Vance Products Inc.

Howard C Topel

Thomas L Foster

A surgical tissue morcellator ( ) for percutaneously morcellating and debulking tissue during a minimally invasive, endoscopic surgical procedure. In an insertion configuration, the morcellator includes an outer cutting sheath ( ) and an insertion member ( ) inserted therethrough and positioned relative thereto via a connector ( ). The connector includes an adaptor ( ) positioned at the proximal portion ( ) of the outer cutting sheath. The adaptor includes a lock member ( ) such as a pin extending radially into the bore ( ) of the adaptor. A second lock member ( ) in the form of a T-shaped slot is formed in the surface of the insertion member to receive and position the pin therein. In a morcellation configuration, the morcellator includes a handle ( ) that is positioned in the bore of the adaptor. A tissue fixation member ( ) is inserted through the handle and outer sheath passages ( ) and includes a distal portion ( ) with a helical coil ( ) that extends from the distal cutting end ( ) of the outer cutting sheath for affixation to a tissue mass ( ). The tissue fixation member also includes a plurality ( ) of helical grooves ( ) of which a plurality ( ) of projections ( ) extend from the handle and into the grooves. These projections are positioned on the ends of a plurality ( ) of rocker arms ( ) which are pivotally mounted in the wall ( ) of the handle. The engagement projections are extended selectively into and out of the passage of the handle via a retainer ring ( ) that longitudinally slides on the neck portion ( ) of the handle.

Surgical tissue morcellator

A surgical cutting instrument for coring, debulking, and removing a large, tough tissue mass such as a fibroid tumor through a trocar access sheath during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The instrument includes an outer sheath having a distal cutting end for coring the tissue mass and an inner elongated member having a distal, tissue affixation end such as a helical coil for inserting into and stabilizing the tissue mass during the surgical coring procedure. The cutting instrument further includes an instrument engagement assembly when in an engaged position for urging the outer sheath toward the distal end of the inner elongated member. As a result, tissue affixed to the distal end of the inner elongated member is cored as the outer sheath is urged toward the distal end of the inner member and engages the affixed tissue. The instrument engagement assembly includes sheath and member engagement subassemblies. The sheath engagement subassembly is positioned about the proximal end of the outer sheath and includes a hub with a pivotedly interconnected side arm. The member engagement subassembly positioned along the intermediate portion of the inner member includes multiple start helical threads. The side arm has projections extending laterally therefrom for extension into the passage of the hub and engaging the multiple start helical threads of the inner member.

Surgical cutting instrument for coring tissue affixed thereto

An endoscopic aspiration instrument suitable for use with a trocar sheath in laparoscopic surgical procedures is disclosed for aspirating fluid from an ovarian cyst without leakage of the fluid into the peritoneal cavity. The endoscopic instrument comprises a elongated suction tube member having a needle guide positioned within the passageway thereof. The suction tube and needle guide are connected at the proximal ends thereof with the use of a three access port connector. The first access port connects to the proximal end of the suction tube. The proximal end of the needle guide tube is extended through the first port and connected to the second port of the T-type connector. An aspiration needle is inserted through a sealing cap positioned over the second access port and into the passageway of the needle guide tube. A centering device comprising a sleeve and a plurality of radially extending arms is positioned about the distal end of the needle guide tube for centering the needle guide tube within the passageway of the suction tube. The centering device is also located a predetermined distance from the distal end of the suction tube for preventing the ovarian cyst from being drawn too far into the suction tube. The connector also includes a third side port for connection to suction equipment for providing a vacuum in the suction tube to engage the ovarian cyst.

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Deerfield, IL, United States of America

Howard C Topel