Multi-functional surgical device for neurosurgical and spinal surgery applications

A method of performing a neurosurgical procedure, comprising:

• providing a tissue removal device comprising:
• an outer cannula having an outer cannula opening adjacent the distal end, wherein there is an opening to receive tissue and fluids,
• an inner cannula disposed in the outer cannula and selectively reciprocable within the outer cannula, the inner cannula having a cutting edge at an open distal end to sever tissue,
• inserting the tissue removal device into a surgical site proximate a target tissue associated with the patient's neurological system;
• manipulating tissue within the surgical site so as to move the tissue from a first location or orientation to a second location or orientation within the surgical site prior to initiating a cutting operation of the tissue removal device by using the tissue removal device without resecting tissue;
• drawing tissue into the surgical device by applying vacuum through the inner cannula;
• and
• initiating the cutting operation of the tissue removal device after manipulating tissue to the second location or orientation by reciprocating the inner cannula between a proximal position and a distal position after manipulating tissue to the second location or orientation, such that when the inner cannula is in the proximal position, the target tissue is received in the outer cannula opening, and when the inner cannula is in the distal position, the received target tissue is severed from surrounding tissue.

A tissue removal device, comprising:

• an outer cannula having an outer cannula lumen, a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer cannula opening adjacent the distal end, wherein the opening defines a cutting edge for severing tissue;
• an inner cannula disposed in the outer cannula lumen and selectively reciprocable within the outer cannula lumen, the inner cannula having an inner cannula lumen, a proximal end, an open distal end, a hinge, an elongated continuous relieved portion whereby a portion of a side wall of the inner cannula is removed to allow for bending of the inner cannula, and a cutting edge at the distal end, wherein the hinge is positioned distal to the relieved portion and wherein the relieved portion has a length extending axially along the inner cannula that is greater than a length of the hinge;
• a seal in contact with the outer and inner cannulas;
• wherein the inner cannula is configured to selectively reciprocate within the outer cannula lumen between a proximal position and a distal position;
• and
• a vacuum generator in fluid communication with the inner cannula lumen, wherein the vacuum generator is selectively operable to selectively provide varying levels of vacuum to the outer cannula opening.