Polyp removal device and method of use

Abstract

A device and system for removing tissue such as polyps is provided and includes a tubular member having proximal and distal ends, a snare portion operably extending from within the distal end of the tubular member and including first and second electrodes configured to treat tissue therebetween, the snare portion further including a cutting member for severing the treated tissue. The tissue removal device may further include a handle portion operatively extending from within the proximal end of the tubular member. The handle portion may be configured for operable engagement by a user and the cutting member may extend between distal ends of the first and second electrodes.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A tissue removal system comprising:
 a tubular member having proximal and distal ends, the tubular member defining a longitudinal axis between the proximal and distal ends thereof; and  
 a snare portion operably extending from the distal end of the tubular member and including first and second electrodes configured to treat tissue therebetween, the snare portion further including a cutting member having a sharpened surface positioned between the first and second electrodes for severing the treated tissue, the sharpened surface elongated in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, the first and second electrodes hingedly attached to the cutting member. 
 
     
     
       2. The tissue removal system of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle portion operatively coupled to the proximal end of the tubular member. 
     
     
       3. The tissue removal system of  claim 2 , wherein the handle portion is configured for operable engagement by a user. 
     
     
       4. The tissue removal system of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting member is configured to only cut when pulled in a proximal direction. 
     
     
       5. The tissue removal system of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue is a polyp and the first and second electrodes are configured to grasp a stalk of a polyp. 
     
     
       6. The tissue removal system of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second electrodes are hingedly attached to the cutting member. 
     
     
       7. The tissue removal system of  claim 1 , wherein the snare portion is configured to be retracted within the tubular member. 
     
     
       8. The tissue removal system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrodes are each formed from a tissue contacting surface and an insulative body portion. 
     
     
       9. The tissue removal system of  claim 1 , further including an electrosurgical generator. 
     
     
       10. The tissue removal system of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically coupled to the electrosurgical generator and the generator is configured to deliver energy to the first and second electrodes in a bipolar manner. 
     
     
       11. The tissue removal system of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the tubular member includes a spacer member for preventing the first and second electrodes from contacting one another. 
     
     
       12. The tissue removal system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes includes further including a spacer member mounted thereon on at least one of the first and second electrodes for preventing contact between the first and second electrodes. 
     
     
       13. A tissue removal system comprising:
 a generator configured to generate and deliver energy to a tissue removal device, the tissue removal device comprising: 
 a tubular member having proximal and distal ends; 
 a handle portion operatively extending from the proximal end of the tubular member; and 
 a snare portion slidably supported within the tubular member and configured to extend from the distal end of the tubular member, the snare portion including first and second electrodes operably mounted thereto for receiving energy from the generator for treating tissue therebetween; 
 a cutting member having a sharpened surface positioned between the first and second electrodes and configured to sever the treated tissue, the first and second electrodes hingedly attached to the cutting member; and 
 wherein at least one of the first and second electrodes includes at least one spacer mounted thereon secured to a proximal portion of at least one of the first and second electrodes for preventing contact between the first and second electrodes. 
 
     
     
       14. The tissue removal device of  claim 13 , wherein the snare portion is formed from a non-conductive material. 
     
     
       15. The tissue removal system of  claim 13 , wherein the energy is selected from the group consisting of radiofrequency, ultrasonic, microwave, and laser. 
     
     
       16. The tissue removal system of claim 1, further including a spacer member disposed within, and secured to, the distal end of the tubular member to prevent the first and second electrodes from contacting one another.