Surgical endoscopic cutting device and method for its use

1. A method for removal of tissue from a prostate gland, comprising:

inserting a distal region of an endoscope into said prostate gland, the endoscope including a valve and an elongated member defining discrete first and second channels extending from a proximal region of the elongated member to the distal region, the second channel having a proximal end in communication with the valve such that fluid from the valve is able to flow into and through the second channel to the prostate gland, and the first channel having a light source and being sealed from the second channel to prevent fluid from the valve from entering the prostate gland through the first channel; followed by:

inserting a motor driven cutter into the second channel such that a distal cutting region of the cutter extends distally beyond the endoscope in the prostate gland;

delivering fluid into the prostate gland through the valve and the second channel to distend the prostate gland;

energizing an electric motor to drive the cutter to cut tissue within the prostate gland; and

aspirating cut tissue and fluid from the prostate gland and the endoscope through the cutter.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein inserting the motor driven cutter comprises inserting an outer tube defining a cutting window at a distal region of the outer tube and an inner tube received within the outer tube that is configured to rotate relative to the outer tube to cut tissue, the inner tube including a cutting element at a distal region of the inner tube configured to cut tissue at the cutting window when the inner tube rotates relative to the outer tube.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the distal region of the endoscope comprises inserting a distal region of an endoscope that includes a fiber optics bundle within the first channel of the elongated member.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the distal region of the endoscope comprises inserting a distal region of an endoscope that includes a lens within the first channel of the elongated member.

5. A method for removal of tissue from a prostate gland, comprising:

inserting a distal region of an endoscope into the prostate gland, the endoscope including a port for receiving a motor driven cutter and including an elongated member defining discrete first and second channels extending from a proximal region of the elongated member to the distal region, the first channel having a light source and the second channel having a straight, central longitudinal axis extending from the port to an opening at a distal tip of the endoscope; followed by:

inserting the motor driven cutter for cutting and detaching tissue into the second channel through the port;

introducing fluid into the prostate gland through the second channel; and

aspirating fluid with detached tissue from the prostate gland through a lumen of the cutter.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein inserting the motor driven cutter comprises inserting an outer tube defining a cutting window at a distal region of the outer tube and an inner tube received within the outer tube that is configured to rotate relative to the outer tube to cut tissue, the inner tube including a cutting element at a distal region of the inner tube configured to cut tissue at the cutting window when the inner tube rotates relative to the outer tube.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein inserting the distal region of the endoscope comprises inserting a distal region of an endoscope that includes a fiber optics bundle within the first channel of the elongated member.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein inserting the distal region of the endoscope comprises inserting a distal region of an endoscope that includes a lens within the first channel of the elongated member.

9. A method for removal of tissue from a prostate gland, comprising:

positioning a distal region of an assembly including endoscopic and fluid flow components into the prostate gland, the assembly including discrete first and second channels extending from a proximal region of the assembly to the distal region, the first channel having a light source; followed by

inserting a motor driven cutter into the second channel through a port such that a distal cutting region of the cutter extends distally beyond the assembly in the prostate gland;

delivering fluid into the prostate gland through the second channel of the assembly to distend the prostate gland;

energizing an electric motor to drive the cutter to cut tissue within the prostate gland; and

aspirating cut tissue and fluid from the prostate gland and the assembly through the cutter.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein inserting the motor driven cutter comprising inserting an outer tube defining a cutting window at a distal region of the outer tube and an inner tube coaxially received within the outer tube, the inner tube including a cutting element at a distal region of the inner tube configured to cut tissue at the cutting window.

11. A method for removal of tissue from a prostate gland, the method comprising:

inserting a distal region of a rigid endoscope into the prostate gland, the rigid endoscope including an elongated member defining discrete first and second channels extending from a proximal region of the elongated member to a distal region of the elongated member, the first channel having a light source, the endoscope including a valve and a port providing access to the second channel at spaced apart locations along the second channel, the valve being configured to control fluid inflow through the second channel to a distal surgical site, the port being aligned with a longitudinal axis of the endoscope, and the first channel being sealed from the second channel to prevent fluid from the valve from entering the distal surgical site through the first channel; followed by:

inserting a motor driven cutter into the second channel through the port such that a distal cutting region of the cutter extends distally beyond the distal region of the elongated member, the cutter defining a channel therethrough for aspiration of fluid and cut tissue from the distal surgical site.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein inserting the motor driven cutter comprises inserting an outer tube defining a cutting window at a distal region of the outer tube and an inner tube received within the outer tube that is configured to rotate relative to the outer tube to cut tissue, the inner tube including a cutting element at a distal region of the inner tube configured to cut tissue at the cutting window when the inner tube rotates relative to the outer tube.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein inserting a distal region of the rigid endoscope comprises inserting a distal region of a rigid endoscope that includes a fiber optics bundle within the first channel of the elongated member.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein inserting a distal region of the rigid endoscope comprises inserting a distal region of a rigid endoscope that includes a lens within the first channel of the elongated member.

15. A method for removal of tissue from a prostate gland, the method comprising:

positioning a distal region of an assembly including endoscopic, cutter and fluid flow components into the prostate gland; and

cutting and removing tissue from the prostate gland using the assembly, wherein:

the cutter component includes an outer stationary tube and an inner, motor driven tube received within the outer tube and movable relative to the outer tube to cut tissue at a distal region of the assembly;

the fluid flow components include at least two discrete fluid access paths for delivering fluid to and aspirating fluid from the distal region of the assembly, one of the paths providing access to a lumen defined by the inner tubular member of the cutter component, and one of the paths providing access to a space defined about an outside of the outer tube of the cutter component, the space being in part sealed by a port configured to receive the cutter component therethrough; and

the endoscopic component includes discrete viewing and second channels extending alongside one another, the viewing channel for viewing tissue distal of the distal region of the assembly and the second channel for receiving the cutter component and the fluid flow components, the cutter component being configured to be inserted through the port into the second channel and removed from the second channel through the port when in use, and the second channel having a straight, central longitudinal axis extending from the port to an opening at a distal tip of the endoscopic component.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the space is defined between the outside of the outer tube of the cutter component and only one other continuous wall.