Method and apparatus for tissue morcellation

A tissue morcellation device, comprising:

• a handpiece;
• a first outer cylindrical tube defining a first lumen;
• the first outer tube being connected to the handpiece;
• a second inner cylindrical tube defining a second lumen;
• the second inner tube being positioned concentrically within the first lumen of the first outer tube;
• the second inner tube having a sharpened distal end adjacent to a distal end of the first outer tube;
• the second inner tube being configured to rotate relative to the first outer tube about a longitudinal axis of the second inner tube to effect morcellation of tissue at the sharpened distal end so as to reduce the size of the tissue to be extracted;
• a third inner cylindrical tube, the third inner tube being positioned concentrically within the second lumen of the second inner tube;
• the third inner tube being stationary relative to the first outer tube;
• and
• a grasper longitudinally movable within the third inner cylindrical tube and configured to grab tissue at the distal end;
• the grasper including an elongate shaft having a shaft diameter and a shaft outer surface and a spacer positioned concentrically on the shaft outer surface;
• the spacer being fixedly attached to the shaft outer surface and extending radially outwardly from the shaft outer surface to form a spacer diameter that is larger than the shaft diameter;
• wherein the spacer diameter is smaller than an inner diameter of the third inner tube to provide a loose fit between the spacer and inner wall of the third inner tube.

A tissue morcellation device, comprising;

• a handpiece;
• a first outer cylindrical tube defining a first lumen;
• the first outer tube being connected to the handpiece;
• a second inner cylindrical tube defining a second lumen;
• the second inner tube being positioned concentrically within the first lumen of the first outer tube;
• a distal end of the second inner tube having a sharpened distal end adjacent to a distal end of the first outer tube;
• the second inner tube being configured to rotate relative to the first outer tube about a longitudinal axis of the second inner tube to effect morcellation of Page 6 of 16 rotary motion being supplied to the second inner tube by an electric motor;
• and
• a third inner cylindrical tube, the third inner tube being positioned concentrically within the second lumen of the second inner tube;
• the third inner tube being stationary relative to the first outer tube;
• and
• a grasper longitudinally movable within the third inner cylindrical tube and configured to grab tissue at the distal end;
• the grasper including a handle and an elongate shaft having an axis, a shaft diameter and a shaft outer surface and a spacer positioned concentrically on the shaft outer surface;
• the spacer being fixedly attached to the shaft outer surface and extending radially outwardly from the shaft outer surface to form a spacer diameter that is larger than the shaft diameter;
• wherein the handle of the grasper is configured to supply a rotating motion along the axis of the elongate shaft;
• wherein the spacer diameter provides a loose fit between the spacer and inner wall of the third inner tube to prevent the elongate shaft of the grasper from touching the sharpened distal end of the second inner tube during manipulation of the grasper.