Tissue macerating instrument

Abstract

There is disclosed a surgical tissue macerating and removal tool having a rotating rod with a cutting member at one end and disposed in a tube which itself is disposed coaxially in an extension of the tool handle. A frusto-conical member extends into the extension at the cutter member end of the rotating rod with its small end engaging the tube. The portion of the frusto-conical member outside of the extension forms a tissue engaging member and may be cut-off at an angle to the axis of the rod to form a tissue engaging edge. Apertures are provided in the extension adjacent the frusto-conical member so that treatment fluid supplied in the annular space between the tube and the extension may flow to the operative site. An aperture is provided in the frusto-conical member between the extension and the tube so that fluid may also flow into the tube where it mixes with macerated tissue being directed through an aperture in the tube to a passageway which may have suction applied thereto to help remove macerated material. Radially-inwardly extending fins may be provided on the interior surface of the frusto-conical member to inhibit or prevent rotation of the tissue being macerated as, for example, the lens of an eye.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.