Patent ID: 6156049
Filing Date: 2000-12-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A morcellation device for morcellating and removing targeted body tissue from within a patient, comprising:an elongated outer probe tube defining a first interior channel therein and having a first aperture formed in a sidewall thereof adjacent to an open distal end of said outer probe tube;an elongated inner probe tube defining an aspiration channel therein and having a longitudinal axis and a second aperture formed in a sidewall thereof adjacent to a distal end of said inner probe tube, said inner probe tube is slidably disposed inside said first interior channel and movable in a reciprocating longitudinal direction parallel to said longitudinal axis and between a first position where said first and second apertures at least partially overlap each other and a second position where said second aperture is extended at least partially beyond the open distal end and out of said outer probe tube, a proximate end of said inner probe tube being connectable to a vacuum source; andsaid first aperture having a first cutting edge and said second aperture having second and third opposing cutting edges, wherein said first and second cutting edges pass each other when said inner probe tube moves from said first position to said second position, and said third cutting edge and said open distal end passing each other when said inner probe tube moves from said second position to said first position;wherein during operation:a portion of the targeted tissue is drawn into said first and second apertures by aspiration caused by a vacuum in said aspiration channel from the vacuum source when said inner probe tube is in said first position, and is cut by said first and second cutting edges passing each other when said inner probe tube moves from said first position to said second position, andanother portion of the targeted tissue is drawn into said second aperture by the vacuum when said inner probe tube is in said second position, and is cut by said third cutting edge and open distal end passing each other when said inner probe tube moves from said second position to said first position,the cut portions of targeted tissue being drawn into and through said aspiration channel.