Methods and devices for removing tissue from a patient

• US 20060224084A1
• Filed: 04/05/2005
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Encapsule Medical, LLC
• Original Assignee: Rubicor Medical, LLC
• Inventors: Vetter, James W., Chernomorsky, Ary S., Anderson, Scott C., Clifford, Mark J., Daniel, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,635,340 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/567
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0233 Pointed or sharp biopsy instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0266 means for severing sample
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0275 with sample notch, e.g. on the side of inner stylet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0283 with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence
• 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 2017/32004 having a laterally movable cutting member at its most distal end which remains within the contours of said end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320064 with tissue or sample retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3908 Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3925 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3933 Liquid markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/395 with marking agent for marking skin or other tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3987 Applicators for implanting markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers

Abstract

The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element.

Claims

1. A method of removing tissue, comprising the steps of:

providing a tissue removal device having a tubular element, a transport element and a cutting element, the tubular element having an open end at a distal end, the transport element and the cutting element being positioned at least partially within the tubular element and being movable within the tubular element;

introducing the device into a patient;

advancing the tubular element in a distal direction so that tissue enters the tubular element through the open end, the tubular element being advanced so that tissue also enters the transport element;

cutting the tissue which has entered the open end by moving the cutting element from a stored position to a cutting position, the cutting element separating the tissue which has entered the open end from the surrounding tissue to form a first tissue mass; and

transporting the first tissue mass proximally with the transport element to the tissue chamber.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the transport element also having an open end positioned proximal to the open end of the tubular element; and

the advancing step is carried out with the tissue entering the transport element through the open end of the transport element.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the transporting step is carried out with the cutting element being in the cutting position and moving proximally with the transport element when transporting the first tissue mass to the tissue chamber.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the transporting step is carried out with the distal end of the tubular element remaining within the patient, the distal end of the transport element moving to a position outside the patient when transporting the first tissue mass to the tissue chamber.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the advancing step is carried out with the cutting element being in the stored position, the cutting element being positioned between the tubular element and the transport element when in the stored position.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein:

the cutting step is carried out with at least one of the tubular element, the transport element and the cutting element rotating about a longitudinal axis of the tubular element.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein:

the cutting step is carried out with the cutting element rotating about the longitudinal axis when cutting the tissue.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

advancing the transport element over the tissue after the tissue has entered the open end of the tubular element.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing an introducer and a tissue chamber, the introducer having a sharp tip and the tissue chamber being positioned to receive the first tissue mass;

the introducing step being carried out with the introducer covering the open end of the tubular element and the sharp tip extending beyond the open end of the tubular element; and

contacting the first tissue mass with a distal end of the introducer, wherein contact with the distal end of the introducer stops the first tissue mass while the transport element is retracted thereby permitting the first tissue mass to fall into the tissue chamber.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the cutting and transporting steps are carried out automatically after the advancing step.

11. A device for removing tissue from a patient, comprising:

a body;

a tubular element coupled to the body and having an open end at a distal end, the tubular element defining a longitudinal axis, the tubular element being longitudinally movable relative to the body to an extended position, the tubular element being driven into tissue to receive tissue through the open end when moving to the extended position;

a tissue chamber coupled to the body;

a transport element coupled to the body and being longitudinally movable relative to the tubular element, the transport element contacting the tissue which has entered the tubular element through the open end of the tubular element; and

a cutting element movable between a stored position and a cutting position, the cutting element moving toward the longitudinal axis when moving from the stored position to the cutting position.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein:

the transport element is movably coupled to the tubular element so that the transport element is advanced distally together with the tubular element when the tubular element moves to the extended position

13. The device of claim 11, wherein:

the transport element also has an open end positioned proximal to the open end of the tubular element.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein:

the cutting element is also longitudinally movable within the tubular element, the cutting element remaining in the cutting position and moving proximally with the transport element when the transport element moves proximally toward the tissue chamber.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein:

the cutting element is positioned in an annular space between the tubular element and the transport element when in the stored position.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein:

at least one of the cutting element, the transport element and the tubular element rotating about the longitudinal axis when the cutting element moves from the stored position to the cutting position.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein:

the transport element has a sharp tip for penetrating the tissue being removed.

18. The device of claim 11, further comprising:

an introducer having a distal tip, the introducer being movable from an advancing position to a stored position, the distal tip extending beyond the open end of the tubular element when in the advancing position, the distal tip being positioned over the tissue chamber so that tissue in the transport element will contact the distal tip of the introducer while the transport element is retracted proximally thereby permitting the first tissue mass to fall into the tissue chamber.

19. A method of removing tissue from a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing a tissue removing device including a tubular element having an open end, the tubular element having a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction, the tissue removing device also having a cutting element movable within the tubular element;

introducing the tubular element into a patient;

advancing the tubular element in a longitudinal direction so that tissue enters the open end;

moving the cutting element to form a cut which separates the tissue which entered the open end to form a first tissue mass;

transporting the first tissue mass away from the open end using the cutting element.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

repeating the advancing, moving and transporting steps to collect a second tissue mass from the patient.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein:

the advancing, moving and transporting steps are carried out without removing the open end of the tubular element from the patient.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the cutting element having a first part and a second part;

the moving step is carried out with at least one of the first and second parts slidingly engaging an inner wall of the tubular element, wherein the sliding engagement between the at least one of the first and second parts directs the at least one of the first and second parts inward to form the cut.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein:

the advancing step is carried out with the tubular element rotating while advancing.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the tissue removing device having an introducer positioned within the tubular element during the introducing step.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

withdrawing the introducer before the advancing step;

the advancing step being carried out by advancing the introducer distally when the tubular element is advanced distally.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the tissue removal device having a first actuator and a second actuator;

the retracting step being carried out when the user actuates the first actuator; and

the advancing step being carried out when the user actuates the second actuator.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of:

actuating the first actuator after the advancing step, wherein the introducer is moved distally so that the introducer extends beyond the open end of the tubular element.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of:

repeating the advancing, moving and transporting steps to collect a second tissue mass from the patient, wherein the introducer remains proximal to the distal end of the open end until the first actuator is actuated.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the introducer having a sharp tip which extends beyond the open end of the tubular element during the introducing step.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the tissue removal device having a tissue chamber;

the transporting step is carried out with the first tissue mass entering the tissue chamber after contacting the introducer.

31. The method of claim 19, wherein:

the cutting step is carried out by rotating at least one of the cutting element, transport element and cutting element.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein:

the advancing step is carried out with the tubular element rotating while being advanced.

33-83. -83. (canceled)