Miniature shredding tool for use in medical applications and methods for making

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of micro-scale or millimeter scale devices and to the use of multi-layer multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods for producing such devices with particular embodiments relate to shredding devices and more particularly to shredding devices for use in medical applications. In some embodiments, tissue removal devices include tissue anchoring projections, improved blade configurations, and / or shields or shrouds around the cutting blades to inhibit outflow of tissue that has been brought into the device.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 491,220 filed on Jun. 24, 2009 which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 075,007 filed Jun. 24, 2008; U.S. application Ser. No. 12 / 491,220 filed on Jun. 24, 2009 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 490,295 filed Jun. 23, 2009; the '295 application in turn claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61 / 075,006, filed Jun. 23, 2008; 61 / 164,864, filed Mar. 30, 2009; and 61 / 164,883, filed Mar. 30, 2009. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full herein.U.S. GOVERNMENT RIGHTS[0002]At least a portions of the inventions disclosed and claimed herein were made with government support under Grant No. R01 HL087797 awarded by the National Institute of Health. The Government has certain rights in these inventions.INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE[0003]All publications and patent application...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides an improved micro-scale or millimeter-scale shredding device for use in medical procedures. The device has improved positional stabilization, better blades for disrupting or shredding material, and reduced outflow of shredded material back into the working region. The device can be used in minimally invasive procedures and has a housing with a shroud to shield the blades and reduce outflow of shredded material. The device can be powered on and moved to desired locations within the working area to intake and shred selected material. The invention also provides variations of the blade design with different cutting elements and gaps to allow for interlacing and movement of the blades while providing intake and shredding of material encountered during the medical procedure.

Problems solved by technology

The CC mask plating process is distinct from a “through-mask” plating process in that in a through-mask plating process the separation of the masking material from the substrate would occur destructively.

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