Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The invention provides tubular surgical cutter devices which include aspiration flow control ports to enhance the ability of the cutter to remove severed tissues from an internal surgical site. The aspiration flow control ports will admit sufficient aspiration fluid to transport tissue fragments that are severed by the tubular surgical cutter through the lumen of the cutter, even when the severing aperture is entirely blocked by a target tissue. The aspiration flow control ports will typically be in one of two forms. In the first form, a vacuum relief port provides open fluid communication with the lumen of the tubular cutter when the cutting aperture is open to receive target tissues for severing. In the second form, a fenestration pattern through an outer tube of the cutter ensures that aspiration flow continues even when the cutting aperture of the outer tube is blocked. Ideally, both vacuum relief ports and fenestrations are provided so that aspiration flow is entrained into the lumen of the tubular cutter throughout the cutting stroke.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim