Patent ID: 7029451
Filing Date: 2006-04-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of retrieving a specimen from a mass of tissue, comprising: providing a device having a proximal and a distal end and including, near the distal end, a tissue cutter adapted to cut the specimen from the mass of tissue and a specimen collector adapted to collect the cut specimen, the device further including a tip disposed at the distal end thereof, the tip being configured to selectably assume a first configuration that is effective to cut tissue and a second configuration that is ineffective to cut tissue, the tip being biased to assume the second configuration; a first causing step to cause the tip to assume the first configuration; inserting the device into the mass of tissue with the tip in the first configuration, the inserting step causing the tip to assume the first configuration; a second causing step to cause the tip to assume the second configuration; moving the tissue cutter to cut the specimen from the mass of tissue; moving the tissue collector to collect the cut specimen, and retracting the device from the mass of tissue while the tip remains in the second configuration.