Tissue removal apparatus
An apparatus is disclosed for removal of material from a body. The apparatus comprises an elongate member defining a lumen and comprising a proximal end and a distal end defining an aperture. The elongate member defines at least one slot extending proximally from the distal end of the elongate member. The apparatus further comprises a tissue removal member for conveying material through the lumen of the elongate member. The tissue removal member is rotatably disposed within the lumen of the elongate member. The tissue removal member has a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end is recessed proximally relative to the aperture of the elongate member when the tissue removal member is fully disposed within the lumen of the elongate member.
1 . An apparatus for removal of material from a body, the apparatus comprising:
an elongate member defining a lumen and comprising a proximal end and a distal end defining an aperture, said elongate member defining at least one slot extending proximally from said distal end; and
an elongate tissue removal member for conveying tissue through said lumen, said tissue removal member being rotatably disposed within said lumen, said tissue removal member having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tissue removal member being recessed proximally relative to said aperture when said tissue removal member is fully disposed within said lumen.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tissue removal member comprises a shaft having outwardly extending projections.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tissue removal member is recessed proximally relative to said at least one slot.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a handpiece operatively connected to said elongate member.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a motorized source of rotational energy operatively connected to said tissue removal member.
6 . The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising a motorized source of rotational energy operatively connected to said tissue removal member, said handpiece comprising means for engaging and disengaging said motorized source of rotational energy.
7 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the projections extending from said shaft form at least one helix.
8 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said tissue removal member comprises an auger.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said elongate member is bent.
10 . The apparatus of claim Error! Reference source not found., further comprising a receptacle adjacent to the elongate member for receiving the material removed from the body, said elongate member defining at least one opening for transferring material from said elongate member to said receptacle.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said receptacle is detachable from said elongate member.
12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said tissue removal member is made from a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steels, nickel titanium alloys, polyesters, polyethylenes, polyurethanes, polyimides, nylons, copolymers thereof, medical grade plastics and any combination thereof.
13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said elongate member is made from a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steels, nickel titanium alloys, polyesters, polyethylenes, polyurethanes, polyimides, nylons, copolymers thereof, medical grade plastics and any combination thereof.
14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said aperture defined by the distal end of the elongate member is defined in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said elongate member.
15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least 2 slots.
16 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least 4 slots.
17 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot is rectangular.
18 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot is about 1 mm in length.
19 . A disposable apparatus for removal of tissue from a body, the apparatus comprising:
a handpiece;
a motor housed within said handpiece;
an elongate member defining a lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end defining an aperture, and said proximal end structured to be operatively connected to said handpiece; and
an auger comprising at least one outwardly extending projection, a proximal end and a distal end, said auger being disposed within said lumen, the auger proximal end being operatively connected to said motor via a flexible joint, and the at least one outwardly extending projection being recessed proximally from said aperture when said auger is fully disposed within said elongate member;
wherein said elongate member defines at least one slot extending proximally from said distal end of said elongate member and wherein a proximal edge of said at least one slot is substantially coplanar with said distal end of said auger when said auger is fully disposed within said elongate member.
20 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein said elongate member is bent.