Abstract: A method of removing breast tissue may include a step of providing a tissue cutting device having an elongate cutting element coupled to a shaft, in which the cutting element is movable between a bowed position and a retracted position. A deployed part of the cutting element may lie outside the shaft when in the bowed position, and the deployed part of the cutting element may have a cutting side which penetrates the tissue as the shaft is rotated. The tissue cutting device may be introduced into the breast and a power source may be coupled to the elongate cutting element. The elongate cutting element may be moved to the bowed position so that the deployed part of the cutting element lies outside the shaft. Energy may be prevented from being transmitted from a portion of the deployed part of the cutting element for cutting to the tissue while the elongate cutting element is in the bowed position.

Abstract: A device for cutting tissue having a bowed cutting element may include a shaft having a central axis and a tissue cutting element coupled to the shaft. The tissue cutting element may be movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position and may bow outwardly when in the expanded position. The cutting element generally moves in a first plane when moving between the collapsed and expanded positions. The shaft may have a first thickness and a second thickness relative to the central axis of the shaft. The first and second thicknesses may lie in a second plane which is generally parallel to the first plane. The second thickness may be at least 1.25 times larger than the first thickness and the side of the shaft may have the second thickness leading the cutting element during rotation.

Abstract: A method may include steps of providing a tissue cutting device having a shaft and a cutting element. The cutting element may be movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The tissue cutting device may be introduced into the patient's breast through a first incision with the cutting element in the collapsed position. The cutting element may then be expanded. The cutting element may then be moved through breast tissue to cut around the tissue to be removed, and the breast tissue may be removed through a second incision that is different from the first incision.

Abstract: A method of removing breast tissue may include steps of providing a tissue cutting device having a shaft, a tissue collection element and a cutting element, the cutting element being movable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The tissue cutting device may be introduced into the patient's breast through a first incision with the cutting element in the collapsed position and the cutting element may be expanded. The cutting element may then be moved through breast tissue to cut around the tissue to be removed. The tissue cut by the cutting element may be positioned into the tissue collection element, and the tissue collection element may be removed through a second incision that is different from the first incision.

Abstract: A method of marking an orientation of a cut specimen of tissue prior to excision thereof from a body includes steps of disposing a tissue-marking probe in the body adjacent the cut specimen, the tissue-marking probe including a tissue-marking tool configured to selectively mark the cut specimen. A surface of the cut specimen is then marked with the tissue-marking tool such that the orientation of the cut specimen within the body is discernable after the cut specimen is excised from the body. The tissue-marking tool may be configured to selectively bow out of and back into a window defined near a distal tip of the probe and the marking step may include a step of selectively bowing the tissue-marking tool out of the window and following the surface of the cut specimen while rotating the probe. The tissue-marking tool may include an RF cutting tool and the marking step may include a step of coagulating or cauterizing a selected portion of the surface of the cut specimen with the RF cutting tool.

Abstract: A method of marking a cavity in a breast for subsequent visualization may include steps of providing a device having a delivery opening, a first marker and a second marker, the first and second markers being movable through the delivery opening, the first marker being configured to be visualized by ultrasound and the second marker configured to be radiopaque, the first and second markers being free to move relative to one another; introducing the device into a breast so that the delivery opening is positioned in a cavity formed in the breast; and moving the first marker and the second marker through the delivery opening and into the cavity in the breast, the first and second markers being free to move relative to one another when delivered into the cavity so that the first and second markers may take a number of different positions relative to one another when positioned within the cavity.

Abstract: An electrically activated surgical device includes a probe body, an active element and a structure for selectively electrically insulating and/or physically isolating the active element from the patient's tissue when the device is in use. The probe body defines an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a window defined within the outer surface near or at the distal end. The active element is electrically connected to a power source and is configured to selectively assume a non-deployed configuration and a variable deployed configuration in which the active element at least partially emerges from the window out of the probe body. The insulating structure selectively insulates the active element from the patient's tissue when the device is inserted therein.

Abstract: Devices and methods for collecting or cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue within a patient. The device may include a specimen collection assembly including a flexible membrane that isolates collected specimen from the surrounding tissue. The collection device may also include structures that draw the collected specimen toward the shaft and/or otherwise ease the insertion and retraction of the device and the collected specimen from the patient through a small incision.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue. The device may include an integrated cut and collect assembly. The integrated cut and collect assembly includes a cutting portion and a collection portion that includes a flexible membrane. The collection portion of the assembly is attached to the cutting portion thereof. The cutting portion is configured to cut the specimen from the mass of tissue and the collection portion is configured to collect the cut specimen and to encapsulate and isolate the cut specimen within the membrane to enable its safe retraction from the mass of tissue.

