Patent ID: 8372098

Claim:
A method for removing a fluid line from a body comprising: providing a fluid line removal device comprising a handle having a grip portion and a single extension member, and a cutting head coupled to the single extension member of the handle to cut body tissue away from a fluid line to remove the fluid line from the body, the cutting head having a tubular shape and comprising a proximal end coupled to a distal end of the extension member of the handle, a distal end spaced apart from the proximal end, the distal end having an annular cutting edge configured to substantially encircle the fluid line and to cut body tissue away from the fluid line, and a fluid line channel formed by the tubular shape of the cutting head and having a circumference configured to receive and substantially encircle the fluid line during removal from the body, the fluid line channel extending through the cutting head from the proximal end to the distal end and extending along a longitudinal axis of the cutting head oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the extension member, wherein the cutting edge at the distal end of the cutting head defines the distal end of the fluid line channel; inserting the fluid line in the fluid line channel; manipulating the handle to rotate the cutting edge about the longitudinal axis of the fluid line channel so that the cutting edge cuts body tissue away from the fluid line; and removing the fluid line from the body.