Rotary instruments and methods for intrauterine tissue resection

1. A single-use uterine tissue resector comprising:

a handle;

an outer cutting tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion is statically attached to the handle, and wherein the distal portion includes a cutting window and a first distal hole;

an inner cutting tube concentrically positioned and rotatable within a lumen of the outer cutting tube, wherein a distal end of the inner cutting tube includes a second distal hole;

wherein the first distal hole and the second distal hole are configured to allow irrigation through the inner cutting tube when the cutting window is closed; and

a motor positioned within the handle and coupled to a proximal end of the inner cutting tube, wherein upon activation of the motor, the motor rotates the inner cutting tube relative to the outer cutting tube; and

a sealed cylinder positioned within the handle near the proximal portion of the outer cutting tube, the sealed cylinder comprising a port configured to be connected to a vacuum line so as to apply a negative pressure within the lumen.

2. The single-use uterine tissue resector of claim 1 wherein the port is movable with respect to the handle between a plurality of positions.

3. The single-use uterine tissue resector of claim 1 wherein the handle comprises a leaf spring trigger.

4. The single-use uterine tissue resector of claim 1 wherein the handle comprises a momentary switch.

5. The single-use uterine tissue resector of claim 1 wherein a distal end of the inner cutting tube and a distal end of the outer cutting tube form openings into a lumen of the inner cutting tube.

6. The single-use uterine tissue resector of claim 1 wherein a distal portion of the inner cutting tube and a distal portion of the outer cutting tube comprise apertures having cutting surfaces.

7. The single-use uterine tissue resector of claim 6 wherein the apertures of the inner and outer cutting tubes comprise a substantially same size, shape and longitudinal placement relative to one another.

8. The single-use uterine tissue resector of claim 1 , wherein the port is comprised of a lateral port that protrudes out from the handle.

9. The single-use uterine tissue resector of claim 8 , wherein a proximal portion of the inner cutting tube passes through the sealed cylinder, the proximal portion of the inner cutting tube having an aperture formed through a sidewall thereof.

10. The single-use uterine tissue resector of claim 8 , wherein the handle comprises a cut-out through which the port of the sealed cylinder protrudes and is rotatable relative to the handle.

11. A medical system comprising:

a single-use uterine tissue resector comprising:

a handle;

an outer cutting tube having a proximal portion statically attached to the handle and a distal portion comprising a cutting window and a first distal hole;

an inner cutting tube concentrically positioned and rotatable within a lumen of the outer cutting tube, wherein a distal end of the inner cutting tube includes a second distal hole;

wherein the first distal hole and the second distal hole are configured to allow irrigation through the inner cutting tube when the cutting window is closed; and

a motor positioned within the handle and coupled to a proximal end of the inner cutting tube, wherein upon activation of the motor, the motor rotates the inner cutting tube relative to the outer cutting tube; and

a sealed cylinder positioned within the handle adjacent to the proximal portion of the outer cutting tube, the sealed cylinder comprising a port, wherein the port is configured to be connected to a vacuum line so as to apply a negative pressure within the lumen, and wherein the port is movable with respect to the handle between a plurality of positions; and

a hysteroscope comprising:

a proximal body from which a multi-lumened distal outer tube extends;

an optical lumen positioned through the proximal body and the distal outer tube having a fluid-sealed distal end configured to prevent a fluid entry into the optical lumen from a surgical site, and a proximal optical output extending upwardly from the proximal body, wherein the proximal optical output comprises an eyepiece;

a light transmission lumen positioned through the proximal body and the distal outer tube having a fluid-sealed distal end configured to prevent the fluid entry into the light transmission lumen to the surgical site and a proximal light post configured for attachment to a light source;

a working lumen positioned through the proximal body and the distal outer tube having an open distal end and an open proximal end and through which the resector is reversibly inserted;

a seal disposed at a proximal end of the proximal body, the seal being configured to selectively seal the working lumen or to enable a friction fit for the single-use uterine tissue resector when the single-use tissue resector is inserted through the working lumen; and

a first irrigation lumen positioned through the proximal body and the distal outer tube having an open distal end and a proximal valve.

12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising a modular flow channel reversibly insertable through the working lumen of the hysteroscope.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the optical lumen, the working lumen and the irrigation lumen are positioned within the light transmission lumen of the hysteroscope.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the distal outer tube of the hysteroscope comprises an outer diameter of about 5.8 millimeters.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the resector further comprises a battery positioned within the handle that is in electrical communication with the motor.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the handle comprises a leaf spring trigger and a momentary switch.