Abstract: Devices and methods for collecting or cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue within a patient. The device may include a specimen collection assembly including a flexible membrane that isolates collected specimen from the surrounding tissue. The collection device may also include structures that draw the collected specimen toward the shaft and/or otherwise ease the insertion and retraction of the device and the collected specimen from the patient through a small incision.

Abstract: Devices and methods for cutting and collecting a specimen from a mass of tissue. The device may include an integrated cut and collect assembly. The integrated cut and collect assembly includes a cutting portion and a collection portion that includes a flexible membrane. The collection portion of the assembly is attached to the cutting portion thereof. The cutting portion is configured to cut the specimen from the mass of tissue and the collection portion is configured to collect the cut specimen and to encapsulate and isolate the cut specimen within the membrane to enable its safe retraction from the mass of tissue.

Abstract: Surgical devices include a selectively cutting and atraumatic distal tip that is configured to assume a first configuration in which cutting surface or surfaces thereof are effective to cut tissue and a second configuration in which the cutting surface or surfaces thereof are ineffective to cut tissue.

Abstract: The present short-term post surgical cavity treatment device includes a first portion including an inflatable balloon at the distal end of the device and a second portion coupled to the first portion that defines at least an inflation lumen and a treatment lumen. The second portion may be configured such that the inflation lumen enables inflation of the inflatable balloon. An inflation port may be coupled to the inflation lumen to enable introduction of a fluid or gas into the inflatable balloon. The second portion of the present device may be configured such that the treatment lumen enables various short-term cavity treatments, therapies and methods within the cavity in conjunction with the inflatable balloon. The balloon may be configured so as to inflate in a predetermined shape. This predetermined shape may be configured so as to substantially match the shape of the cavity within the tissue.

Abstract: A needle is used to mark a tissue area of interest. The needle may have one or more indicators which indicate selected angular orientations relative to the needle. The indicators may also be coupled to anchors which are deployed in the tissue to anchor the needle in the tissue. The needle may be positioned to guide an excisional device to remove tissue.

Abstract: A needle is used to mark a tissue area of interest. The needle may have one or more indicators which indicate selected angular orientations relative to the needle. The indicators may also be coupled to anchors which are deployed in the tissue to anchor the needle in the tissue. The needle may be positioned to guide an excisional device to remove tissue.

Abstract: A suction sleeve is configured to couple to the shaft of an RF device to evacuate hot gasses, fluids and/or other aspirates. The suction sleeve may be configured to be disposed coaxially around the shaft between the first end of the shaft and the work element (e.g., an RF cutting element) thereof. The suction sleeve defines a suction port and a plurality of openings near the work element, and is configured to enable suction in through the plurality of openings and out through the suction port.

Abstract: A guide element is used to guide a cutting device when removing breast tissue. The cutting device may have a tissue collection element for collecting tissue. The tissue collection element may be detachable so that the collection element may be removed independent from the cutting device.

Abstract: An excisional biopsy system includes a tubular member that has a proximal end and a distal end in which one or more windows are defined. A first removable probe has a proximal portion that includes a cutting tool extender and a distal portion that includes a cutting tool. The first removable probe may be configured to fit at least partially within the tubular member to enable the cutting tool to selectively bow out of and to retract within one of the windows when the cutting tool extender is activated. A second removable probe has a proximal section that includes a tissue collection device extender and a distal section that includes a tissue collection device. The second removable probe may also be configured to fit at least partially within the tubular member to enable the tissue collection device to extend out of and to retract within one of the windows when the tissue collection device extender is activated. A third removable probe may also be provided.

Abstract: A method of marking an orientation of a cut specimen of tissue prior to excision thereof from a body includes steps of disposing a tissue-marking probe in the body adjacent the cut specimen, the tissue-marking probe including a tissue-marking tool configured to selectively mark the cut specimen. A surface of the cut specimen is then marked with the tissue-marking tool such that the orientation of the cut specimen within the body is discernable after the cut specimen is excised from the body. The tissue-marking tool may be configured to selectively bow out of and back into a window defined near a distal tip of the probe and the marking step may include a step of selectively bowing the tissue-marking tool out of the window and following the surface of the cut specimen while rotating the probe. The tissue-marking tool may include an RF cutting tool and the marking step may include a step of coagulating or cauterizing a selected portion of the surface of the cut specimen with the RF cutting tool.

Abstract: An embodiment of a post-biopsy cavity treatment implant includes a first portion including a first porous matrix defining a first controlled pore architecture or crosslinking density, and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The second portion includes a second porous matrix that defines a second controlled pore architecture or a second crosslinking density that is different from the first controlled pore architecture or the first crosslinking density, causing the second portion to swell in a different manner than the first portion when the implant is placed in an aqueous environment.