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 and an aperture with opposing cutting edges formed adjacent to its distal end. The inner probe tube is slidably disposed inside an outer probe tube, and moves relative thereto in a longitudinal reciprocating manner. The outer probe tube has an open distal end and another aperture with opposing cutting edges. During each reciprocating movement cycle, the apertures pass each other twice, and the inner probe tube aperture passes beyond the outer probe tube's open distal end once, where two cutting actions occur between the apertures' cutting edges when they pass each other, and a third cutting action occurs when a cutting edge of the inner probe tube aperture passes the outer probe tube's distal end. Target tissue that is cut by the cutting actions is then aspirated out of the patient's body through the aspiration channel.