Patent ID: 8298254

Claim:
A vacuum powered tissue cutting device comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen defined therein, wherein the distal end has an opening for receiving tissue; a cutter positioned within the elongate shaft, wherein the cutter is configured to be reciprocated to cut tissue; a chamber coupled to the proximal end of the elongate shaft such that the elongate shaft remains fixed relative to the chamber, the chamber having a mechanism positioned therein, wherein the mechanism is powered by suction created by a vacuum source such that the mechanism produces a reciprocating motion which causes the cutter to reciprocate; and wherein the mechanism comprises a piston and a valve, wherein the suction is applied to both sides of the piston in an alternating manner to cause the piston to reciprocate which causes the cutter to reciprocate, wherein the piston is coupled to the valve by a linkage mechanism that translates motion from the piston to the valve.