Patent ID: 8328812

Claim:
A device for insertion into a body via an opening, and for removing material from within the body, the device comprising: an elongated element formed primarily from a plurality of hollow segments sequentially interconnected so as to form an effective hinge between adjacent of the segments, the segments and the effective hinges being configured such that: (a) the elongated element assumes an insertion configuration for insertion of the segments sequentially through an opening of a first dimension into the body; and (b) a portion of the elongated element inserted into the body progressively assumes a material removing configuration in which a relative position of each segment relative to an adjacent segment is delineated by the effective hinge together with additional abutment surfaces defining a fully deflected state of the effective hinge, said material removing configuration having at least two dimensions exceeding said first dimension, wherein each of at least two of the segments is formed with at least three lateral faces that are open over a majority of their area so as to receive material into a hollow volume of the segments during progressive formation of said material removing configuration as the elongated element is advanced.