Patent ID: 6203517
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical apparatus for reducing cancer cell transportation when the apparatus is used to operate on cancerous tissue, comprising:an instrument having an operative zone defined thereon for physical engagement with a patient's body tissue, the instrument having a foraminous rigid outer shell disposed in the operative zone, the foraminous rigid outer shell having a plurality of perforations defined therein, wherein the perforations each have a diameter less than one-hundredth of a minimum cross sectional diameter of the operative portion of the instrument, the instrument having a fluid supply channel defined therein the supply channel being in fluid communication with the perforations for diffusing a flushing fluid out the perforations throughout the operative zone, so that adhesion of tissue to the operative zone of the instrument is reduced;a fluid supply source communicated with the fluid supply channel for supplying flushing fluid to the fluid supply channel at a pressure; andwherein the perforations have a size and density and the pressure is sufficient to dislodge a majority of otherwise adhered tissue from the outer shell and to thereby reduce cancer cell transportation when the instrument is used to operate on cancerous tissue.