Patent ID: 7670299

Claim:
A device for severing and removing internal tissues, comprising: a body comprising an actuation member; a vacuum assembly held by said body, wherein said vacuum assembly comprises a plunger affixed to said actuation member, wherein said plunger is operably configured to move integrally with said actuation member, wherein a vacuum is created by moving said actuation member and said plunger proximally; a hollow probe affixed to said body, said probe having a receiving aperture thereon, and a free distal end having thereon a sharp tip configured to pierce and penetrate tissue, wherein said probe further comprises a manifold providing a vacuum port connected in a substantially fluid-tight manner to said vacuum assembly via a vacuum tube; a cutter within said probe, having thereon a cutting edge having a concave grind, said cutting edge being proximate to said receiving aperture and said cutter being longitudinally movable within said probe such that said cutting edge may move past said receiving aperture, wherein the cutter has a spring collar integrally secured to the cutter, wherein the spring collar is configured to translate integrally with the cutter, wherein the cutter is engaged with the actuation member such that the cutter is configured to move integrally with the actuation member; and a firing spring substantially coaxial with said cutter, wherein a first end of the firing spring is engaged with the spring collar, wherein a second end of the firing spring is engaged with the body, wherein said firing spring is resiliently biased longitudinally to urge said cutter distally; wherein proximal movement of said actuation member simultaneously moves the plunger proximally to create a vacuum, translates the cutter proximally, and compresses said firing spring longitudinally between the spring collar and the body, against the resilient distal bias of the firing spring; wherein during a cutting stroke said cutting edge substantially translates past said receiving aperture and said cutter does not substantially rotate within said probe.