Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for removing an organ or other piece of tissue from within a patient's body cavity or lumen including: a) first and second trocar sheaths configured to be inserted into a patient's body cavity or lumen and having inner lumens in communication with the body cavity or lumen; and b) a tissue removing means which is configured to be advanced through the inner lumen of the first trocar sheath into the patient's body cavity or lumen and which includes an elongated expandable tubular member which has leading and trailing portions, an impervious lining defining an inner lumen extending therein, an opening in the leading portion to facilitate insertion of the organ or other piece of tissue to be morcellated into the inner lumen and which is configured to pass though the first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through the second trocar sheath.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
A system for removing an organ or other piece of tissue from within a patient's body cavity or lumen including: a) first and second trocar sheaths configured to be inserted into a patient's body cavity or lumen and having inner lumens in communication with the body cavity or lumen; and b) a tissue removing means which is configured to be advanced through the inner lumen of the first trocar sheath into the patient's body cavity or lumen and which includes an elongated expandable tubular member which has leading and trailing portions, an impervious lining defining an inner lumen extending therein, an opening in the leading portion to facilitate insertion of the organ or other piece of tissue to be morcellated into the inner lumen and which is configured to pass though the first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through the second trocar sheath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the impervious lining within the elongated expandable tubular member is formed by an elongated plastic tubular element which has outer transverse dimensions about the same as inner transverse dimensions of the elongated tubular member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 including means disposed within the inner lumen defined by the impervious lining of the elongated expandable tubular member to tear or cut fragments from an organ or piece of tissue disposed within the inner lumen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the means to cut or tear tissue fragments from the organ or piece of tissue is an elongated strip having a plurality of cutting elements thereon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 including a third trocar sheath configured to be inserted into the patient's internal body cavity and having an inner lumen in communication with the interior cavity to facilitate advancement into the internal cavity an endoscopic means to view the interior thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
147 words
An elongated tubular device for morcellating an organ or other piece of tissue within a patient's body cavity or lumen comprising: a) an elongated expandable outer tubular member which has leading and trailing portions, an impervious lining within the expandable outer tubular member having an interior defining an inner lumen extending therein and an opening in the leading portion to facilitate receiving the organ or other piece of tissue to be morcellated into the inner lumen and which is configured to pass though a first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through a second trocar sheath; and b) means within the interior of the impervious lining for tearing or cutting fragments from the organ or other piece of tissue within the inner lumen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
An elongated tubular device for morcellating an organ or other piece of tissue within a patient's body cavity or lumen comprising: a) an elongated expandable outer tubular member which has leading and trailing portions, an impervious lining within the expandable outer tubular member having an interior defining an inner lumen extending therein and an opening in the leading portion to facilitate receiving the organ or other piece of tissue to be morcellated into the inner lumen and which is configured to pass though a first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through a second trocar sheath; and b) means within the interior of the impervious lining for tearing or cutting fragments from the organ or other piece of tissue within the inner lumen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the means for tearing or cutting fragments from the piece of tissue includes at least one elongated strip which has a plurality of teeth thereon and which is secured within the interior of the impervious lining.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The elongated tubular device of claim 7 wherein the elongated strip is disposed within the impervious lining at a location proximal to the opening in the leading portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The elongated tubular device of claim 7 wherein the cutting elements comprise raised portions of the strip with sharp edges.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The elongated tubular device of claim 9 wherein the cutting elements are formed by forming a series of circular apertures in the strip and then pressing the trailing edge of the circular aperture outwardly from the strip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The elongated tubular device of claim 7 wherein a plurality elongated strips having a plurality of cutting elements thereon are disposed within and secured to the interior of the impervious lining.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the means for tearing or cutting fragments from the piece of tissue includes a helical ribbon having an exterior cutting surface which is secured to a supporting core.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The elongated tubular device of claim 6 wherein the impervious lining is formed of inelastic plastic material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The elongated tubular device of claim 13 wherein the inelastic plastic material is a polymer of polyethylene.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
245 words
A method for morcellating an organ or other piece of tissue within a patient's body cavity or lumen, comprising: a) providing a morcellation means which includes: an elongated expandable tubular member which has leading and trailing portions, an impervious lining disposed within the elongated expandable tubular member defining an inner lumen extending therein, an opening in the leading portion thereof to facilitate receiving the organ or other piece of tissue into the inner lumen defined by the impervious lining and which is configured to pass though a first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through a second trocar sheath, and means for tearing or cutting the organ or other piece of tissue which is disposed within the inner lumen defined by the impervious lining; b) advancing the morcellation means into the patients's body cavity or lumen at one location, through a portion thereof and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen at another location; c) disposing the organ or other piece of tissue within the inner lumen of the elongated expandable tubular member through the opening in the leading portion thereof: d) tearing or cutting fragments from the organ or other piece of tissue disposed within the inner lumen; and e) withdrawing fragments from within the patient's body cavity or lumen by advancing the morcellation means out of the patient.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
245 words
