Polyp removal device and method of use

1. A tissue removal system comprising:

a tubular member having proximal and distal ends, the distal end including a spacer member that defines a plurality of apertures therethrough;

a connector shaft supported within the tubular member and having proximal and distal ends; and

a snare portion having first and second ends monolithically formed with the distal end of the connector shaft, the snare portion operably extending through the plurality of apertures of the spacer member and from the distal end of the tubular member, the snare portion movable relative to the spacer member and including a cutting member having a sharpened surface.

2. The tissue removal system of claim 1 , further comprising a handle portion secured to the proximal end of the connector shaft and operatively coupled to the proximal end of the tubular member.

3. The tissue removal system of claim 2 , wherein the handle portion is configured for operable engagement by a user and movable relative to the tubular member.

4. The tissue removal system of claim 2 , wherein the sharpened surface of the cutting member is configured to cut tissue in response to movement of the handle portion in a proximal direction relative to the tubular member.

5. The tissue removal system of claim 1 , wherein the snare portion is configured to grasp a stalk of a polyp.

6. The tissue removal system of claim 1 , wherein the snare portion is configured to be retracted within the tubular member in response to movement of the connector shaft in a proximal direction.

7. The tissue removal system of claim 1 , further including an electrosurgical generator.

8. The tissue removal system of claim 7 , wherein the snare portion is electrically coupled to the electrosurgical generator.

9. The tissue removal system of claim 1 , wherein first and second apertures of the plurality of apertures of the spacer member are spaced from one another to prevent a first portion of the snare portion from contacting a second portion of the snare portion.

10. The tissue removal system of claim 1 , wherein the tubular member is configured for endoscopic insertion, laparoscopic insertion or transluminal insertion.

11. The tissue removal system of claim 2 , wherein the handle portion includes handle configurations selected from the group consisting of pistol grip style handles, mechanically-actuated handles and remotely-actuated handles.

12. A tissue removal system comprising:

a tissue removal device comprising:

a tubular member having proximal and distal ends, the distal end including a spacer member that defines a plurality of apertures therethrough;

a handle portion operatively extending from the proximal end of the tubular member;

a connector shaft having a proximal end secured to the handle portion and a distal end;

a snare portion having first and second ends monolithically formed with the distal end of the connector shaft, the snare portion slidably supported within the tubular member, the snare portion movable through the plurality of apertures of the spacer member and from the distal end of the tubular member; and

a cutting member having a sharpened surface positioned on the snare portion; and

a generator configured to generate and deliver energy to the tissue removal device.

13. The tissue removal system of claim 12 , wherein the energy is selected from the group consisting of radiofrequency energy, ultrasonic energy, microwave energy, and laser energy.

14. A method of removing a tissue mass of a body comprising:

providing a tissue removal device including a snare portion and a cutting member having a sharpened surface positioned on the snare portion, the snare portion including first and second ends monolithically formed with a distal end of a connector shaft;

moving the snare portion through a plurality of apertures defined through a spacer member to surround the tissue mass;

retracting the snare portion to capture the tissue mass within the snare portion;

delivering energy to the snare portion;

discontinuing delivery of energy to the snare portion; and

further retracting the snare portion such that the sharpened surface of the cutting member severs the tissue mass from the body.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein delivering energy to the snare portion further includes sealing the tissue mass.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

monitoring electrical properties of the tissue mass during energy delivery;

detecting a predetermined condition; and

signaling that the tissue mass is ready to be severed.

17. The method of claim 14 , further including preventing contact between a first portion of the snare portion and a second portion of the snare portion with the spacer member.

18. The tissue removal system of claim 1 , wherein the snare portion includes at least one electrode that is hingedly connected to the cutting member.

19. The tissue removal system of claim 12 , wherein the snare portion includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, the first and second ends of the snare portion are monolithically formed with the distal end of the connector shaft at the proximal portion of the snare portion.

20. The tissue removal system of claim 19 , wherein a length of the snare portion extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion, the length of the snare portion remaining substantially constant as the snare portion moves between fully approximated and fully unapproximated positions to sever a tissue mass enclosed by the snare portion.

21. The tissue removal system of claim 1 , wherein the spacer member is fixedly secured to the distal end of the tubular member.