Tissue morcellator system and method

Abstract

A morcellation system and method for reducing and removing tissue or other matter contained within a mammalian body. A portal apparatus, having a central opening, is inserted into a small incision. Thereafter, a hollow-bore morcellator device is nestable within the central opening of the portal device. The hollow-bore morcellator device includes a rotatable shaft which extends downwardly into the body cavity, and upon which an annular cutting ring is mounted. An elongate suction probe is passable downwardly through the hollow-bore morcellator device, and is usable to engage (by suction force) a mass of tissue or other matter, and to repeatedly lift such mass into contact with the rotating annular cutting ring of the morcellator shaft. A tissue containment chamber may be positioned on the proximal end of the suction probe such that segments of tissue or matter separated by the annular cutting ring may be aspirated through the suction probe and collected within the collection chamber. The morcellator system may be utilized in conjunction with a flexible tissue containment bag. The tissue containment bag is preferably engageable with the portal apparatus to facilitate insertion of the morcellator device thereinto. Also, the system may include a pressurization system for passing positive pressure gas into the tissue containment bag. The passing of gas into the bag may be coordinated with the removal of gas withdrawn through the suction probe to ensure that the containment bag remains fully expanded during the suction operation.