A method for morcellating an organ or other piece of tissue within a patient's body cavity or lumen, comprising: a) providing a morcellation means which includes: an elongated expandable tubular member which has leading and trailing portions, an impervious lining disposed within the elongated expandable tubular member defining an inner lumen extending therein, an opening in the leading portion thereof to facilitate receiving the organ or other piece of tissue into the inner lumen defined by the impervious lining and which is configured to pass though a first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through a second trocar sheath, and means for tearing or cutting the organ or other piece of tissue which is disposed within the inner lumen defined by the impervious lining; b) advancing the morcellation means into the patients's body cavity or lumen at one location, through a portion thereof and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen at another location; c) disposing the organ or other piece of tissue within the inner lumen of the elongated expandable tubular member through the opening in the leading portion thereof: d) tearing or cutting fragments from the organ or other piece of tissue disposed within the inner lumen; and e) withdrawing fragments from within the patient's body cavity or lumen by advancing the morcellation means out of the patient.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the morcellation means is advanced into the patient's body cavity through an inner lumen of a first trocar sheath within the patient's body in fluid communication with the body cavity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the morcellation means is advanced out of the patient's body cavity through an inner lumen of a second trocar sheath within the patient's body in fluid communication with the body cavity.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the tissue to be morcellated is the patient's kidney which is first severed from supporting tissue and then introduced into the inner lumen of the morcellation means through the opening in the leading section of the morcellation means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
126 words
An elongated member for morcellating an organ or other piece of tissue within a patient's body cavity or lumen, comprising: a) an elongated expandable tubular member which has leading and trailing sections, a sealed interior and which is configured to pass though a first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through a second trocar sheath, and; b) an opening in the leading section which is configured to facilitate the introduction of the organ or other piece of tissue into the sealed interior; and c) means for tearing or cutting fragments of the organ or other piece of tissue disposed within the interior.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
126 words
An elongated member for morcellating an organ or other piece of tissue within a patient's body cavity or lumen, comprising: a) an elongated expandable tubular member which has leading and trailing sections, a sealed interior and which is configured to pass though a first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through a second trocar sheath, and; b) an opening in the leading section which is configured to facilitate the introduction of the organ or other piece of tissue into the sealed interior; and c) means for tearing or cutting fragments of the organ or other piece of tissue disposed within the interior.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
146 words
A kit for morcellating an organ or other piece of tissue within a patient's body cavity or lumen, comprising: a) a morcellation means including; an elongated expandable tubular member which has leading and trailing section, a sealed interior and which is configured to pass through a first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through a second trocar sheath; an opening in the leading section which is configured to facilitate the introduction of the organ or other piece of tissue into the sealed interior, and means for tearing or cutting fragments of the organ or other piece of tissue disposed within the sealed interior; and b) a plurality of trocars which have sheaths with inner lumens configured to slidably receive the morcellation means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
146 words
A kit for morcellating an organ or other piece of tissue within a patient's body cavity or lumen, comprising: a) a morcellation means including; an elongated expandable tubular member which has leading and trailing section, a sealed interior and which is configured to pass through a first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through a second trocar sheath; an opening in the leading section which is configured to facilitate the introduction of the organ or other piece of tissue into the sealed interior, and means for tearing or cutting fragments of the organ or other piece of tissue disposed within the sealed interior; and b) a plurality of trocars which have sheaths with inner lumens configured to slidably receive the morcellation means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
82 words
An elongated member for removing an organ or tissue from within a patient's body cavity or lumen comprising an elongated expandable tubular member which has leading and trailing sections, a sealed interior, an opening in the leading section and which is configured to pass though a first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through a second trocar sheath.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
82 words
An elongated member for removing an organ or tissue from within a patient's body cavity or lumen comprising an elongated expandable tubular member which has leading and trailing sections, a sealed interior, an opening in the leading section and which is configured to pass though a first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through a second trocar sheath.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
211 words
A method for removing an organ or other piece of tissue from within a patient's body cavity or lumen comprising: a) providing a tissue removing means which includes: an elongated expandable tubular member which has leading and trailing portions, an impervious lining disposed within the elongated expandable tubular member defining an inner lumen extending therein, an opening in the leading portion thereof to facilitate receiving the organ or other piece of tissue into the inner lumen defined by the impervious lining and which is configured to pass though a first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through a second trocar sheath; b) advancing the tissue removing means into the patient's body cavity or lumen at one location, through a portion thereof and out of the patent's body cavity or lumen at another location; c) disposing the organ or other piece of tissue within the inner lumen of the elongated expandable tubular member through the opening in the leading portion thereof; and d) withdrawing the organ or other tissue fragments from within the patient's body cavity or lumen by advancing the tissue removal means out of the patient.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
211 words
A method for removing an organ or other piece of tissue from within a patient's body cavity or lumen comprising: a) providing a tissue removing means which includes: an elongated expandable tubular member which has leading and trailing portions, an impervious lining disposed within the elongated expandable tubular member defining an inner lumen extending therein, an opening in the leading portion thereof to facilitate receiving the organ or other piece of tissue into the inner lumen defined by the impervious lining and which is configured to pass though a first trocar sheath into a patient's body cavity or lumen, through at least a portion of the patient's body cavity or lumen and out of the patient's body cavity or lumen through a second trocar sheath; b) advancing the tissue removing means into the patient's body cavity or lumen at one location, through a portion thereof and out of the patent's body cavity or lumen at another location; c) disposing the organ or other piece of tissue within the inner lumen of the elongated expandable tubular member through the opening in the leading portion thereof; and d) withdrawing the organ or other tissue fragments from within the patient's body cavity or lumen by advancing the tissue removal means out of the patient.