Patent ID: 7806834
Filing Date: 2010-10-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for severing and removing internal tissues, comprising: a body comprising an actuator; a hollow probe affixed to said body, said probe including a receiving aperture thereon, a vacuum lumen along said probe in fluid communication with said receiving aperture, and a free distal end having thereon a piercing tip; a cutter within said probe, having thereon a cutting edge, said cutting edge being proximate to said receiving aperture and said cutter being movable with respect to said receiving aperture such that said cutting edge is movable past said receiving aperture in a distal direction while severing tissue, wherein said cutter is in mechanical communication with said actuator, wherein the cutter defines a lumen; an aspirator held by said body and having a fluid connection with said vacuum lumen; a sample collection assembly comprising: (i) a collection tube, wherein the collection tube has an open distal end and a proximal end, wherein the collection tube has an integral collection tube retraction member at the proximal end of the collection tube, wherein the collection tube is coaxial with the lumen of the cutter and is longitudinally movable within the lumen of the cutter such that the distal end of the collection tube is distally movable past the receiving aperture, and (ii) an ejector rod, wherein the ejector rod has a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the ejector rod is coaxial with the collection tube and with the lumen of the cutter, wherein the ejector rod is and longitudinally movable within the collection tube, wherein the sample collection assembly is operably configured to be entirely withdrawn proximally from the cutter by pulling on the collection tube retraction member; and a cutter driver held by said body and in mechanical communication with said cutter, wherein said cutter driver drives said cutter so that said cutting edge moves distally across said receiving aperture during a cutting stroke, wherein said cutter driver further comprises a firing spring substantially coaxial with said cutter, wherein said firing spring is operably configured to be compressed via proximal movement of said actuator, wherein said firing spring is operably configured to urge said cutter distally during a cutting stroke, and wherein said device requires no connection to outboard vacuum or power sources to effect operation thereof.