Tool and corresponding method for removal of material from within a body

1. A device for insertion into a body via an opening, and for removing material from within the body, the device comprising:

an elongated element formed primarily from a plurality of hollow segments sequentially interconnected so as to form an effective hinge between adjacent of the segments, the segments and the effective hinges being configured such that:

(a) the elongated element assumes an insertion configuration for insertion of the segments sequentially through an opening of a first dimension into the body; and

(b) a portion of the elongated element inserted into the body progressively assumes a material removing configuration in which a relative position of each segment relative to an adjacent segment is delineated by the effective hinge together with abutment surfaces of sequentially adjacent segments in contact with each other, thereby defining a fully deflected state of the effective hinge, said material removing configuration having at least two dimensions exceeding said first dimension,

wherein each of at least two of the segments is formed with at least one cutting configuration deployed so as to collect material into a hollow volume of the segments during progressive formation of said material removing configuration as the elongated element is advanced.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the elongated element is substantially straightened when in said insertion configuration.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the elongated element is resiliently biased to assume said material removing configuration.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein said material removing configuration is configured such that, as the elongated element is advanced, said material removing configuration progressively expands in at least two dimensions.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein said material removing configuration is configured to substantially close on itself so as to define a substantially contiguous contained volume.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the elongated element assumes a spiral configuration in said material removing configuration.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the elongated element assumes a helical configuration in said material removing configuration.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the elongated element assumes a conical shape in said material removing configuration.

9. The device of claim 1 , wherein said material removing configuration has three dimensions which all exceed said first dimension.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein each of said segments has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one cutting configuration comprises at least one louver.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one cutting configuration comprises at least two cutting configurations deployed on at least two sides of one of said segments.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein said at least one cutting configuration comprises at least three cutting configurations deployed on at least three sides of one of said segments.

14. The device of claim 1 , wherein said elongated element includes at least five of said hollow segments.

15. The device of claim 1 , wherein said effective hinges between adjacent of the segments are implemented as integral hinges.

16. The device of claim 1 , wherein said effective hinges between adjacent of the segments are implemented as hinge structures connecting separately formed segments.

17. The device of claim 1 , wherein said effective hinges between adjacent of the segments are implemented as shape-memory hinges.

18. A method for removing material from a body, the method comprising:

(a) providing a device comprising an elongated element formed primarily from a plurality of hollow segments sequentially interconnected so as to form an effective hinge between adjacent of the segments, the segments and the effective hinges being configured such that:

(i) the elongated element assumes an insertion configuration for insertion of the segments sequentially through an opening of a first dimension into the body; and

(ii) a portion of the elongated element inserted into the body progressively assumes a material removing configuration in which a relative position of each segment relative to an adjacent segment is delineated by the effective hinge together with abutment surfaces of sequentially adjacent segments in contact with each other, thereby defining a fully deflected state of the effective hinge, said material removing configuration having at least two dimensions exceeding said first dimension,

wherein each of at least two of the segments is formed with at least one cutting configuration deployed so as to collect material into a hollow volume of the segments during progressive formation of said material removing configuration as the elongated element is advanced;

(b) deploying the device in a delivery system;

(c) forming an opening into the body;

(d) advancing the device through the opening into the body such that the device assumes the material removing configuration within the body; and

(e) removing the device through the opening together with material collected within said hollow volume.

19. The method of claim 14 , wherein said material is at least part of an intervertebral disc.

20. The method of claim 14 , wherein said material is soft tissue.

21. The method of claim 14 , wherein said material is hard tissue.