Patent Description:
Surgical procedures, such as hysteroscopic surgical procedures, may be performed endoscopically within an organ, such as a uterus, by inserting an endoscope into the uterus and passing a tissue resection device through the endoscope and into the uterus. With respect to such hysteroscopic tissue resection procedures, it often is desirable to distend the uterus with a fluid, for example, saline, sorbitol, or glycine. The inflow and outflow of the fluid during the procedure maintains the uterus in a distended state and flushes tissue and other debris from within the uterus to maintain a visible working space. The outflow fluid is collected by a collection system.

Document <CIT> relates to surgical systems including tissue resecting devices where the handset has a disposable portion detachably coupled to a reusable portion, wherein the reusable portion may be a housing where a motor and electronics are stored that may be used to drive a shaft inserted into the disposable portion, wherein the shaft may be coupled to a fluid pathway through the disposable portion that is fluidly isolated from the reusable section.

Document <CIT> relates to a tissue resecting device including a handle coupled to an elongated sleeve assembly, wherein the elongated sleeve assembly includes a windowed outer sleeve and an inner sleeve adapted to reciprocate and/or rotate relative to the window to resect tissue intruding into the window, where the resected tissue is captured in a channel in the sleeve assembly, wherein one or more motors in the handle both move the inner sleeve relative to the window and operate a pump which causes a fluid to flow through the channel in the sleeve assembly to remove resected tissue therefrom.

As used herein, the term "distal" refers to the portion that is described which is further from a user, while the term "proximal" refers to the portion that is described which is closer to a user. Further, to the extent consistent, any or all of the aspects described herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects described herein.

The invention is defined by claims <NUM> and <NUM>.

Provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is a surgical handpiece for removing tissue that includes a housing defining a cavity therein. The housing includes a proximal hub connector disposed at a distal end thereof. An end effector assembly is operably supported by the proximal hub connector and includes an outer shaft supporting a cutting shaft configured to remove tissue upon activation thereof via translation or rotation therein. A fluid pump is disposed within the cavity of the housing and is configured to evacuate fluid from the cutting shaft upon activation thereof. A motor is disposed within the cavity of the housing and includes a power coupler operably coupled to both the cutting shaft and the fluid pump for suppling power thereto.

In aspects according to the present disclosure, the fluid pump includes a passageway defined therein configured to operably connect to the end effector assembly to evacuate fluid and tissue from the cutting shaft. In other aspects according to the present disclosure, the fluid pump is a peristatic pump.

In aspects according to the present disclosure, the end effector is removably engaged to the proximal hub connector. In other aspects according to the present disclosure, the fluid pump is removably engaged to the housing. In still other aspects according to the present disclosure, the end effector and the fluid pump are removably engaged to the housing. In yet other aspects according to the present disclosure, the fluid pump is integral with the housing.

In aspects according to the present disclosure, the cutting shaft is operably coupled to an input coupler which, in turn, operably couples to an output coupler electrically coupled to the motor.

In aspects according to the present disclosure, the surgical handpiece is a tissue resection instrument.

Provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is a surgical handpiece for removing tissue that includes a housing defining a cavity therein. The housing includes a proximal hub connector disposed at a distal end thereof. An end effector assembly is operably supported by the proximal hub connector and includes an outer shaft supporting a cutting shaft configured to remove tissue upon activation thereof via translation or rotation therein. A fluid pump is disposed within the cavity of the housing and is configured to evacuate fluid from the cutting shaft upon activation thereof. Aa first motor is disposed within the cavity of the housing and includes an output coupler operably coupled to the cutting shaft for suppling power thereto. A second motor is disposed within the cavity of the housing and is operably coupled to the fluid pump for suppling power thereto.

In aspects according to the present disclosure, the first and second motors are independently activatable. In other aspects according to the present disclosure, the first and second motors are configured to cooperate with a control console for regulating power during use.

In aspects according to the present disclosure, the fluid pump is a peristaltic pump.

Various aspects and features of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views.

Referring to <FIG>, a surgical system provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is shown generally identified by reference numeral <NUM>. Surgical system <NUM> includes a surgical instrument <NUM>, a control console <NUM>, and a collection vessel <NUM>. Surgical system <NUM> further includes a cable <NUM>, outflow tubing <NUM>, and vacuum tubing <NUM>. Surgical system <NUM> may further include an endoscope (not shown), e.g., a hysteroscope, defining a working channel for inserting of surgical instrument <NUM> therethrough, and adapted to connect to inflow tubing (not shown) to supply fluid to an internal surgical site and/or additional outflow tubing (not shown) to return fluid to collection vessel <NUM>.

