초록 ▼

A tissue removal method utilizes a tool having a shaft with a flexible inner member rotatable about the shaft and an outer member extending along the inner member. The inner and outer members are bent to a desired configuration and the inner member rotates relative to the outer member while maintain

A tissue removal method utilizes a tool having a shaft with a flexible inner member rotatable about the shaft and an outer member extending along the inner member. The inner and outer members are bent to a desired configuration and the inner member rotates relative to the outer member while maintaining the shaft in the desired configuration under the influence of the rigidity of the outer member during rotation of the inner member. A patient's body tissue is cut with a cutting element connected with the inner member during rotation and the body tissue cut from the patient is moved along a passage within the shaft while the shaft is maintained in the desired configuration.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of operating on a patient, said method comprising the steps of providing a tool having a shaft with a flexible inner member which is rotatable about a central axis of the shaft and an outer member which extends along and encloses the inner member along substantially the entire length of

1. A method of operating on a patient, said method comprising the steps of providing a tool having a shaft with a flexible inner member which is rotatable about a central axis of the shaft and an outer member which extends along and encloses the inner member along substantially the entire length of the inner member, the outer member has greater rigidity than the inner member, bending the inner and outer members to a desired configuration, rotating the inner member relative to the outer member, maintaining the shaft in the desired configuration under the influence of the rigidity of the outer member during rotation of the inner member, cutting the patient's body tissue with a cutting element connected with the inner member during rotation of the inner member, moving body tissue cut from the patient along a passage within the shaft while the shaft is maintained in the desired configuration under the influence of the rigidity of the outer member, and removing body tissue from a flow of fluid conducted along the passage within the shaft. 2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of rotating the inner member relative to the outer member includes rotating the inner member in first and second directions relative to the outer member while the shaft is maintained in the desired configuration under the influence of the rigidity of the outer member. 3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving body tissue cut from the patient along a passage within the shaft includes conducting the body tissue along a path disposed between the inner and outer members. 4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving body tissue cut from the patient along a passage within the shaft includes conducting the body tissue along a path disposed within the inner member. 5. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of positioning a guide rod relative to tissue in the patient's body and moving the cutting element along the guide rod into engagement with the patient's body tissue. 6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of moving body tissue cut from the patient along a passage within the shaft includes moving the tissue cut from the patient in a first direction along the passage within the shaft, said method further includes moving fluid along the passage within the shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction. 7. A method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the cut tissue and fluid movement alternate. 8. A method as set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of positioning a guide rod relative to tissue in the patient's body, positioning the guide rod in the shaft of the tool, and sliding the shaft of the tool along the guide rod until the cutting element connected with a leading end portion of the inner member is disposed in a desired position relative to the patient's body tissue. 9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cutting is performed under x-ray guidance. 10. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cutting is performed under endoscopic, arthroscopic, or fiber optic guidance. 11. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the passage includes a filter. 12. A method of operating on a patient, said method comprising the steps of providing a tool having a shaft with a flexible inner member which is rotatable about a central axis of the shaft and an outer member which extends along and encloses the inner member along substantially the entire length of the inner member, the outer member has greater rigidity than the inner member, bending the inner and outer members to a desired configuration, rotating the inner member relative to the outer member, maintaining the shaft in the desired configuration under the influence of the rigidity of the outer member during rotation of the inner member, cutting the patient's body tissue with a cutting element connected with the inner member during rotation of the inner member, moving body tissue cut from the patient al ong a passage within the shaft while the shaft is maintained in the desired configuration under the influence of the rigidity of the outer member, positioning a guide rod relative to tissue in the patient's body, positioning the guide rod in the shaft of the tool, sliding the shaft of the tool along the guide rod until the cutting element connected with a leading end portion of the inner member is disposed in a desired position relative to the patient's body tissue, and bending the guide rod to a desired configuration, said step of sliding the shaft of the tool along the guide rod is performed while maintaining the guide rod bent to the desired configuration.