Patent ID: 8486098

Claim:
An aortic punch for removing tissue from a vascular system comprising a handle and a punch cartridge having a pull bar with an end connector, the handle having a linear translator for linear movement along an axis, a rotary drum, a rotary translator assembled within the rotary drum with both the drum and translator having openings for passing the pull bar end connector, the rotary translator fitted at one end to the linear translator and at its other end having a cage for receiving and retaining the end connector, the cartridge comprising a tubular housing having a longitudinal axis and having an open punch end and an open handle end, a blade drum positioned in the punch end of the housing, the blade drum having a closed cutting edge, the drum having an axial bore for slidably receiving a punch mandrel, the punch mandrel comprising a shaft with a circumferential recess for positioning vascular tissue in the aortic punch, the circumferential recess defining a punch head at an end of the shaft, the punch head having a closed cutting edge for cooperation with the drum cutting edge in removing vascular tissue, the punch mandrel having connecting means at the other end of the shaft, said pull bar secured to the mandrel connecting means and extending along the axis and through the handle end of the tubular housing, the pull bar end connector being engaged with the rotary translator of the handle mechanism so that linear excursion is imparted to the punch mandrel for removing vascular tissue at the blade drum, and the handle and cartridge being readily detachable to facilitate use in a surgical procedure of a single handle with a cartridge selected from a variety of cartridge sizes and configurations.