Tissue removal device with high reciprocation rate

Abstract

Disclosed is a tissue removal device. The device includes an outer tubular body, an inner tubular body and a cutting edge on the inner tubular body. The outer tubular body includes a window, which may be opened or closed by moving the cutting edge. The cutting edge has a hardness that exceeds the hardness of the material of the inner tube. The cutting edge may have a Rockwell C hardness of at least about 50, while the inner tube has a Rockwell C hardness of no more than about 40. The cutting edge may be formed by a milling step, and the inner tube may be formed by a drawing step. Tissue severed by the cutting edge may be removed at a rate of at least about 1.8 grams per minute through the inner tube, and the outer tubular body may have an outside diameter of no more than about 3.5 mm.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 098,250, filed Apr. 4, 2008 (titled “METHOD, SYSTEM AND DEVICE FOR TISSUE REMOVAL”), which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application 60 / 910,618, filed Apr. 6, 2007, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 910,625, filed Apr. 6, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 986,912, filed Nov. 9, 2007 all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 098,318, filed Apr. 4, 2008 (titled “SYSTEM FOR USE IN PERFORMING A MEDICAL PROCEDURE AND INTRODUCER DEVICE SUITABLE FOR USE IN SAID SYSTEM”), which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 910,618, filed Apr. 6, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 910,625, filed Apr. 6, 2007, all of which are inc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The tissue removal device may be configured such that tissue severed by the cutting edge is removed at a rate of at least about 1.8 grams per minute, and the outer tubular body has an

Problems solved by technology

In many instances, uterine fibroids can grow to be several centimeters in diameter and may cause symptoms like menorrhagia (prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding), pelvic pressure or pain, and reproductive dysfunction.

However, current pharmacological therapies are largely ineffective and merely palliative.

However, despite their widespread use, hysterectomies also possess certain disadvantages, such as a loss of fertility, sexual dysfunction, and the risks commonly associated with a major surgical procedure, such as hemorrhaging, lesions, infections, pain and prolonged recovery.

Small particles are then injected from the catheter into the fibroid artery, blocking its blood supply and causing it to eventually shrink and die.

Although this procedure is less invasive than a hysterectomy, it often results in pain-related, post-surgical complications.

Moreover, the physicians that

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