Tissue removal methods and apparatus

• US 6,530,923 B1
• Filed: 06/05/2000
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Artemis Medical, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Artemis Medical, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Curtis, Robert M., Fulton, Richard E., Dubrul, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROLLINS, ROSILAND STACIE
• Application Number:
  US09/588,278
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 128/898, 606/158, 606/159, 606/160, 606/113, 606/114, 606/115, 606/127, 606/128, 606/200, 606/45, 606/46
• US Class Current: 606/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0266 means for severing sample
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3904 specially adapted for marking specified tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3908 Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3962 palpable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/502 for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

Target tissues are accessed and removed using various types of devices and methods.

Claims

1. A method for removing target material from a target site within a patient, comprising:

percutaneously placing an expandable blocking element along a tissue tract, the tissue tract connecting the target site and an access site in the patient'"'"'s skin, at a first position distal of the target material;

expanding the expandable blocking element;

percutaneously placing a removing element along the tissue tract at a second position;

at least substantially surrounding the target material with the blocking element and the removing element; and

percutaneously removing the blocking element, the removing element and the target material therewith from the patient along the tissue tract.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first percutaneously placing step is carried out using a radially expandable, tubular mesh material as the expandable blocking element.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the second percutaneously placing step is carried out using a tubular mesh element having a radially expandable, open distal end.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the target material is at least substantially completely surrounded by the blocking element and the removing element following the surrounding step.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising at least partially radially collapsing the removing element prior to the removing step and maintaining the removing element in an at least partially radially collapsed condition during the removing step.

6. The method according to claim 5 further comprising at least partly