US5409013A — Tissue removal assembly

Claim 1

Independent Claim 266 words

A surgical lavage assembly for removal of body tissue, the assembly comprising: a rigid cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and accurately positionable into a patient's body, and the rigid cannula defining a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior; a cutter moveable in the cannula and cooperating with the cannula opening for cutting body tissue; a conduit piece rigidly attached to the rigid cannula and having a least one channel defined therein in fluid communication with an interior of the cannula for connection to a source of irrigation fluid and suction; a means to move the cutter; a valve means rigidly connected to the conduit piece for independent actuation to control suction fluid flow in the at least one channel, regardless of movement or lack of movement of the cutter; means to actuate the valve means; the rigidly connected valve means and conduit piece rigidly attached to the rigid cannula, the rigidly connected valve means and conduit piece having a hand grippable surface for holding and accurately positioning the distal end of the cannula at a specific location in the patient by movement of the rigidly connected valve means, conduit piece and rigid cannula; and wherein the means to move the cutter and the means to actuate the valve means are both operable by a hand of a user as it grips the grippable surface to hold and accurately position the distal end of the cannula.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 266 words

A surgical lavage assembly for removal of body tissue, the assembly comprising: a rigid cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and accurately positionable into a patient's body, and the rigid cannula defining a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior; a cutter moveable in the cannula and cooperating with the cannula opening for cutting body tissue; a conduit piece rigidly attached to the rigid cannula and having a least one channel defined therein in fluid communication with an interior of the cannula for connection to a source of irrigation fluid and suction; a means to move the cutter; a valve means rigidly connected to the conduit piece for independent actuation to control suction fluid flow in the at least one channel, regardless of movement or lack of movement of the cutter; means to actuate the valve means; the rigidly connected valve means and conduit piece rigidly attached to the rigid cannula, the rigidly connected valve means and conduit piece having a hand grippable surface for holding and accurately positioning the distal end of the cannula at a specific location in the patient by movement of the rigidly connected valve means, conduit piece and rigid cannula; and wherein the means to move the cutter and the means to actuate the valve means are both operable by a hand of a user as it grips the grippable surface to hold and accurately position the distal end of the cannula.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 52 words

The surgical assembly of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the cannula further defines a tip opening to allow fluid communication with the cannula interior, and the cannula opening is positioned between oppositely directed first and second catches configured to assist capture and retention of body tissue in the cannula interior.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

The surgical assembly of claim 1, wherein the means to move the cutter comprises a push button extending outside the conduit piece.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 33 words

The surgical assembly of claim 3, wherein the means to move the cutter is resiliently biased to withdraw the cutter toward the conduit piece and away from the distal end of the cannula.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 33 words

The surgical assembly of claim 1, wherein the means to move the cutter is resiliently biased to withdraw the cutter toward the conduit piece and away from the distal end of the cannula.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 331 words

A surgical assembly for removal of body tissue, the assembly comprising: a rigid cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and positionable into a patient's body, and the cannula defining a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior, the rigidity of the cannula causing the distal end thereof to be moved in response to movement of the proximal end; a cutter defining a passageway and moveable in the rigid cannula for cooperating with the cannula opening for cutting body tissue; means for moving the cutter; a conduit piece rigidly attached to the rigid cannula, the conduit piece having at least one channel defined therein in fluid communication with the passageway defined by the cutter for connection to a source of irrigation fluid and suction; suction means connected to the at least one channel for removing body tissue cut by the cutter through the cannula and conduit piece; valve means rigidly coupled to the rigidly attached conduit piece and rigid cannula for controlling vacuum flow through said one channel; the rigidly coupled valve means and conduit piece having a handgrip portion for holding and accurately positioning the distal end of the rigid cannula to a desired location in the patient by movement of the handgrip portion; means to actuate the valve means; a tool entry conduit located within the cutter and extending outwardly of the conduit piece in a direction away from the cannula for permitting entry of a surgical tool into the conduit piece and the cutter; and wherein both the means for moving the cutter and the means for actuating the valve means can be actuated by a hand gripping the handgrip portion while the hand moves the rigidly attached valve means, conduit piece and rigid cannula to position the distal end of the cannula at the desired location in the patient.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 331 words

A surgical assembly for removal of body tissue, the assembly comprising: a rigid cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and positionable into a patient's body, and the cannula defining a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior, the rigidity of the cannula causing the distal end thereof to be moved in response to movement of the proximal end; a cutter defining a passageway and moveable in the rigid cannula for cooperating with the cannula opening for cutting body tissue; means for moving the cutter; a conduit piece rigidly attached to the rigid cannula, the conduit piece having at least one channel defined therein in fluid communication with the passageway defined by the cutter for connection to a source of irrigation fluid and suction; suction means connected to the at least one channel for removing body tissue cut by the cutter through the cannula and conduit piece; valve means rigidly coupled to the rigidly attached conduit piece and rigid cannula for controlling vacuum flow through said one channel; the rigidly coupled valve means and conduit piece having a handgrip portion for holding and accurately positioning the distal end of the rigid cannula to a desired location in the patient by movement of the handgrip portion; means to actuate the valve means; a tool entry conduit located within the cutter and extending outwardly of the conduit piece in a direction away from the cannula for permitting entry of a surgical tool into the conduit piece and the cutter; and wherein both the means for moving the cutter and the means for actuating the valve means can be actuated by a hand gripping the handgrip portion while the hand moves the rigidly attached valve means, conduit piece and rigid cannula to position the distal end of the cannula at the desired location in the patient.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 52 words