Surgical instrument <NUM> includes a handpiece <NUM> that may be configured as a reusable component and an end effector assembly <NUM> that may be configured as a single-use, disposable component. Handpiece <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> to facilitate grasping and manipulation of surgical instrument <NUM> by a user. Handpiece <NUM> further includes an output coupler <NUM> configured to operably engage end effector assembly <NUM>, a motor <NUM> disposed within housing <NUM> and operably coupled to output coupler <NUM> to drive output coupler <NUM> and, thus, drive end effector assembly <NUM>. Cable <NUM> electrically couples handpiece <NUM> and control console <NUM> with one another and, more specifically, electrically couples control console <NUM> with motor <NUM> to power and control operation of motor <NUM> and electrically couples control console <NUM> with a storage device(s), e.g., a microchip(s) (not explicitly shown), associated with handpiece <NUM> and/or end effector assembly <NUM> to enable communication of, for example, identification, setting, and control information therebetween. In embodiments, cable <NUM> is fixedly attached to handpiece <NUM> and releasably couplable with control console <NUM>, although other configurations are also contemplated.

Continuing with reference to <FIG>, end effector assembly <NUM> includes a proximal hub <NUM> configured to releasably engage housing <NUM> of handpiece <NUM> to releasably mechanically engage end effector assembly <NUM> with handpiece <NUM>. End effector assembly <NUM> further includes an outer shaft <NUM> extending distally from proximal hub <NUM> and a cutting shaft <NUM> extending through outer shaft <NUM>. A proximal end of cutting shaft <NUM> extends into proximal hub <NUM> wherein an input coupler <NUM> is engaged with cutting shaft <NUM>. Input coupler <NUM> is configured to operably couple to output coupler <NUM> of handpiece <NUM> when proximal hub <NUM> is engaged with housing <NUM> such that, when motor <NUM> is activated to drive output coupler <NUM>, input coupler <NUM> is driven in a corresponding manner to thereby move cutting shaft <NUM> within and relative to outer shaft <NUM>.

Outer shaft <NUM>, as noted above, extends distally from proximal hub <NUM> and, in embodiments, is stationary relative to proximal hub <NUM>, although other configurations are also contemplated. Outer shaft <NUM> may define a window (not shown) through a side wall thereof towards a distal end thereof to provide access to cutting shaft <NUM> which is rotatably and/or translatably disposed within outer shaft <NUM>. Cutting shaft <NUM> may define an opening (not shown) towards the distal end thereof providing access to the interior thereof and may include a serrated cutting edge (not shown) surrounding the opening, although other suitable cutting edge configurations are also contemplated. Alternatively, or additionally, outer shaft <NUM> may include a cutting edge defined about the window thereof.

Motor <NUM>, as noted above, is activated to move cutting shaft <NUM> and, more specifically, to drive rotation and/or translation of cutting shaft <NUM> relative to outer shaft <NUM>. Control console <NUM>, coupled to motor <NUM> via cable <NUM>, enables selective powering and controlling of motor <NUM> and, thus, selective rotation and/or translation of cutting shaft <NUM> relative to outer shaft <NUM> to resect tissue adjacent the distal end of end effector assembly <NUM>. Control console <NUM> is detailed below.

Outflow tubing <NUM> includes a distal end <NUM> configured to releasably couple to handpiece <NUM> and a proximal end <NUM> configured to couple to collection vessel <NUM>. More specifically, handpiece <NUM> defines an internal passage (not shown) that couples distal end <NUM> of outflow tubing <NUM> with the interior of cutting shaft <NUM> in fluid communication with the interior of cutting shaft <NUM> such that fluid, tissue, and debris drawn into cutting shaft <NUM> and/or outer shaft <NUM> may be suctioned, under vacuum, e.g., from vacuum pump <NUM> of control console <NUM>, through end effector assembly <NUM>, handpiece <NUM>, and outflow tubing <NUM> to collection vessel <NUM>.

Referring still to <FIG>, collection vessel <NUM>, as noted above, is coupled to proximal end <NUM> of outflow tubing <NUM> to receive the fluid, tissue, and debris suctioned through end effector assembly <NUM> and outflow tubing <NUM>. Vacuum tubing <NUM> is coupled between collection vessel <NUM> and a vacuum source, e.g., vacuum pump <NUM> of control console <NUM>, such that, upon activation of vacuum pump <NUM>, negative pressure is established through collection vessel <NUM>, outflow tubing <NUM>, and the interior of cutting shaft <NUM> of end effector assembly <NUM> to draw the fluids, tissue, and debris into and through cutting shaft <NUM>, handpiece <NUM>, outflow tubing <NUM>, and into collection vessel <NUM>.

