Tissue removal assembly

A surgical assembly for removal of body tissue, the assembly comprising:

• a rigid cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible and positionable into a patient's body, and the cannula defining a cannula opening adjacent the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior, the rigidity of the cannula causing the distal end thereof to be moved in response to movement of the proximal end;
• a cutter defining a passageway and moveable in the rigid cannula for cooperating with the cannula opening for cutting body tissue;
• means for moving the cutter;
• a conduit piece rigidly attached to the rigid cannula, the conduit piece having at least one channel defined therein in fluid communication with the passageway defined by the cutter for connection to a source of irrigation fluid and suction;
• suction means connected to the at least one channel for removing body tissue cut by the cutter through the cannula and conduit piece;
• valve means rigidly coupled to the rigidly attached conduit piece and rigid cannula for controlling vacuum flow through said one channel;
• the rigidly coupled valve means and conduit piece having a handgrip portion for holding and accurately positioning the distal end of the rigid cannula to a desired location in the patient by movement of the handgrip portion;
• means to actuate the valve means;
• a tool entry conduit located within the cutter and extending outwardly of the conduit piece in a direction away from the cannula for permitting entry of a surgical tool into the conduit piece and the cutter;
• and
• wherein both the means for moving the cutter and the means for actuating the valve means can be actuated by a hand gripping the handgrip portion while the hand moves the rigidly attached valve means, conduit piece and rigid cannula to position the distal end of the cannula at the desired location in the patient.

A lavage assembly for laparoscopy surgery, irrigation, and suction, and removal of body tissue, the assembly comprising:

• a cannula defining a cannula interior, the cannula having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being insertible into a patient's body, and the cannula defining a notch in the distal end to permit access to the cannula interior for capture of body tissue in the cannula interior;
• a cutter moveable in the cannula for cutting body tissue entering the notch;
• means for moving the cutter extending into the cannula;
• a valve connected to the cannula for independent actuation to control irrigation and suction fluid flow in the cannula, regardless of movement or lack of movement of the cutter;
• and
• wherein the cannula and valve are integrated into a rigid structure to be held in one hand.