Tubular cutter device and methods for cutting and removing strips of tissue from the body of a patient

Abstract

Methods and devices for cutting strips of tissue from masses of tissue inside or outside of the bodies of human or animal subjects. The device generally comprises a) an elongate cutting tube that has a distal end and a lumen that opens through an opening in the distal end and b) first and second cutting edges formed on generally opposite edges of the distal end of the cutting tube and separated by a distance D. The device is advanced through tissue to cut a strip of tissue of approximate width W. Width W is approximately equal to distance D.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for cutting a strip of tissue of approximate width W from a mass of tissue, said device comprising:
 an elongate cutting tube having a distal end and a lumen that opens through an opening in the distal end;   first and second cutting edges being formed on generally opposite edges of the distal end of the cutting tube said first and second cutting edges being separated by a distance D;   said cutting tube being advanceable through tissue such that the first and second cutting edges will cut a strip of tissue having approximate width W, said approximate width W being approximately equal to the distance D between the first and second cutting edges.   
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the cutting tube comprises a stainless steel hypodermic tubing. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one protruding tip formed on the distal end of the cutting tube. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 2  wherein the protruding tip is tapered. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 2  wherein the protruding tip is sufficiently blunt to be substantially a traumatic. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second cutting edges are located on opposite lateral sides of the distal end of the cutting tube. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 4  wherein the first and second cutting edges are located on opposite lateral sides of the distal end of the cutting tube and the protruding tip is located on the bottom of the distal end of the cutting tube. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 7  further comprising a blunt edge located at the top of the distal end of the cutting tube. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein there is a single bend or curve formed in the cutting tube. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9  wherein there is a single bend of approximately 20 degrees to approximately 90 degrees formed in the cutting tube. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10  wherein the bend is approximately 90 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of bends or curves formed in the cutting tube. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 12  wherein there are a plurality of bends of approximately 20 degrees to approximately 90 degrees each formed in the cutting tube. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 12  wherein there is a first bend of approximately 90 degrees and a second bend of approximately 90 degrees, formed in the tube. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 1  further comprising a source of negative pressure connected to the lumen of the cutting tube so as to aspirate fluid or matter through the lumen of the tube. 
     
     
         16 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the device further comprises a second lumen. 
     
     
         17 . A device according to  claim 16  wherein one of the lumens is connected to a source of fluid such that fluid may be infused therethrough and the other of said lumens is connected to a source of negative pressure such that fluid or matter may be aspirated therethrough. 
     
     
         18 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein at least one of the cutting edges is heated such that it will cauterize as it cuts. 
     
     
         19 . A device according to  claim 1  further comprising apparatus for severing the strip of tissue when the strip of tissue has reached a desired length. 
     
     
         20 . A device according to  claim 19  wherein the apparatus for severing the strip of tissue comprises at least one electrode which, when energized, will sever the strip of tissue. 
     
     
         21 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein the device further comprises:
 a second tube that has a lumen and a distal end; 
 wherein the cutting tube extends through the lumen of the outer tube with a distal portion of the cutting tube extending out of and beyond the distal end of the outer tube. 
 
     
     
         22 . A device according to  claim 21  wherein:
 the outer diameter of the cutting tube is smaller than the inner diameter of the second tube such that fluid may flow through the lumen of the second tube; and 
 at least one aperture is formed in the second tube to permit fluid to pass into or out of the lumen of the second tube.