Disposable laparoscopic morcellator

• US 6,039,748 A
• Filed: 08/05/1997
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: FemRx, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Dillow, David Curtis, Christian, Jeffrey J., Savage, George M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ho, Tan-Uyen Thi
• Application Number:
  US08/906,358
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 606/180, 606/179, 606/184, 606/154, 606/167, 606/185, 606/79, 606/80, 606/107, 606/128, 600/566, 600/567
• US Class Current: 606/180
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3462 with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals expandable cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3496 Protecting sleeves or inner probes; Retractable tips for protecting body piercing guide needles A61M25/0612
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3498 Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping channel for multiple instruments A61B2017/3445; instrument channel A61B2017/22072; replaceable heads A61B2017/2931; suction A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320024 Morcellators, e.g. having a hollow cutting tube with an annular cutter for morcellating and removing tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320775 Morcellators, impeller or propeller like means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs

Abstract

A morcellator for removing large masses of tissues during laparoscopic procedures includes a rotationally fixed, axially movable inner tube disposed within a rotating cutting member. The cutting member is often disposed in the annular space between the inner tube and an outer tube. A laparoscopic grasping instrument is inserted through the lumen and draws the tissue proximally through the morcellator. As the cutting member severs tissue, the tissue is drawn into the fixed lumen of the inner tube. This prevents the cutting member from twisting the severed tissue, thereby preventing any degradation of the surgeon'"'"'s control. A novel valve is provided to prevent loss of insufflation gas when no instrument traverses the lumen. The inner tube can be translated distally to protect tissues and/or other surgical implements against inadvertent contact with the cutting edge of the cutting member.

Claims

1. A device for surgically removing tissue from a patient body, the device comprising:

an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

an inner tube within the outer tube, the inner tube defining a lumen having an open distal end and an open proximal end, the inner and outer tubes defining an annular space therebetween; and

a cutting member which rotates within the annular space relative to the inner and outer tubes, the cutting member having an exposed cutting surface having a position distal the open distal end.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutting member comprises a tube and the cutting surface comprises an annulus.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a proximal housing affixed to the inner and outer tubes.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a mechanism within the housing for rotating the cutting member, wherein the rotating mechanism comprises a coupler for an external drive motor, the device being disposable.

14. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner tube is retractable having a first position wherein the open distal end is proximal the cutting surface and a second position wherein the open distal end is distal the cutting surface.

3. A device for surgically removing tissue from a patient body, the device comprising:

an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

an inner tube disposed within the outer tube, the inner and outer tubes defining an annular space therebetween; and

a cutting member which rotates within the annular space relative to the inner and outer tubes, the cutting member having an exposed cutting surface distal the distal end;

wherein the inner tube defines a lumen, and wherein the lumen is open adjacent the distal end to admit tissue fragments severed from a patient body by the cutting member.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, and wherein the lumen is accessible from proximally of the outer tube for removing the tissue fragments.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a valve which seals the inner lumen and which passes tissue fragments proximally.

6. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lumen is sized to admit a tissue grasping device which extends through the tubes distally of the cutter, the grasping device being actuatable from proximally of the tubes to grasp tissues targeted for severing.

9. A system for surgically removing tissue from a patient body, the system comprising:

an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

an inner tube disposed within the outer tube, the inner and outer tubes defining an annular space therebetween, the inner tube having a lumen;

a grasping device extendable through the lumen and actuatable from proximally of the tubes to grasp target tissues distally of the tubes;

a cutting member which rotates within the annular space relative to the inner and outer tubes to sever the grasped tissues, the cutting member having an exposed cutting surface near the distal end for severing the target tissues from an internal body site.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the inner and outer tubes are affixed to a proximal housing, wherein the housing contains a mechanism for rotating the cutting member, the tubes and cutting member defining a substantially rigid tubular structure.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a valve adjacent the proximal end of the lumen for sealing the lumen when the grasping mechanism is withdrawn from the lumen, the valve adapted to pass the grasping mechanism distally and to pass the grasping mechanism and the severed target tissue proximally.

12. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the inner tube is translatably mounted to the outer tube to prevent inadvertent contact with the cutting edge.

13. A method of severing target tissue from an internal body site, the method comprising:

inserting a tissue grasping element through a lumen defined by an inner tube and having an open distal end;

grasping the target tissue;

severing the grasped target tissue with a tubular cutting member rotating about the inner tube and positioned distally the open distal end;

removing the severed tissue from the internal body site through the lumen.