Control console <NUM> generally includes an outer housing <NUM>, a touch-screen display <NUM> accessible from the exterior of outer housing <NUM>, a cable port <NUM> configured to receive cable <NUM>, a vacuum tubing port <NUM> configured to receive vacuum tubing <NUM>, and a vacuum pump <NUM> disposed within outer housing <NUM> and operably coupled with vacuum port <NUM>. Outer housing <NUM> further houses internal electronics (not shown) of control console <NUM>. Control console <NUM> may be configured to connect to a mains power supply (not shown) for powering control console <NUM>. Further, control console <NUM> may be configured to receive user input, e.g., use information, setting selections, etc., via touch-screen display <NUM> or a peripheral input device (not shown) coupled to control console <NUM>. Operational input, e.g., ON/OFF signals, power level settings (HI power vs. LO power), etc., may likewise be input via touch-screen display <NUM> or a peripheral input device (not shown) such as, for example, a footswitch (not shown), a hand switch (not shown) disposed on handpiece <NUM>, etc..

In use, upon an activation input provided to control console <NUM>, control console <NUM> powers and controls motor <NUM> of handpiece <NUM> to, in turn, drive cutting shaft <NUM> of end effector assembly <NUM> to resect tissue adjacent the distal end of end effector assembly <NUM>, while vacuum pump <NUM> of control console <NUM> suctions fluid, the resected tissue, and debris through cutting shaft <NUM>, handpiece <NUM>, outflow tubing <NUM>, and into collection vessel <NUM>.

Collection vessel <NUM> may define various different configurations and/or may be utilized with various different components to define a collection system. Such collection vessels and systems are provided in accordance with the present disclosure and detailed below with reference to commonly-owned <CIT>. As an alternative to use with surgical system <NUM>, the collection vessels and systems of the present disclosure may be utilized within any other suitable surgical system.

With reference to <FIG>, another embodiment of a surgical handpiece <NUM> is shown and includes similar elements as described above and, as such, only those necessary to describe the differences between handpiece <NUM> and handpiece <NUM> will be described in detail. Surgical handpiece <NUM> may be configured as a reusable component along with end effector assembly <NUM> that may be configured as a single-use or disposable component. Handpiece <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> to facilitate grasping and manipulation thereof by a user. Handpiece <NUM> further includes an output coupler <NUM> configured to operably engage end effector assembly <NUM>, a motor <NUM> disposed within housing <NUM> and operably coupled to output coupler <NUM> to drive output coupler <NUM> and, thus, drive end effector assembly <NUM>.

Cable <NUM> electrically couples handpiece <NUM> at coupling <NUM> and control console, e.g., control console <NUM>, with one another and, more specifically, electrically couples control console <NUM> with motor <NUM> to power and control operation of motor <NUM> and electrically couples control console <NUM> with one or more storage devices as explained above with respect t to <FIG>. This enables communication between handpiece <NUM> and/or end effector assembly <NUM>, e.g., identification, setting, and control information.

Motor <NUM>, as noted above, is activated to move cutting shaft <NUM> and, more specifically, to drive rotation and/or translation of cutting shaft <NUM> relative to outer shaft <NUM>. Control console <NUM> (<FIG>), coupled to motor <NUM> via cable <NUM>, enables selective powering and controlling of motor <NUM> and, thus, selective rotation and/or translation of cutting shaft <NUM> relative to outer shaft <NUM> to resect tissue adjacent the distal end of end effector assembly <NUM>. In this embodiment, the motor <NUM> is also configured to power a fluid pump <NUM> disposed within the housing <NUM>.

More particularly, outflow tubing <NUM> includes a distal end <NUM> configured to releasably couple to handpiece <NUM> and a proximal end (not shown but similar to proximal end <NUM>) configured to couple to collection vessel <NUM> (<FIG>). Handpiece <NUM> may define an internal passage (not shown) that couples distal end <NUM> of outflow tubing <NUM> with the interior of cutting shaft <NUM> in fluid communication with the interior of cutting shaft <NUM> such that fluid, tissue, and debris drawn into cutting shaft <NUM> and/or outer shaft <NUM> may be suctioned, under vacuum, e.g., from fluid pump <NUM> through end effector assembly <NUM>, handpiece <NUM>, and outflow tubing <NUM> to collection vessel <NUM>. Outflow tube <NUM> may include multiple tubes (not shown) disposed therein to provide both fluid to cutting shaft <NUM> and suction from cutting shaft <NUM> depending upon particular purpose. On the other hand, the fluid may be supplied through the interior cavity <NUM> defined within housing <NUM> and suctioned out through passageway <NUM> defined at a proximal end of outer shaft <NUM> or cutting shaft <NUM>.

