A catheter for optical biopsy includes a forceps for tissue sampling on its distal end and a forceps control device, a light source and a device for imaging and analysis of a scanned tissue on its proximal end, with the distal and the proximal ends interconnected with an elongated sheath containing a Bowden with a control cable or wire and at least one optical fibre. The sheath, made of flexible plastic, provides a lengthwise channel for the Bowden placement, whereas the channel is open with a fissure along the full length of the sheath.