Devices and methods for tissue severing and removal

Abstract

The present invention relates to devices and methods that enhance the accuracy of lesion excision, through severing, capturing and removal of a lesion within soft tissue. Furthermore, the present invention relates to devices and methods for the excision of breast tissue based on the internal anatomy of the breast gland. A tissue severing device generally comprises a guide having at least one lumen and a cutting tool contained within the lumen. The cutting tool is capable of extending from the lumen and forming an adjustable cutting loop. The cutting loop may be widened or narrowed and the angle between the loop extension axis and the guide axis may be varied. Optional tissue marker and tissue collector may additionally be provided. A method for excising a mass of tissue from a patient is also provided. The device and method are particularly useful for excising a lesion from a human breast, e.g., through the excision and removal of a part of a breast lobe, an entire breast lobe or a breast lobe plus surrounding adjacent tissue.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 322,634, entitled "Tissue Severing and Removal Devices and Methods," filed on Sep. 12, 2001 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for severing soft tissue. In particular, the present invention relates to devices and methods that enhance the accuracy of lesion excision, through severing, capturing and removal of a lesion within soft tissue. Furthermore, the present invention relates to devices and methods for the excision of breast tissue based on the internal anatomy of the breast gland.[0004] 2. Description of Related Art[0005] Surgery plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In the case of breast cancer, surgery comprises a critical component of medical care where early diagnosis and treatment have demonstrated a significant improvement in surviva...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Extension within the ducts may also be missed on pathological examination of the specimen unless a sample is taken exactly at the level of the involved duct.

Using current methods of lumpectomy and examination of the specimen, these limitations may lead to inadequate surgical treatment of the cancer.

This limits the size of lesions that can be effectively excised as a single specimen and, in addition, an entire lobe of the breast cannot be excised using this device.

The cutting loop energized by radio frequency energy may be fashioned to form different shapes, however, there is no mechanism to adjust the size of the cutting loop.

This limits the size of lesions that can be effectively excised as a single specimen and does not allow this device to excise an entire lobe.

The cutter loops are also of fixed diameter thereby limiting the size of the lesion that can be excised as a single specimen and does not allow the device to excise an entire lobe.

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