A power coupler <NUM> is electrically coupled the input coupler <NUM> and the motor <NUM> and supplies power to both the input coupler <NUM> and the fluid pump <NUM>. In this fashion, a single motor <NUM> may be utilized to power both the input coupler <NUM> (cutting shaft <NUM>) and the fluid pump <NUM>.

Fluid pump <NUM> may be integrally associated with housing <NUM> (not claimed) or may be removably coupled thereto in the form of a cartridge or the like. In the invention as claimed, the fluid pump is removably enageged to the housing. In embodiments, both the cutting assembly, e.g., cutting shaft <NUM> and outer shaft <NUM>, may be removably engaged to the proximal hub <NUM> along with the fluid pump <NUM> enabling the entire unit to be disposable relative to the remainder of the handpiece <NUM>. In other embodiment, the fluid pump <NUM>, the cutting shaft <NUM> and the outer shaft may be individually separable from the handpiece <NUM> or one another depending upon a particular purpose.

Outer shaft <NUM> is similar to outer shaft <NUM> noted above and extends distally from proximal hub <NUM> and, in embodiments, is stationary relative to proximal hub <NUM>, although other configurations are also contemplated. Outer shaft <NUM> may define a window (not shown) through a side wall thereof towards a distal end thereof to provide access to cutting shaft <NUM> which is rotatably and/or translatably disposed within outer shaft <NUM>. Cutting shaft <NUM> may define an opening (not shown) towards the distal end thereof providing access to the interior thereof and may include a serrated cutting edge (not shown) surrounding the opening, although other suitable cutting edge configurations are also contemplated. Alternatively, or additionally, outer shaft <NUM> may include a cutting edge defined about the window thereof.

Motor <NUM>, as noted above, is activated to move cutting shaft <NUM> and, more specifically, to drive rotation and/or translation of cutting shaft <NUM> relative to outer shaft <NUM>. A control console, e.g., control console <NUM>, coupled to motor <NUM> enables selective powering and controlling of motor <NUM> and, thus, selective rotation and/or translation of cutting shaft <NUM> relative to outer shaft <NUM> to resect tissue adjacent the distal end of end effector assembly <NUM>. Control console <NUM> is detailed above.

As the pump <NUM> and cutting shaft <NUM> are driven by activation of motor <NUM>, suction is applied to the cutting shaft <NUM> to aid in the resection and tissue evacuation and fluid and tissue are driven into the passageway <NUM> and outflow tubing <NUM> to be collected by the specimen container <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, another embodiment of a surgical handpiece <NUM> is shown and includes similar elements as described above and, as such, only those necessary to describe the differences between handpiece <NUM>, <NUM> and handpiece <NUM> will be described in detail. Similar to the handpieces described above, surgical handpiece <NUM> may be configured as a reusable component along with end effector assembly <NUM> that may be configured as a single-use or disposable component. Handpiece <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> to facilitate grasping and manipulation thereof by a user. Handpiece <NUM> further includes an output coupler <NUM> configured to operably engage end effector assembly <NUM>, a motor 320a disposed within housing <NUM> and operably coupled to output coupler <NUM> to drive output coupler <NUM> and, thus, drive end effector assembly <NUM> and a motor 320b operably coupled to the fluid pump <NUM>.

Cable 370a electrically couples handpiece <NUM> and control console, e.g., control console <NUM>, with one another and, more specifically, electrically couples control console <NUM> with motor 320a to power and control operation of motor 320a and electrically couples control console <NUM> with one or more storage devices as explained above with respect t to <FIG>. This enables communication between handpiece <NUM> and/or end effector assembly <NUM>, e.g., identification, setting, and control information.

