Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive discectomy procedures are described herein. In some variations, a tissue removal system may comprise a handheld housing, an outer shaft comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to the handheld housing, a distal sheath coupled to the distal portion of the outer shaft, a motor, an inner shaft coupled to the motor, where the inner shaft is located partially within the outer shaft and partially within the distal sheath, a tip portion coupled to a distal portion of the inner shaft, and an elongate member distally extending through a distal opening of the inner shaft, the elongate member having a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, where the distal sheath comprises at least one element (e.g. at least one protrusion) that engages the tip portion to couple the tip portion to the distal sheath.

Abstract: A tissue removal device may comprise a handheld housing, a motor, and a tissue removal mechanism coupled to the handheld housing. The tissue removal mechanism may comprise a tissue collection chamber coupled to a distal portion of the handheld housing, a jaw member comprising first and second jaw portions, where the first jaw portion is coupled to a first elongated member and the second jaw portion is coupled to a second elongated member configured to actuate the second jaw portion, a rotatable shaft disposed within a lumen of the first elongated member, a helical member disposed around at least a portion of the rotatable shaft, and an impeller coupled to at least one of a distal end of the helical member and a distal end of the rotatable shaft. Rotation of the rotatable shaft may effect rotation of the helical member and the impeller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for minimally invasive discectomy procedures are described herein. In some variations, a tissue removal system may comprise a handheld housing, an outer shaft comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to the handheld housing, a distal sheath coupled to the distal portion of the outer shaft, a motor, an inner shaft coupled to the motor, where the inner shaft is located partially within the outer shaft and partially within the distal sheath, a tip portion coupled to a distal portion of the inner shaft, and an elongate member distally extending through a distal opening of the inner shaft, the elongate member having a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, where the distal sheath comprises at least one element (e.g. at least one protrusion) that engages the tip portion to couple the tip portion to the distal sheath.