulates the biopsy sample.
11. A device for obtaining multiple biopsy samples from a body cavity, comprising:
a flexible hollow tube having a sample port in the wall of said tube, said sample port having a diameter sufficient to draw into the tube a biopsy sample of predetermined size;
a moveable electrically conductive helical element extending within the tube;
a monopolar current device in communication with the helical element;
a means for moving the helical element along the tube;
a removable seal at the distal end of the tube; and
a vacuum port on the tube wherein the vacuum port is configured to communicate with a vacuum source wherein the biopsy sample is drawn into the tube through the sample port.
12. A method for obtaining multiple biopsy samples from a body cavity, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a flexible hollow tube having a side port of a diameter sufficient to draw into the tube a biopsy sample of predetermined size; a moveable helical cutting element extending within the tube; a means for moving the helical cutting element along the tube; a removable seal secured to the tube; and a vacuum port on the tube, wherein the vacuum port is configured to communicate with a vacuum source;
(b) inserting the flexible hollow tube through an endoscopic biopsy channel that is placed in a body cavity;
(c) positioning the tube such that the sample port is proximal to the biopsy sample;
(d) applying a suction from the vacuum source wherein the suction draws the biopsy sample through the sample port into the tube;
(e) advancing the helical cutting element along the tube until the biopsy sample is obtained; and
(f) repositioning the device for obtaining subsequent biopsy samples.
13. A method for obtaining multiple biopsy samples from a body cavity, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a flexible hollow tube having a side port of a diameter sufficient to draw into the tube a biopsy sample of predetermined size; a moveable helical electrically conductive element extending within the tube, wherein the element is in communication with a monopolar current device;a means for moving the helical conductive element along the tube; a removable seal secured to the tube; and a vacuum port on the tube, wherein the vacuum port is configured to communicate with a vacuum source;
(b) inserting the flexible hollow tube through an endoscopic biopsy channel that is placed in a body cavity;
(c) positioning the tube such that the port is proximal to the biopsy sample;
(d) applying a suction from the vacuum source wherein the suction draws the biopsy sample through the side port and into the tube;
(e) sending an electrical current through the helical conductive element to sever the biopsy sample;
(f) advancing the helical conductive element in a forward motion until the biopsy sample is obtained; and
(g) repositioning the device for severing subsequent biopsy samples.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A gas sensor on a semiconductor substrate, the gas sensor comprising:
an elongate sensor element extending across an opening and having first and second opposed surfaces exposed for contact with a gas to be sensed, wherein the first surface faces away from a major surface of the substrate, wherein the second surface faces toward said major surface, and wherein an electrical conductivity of the elongate sensor element is sensitive to at least one of a composition and a concentration of said gas to be sensed; and
a support structure directly exposed to the opening, and attached to the first surface of the sensor element at regular intervals over the opening, such that over the opening the sensor element is not continuously attached to the support structure, wherein a majority of the first surface of the sensor element remains available for gas contact while attached to the support structure.
2. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises at least one elongate strut extending across the opening.
3. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the elongate sensor element is arranged in a meander line.
4. The gas sensor of claim 3, wherein the support structure comprises at least one elongate strut extending across the opening and wherein the at least one elongate strut extends substantially perpendicular to a long axis of the meander line.
5. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein at least part of the support structure extends outwardly from the substrate to support the sensor element at the first surface.
6. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor element is suspended from the support structure above the semiconductor substrate.
7. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a patterned layer on the semiconductor substrate.
8. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises any of SiC, SiN, SiO2, Si, GeO2, GeN and a polymer.
9. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the sensor element is metallic.
10. The gas sensor of claim 9, wherein the sensor element comprises one of Cu, Al, W, WC, TiN, TaN, Ti, Ta, Pt, Ag and Au.
11. A semiconductor device comprising a plurality of sensors integrated in one of a semiconductor die and a package, wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors comprises the gas sensor according to claim 1.
12. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the gas sensor is configured for use in a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.
13. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the gas sensor is configured for use in a mobile communications device.
14. The gas sensor of claim 1, wherein the gas sensor is configured for use in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
15. A gas sensor on a semiconductor substrate, the gas sensor comprising:
an elongate sensor element extending across an opening and having first and second opposed surfaces exposed for contact with a gas to be sensed, wherein the first surface faces away from a major surface of the substrate, wherein the second surface faces toward said major surface, and wherein an electrical conductivity of the elongate sensor element is sensitive to at least one of a composition and a concentration of said gas to be sensed; and
a support structure attached to the second surface of the sensor element and extending outwardly from the substrate towards the second surface, such that over the opening the sensor element is not continuously attached to the support structure, wherein a majority of the second surface of the sensor element remains available for gas contact while attached to the support structure.