Methods and devices for cutting and collecting soft tissue
A method of removing breast tissue may include a step of providing a tissue cutting device having an elongate cutting element coupled to a shaft, in which the cutting element is movable between a bowed position and a retracted position. A deployed part of the cutting element may lie outside the shaft when in the bowed position, and the deployed part of the cutting element may have a cutting side which penetrates the tissue as the shaft is rotated. The tissue cutting device may be introduced into the breast and a power source may be coupled to the elongate cutting element. The elongate cutting element may be moved to the bowed position so that the deployed part of the cutting element lies outside the shaft. Energy may be prevented from being transmitted from a portion of the deployed part of the cutting element for cutting to the tissue while the elongate cutting element is in the bowed position. The cutting device may be rotated so that the cutting side of the bowed cutting element penetrates the breast tissue to cut the breast tissue for removal.
1 . A method of removing breast tissue, comprising the steps of:
providing a tissue cutting device having an elongate cutting element coupled to a shaft, the cutting element being movable between a bowed position and a retracted position, wherein a deployed part of the cutting element lies outside the shaft when in the bowed position, the deployed part of the cutting element having a cutting side which penetrates the tissue as the shaft is rotated;
introducing the tissue cutting device into a breast;
coupling a power source to the elongate cutting element;
moving the elongate cutting element to the bowed position so that the deployed part of the cutting element lies outside the shaft;
preventing energy from being transmitted from a portion of the deployed part of the cutting element for cutting to the tissue while the elongate cutting element is in the bowed position; and
rotating the cutting device so that the cutting side of the bowed cutting element penetrates the breast tissue to cut the breast tissue for removal.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the preventing step is carried out by preventing energy from being transmitted from a radially inner portion of the cutting element to the tissue.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the preventing step is carried out by partially covering the deployed part of the cutting element.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein:
the preventing step is carried out by partially covering the deployed part of the cutting element with insulation which prevents transmission of energy to the tissue.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the preventing step is carried out by covering the deployed part of the cutting element with an element which is also movable between bowed and retracted positions.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein:
the preventing step is carried out with the element positioned adjacent a radially inner side of the cutting element.
7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein:
the preventing step is carried out with a tissue collection element preventing contact between the tissue and the portion of the cutting element; and
the rotating step is carried out to sever tissue which is collected by the tissue collection element.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the preventing step is carried out with the portion of the cutting element not transmitting energy being primarily on a trailing side of the cutting element.