U.S. patent application number 16/444512 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-03 for apparatus and method for cutting tissue.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gyrus ACMI, Inc., d.b.a. Olympus Surgical Technologies America. Invention is credited to Kevin C. Edwards, Joel A. Willhite.
Application Number | 20190298403 16/444512 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54480458 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190298403 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Willhite; Joel A. ; et
al. |
October 3, 2019 |
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CUTTING TISSUE
Abstract
A cutting instrument comprising: an outer tube; an inner tube
rotatably disposed within the outer tube; the inner tube comprising
an opening having a leading edge and a trailing edge; and the outer
tube comprising a window having a leading edge and a trailing edge;
at least one of the leading edge of the opening, the trailing edge
of the opening, the leading edge of the window and the trailing
edge of the window comprising a canted edge; and the window of the
outer tube being adapted to be completely blocked by the inner tube
during a phase of the rotation of the inner tube within the outer
tube.
Inventors: |
Willhite; Joel A.; (Memphis,
TN) ; Edwards; Kevin C.; (Olive Branch, MS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gyrus ACMI, Inc., d.b.a. Olympus Surgical Technologies
America |
Southborough |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54480458 |
Appl. No.: |
16/444512 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14706041 |
May 7, 2015 |
10321929 |
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16444512 |
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61994293 |
May 16, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/3205 20130101;
A61B 2217/005 20130101; A61B 2017/320032 20130101; A61B 17/32002
20130101; A61B 17/320783 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/32 20060101
A61B017/32; A61B 17/3207 20060101 A61B017/3207; A61B 17/3205
20060101 A61B017/3205 |
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. A cutting instrument comprising: an outer tube; an inner tube
rotatably disposed within said outer tube; said outer tube
comprising a window having a leading edge and a trailing edge; and
wherein said window of said outer tube is progressively
increasingly blocked, from said leading edge of said window to said
trailing edge of said window, during successive phases of rotation
of said inner tube within said outer tube, and completely blocked
by said inner tube during a phase of the rotation of said inner
tube within said outer tube.
22. A cutting instrument according to claim 21 wherein said inner
tube comprises an opening having a leading edge and a trailing
edge.
23. A cutting instrument according to claim 22 wherein at least one
of said leading edge of said opening, said trailing edge of said
opening, said leading edge of said window and said trailing edge of
said window comprises a canted edge.
24. A cutting instrument according to claim 23 wherein said canted
edge comprises a helix of constant pitch.
25. A cutting instrument according to claim 23 wherein said canted
edge comprises a segment of an ellipse.
26. A cutting instrument according to claim 21 wherein, during
rotation of said inner tube relative to said outer tube, a
scissoring effect is created at one of said leading edge of said
window and said trailing edge of said window.
27. A cutting instrument according to claim 22 wherein at least one
of said leading edge of said opening and said trailing edge of said
opening comprises a helix.
28. A cutting instrument according to claim 21 wherein at least one
of said leading edge of said window and said trailing edge of said
window comprises a helix.
29. A cutting instrument according to claim 27 wherein at least one
of said leading edge of said opening and said trailing edge of said
opening comprises a different pitch than at least one of said
leading edge of said window and said trailing edge of said
window.
30. A cutting instrument according to claim 23 wherein at least one
edge of said opening is canted, at least one edge of said window is
canted, and said at least one canted edge of said opening and said
at least one canted edge of said window are canted in the same
direction of turn.
31. A cutting instrument according to claim 22 wherein at least one
of said leading edge of said opening and said trailing edge of said
opening comprises a canted edge, and at least one of said leading
edge of said window and said trailing edge of said window comprises
a canted edge; and wherein said at least one canted edge of said
opening and said at least one canted edge of said window are canted
in the same direction of turn.
32. A cutting instrument according to claim 29 wherein said at
least one canted edge of said opening comprises a helix of constant
pitch, and further wherein said at least one canted edge of said
window comprises a helix of constant pitch.
33. A cutting instrument according to claim 29 wherein said at
least one canted edge of said opening comprises a segment of an
ellipse, and further wherein said at least one canted edge of said
window comprises a segment of an ellipse.
34. A cutting instrument according to claim 29 wherein, during
rotation of said inner tube relative to said outer tube, a
scissoring effect is created at one of said leading edge of said
opening and said trailing edge of said opening.
