# US 2014/0155779 A1 · Methods and devices for removing tissue from a patient > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155779 A1 - Document ID: US20140155779A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/693,002 - Filed: 2012-12-03 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-03 - Assignees: Darren Bechtel - Inventors: James W. Vetter; Ary S. Chememorsky; Chirstopher Daniel; Mark J. Clifford; Scott C. Anderson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155779A1 ## CPC - A61B 10/0233: {Pointed or sharp biopsy instruments} - A61B 10/0266: {means for severing sample} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract The present invention is directed to tissue removal devices and methods. A tubular element having an open distal end is advanced into tissue so that tissue enters the tubular element. The tissue, which entered the tubular element is cut to separate the tissue from the surrounding tissue. The tissue is then transported proximally by the cutting element or a separate transport element. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-55. (canceled) ### Claim 56 A method of removing tissue from a patient, comprising the steps of: providing a tissue removing device including a tubular element and a transport element, the tubular element having an open distal end and a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction, the transport element being movable relative to the tubular element; introducing the tubular element into a patient; advancing the tubular element distally so that tissue enters the open end; separating the tissue which entered the open end from the surrounding tissue to form a first tissue mass; and piercing the first tissue mass with the transport element; and transporting the first tissue proximally away from the open end with the transport element. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) The method of claim 56, wherein: the piercing step is carried out before the advancing step. ### Claim 58 (depends on 56) The method of claim 56, wherein: the separating step is carried out by tearing the first tissue mass from the surrounding tissue. ### Claim 59 (depends on 56) The method of claim 56, wherein: the separating step is carried out with the tissue removal device having a cutting element positioned within the tubular element, the cutting element being deflected inwardly to cut the tissue by an inner wall of the tubular element when advancing distally toward the open end. ### Claim 60 (depends on 56) The method of claim 56, wherein: the piercing step is carried out with the piercing element being rotated while piercing the tissue. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) The method of claim 60, wherein: the transporting step is carried out with the piercing element being rotated when transporting the first tissue mass proximally. ### Claim 62 (depends on 60) The method of claim 60, further comprising the steps of: withdrawing the piercing element from the first tissue mass, the withdrawing step being carried out while rotating the piercing element. ### Claim 63 (depends on 56) The method of claim 56, wherein: the piercing step is carried out with the piercing element having a deployable anchor, the anchor being movable between a stored position to a deployed position. ### Claim 64 (depends on 56) The method of claim 56, wherein: the piercing step is carried out with the deployable anchor in the stored position; and the transporting step is carried out with the deployable anchor in the deployed position. ### Claim 65 A method of removing tissue from a patient, comprising the steps of: providing a tissue removing device including a tubular element having an open end, the tubular element having an interior wall which surrounds a chamber, the tubular element having a longitudinal axis, the tissue removing device also having a cutting element movable within the tubular element, the cutting element having a first part and a second part, at least one of the first and second parts sliding along the interior wall of the tubular element; introducing the tubular element into a patient; advancing the tubular element distally so that tissue enters the open end; cutting the tissue which has entered the open end from the surrounding tissue with the cutting element to form a first tissue mass, the cutting element moving toward the open end so that the at least one of the first and second parts slides along the interior wall and is deflected inwardly by the interior wall of the tubular element toward the other part. ### Claim 66 (depends on 65) The method of claim 65, wherein: the cutting step is carried out with the first and second parts locking together. ### Claim 67 (depends on 65) The method of claim 65, wherein: the cutting step is carried out with the first and second parts being plastically deformed when moving toward one another. ### Claim 68 (depends on 65) The method of claim 65, further comprising the step of: moving the tissue mass proximally through the tubular element using the cutting element. ### Claim 69 A method of removing tissue from a patient, comprising the steps of: providing a tissue removing device having a body, a cutting element, and a tubular element having a longitudinal axis, the tubular element having an open distal end and being movable distally relative the body, the cutting element being movable from a stored position to a cutting position, the cutting element moving toward the longitudinal axis when moving from the stored position toward the cutting position; introducing the tissue removing device into a patient; advancing the tubular element into tissue so that tissue enters the open distal end; moving the cutting element from the stored position toward the cutting position; and rotating the tubular element during the moving step. ### Claim 70 (depends on 69) The method of claim 69, wherein: the rotating step is carried out after the advancing step. ### Claim 71 (depends on 69) The method of claim 69, wherein: the advancing step is carried out with the tubular element rotating relative to the body as the tubular element is advanced. ### Claim 72 (depends on 69) The method of claim 69, wherein: the providing step is carried out with the cutting element moving distally when moving from the stored position to the cutting position. ### Claim 73 (depends on 69) The method of claim 69, wherein: the providing step is carried out with the cutting element being stored in an elastically deformed state; and the moving step is carried out with the cutting element naturally moving from the stored position toward the cutting position. ### Claim 74 (depends on 69) The method of claim 69, wherein: rotating step is carried out with the cutting element being stationary relative to the body. ### Claim 75 (depends on 69) The method of claim 69, wherein: the rotating step is carried out with the cutting element also rotating when the tubular element is rotated. ### Claim 76 (depends on 69) The method of claim 69, wherein: the rotating step is carried out with the cutting element and the tubular element rotating in opposite directions. ### Claim 77 (depends on 69) The method of claim 69, further comprising the step of: repeating the advancing, moving and rotating steps to collect another tissue mass without removing the distal end of the tubular element from the patient. ### Claim 78 A method of removing tissue from a patient, comprising the steps of: providing a tissue removing device having a body, and a tubular element having a longitudinal axis and an open distal end, the tubular element being movable distally relative the body, the tissue removing device also having an introducer positioned within the tubular element; introducing the tissue removing device into a patient; withdrawing the introducer to expose the open distal end; and advancing the tubular element into tissue so that tissue enters the open distal end after at least initiating the withdrawing step. ### Claim at position 25 79-83. (canceled)