Continuing with reference to <FIG>, end effector assembly <NUM> includes a proximal hub <NUM> configured to releasably engage housing <NUM> of handpiece <NUM> to releasably mechanically engage end effector assembly <NUM> with handpiece <NUM>. End effector assembly <NUM> further includes an outer shaft <NUM> extending distally from proximal hub <NUM> and a cutting shaft <NUM> extending through outer shaft <NUM>. A proximal end of cutting shaft <NUM> extends into proximal hub <NUM> wherein an input coupler <NUM> is engaged with cutting shaft <NUM>. Input coupler <NUM> is configured to operably couple to output coupler <NUM> of handpiece <NUM> when proximal hub <NUM> is engaged with housing <NUM> such that, when motor 320a is activated to drive output coupler <NUM>, input coupler <NUM> is driven in a corresponding manner to thereby move cutting shaft <NUM> within and relative to outer shaft <NUM>.

Motor 320a, as noted above, is activated to move cutting shaft <NUM> and, more specifically, to drive rotation and/or translation of cutting shaft <NUM> relative to outer shaft <NUM>. Control console <NUM> (<FIG>), coupled to motor 320a via cable 370a, enables selective powering and controlling of motor 320a and, thus, selective rotation and/or translation of cutting shaft <NUM> relative to outer shaft <NUM> to resect tissue adjacent the distal end of end effector assembly <NUM>. Outer shaft <NUM> is similar to outer shaft <NUM>, <NUM> noted above with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Outflow tubing <NUM> includes a distal end <NUM> configured to releasably couple to handpiece <NUM> and a proximal end (not shown but similar to proximal end <NUM>) configured to couple to collection vessel <NUM> (<FIG>). Handpiece <NUM> may define an internal passage (not shown) that couples distal end <NUM> of outflow tubing <NUM> with the interior of cutting shaft <NUM> in fluid communication with the interior of cutting shaft <NUM> such that fluid, tissue, and debris drawn into cutting shaft <NUM> and/or outer shaft <NUM> may be suctioned, under vacuum, e.g., from fluid pump <NUM> through end effector assembly <NUM>, handpiece <NUM>, and outflow tubing <NUM> to collection vessel <NUM>. Outflow tube <NUM> may include multiple tubes (not shown) disposed therein the provide both fluid to cutting shaft <NUM> and suction from cutting shaft <NUM> depending upon particular purpose. On the other hand, the fluid may be supplied through the interior of housing <NUM> and suctioned out through passageway <NUM> defined at a proximal end of outer shaft <NUM> or cutting shaft <NUM>.

Fluid pump <NUM> may be integrally associated with housing <NUM> (not claimed ) or may be removably coupled thereto in the form of a cartridge or the like. In the invention as claimed, the fluid pump is removably enageged to the housing. In embodiments, both the cutting assembly, e.g., cutting shaft <NUM> and outer shaft <NUM>, may be removably engaged to the proximal hub <NUM> along with the fluid pump <NUM> enabling the entire unit to be disposable relative to the remainder of the handpiece <NUM>. In other embodiment, the fluid pump <NUM>, the cutting shaft <NUM> and the outer shaft <NUM> may be individually separable from the handpiece <NUM> or one another depending upon a particular purpose. The output tubing <NUM> may be removably engageable with the fluid pump <NUM>.

Motor 320b is included and is configured to supply power to fluid pump <NUM>. Motor 320b may be connected via cable 370b to the same control console, e.g., control console <NUM> as noted above, or may be connected to a separate control console (not shown). Motor 320b is activatable to control the fluid pump <NUM> and may be electrically coupled to motor 320a for simultaneous or sequential activation or may be stand alone and independently activated.

As the pump <NUM> is driven by activation of motor 320b and the cutting shaft <NUM> is driven by activation of motor 320a, suction is applied to the cutting shaft <NUM> to aid in the resection and tissue evacuation and fluid and tissue are driven into the passageway <NUM> and outflow tubing <NUM> to be collected by the specimen container <NUM>. In aspects according to the present disclosure, the fluid pump <NUM> is a peristaltic pump.

Claim 1:
A surgical handpiece (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for removing tissue, comprising:
a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) defining a cavity therein, the housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including a proximal hub connector disposed at a distal end thereof;
an end effector assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) operably supported by the proximal hub connector, the end effector assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including an outer shaft (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) supporting a cutting shaft (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to remove tissue upon activation thereof via at least one of translation or rotation therein;
a fluid pump (<NUM>) disposed within the cavity of the housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the fluid pump (<NUM>) configured to evacuate fluid from the cutting shaft (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) upon activation thereof, wherein the fluid pump (<NUM>) is removably engaged to the housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a motor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed within the cavity of the housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the motor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including a power coupler (<NUM>) operably coupled to both the cutting shaft (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the fluid pump (<NUM>) for supplying power thereto.