Patent ID: 6136014
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A tissue removal assembly, comprising:a.) a tubular tissue removal member having a wall, a distal diameter, a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said proximal end and said distal end; an open, distally located tissue entry opening; a relatively more proximal, tissue exit port; and a tissue removal passageway extending between said tissue entry opening and said tissue exit port;b.) a cutting member having a generally rounded ""J"" shape, a generally square ""J"" shape, or an ""L"" shape, said cutting member being rotatable with respect to said tubular tissue removal member in a diameter greater than the tubular tissue removal member distal diameter, extendible beyond said distally located tissue entry opening, and having a cutting surface, where upon rotation of said cutting member and extension of said cutting member distally beyond said tissue entry opening within a tissue region, said cutting surface cuts a discrete tissue mass having an overall diameter measured generally orthogonal to the tubular tissue removal member axis which is greater than said tubular tissue removal member distal diameter and which discrete tissue mass is in a configuration removable through said tissue entry opening.