Abstract: The invention comprises a method for introduction of materials into a patient's body. The method generally comprises providing an elongate member for introducing the material. The elongate member defines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The method further comprises the steps of positioning the elongate member at a target site of a patient's body; providing a motorized device at least partially disposed within the lumen; and introducing the material through the lumen into the target site using the motorized device.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for introduction of materials into a patient's body. The method generally comprises providing an elongate member for introducing the material. The elongate member defines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The method further comprises the steps of positioning the elongate member at a target site of a patient's body; providing a motorized device at least partially disposed within the lumen; and introducing the material through the lumen into the target site using the motorized device.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removing tissue from a patient's body. The apparatus comprises a first elongate member defining a lumen and having an open distal end. The open distal end defines an opening and comprises a tip, where the tip is structured to reduce damage to tissue within the patient's body. The apparatus further comprises a tissue removal member disposed within the lumen of the elongate member. The tissue removal member comprises a distal end that is recessed from the tip of the elongate member. At least a portion of the tissue removal member protrudes beyond the opening to allow access to tissue distal to the opening. Related hollow members with blunt tips are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removing tissue from a patient's body. The apparatus comprises an elongate member defining a lumen and a tissue removal member disposed within the lumen. The tissue removal member comprises a flexible shaft formed from a plurality of strands, and a coil that is helically disposed around the shaft. The coil is substantially in contact with the shaft along a length of the shaft. The coil forms a plurality of outwardly extending projections and each pair of the plurality of outwardly extending projections defines a spacing therebetween. Upon rotation of the tissue removal member within the elongate member, material is conveyed through the lumen of the elongate member. A related method of manufacturing a tissue removal member is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for introduction of materials into a patient's body. The method generally comprises providing an elongate member for introducing the material. The elongate member defines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The method further comprises the steps of positioning the elongate member at a target site of a patient's body; providing a motorized device at least partially disposed within the lumen; and introducing the material through the lumen into the target site using the motorized device.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for removal of bone marrow tissue from a patient's body. The method generally comprises the steps of providing an apparatus comprising an elongate member for receiving bone marrow tissue. The elongate member defines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The apparatus further comprises an elongate tissue removal member for conveying bone marrow tissue through the lumen. The tissue removal member is rotatably disposed within the lumen. The method further comprises gathering a sample of said tissue into said lumen; and conveying with said tissue removal member at least a portion of the tissue sample proximally along said lumen. The step of gathering may be accomplished by advancing the apparatus through the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removal of material from a body. The apparatus comprises an elongate member defining a lumen and comprising a proximal end and a distal end defining an aperture. The elongate member defines at least one slot extending proximally from the distal end of the elongate member. The apparatus further comprises a tissue removal member for conveying material through the lumen of the elongate member. The tissue removal member is rotatably disposed within the lumen of the elongate member. The tissue removal member has a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end is recessed proximally relative to the aperture of the elongate member when the tissue removal member is fully disposed within the lumen of the elongate member.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for introduction of materials into a patient's body. The method generally comprises providing an elongate member for introducing the material. The elongate member definines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The method further comprises the steps of positioning the elongate member at a target site of a patient's body; providing a motorized device at least partially disposed within the lumen; and introducing the material through the lumen into the target site using the motorized device.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for removal of material from a patient's body. The method generally comprises the steps of providing an apparatus comprising an elongate member for receiving material. The elongate member defines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The apparatus further comprises an elongate tissue removal member for conveying material through the lumen. The tissue removal member is rotatably disposed within the lumen. The method further comprises gathering a sample of said material into said lumen; and conveying with said tissue removal member at least a portion of the material sample proximally along said lumen. The step of gathering may be accomplished by advancing the apparatus through the material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removal of materials from a body. The apparatus comprises an elongate member defining a lumen and comprising a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The apparatus further comprises a shaft having at least one outwardly extending projection for conveying tissue through the lumen of the elongate member. The shaft is rotatably disposed within the lumen. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal end, and the distal end of the shaft is recessed proximally relative to the aperture of the elongate member when the shaft is fully disposed within the lumen of the elongate member.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for removal of bone marrow tissue from a patient's body. The method generally comprises the steps of providing an apparatus comprising an elongate member for receiving bone marrow tissue. The elongate member defines a lumen and comprises a distal end defining an aperture and a proximal end. The apparatus further comprises an elongate tissue removal member for conveying bone marrow tissue through the lumen. The tissue removal member is rotatably disposed within the lumen. The method further comprises gathering a sample of said tissue into said lumen; and conveying with said tissue removal member at least a portion of the tissue sample proximally along said lumen. The step of gathering may be accomplished by advancing the apparatus through the tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removal of material from a body. The apparatus comprises an elongate member defining a lumen and comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the elongate member defines an aperture. The apparatus further comprises a tissue removal member. The tissue removal member comprises a shaft rotatably disposed within the lumen of the elongate member. The apparatus further comprises a rigid cannula for inserting the elongate member into a patient's body. The cannula defines a lumen for receiving the elongate member, and has a proximal open end and a distal open end communicating with the lumen of the cannula.