35. A cutting instrument according to claim 29 wherein, during
rotation of said inner tube relative to said outer tube, a
scissoring effect is created at one of said leading edge of said
window and said trailing edge of said window.
36. A cutting instrument according to claim 29 wherein at least one
of said leading edge of said opening and said trailing edge of said
opening comprises a helix.
37. A cutting instrument according to claim 29 wherein at least one
of said leading edge of said window and said trailing edge of said
window comprises a helix.
38. A cutting instrument according to claim 33 wherein at least one
of said leading edge of said opening and said trailing edge of said
opening comprises a different pitch than at least one of said
leading edge of said window and said trailing edge of said
window.
39. A method for cutting an object, the method comprising:
providing a cutting instrument comprising: an outer tube; an inner
tube rotatably disposed within said outer tube; said outer tube
comprising a window having a leading edge and a trailing edge;
wherein said window of said outer tube is progressively
increasingly blocked, from said leading edge of said window to said
trailing edge of said window, during successive phases of rotation
of said inner tube within said outer tube, and completely blocked
by said inner tube during a phase of the rotation of said inner
tube within said outer tube; positioning the object in said window;
and rotating said inner tube within said outer tube.
40. A cutting instrument comprising: an outer tube; an inner tube
rotatably disposed within said outer tube; said inner tube
comprising an opening having a leading edge and a trailing edge;
and said outer tube comprising a window having a leading edge and a
trailing edge; at least one of said leading edge of said opening,
said trailing edge of said opening, said leading edge of said
window and said trailing edge of said window comprising a canted
edge; and wherein said window of said outer tube is progressively
increasingly blocked, from said leading edge of said window to said
trailing edge of said window, during successive phases of rotation
of said inner tube within said outer tube, and completely blocked
by said inner tube during a phase of the rotation of said inner
tube within said outer tube.
Description
REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/994,293, filed May 16,
2014 by Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (d.b.a. Olympus Surgical Technologies
America) and Joel A. Willhite et al. for APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
CUTTING TISSUE (Attorney's Docket No. OLYMPUS-2 PROV), which patent
application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to surgical apparatus and methods in
general, and more particularly to surgical apparatus and methods
for cutting tissue.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In many situations, tissue may need to be accessed at a
remote surgical site, excised from the adjacent anatomy and then
the excised tissue removed from the remote surgical site. By way of
example but not limitation, during arthroscopic surgery, endoscopic
surgery, ENT surgery, etc., relatively small visualization devices
(e.g., "scopes") and relatively small surgical tools (e.g.,
graspers, cutters, cauterizers, etc.) are generally introduced into
a restricted space within the human body (e.g., the interior of a
joint, the interior of the abdomen, the interior of a nasal
passage, etc.) and then used at that location for a specific
surgical procedure (e.g., to trim meniscal cartilage in a joint, to
excise a tissue mass in the abdomen, to excise a tissue mass in a
nasal passage, etc.). In many such surgeries, fluid is introduced
into the surgical site (and thereafter removed from the surgical
site) so as to distend the anatomy for better access and/or
visualization (e.g., so as to distend the knee joint for better
access and/or visualization), and/or to improve visibility (e.g.,
so as to flush away blood), and/or to remove debris (e.g., so as to
remove severed tissue by suction).
[0004] One of the surgical tools frequently employed in such
surgeries is the so-called "powered shaver". Powered shavers
typically comprise an outer tube having a window, and an inner tube
rotatably disposed within the outer tube and having an opening,
wherein rotation of the inner tube within the outer tube causes the
opening of the inner tube to repetitively sweep across the window
of the outer tube, whereby to shear off tissue extending into the
window of the outer tube. Suction is applied to the interior of the
inner tube so as to remove the tissue sheared off by the powered
shaver. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,444 (Bonnell et al.)
and U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,157 (McGurk-Burleson et al.).
[0005] Unfortunately, current powered shavers tend to suffer from
one or more disadvantages. By way of example but not limitation,
current powered shavers tend to suffer from small window sizes,
which is generally the result of efforts to ensure adequate suction
in order to remove sizable debris through the interior of the inner
tube. In addition, current powered shavers tend to suffer from
inefficient cutting action, which is generally the result of the
shearing geometries employed. Among other things, with current
powered shavers, the oscillating motion and location of the cutting
surfaces tend to "bat" tissue around, in a side-to-side motion.
