Abstract: Disclosed is a tissue removal device. The device includes an outer tubular body, an inner tubular body and a cutting edge on the inner tubular body. The outer tubular body includes a window, which may be opened or closed by moving the cutting edge. The cutting edge has a hardness that exceeds the hardness of the material of the inner tube. The cutting edge may have a Rockwell C hardness of at least about 50, while the inner tube has a Rockwell C hardness of no more than about 40. The cutting edge may be formed by a milling step, and the inner tube may be formed by a drawing step. Tissue severed by the cutting edge may be removed at a rate of at least about 1.8 grams per minute through the inner tube, and the outer tubular body may have an outside diameter of no more than about 3.5 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tubular cutting element for axial reciprocal movement within an outer tubular sleeve. The cutting element has an elongate tubular body, having a proximal end, a distal end and a cutting tip. The tubular body is formed in a drawing operation and the cutting tip is formed in a milling operation. The tubular body may have a Rockwell C hardness of no more than about 40, and the cutting tip may have a Rockwell C hardness of at least about 50.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for removing tissue from a site in a hollow organ, where the device has a low crossing profile and is capable of removing tissue at a high rate of speed. The device includes an elongate outer tube with a side opening and an inner tube moveably coaxially positioned within the outer tube. Tissue drawn into the side opening can be severed by moving the inner tube across the opening. Tissue may be removed through the device at a rate of at least about 1.4 cc per minute, through a lumen having a cross-sectional area of no greater than about 12.02 mm. Cutting may be accomplished by rotating the inner tube at a speed of at least about 4000 rpm, and axially reciprocating the inner tube at a rate of at least about 1.5 cycles per second. The window may have a rho value of no more than about 1, and the outside diameter of the device may be no more than about 3 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a surgical access device for providing at least one auxiliary lumen for the insertion of a surgical instrument or other therapeutic device into a patient's body. The device comprises a first working channel, a second working channel and at least one additional lumen for infusion of a distension media. The surgical access device comprises an outer diameter, and the ratio of the outer diameter to the inside diameter of the working channel is preferably less than about 2.25.

Abstract: A method and device for tissue removal. The device may be used to remove uterine fibroids and other abnormal gynecological tissue. According to one embodiment, the device includes a housing, an outer tube, and an inner tube. The outer tube is fixed to the housing and includes a side window proximate to its distal end. The side window may have sloped proximal and distal ends. The inner tube has a distal end positioned within the outer tube, the distal end being adapted to rotate and, at the same time, to move back and forth past the side window, with the rotational and translational movement of the inner tube being independently controllable. The distal end of the inner tube may have an external bevel. Suction is applied to the proximal end of the inner tube to draw tissue into the side window and to remove resected tissue through the inner tube.

Abstract: A system for performing a medical procedure and an introducer device suitable for use in the system. The system may be used, for example, to examine and/or to treat the uterus. According to one embodiment, the system includes an introducer, a morcellator, a flexible hysteroscope, and a fluid-containing syringe. The introducer is suitable for transcervical insertion into the uterus and includes a gun-shaped housing and a rigid sheath extending distally from the housing. The sheath is shaped to include an instrument lumen, a visualization lumen, and a pair of fluid lumens. The introducer also includes a first assembly within the housing for receiving the morcellator and for guiding the distal end of the morcellator into the instrument lumen and a second assembly within the housing for guiding the hysteroscope into the visualization channel. In addition, the introducer further includes an assembly for fluidly connecting the syringe to the fluid lumens.