Tissue auger

Claim 2

A tissue core removing tool comprising a generally flat wire spacedly, helically wound to define a tubular body having an entering portion merging successively into a core retaining portion and a shank portion supporting the tool for rotation and longitudinal displacement with respect to the helical axis, the distal extremity of the wire forming the entering portion terminating in a radially inwardly and longitudinally axially offset cutter disposed to enter the tissue upon rotation of the auger about its axis to detach an elongated section of tissue and to transfer said section to the core retaining portion for removal when the tool is axially withdrawn.

Claim 3

A tissue auger according to claim 1, wherein said retaining portion comprises a helix having a plurality of spaced turns of substantially uniform radius.

Claim 4

A tissue auger according to claim 2, wherein the spacing between the turns of the helix is substantially uniform over the major length thereof, and said cutter terminates with a knife edge, the entering extremity of said cutter having a progressively increasing longitudinal spacing as it approaches said knife edge.

Claim 5

A tissue auger according to claim 3, wherein the axial spacing between the turns of the helix is substantially uniform over the length of the core retaining portion, the entering cutter extremity being axially spaced from the next adjacent turn by a substantially greater distance, the axial spacing of the remainder of the entering portion gradually reducing as it merges with the core retaining portion.

Claim 6

In apparatus for removing a cylindrical core of tissue from a living organism comprising, a tool body comprising a generally flat wire spacedly helically wound to present a tubular configuration defining a generally cylindrical body, means for axially rotating and longitudinally moving said tool body and for guiding the direction of said longitudinal movement, first cutter means disposed at the leading extremity of said tool body for initially severing tissue by rotation of the tool body and for introducing severed tissue into the interior of the tool body, second cutter means on said body rearwardly of said leading extremity for further severing tissue along a cylindrical path concentric to said axis and for retaining severed tissue within the tool body for removal from an organism, said first cutter means being radially inwardly and longitudinally axially offset from the remaining helical turns, and exit means for removal of said retained tissue from the interior of the tool body.

Claim 7

In apparatus for removing a cylindrical core of tissue from a living organism comprising, a tool body comprising a generally flat wire spacedly helically wound to present a tubular configuration defining a generally cylindrical body, means for axially rotating and longitudinally moving said tool body and for guiding the direction of said longitudinal movement, first cutter means disposed at the leading extremity of said tool body for initially severing tissue by rotation of the tool body and for introducing severed tissue into the interior of the tool body, second cutter means on said body rearwardly of said leading extremity for further severing tissue along a cylindrical path concentric to said axis and for retaining severed tissue within the tool body for removal from an organism, said first cutter means being radially inwardly and longitudinally axially offset from the remaining helical turns, and exit means for removal of said retained tissue from the interior of the tool body.