Furthermore, current powered shavers tend to suffer from poor
suction, which is generally the result of the geometries used for
the window of the outer tube and the opening in the inner tube.
[0006] Thus it would be advantageous to provide a new powered
cutter which improves upon the deficiencies of the prior art. Among
other things, it would be advantageous to provide a new powered
cutter which provides enlarged window sizes, improved cutting
action and superior suction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention comprises the provision and use of a
new powered cutter which improves upon the deficiencies of the
prior art. Among other things, the new powered cutter provides
enlarged window sizes, improved cutting action and superior
suction.
[0008] In one form of the invention, there is provided a cutting
instrument comprising:
[0009] an outer tube;
[0010] an inner tube rotatably disposed within said outer tube;
[0011] said inner tube comprising an opening having a leading edge
and a trailing edge; and
[0012] said outer tube comprising a window having a leading edge
and a trailing edge;
[0013] at least one of said leading edge of said opening, said
trailing edge of said opening, said leading edge of said window and
said trailing edge of said window comprising a canted edge; and
[0014] said window of said outer tube being adapted to be
completely blocked by said inner tube during a phase of the
rotation of said inner tube within said outer tube.
[0015] In another form of the invention, there is provided a
cutting instrument comprising:
[0016] an outer tube;
[0017] an inner tube rotatably disposed within said outer tube;
[0018] said inner tube comprising an opening having a leading edge
and a trailing edge; and
[0019] said outer tube comprising a window having a leading edge
and a trailing edge;
[0020] at least one of said leading edge of said opening and said
trailing edge of said opening comprising a canted edge, and at
least one of said leading edge of said window and said trailing
edge of said window comprising a canted edge; and
[0021] wherein said at least one canted edge of said opening and
said at least one canted edge of said window are canted in the same
direction of turn.
[0022] In another form of the invention, there is provided a method
for cutting an object, the method comprising:
[0023] providing a cutting instrument comprising: [0024] an outer
tube; [0025] an inner tube rotatably disposed within said outer
tube; [0026] said inner tube comprising an opening having a leading
edge and a trailing edge; and [0027] said outer tube comprising a
window having a leading edge and a trailing edge; [0028] at least
one of said leading edge of said opening, said trailing edge of
said opening, said leading edge of said window and said trailing
edge of said window comprising a canted edge; and [0029] said
window of said outer tube being adapted to be completely blocked by
said inner tube during a phase of the rotation of said inner tube
within said outer tube;
[0030] positioning the object in said window; and
[0031] rotating said inner tube within said outer tube.
[0032] In another form of the invention, there is provided a method
for cutting an object, the method comprising:
[0033] providing cutting instrument comprising: [0034] an outer
tube; [0035] an inner tube rotatably disposed within said outer
tube; [0036] said inner tube comprising an opening having a leading
edge and a trailing edge; and [0037] said outer tube comprising a
window having a leading edge and a trailing edge; [0038] at least
one of said leading edge of said opening and said trailing edge of
said opening comprising a canted edge, and at least one of said
leading edge of said window and said trailing edge of said window
comprising a canted edge; and [0039] wherein said at least one
canted edge of said opening and said at least one canted edge of
said window are canted in the same direction of turn;
[0040] positioning the object in said window; and
[0041] rotating said inner tube within said outer tube.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] These and other objects and features of the present
invention will be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the
invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying
drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further
wherein:
[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a novel powered cutter
formed in accordance with the present invention;
[0044] FIGS. 2-5 are schematic views showing the blade assembly of
the powered cutter shown in FIG. 1;
[0045] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the outer tube of the
blade assembly shown in FIGS. 2-5;
[0046] FIGS. 7-9 are schematic views showing the inner tube of the
blade assembly shown in FIGS. 2-5;
[0047] FIGS. 10A-10C are schematic views showing the blade assembly
in different states of operation;
[0048] FIGS. 11-14 are schematic views showing alternative
constructions for the outer tube of the blade assembly; and
[0049] FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing an alternative
construction for the inner tube of the blade assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0050] The present invention comprises the provision and use of a
new powered cutter which improves upon the deficiencies of the
prior art. Among other things, this new powered cutter provides
enlarged window sizes, improved cutting action and superior
suction.