The surgical assembly of claim 6, wherein the distal end of the cannula further defines a tip opening to allow fluid communication with the cannula interior, and the cannula opening is positioned between oppositely directed first and second catches configured to assist capture and retention of body tissue in the cannula interior.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 45 words

The surgical assembly of claim 6, wherein the tool entry conduit is fixedly attached to the moveable hollow cutter; and wherein means are provided to move the tool entry conduit to cause the cutter to move in the cannula interior to cut body tissue therein.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 22 words

The surgical assembly of claim 8, wherein the means to move the cutter comprises a push button extending outside the conduit piece.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 38 words

The surgical assembly of claim 8, wherein the valve means is connected to the conduit piece for independent actuation to control suction in the at least one channel, regardless of movement or lack of movement of the cutter.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 30 words

The surgical assembly of claim 6, wherein the means to move the tool entry conduit includes a seal for sealingly engaging the tool conduit with any surgical tool inserted therein.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 22 words

The surgical assembly of claim 11, wherein the means to move the cutter comprises a push button extending outside the conduit piece.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 32 words

The surgical assembly of claim 11, wherein the means to move the cutter is resiliently biased to withdraw the cutter toward the conduit piece and away from distal and of the cannula.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 38 words

The surgical assembly of claim 11, wherein the valve means is connected to the conduit piece for independent actuation to control suction in the at least one channel, regardless of movement or lack of movement of the cutter.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 32 words

The surgical assembly of claim 8, wherein the means to move the cutter is resiliently biased to withdraw the cutter toward the conduit piece and away from distal and of the cannula.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 38 words

The surgical assembly of claim 6, wherein the valve means is connected to the conduit piece for independent actuation to control suction in the at least one channel, regardless of movement or lack of movement of the cutter.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 137 words

A lavage assembly for laparoscopy surgery, irrigation, and suction, and removal of body tissue, the assembly comprising: a cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible into a patient's body, and the cannula defining a notch in the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior; a cutter moveable in the cannula for cutting body tissue entering the notch; means for moving the cutter extending into the cannula; a valve connected to the cannula for independent actuation to control irrigation and suction fluid flow in the cannula, regardless of movement or lack of movement of the cutter; and wherein the cannula and valve are integrated into a rigid structure to be held in one hand.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 137 words

A lavage assembly for laparoscopy surgery, irrigation, and suction, and removal of body tissue, the assembly comprising: a cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible into a patient's body, and the cannula defining a notch in the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior; a cutter moveable in the cannula for cutting body tissue entering the notch; means for moving the cutter extending into the cannula; a valve connected to the cannula for independent actuation to control irrigation and suction fluid flow in the cannula, regardless of movement or lack of movement of the cutter; and wherein the cannula and valve are integrated into a rigid structure to be held in one hand.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 30 words

The surgical assembly of claim 17, wherein the means for moving the cutter comprises a means which may be operated by a digit of the one hand holding the valve.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 42 words

The surgical assembly of claim 6, wherein the means to move the cutter is resiliently biased to withdraw the cutter away from the distal end of the cannula such that a push action against the resilient bias moves the cutter for cutting.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

The surgical assembly of claim 6 wherein the cutter is hollow and the cutter passageway is a duct extending internally of the cutter.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 27 words

The surgical assembly of claim 6 wherein the handgrip portion for gripping the rigidly coupled valve means and conduit piece is a surface surrounding the valve means.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 16 words

The surgical assembly of claim 6 where the valve means is located in the conduit piece.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 24 words

The surgical assembly of claim 20 wherein the rigid cannula is open at its distal end to allow fluid communication into the cannula interior.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 16 words

The surgical assembly of claim 6 wherein the handgrip portion is configured as a pistol grip.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 16 words

The surgical assembly of claim 8 wherein the handgrip portion is configured as a pistol grip.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 28 words

The surgical assembly of claim 6 wherein the interior of the rigid cannula allows for passage of liquid into the body as well as withdrawing of body tissue.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 27 words

The surgical assembly of claim 1 wherein the handgrip portion for gripping the rigidly coupled valve means and conduit piece is a surface surrounding the valve means.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 16 words

The surgical assembly of claim 1 where the valve means is located in the conduit piece.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 24 words

The surgical assembly of claim 1 wherein the rigid cannula is open at its distal end to allow fluid communication into the cannula interior.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 35 words

The surgical assembly of claim 17 wherein the rigid structure of the cannula and valve means has a handgrip portion to allow the user's hand to grip the rigid structure for positioning of the cannula.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 17 words

The surgical assembly of claim 30 wherein the handgrip portion is a surface surrounding the valve means.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 16 words

The surgical assembly of claim 17 wherein the rigid cannula is open at its distal end.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1998-04-24	1998-10-24	1999-04-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2002-04-24	2002-10-24	2003-04-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2006-04-24	2006-10-24	2007-04-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Tissue removal assembly

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