Patent ID: 8652156

Claim:
In combination, a morcellator for morcellating tissue within a body cavity of a patient, first and second tissue-pulling devices, and an insert; the morcellator comprising; a handle portion having a lumen passing therethrough, the handle portion including an aperture communicating with the proximal end of the lumen, a tube extending from the handle portion and being in communication with the lumen, the tube having a distal end, a tissue cutting device located at the distal end of the tube and being capable of cutting tissue contacting the distal end of the tube, and first and second valves associated with the lumen of the handle portion, the first valve being located in the region of the proximal end of the lumen, and the second valve being located more distally with respect to the first valve, the first tissue pulling device having a shaft of a first diameter, and the second tissue pulling device having a shaft of a second diameter, the second diameter being less than the first diameter, the second valve being such that it forms a substantially gas-tight seal when no tissue pulling device is inserted within the handle, and the first valve being such that it forms a substantially gas-tight seal around the shaft of the first tissue pulling device when the first tissue pulling device is inserted within the handle, but that it does not form a substantially gas-fight seal around the shaft of the second tissue pulling device when the second tissue pulling device is inserted within the handle, the insert comprising a stem and a body portion, the stem including a lumen and being of a size such that it can be received in the aperture in the handle to locate the insert against the handle and form a substantially gas-tight seal in combination with the first valve, the stem being received within the first valve and receipt of the stem within the first valve being the sole method of attachment between the insert and the handle and being of such a length that it does not extend into the handle as far as the second valve, the body portion remaining outside the aperture and including a third valve, the third valve being such that it forms a substantially gas-tight seal around the shaft of the second tissue pulling device when the second tissue pulling device is inserted into the lumen of the insert.