Patent US5439474A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5439474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Morcellator system
Assignee: Li Medical Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1993-10-08
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Granted: 1995-08-08
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Expires: 2013-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A morcellator device having an inner tube with a cutting edge reciprocatingly mounted within an outer tube. The outer tube has a distal opening with a sharpened surface for receiving tissue therein so that the inner tube may slide distally severing the tissue caught inside the outer tube. Both tubes have barbs mounted so as to project into the lumen of the inner tube which allow the cut tissue to move proximally, but inhibits it's movement distally.
Inventors
- 👤 Lehmann K. Li
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/00234; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61B17/3205; A61B17/3207; A61B17/320783; A61B2017/00287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
A morcellator comprising: an outer tube having a distal end terminating in a distal end surface, a proximal end, an internal passageway extending from said distal end to said proximal end, and an opening formed in said distal end and communicating with said internal passageway; an inner tube having a distal end terminating in a distal end surface adapted for morcellating tissue, a proximal end, and an interior passageway connecting said distal end of said inner tube with said proximal end of said inner tube, said inner tube being sized to make a close sliding fit within said outer tube; a handle assembly comprising a body and actuating means, said proximal end of said outer tube being attached to said body, and said proximal end of said inner tube being attached to said actuating means, with said actuating means being adapted to move said inner tube between (1) a first position wherein said opening formed in said distal end of said outer tube is closed off by said inner tube, and (2) a second position wherein said opening formed in said distal end of said outer tube is at least part way open; first tissue holding means projecting into said interior passageway of said inner tube for permitting tissue to move proximally through said inner tube, and preventing tissue from moving distally through said inner tube; and second tissue holding means projecting into said interior passageway of said inner tube for permitting tissue to move proximally through said outer tube, and preventing tissue from moving distally through said outer tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
A morcellator comprising: an outer tube having a distal end terminating in a distal end surface, a proximal end, an internal passageway extending from said distal end to said proximal end, and an opening formed in said distal end and communicating with said internal passageway; an inner tube having a distal end terminating in a distal end surface adapted for morcellating tissue, a proximal end, and an interior passageway connecting said distal end of said inner tube with said proximal end of said inner tube, said inner tube being sized to make a close sliding fit within said outer tube; a handle assembly comprising a body and actuating means, said proximal end of said outer tube being attached to said body, and said proximal end of said inner tube being attached to said actuating means, with said actuating means being adapted to move said inner tube between (1) a first position wherein said opening formed in said distal end of said outer tube is closed off by said inner tube, and (2) a second position wherein said opening formed in said distal end of said outer tube is at least part way open; first tissue holding means projecting into said interior passageway of said inner tube for permitting tissue to move proximally through said inner tube, and preventing tissue from moving distally through said inner tube; and second tissue holding means projecting into said interior passageway of said inner tube for permitting tissue to move proximally through said outer tube, and preventing tissue from moving distally through said outer tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A morcellator according to claim 1 wherein said opening in said outer tube distal end comprises a sharp cutting edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
A morcellator according to claim 2 wherein said distal end of said outer tube comprises a cylindrical plug extending within said internal passageway proximally from said distal end of said outer tube, and an annular groove between said plug and said outer tube, said groove and said plug being substantially flush with said sharp cutting edge, said cylindrical plug being adapted for pushing said tissue into engagement with said first tissue holding means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A morcellator according to claim 1 wherein a knob is disposed on said outer tube's distal end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A morcellator according to claim 1 wherein said second tissue holding means comprise a plurality of inwardly and proximally extending barbs arranged so as to project into said interior passageway of said inner tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A morcellator according to claim 5 wherein two diametrically-opposed, longitudinally-extending slots are formed in said inner tube distal end and further wherein said slots are spaced from, and do not intersect said inner tube distal end surface so as to provide access for said plurality of barbs into said interior passageway of said inner tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A morcellator according to claim 6 wherein said distal end of said outer tube comprises a plurality of barb-receiving bores.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A morcellator according to claim 6 wherein said plurality of barbs are stationary with respect to said outer tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A morcellator according to claim 6 wherein said barbs are formed out of a relatively strong and resilient material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A morcellator according to claim 1 wherein said outer tube comprises a metal portion and a plastic portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A morcellator according to claim 10 wherein said plastic portion is permanently joined to said metal portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
A morcellator according to claim 10 wherein said plastic portion is transparent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A morcellator according to claim 1 wherein said inner tube comprises a sharp cutting edge disposed along at least a portion of said inner tube distal end surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A morcellator according to claim 1 wherein said first tissue holding means comprise at least one barb disposed adjacent to said inner tube distal end surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A morcellator according to claim 14 wherein said at least one barb is arranged so as to extend inwardly and proximally of said inner tube interior passageway.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A morcellator according to claim 15 wherein said at least one barb is movable with respect to said outer tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A morcellator according to claim 15 wherein said at least one barb is formed out of a relatively strong and resilient material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A morcellator according to claim 1 wherein said inner tube comprises a metal portion and a plastic portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A morcellator according to claim 18 wherein said metal portion and said plastic portion are releasably fastened together.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A morcellator according to claim 18 wherein said plastic portion comprises a transparent material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-07 | 1999-02-06 | 1999-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-07 | 2003-02-06 | 2003-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-07 | 2007-02-06 | 2007-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |