Macerating and aspiration tool for intracranial surgery

A system for removing a blood mass from the brain, said system comprising:

• A device for removing a blood mass from the brain, said device comprising:
• a tube having a distal end and a proximal end and a lumen having a diameter, extending from the distal end to the proximal end, said tube having a cap enclosing the distal end of the tube, and a side aperture disposed on the distal end of the tube, said side aperture communicating from the lumen to the outside of the tube distal end;
• a suction port disposed on the proximal end of the tube, in fluid communication with the lumen;
• a macerating structure disposed within the lumen, longitudinally aligned with the side aperture, and a drive rod rotationally fixed to the macerating structure, said drive rod extending proximally from the macerating structure to the proximal end of the tube, said drive rod being rotatable from the proximal end of the tube to cause rotation of the macerating structure;
• wherein the drive rod has a small diameter relative to the diameter of the lumen, and together with the tube provide an annular lumen for aspiration of macerated tissue from the blood mass through the tube, wherein the cap has an inner surface, distal to the side aperture, configured to provide a bearing surface for the macerating structure;
• and
• a vacuum source in fluid communication with the suction port.