Method and apparatus for transurethral resection of the prostate

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transurethral resection of the prostate, which includes inserting a transurethral incisional device through the patient's urethra, incising off at least one piece of targeted prostatic tissue using the incisional device, inserting a morcellation probe through the patient's urethra, morcellating the excised piece of targeted prostatic tissue with the morcellation probe, and aspirating the morcellated prostatic tissue through the morcellation probe and out of the patient. The morcellation probe of the present invention includes an elongated inner probe tube that defines an aspiration channel therein. The inner probe tube is slidably disposed inside an outer probe tube. The outer probe tube has a first aperture with a first cutting edge for cutting tissue. The inner probe tube has a second aperture or a spiral shaped groove defining a second cutting edge that moves relative to the first cutting edge to cut tissue drawn through the first aperture. The second aperture or groove are in communication with the aspiration channel. A tissue manipulation port can be formed in either the outer or inner probe tubes to overlap with the inner or outer probe tube apertures or the groove to provide continuous aspiration adjacent the first aperture if/when the first aperture is sealed by the inner probe tube.