DEVICES AND METHODS FOR RESECTING SOFT TISSUE
The present devices and methods relate generally to medical devices and methods for cutting, resecting, excising and/or evacuating tissue from various regions of a patient's body. In particular, devices and methods for cutting and/or removing various tissues, e.g., polyps or endometrium, from a uterus or uterine space are provided. Devices and methods for cutting and/or removing various tissues from the human body, such as during laparoscopic or thoracoscopic surgery, are also provided.
1 . A method for resecting tissue from a uterine space comprising:
visualizing tissue in the uterine space;
inserting as cutting device through the vagina and cervix and into the uterine space, wherein the cutting device is connected to a source of suction;
powering the cutting device with suction created by the source of suction; and
cutting tissue from within the uterine space with the cutting device.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein suction created by the suction source causes as mechanism in the cutting device to actuate a cutter of the cutting device in a linear or rotational motion.
3 . (canceled)
4 . The method in claim 1 wherein the cutting device is passed through the vagina and cervix and into the uterine space and tissue is cut with the benefit of visualization within the uterine space.
5 - 9 . (canceled)
10 . The method in claim 1 wherein the cutting device is connected to a source of sterile irrigation for supplying fluid to the area of tissue resection.
11 - 12 . (canceled)
13 . The method in claim 1 wherein only a single pass of the cutting device in and out of the uterine space is required to cut and remove the tissue.
14 . (canceled)
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cutting device is configured to cut and remove tissue from the uterine space and to provide insufflation fluid to the uterine space, such that only a single device is required to cut and remove tissue from the uterine space and to provide insufflation fluid to the uterine space.
16 . (canceled)
17 . (canceled)
18 . A method for resecting tissue from a uterine space comprising:
inserting a hysteroscope through a vagina and cervix and into the uterine space;
visualizing tissue in the uterine space;
inserting a cutting device through a working channel of the hysteroscope and into the uterine space, wherein the cutting device is connected to a source of suction;
powering the cutting, device with suction created by the source of suction; and
cutting tissue from within the uterine space with the cutting device while visualizing the tissue via the hysteroscope.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein suction created by the suction source causes a mechanism in the cutting device to actuate a cutter of the cutting device in a linear or rotational motion.
20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising distending the uterine space with a fluid to facilitate visualization within the uterine space.
21 - 22 . (canceled)
23 . The method in claim 18 , wherein the source of suction is utilized to actuate as cutter of the cutting device and to suction cut tissue into a lumen of the cutting device for removal of the tissue from the uterine space.
24 . The method in claim 18 , wherein an opening or cutting window located at a distal end of the cutting device is positioned next to a tissue in the uterine space and a cutter of the cutting device is actuated past the opening or cutting window to cut the tissue.
25 . The method in claim 18 , further comprising changing the shape of at least a portion of an elongate shaft of the cutting device subsequent to passing the elongate shaft through the hysteroscope and into the uterine space.
26 - 27 . (canceled)
28 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the cutting device is configured to cut and remove tissue from the uterine space and to provide insufflation fluid to the uterine space, such that only a single device is required to cut and remove tissue from the uterine space and to provide insufflation fluid to the uterine space.
29 - 30 . (canceled)
31 . A method for resecting tissue from the abdomen of a body comprising:
inserting the cutting device through an abdominal will and into the abdomen, wherein the cutting device is connected to a source of suction;
powering the cutting device with suction created by the source of suction; and
cutting tissue from within the abdomen with the cutting device.
32 . (canceled)
33 . The method in claim 31 , wherein the cutting device comprises an elongate shaft having a cutter located at a distal end of the elongate shaft.
34 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the elongate shaft of the cutting device is passed through an elongate instrument or cannula inserted through the abdominal wall and into the abdomen.
35 . The method in claim 34 , further comprising changing the shape of at least a portion of the elongate shaft of the cutting device subsequent to passing the elongate shaft through the elongate instrument or cannula and into the abdomen.
36 . (canceled)
37 . The method in claim 31 , wherein the cutting device is connected to a source of sterile irrigation for supplying fluid, to the area of tissue resection.
38 . (canceled)
39 . The method in claim 31 , wherein the cut tissue is evacuated via a lumen in the cutting device by suction from the suction source.
40 . (canceled)
41 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the cutting device is configured to cut and remove tissue, such that only a single device is required to cut and remove tissue from the abdomen.
42 . The method of claim 31 , wherein the cutting device is configured to cut and remove tissue from the abdomen and to provide insufflation fluid into the abdomen, such that only a single device is required to cut and remove tissue from the abdomen and to provide insufflation fluid into the abdomen.
43 . (canceled)
44 . The method of claim 31 , wherein suction created by the suction source causes a mechanism in the cutting device to actuate a cutter of the cutting, device in a linear or rotational motion.
45 . A method for resecting tissue from the thoracic cavity of a body comprising:
inserting the cutting device through a thorax wall and into the thoracic cavity, wherein the cutting device is connected to a source of suction;
powering the cutting device with suction created by the source of suction; and
cutting tissue from within the thoracic cavity with the cutting device.
46 - 48 . (canceled)
49 . The method in claim 45 , further comprising changing the shape of at least a portion of an elongate shaft of the cutting device subsequent to passing the elongate shaft into the thoracic cavity.
50 . (canceled)
51 . The method in claim 45 , wherein the cutting device is connected to a source of sterile irrigation for supplying fluid to the area of tissue resection.
52 . (canceled)
53 . The method in claim 45 , wherein the cut tissue is evacuated via a lumen in the cutting device by suction from the suction source.
54 - 58 . (canceled)