Pneumatic Medical Device

Abstract

A pneumatic circuit and other components are provided for the operation of a medical device. The pneumatic circuit provides controlled pressurized air to a medical device for use during a medical procedure.

1 . A surgical tool comprising:
 a cannula defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a first axis, the cannula having an orifice at the distal end, the distal end being configured for insertion into a body to a point such that the orifice is adjacent to a selected tissue mass;   a cutter positioned such that at least a portion of the cutter extends within the cannula, the cutter defining a second axis coaxial with the first axis and the cutter being movable relative to the cannula; and   a rotary motor coupled to the cutter and configured to rotate the cutter relative to the cannula; the rotary motor defining a third axis in axial alignment with the first and second axes.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical tool of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter is the axle of the rotary motor. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical tool of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter is configured to remove a portion of the selected tissue mass for transportation through the rotary motor. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a pneumatic circuit coupled to the rotary motor, the pneumatic circuit providing suction to the cutter for drawing the cut tissue through the cutter and rotary motor. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical tool of  claim 4 , wherein the pneumatic circuit is further configured to provide compressed air to the rotary motor. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical tool of  claim 4 , wherein the pneumatic circuit is further configured to provide suction to the cutter, such that when the cutter cuts tissue, the cut tissue is urged through the cutter and rotary motor. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical tool of  claim 4 , wherein the pneumatic circuit includes a micrometer pitch needle valve. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical tool of  claim 7 , wherein the micrometer pitch needle valve is coupled to a pressure switch. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical tool of  claim 7 , wherein the micrometer pitch needle valve is coupled to a piston, the micrometer pitch needle valve regulating the flow of compressed air to the piston. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical tool of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter is a hollow shaft configured to remove a portion of the selected tissue mass and to permit transportation of the tissue mass through the hollow shaft and rotary motor. 
     
     
         11 . A medical device comprising:
 a cannula defining a proximal end, a distal end, and an axis, the cannula having an orifice at the distal end, the distal end being configured for insertion into a body to a point such that the orifice is adjacent to a selected tissue mass;   a cutter coaxially aligned with the cannula; and   a motor coupled to the cutter, the cutter defining a passageway that extends through the motor.   
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the motor is pneumatically operated, and compressed air is released from the motor inside the medical device. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein the cutter is the axle of the motor. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 11 , further comprising a micrometer pitch needle valve in pneumatic communication with the medical device. 
     
     
         15 . A method of extracting tissue from a body, the method comprising the steps of:
 rotating a cutter configured to cut tissue from a tissue mass;   drawing the cut tissue through a rotary motor, the rotary motor being configured to rotate the cutter.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 using a pneumatically operated piston to move the cutter along its axis, and   using a micrometer pitch needle valve to control a flow of compressed air to the piston.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of controlling the piston and the rotary motor with a pneumatic circuit. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of providing a pneumatic circuit, the pneumatic circuit applying compressed air to the rotary motor and vacuum pressure to the cutter, the vacuum pressure assisting with drawing the cut tissue through the cutter and rotary motor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of coaxially aligning the rotary motor and the cutter. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of using the cutter as the axis of the rotary motor.