[0051] More particularly, and looking now at FIG. 1, there is shown
a novel powered cutter 5 formed in accordance with the present
invention. Novel powered cutter 5 generally comprises a blade
assembly 10 and a handle assembly 15. As will hereinafter be
discussed in further detail, blade assembly 10 is intended to be
mated to handle assembly 15 (or another handle assembly) at the
time of use, and detached from handle assembly 15 (or another
handle assembly) after use (e.g., for cleaning and sterilization,
repair or replacement, etc.). Alternatively, blade assembly 10 may
be mated to handle assembly 15 (or another handle assembly) at the
time of manufacture, e.g., such as in the case of a one-piece
disposable system.
[0052] Blade assembly 10 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 1-5.
Blade assembly 10 generally comprises an outer tube 20 and inner
tube 25 rotatably disposed within outer tube 20.
[0053] Outer tube 20 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 1-6. Outer
tube 20 generally comprises a distal end 35, a proximal end 40, and
a lumen 45 extending from distal end 35 to proximal end 40. In one
preferred form the present invention, outer tube 20 preferably
comprises a closed distal end 48.
[0054] Outer tube 20 comprises a window 50 comprising a leading
edge 55 and a trailing edge 60. In one preferred form of the
invention, leading edge 55 and trailing edge 60 are canted relative
to the longitudinal axis 61 of outer tube 20. In one preferred form
of the invention, leading edge 55 and trailing edge 60 have a
helical configuration (which may be of constant pitch or
non-constant pitch). In another preferred form of the invention,
leading edge 55 and trailing edge 60 have a configuration which is
a segment of an ellipse. In one preferred form of the present
invention, outer tube 20 also comprises a first edge 65 connecting
leading edge 55 to trailing edge 60, and a second edge 70
connecting leading edge 55 to trailing edge 60. In one preferred
form of the invention, leading edge 55, trailing edge 60, first
edge 65 and second edge 70 form a prismatic section of a
parallelogram.
[0055] Inner tube 25 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 1-5 and
7-9. Inner tube 25 generally comprises a distal end 75, a proximal
end 80, and a lumen 83 extending from distal end 75 to proximal end
80. In one preferred form of the present invention, inner tube 25
preferably comprises a closed distal end 84.
[0056] Inner tube 25 comprises an opening 85 comprising a leading
edge 90 and a trailing edge 95. In one preferred form of the
invention, leading edge 90 and trailing edge 95 are canted relative
to the longitudinal axis 96 of inner tube 25. In one preferred form
of the invention, leading edge 90 and trailing edge 95 have a
helical configuration (which may be of constant pitch or
non-constant pitch). In another preferred form of the invention,
leading edge 90 and trailing edge 95 have a configuration which is
a segment of an ellipse.
[0057] It should be appreciated that leading edge 90 of inner tube
25 extends at an angle to trailing edge 60 of outer tube 20, and/or
trailing edge 95 of inner tube 25 extends at an angle to leading
edge 55 of outer tube 20, so as to create a shearing action between
such surfaces (i.e., edges) when inner tube 25 is rotated relative
to outer tube 20, as will hereinafter be discussed.
[0058] Inner tube 25 is rotatably disposed within outer tube 20
such that rotation of inner tube 25 within outer tube 20 causes
opening 85 of inner tube 25 to repetitively sweep across window 50
of outer tube 20, whereby to shear off tissue extending into window
50 of outer tube 20. More particularly, in accordance with the
present invention, as inner tube 25 is rotated within outer tube
20, leading edge 90 of inner tube 25 is swept across trailing edge
60 of outer tube 20 or, depending on the direction of rotation of
inner tube 25 relative to outer tube 20, trailing edge 95 of inner
tube 25 is swept across leading edge 55 of outer tube 20, so as to
create a shearing action at the interface of leading edge 90 of
inner tube 25 and trailing edge 60 of outer tube 20, or at the
interface of trailing edge 95 of inner tube 25 and leading edge 55
of outer tube 20. This shearing action serves to cut away tissue
extending into window 50 of outer tube 20. It should be appreciated
that this shearing action is superior to the cutting action of
conventional powered cutters due to the moving point contact of the
shearing ("scissoring") surfaces (i.e., edges). In addition, this
shearing action is superior to the cutting action of conventional
powered cutters, inasmuch as the cutting forces of novel powered
cutter 5 are generally directed proximally or distally, rather than
laterally (as is the case where the side edges of windows are used
for cutting). Directing the cutting forces proximally or distally,
rather than laterally, can help the surgeon keep the powered cutter
in the desired position and also help keep tissue from being
"batted" around, in a side-to-side motion, during cutting. Suction
applied to lumen 83 of inner tube 25 removes the excised tissue
from blade assembly 10.
