Cook Medical launches EchoTip ProCore EBUS needle

Cook Medical has announced the introduction of a potentially groundbreaking new endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) needle.

Debuting in the US, the EchoTip ProCore Endobronchial Ultrasound Needle is the first device of its kind that can be used to acquire histological samples, meaning users can acquire both cell and tissue samples from lymph nodes or tumours in the pulmonary area.

With this single-use needle, it becomes easier to diagnose lung cancer and various mediastinal diseases. It can be used for fine-needle biopsy of lesions of submucosal/extramural lesions, within or adjacent to the tracheobronchial tree or gastrointestinal tract.

Prior to this, tissue samples from the pulmonary area could be obtained only by surgical methods, while minimally invasive procedures could obtain cell samples only through fine needle aspiration.

Barry Slowey, global leader of Cook Medical's endoscopy division, said: "Cook's ProCore technology has already proven itself in the gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound space. We are so pleased that physicians can now use the same technology in the pulmonary area."

This comes after the firm allied with Purdue Research Foundation earlier this month to support the development of new life science companies in the Purdue region of the US.