Tissue extraction system and method

Abstract

To provide systems and methods for preventing the seeding of cancerous cells during morcellation of a tissue specimen inside a patient's body and removal of the tissue specimen from inside the patient through a minimally invasive body opening to outside the patient.SOLUTION: A system includes a cut-resistant tissue guard 200 removably insertable into a containment bag 3002. A tissue specimen 3006 is isolated and contained in the containment bag, and the guard is configured to protect the containment bag and surrounding tissue from incidental contact with sharp instrumentation used during morcellation and extraction of the tissue specimen. The guard is adjustable to allow easy insertion and removal and configured to securely anchor to the body opening. Protection-focused and containment-based systems for tissue removal are provided to enable minimally invasive procedures to be performed safely and efficiently.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 136B