[0059] If desired, space can be provided between inner tube 25 and
outer tube 20 so as to allow irrigation to be supplied to the
surgical site.
[0060] In one preferred form of the invention, inner tube 25 is
configured to completely block window 50 of outer tube 20 during a
phase of the rotation of inner tube 25 within outer tube 20. As a
result, larger window sizes can be used while still providing
superior suction for the blade assembly.
[0061] In one preferred form of the invention, and looking now at
FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, blade assembly 10 can be considered to
assume three different "states" as inner tube 25 rotates within
outer tube 20, i.e., a "window fully open" state (FIG. 10A) where
suction is used to facilitate tissue engagement, a "resecting"
state (FIG. 10B) where the surfaces (i.e., edges) of inner tube 25
and outer tube 20 cooperate to provide a scissoring action so as to
cut tissue extending into window 50 of outer tube 20, and a "window
fully closed" state (FIG. 10C) where inner tube 25 substantially
completely closes off window 50 of outer tube 20, thereby allowing
for maximum inner lumen suction to rid the cutting area of tissue
and fluid.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 1, blade assembly 10 is intended to be
mated to handle assembly 15 (or another handle assembly) at the
time of use, and detached from handle assembly 15 (or another
handle assembly) after use (e.g., for cleaning and sterilization,
repair or replacement, etc.). Alternatively, blade assembly 10 may
be mated to handle assembly 15 (or another handle assembly) at the
time of manufacture, e.g., such as in the case of a one-piece
disposable system. Handle assembly 15 is provided with a housing
100 for securely mounting the distal end 40 of outer tube 20, and
means for coupling a drive shaft 105 to inner tube 25, e.g., a
connector 115 which is secured to drive shaft 105 and inner tube
25. Preferably connector 115 is provided with appropriate ports so
that the interior of inner tube 25 is in fluid communication with a
suction port 120, whereby to provide suction to blade assembly
10.
[0063] It should be appreciated that handle assembly 15 shown in
FIG. 1 is provided by way of example but not limitation, and other
handle assemblies may be used in conjunction with blade assembly
10.
[0064] FIGS. 11-14 show alternative configurations for outer tube
20 and its window 50.
[0065] More particularly, in FIG. 11, window 50 is constructed so
that its leading edge 55 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of outer tube 25 and its trailing edge 60 is canted relative
to the longitudinal axis 61 of outer tube 25, with first edge 65
and second edge 70 extending between leading edge 55 and trailing
edge 60.
[0066] In FIG. 12, window 50 is constructed so that its leading
edge 55 and its first edge 65 and second edge 70 combine to form an
arcuate surface (i.e., edge), and its trailing edge 60 is canted
relative to the longitudinal axis 61 of outer tube 25.
[0067] In FIG. 13, window 50 is constructed so that its leading
edge 55 and its first edge 65 combine to form an arcuate surface
(i.e., edge), its trailing edge 60 is canted relative to the
longitudinal axis 61 of outer tube 25, and its second edge 70
extends between leading edge 55 and trailing edge 60.
[0068] In FIG. 14, window 50 is constructed so that its leading
edge 55 and its trailing edge 60 are canted in opposite directions
relative to the longitudinal axis of outer tube 25, with first edge
65 and second edge 70 extending between leading edge 55 and
trailing edge 60.
[0069] FIG. 15 shows an alternative configuration for inner tube 25
and its opening 85, wherein leading edge 90 extends perpendicular
to the longitudinal axis of inner tube 25 and trailing edge 95 has
a helical configuration.
[0070] The powered shaver of the present invention improves upon
the deficiencies of the prior art. Among other things, the new
powered cutter provides enlarged window sizes, improved cutting
action and superior suction.
Modifications of the Preferred Embodiments
[0071] It should be understood that many additional changes in the
details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have
been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the
nature of the present invention, may be made by those skilled in
the art while still remaining within the principles and scope of
the invention.
* * * * *