Systems and methods for tissue removal

US12274473B2 · US · B2

Patent metadata
FieldValue
Publication numberUS-12274473-B2
Application numberUS-202318152427-A
CountryUS
Kind codeB2
Filing dateJan 10, 2023
Priority dateNov 13, 2014
Publication dateApr 15, 2025
Grant dateApr 15, 2025

How to read this patent

A practical reading order for non-experts. Skip the full description unless you need deep technical detail.

  1. Title

    What the patent document calls the invention.

  2. Abstract

    A short plain-language summary of the technical disclosure.

  3. Assignees and inventors

    Who owns or filed the patent and who is credited as inventor.

  4. Key dates

    Filing, priority, publication, and grant dates set the timeline.

  5. First independent claim

    The legal scope of protection — read this for what is actually claimed.

  6. CPC / IPC classifications

    Technology tags used to group this patent with similar filings.

  7. Citations and related patents

    Prior art links and similar publications in this corpus.

Abstract

Official abstract text for this publication.

Systems and methods for preventing the seeding of cancerous cells during morcellation of a tissue specimen inside a patient's body and removal of the tissue specimen from inside the patient through a minimally-invasive body opening to outside the patient are provided. One system includes a cut-resistant tissue guard removably insertable into a containment bag. The tissue specimen is isolated and contained within the containment bag and the guard is configured to protect the containment bag and surrounding tissue from incidental contact with sharp instrumentation used during morcellation and extraction of the tissue specimen. The guard is adjustable for easy insertion and removal and configured to securely anchor to the body opening. Protection-focused and containment-based systems for tissue removal are provided that enable minimally invasive procedures to be performed safely and efficiently.

First claim

Opening claim text (preview).

We claim: 1. A system for removing a tissue specimen through a body opening defining a tissue margin, the system comprising: a shield including a band made of flexible cut-resistant material; the band having an inner surface defining an inner perimeter and an outer surface defining an outer perimeter interconnected by a top end and a bottom end and by a first end and a second end; the band being configured to define a central lumen having a longitudinal axis; the central lumen having a lumen diameter that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; wherein the band is split such that the band is movable into a reduced configuration where at least a portion of the outer surface at the first end overlaps and is in juxtaposition with the inner surface at the second end to define an overlapping portion; the shield being configured to have a variable lumen diameter by varying the overlapping portion, wherein a portion of the band is jogging outwardly to form a ridge in the inner surface defining an increased lumen diameter; the ridge being characterized by having an inner ridge surface that is configured such that the inner surface of the band is substantially flush at an intersection with the overlapping portion of the band. 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the portion of the band is displaced outwardly by a distance equal to a width of the band defined between the inner surface and outer surface of the band. 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the ridge is configured to contact the first end of the band in a locked configuration having a smallest locked lumen diameter. 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the shield is further configured to effect the locked configuration when inserted into an incision sized equal to or less than the smallest locked lumen diameter. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the inner ridge surface extends perpendicularly from the inner surface in a vertical fashion from the top end or nearly the top end to the bottom end or nearly the bottom end or at least equal to or greater than 50 percent of a surface length of the shield. 6. The system of claim 1 wherein the ridge further comprises a corresponding outer ridge surface. 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the increased lumen diameter is the lumen diameter increased by a segment distance that extends along the portion of the band from the ridge to the second end. 8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism configured to fix the lumen diameter in a locked configuration, wherein the shield and the locking mechanism are configured to provide multiple releasable locked configurations; each locked configuration having a different locked lumen diameter. 9. The system of claim 8 wherein the locked configuration prevents reduction and expansion of the lumen diameter. 10. The system of claim 8 wherein the inner surface includes a plurality of inner abutments and the outer surface includes a plurality of outer abutments or corresponding receiving areas. 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of inner abutments are disposed between the ridge and the second end. 12. The system of claim 10 wherein when the shield has a smallest lumen diameter, the first end contacts the ridge and the plurality of inner abutments are either in contact with or received in the plurality of outer abutments or corresponding receiving areas. 13. The system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of inner abutments and the plurality of outer abutments or corresponding receiving areas extend outwardly from the inner surface and inwardly from the outer surface, respectively, and along the longitudinal axis between the top end and the bottom end. 14. The system of claim 13 wherein the plurality of inner abutments and the plurality of outer abutments or receiving areas extend along the longitudinal axis from the top end or nearly the top end to the bottom end or nearly the bottom end or at least equal to or greater than 50 percent of a surface length of the shield. 15. The system of claim 1 wherein the top end includes a top flange that extends radially outwardly forming a funnel-like shape in which the lumen diameter increases toward the top end. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the bottom end includes a bottom flange that extends radially outwardly forming a funnel-like shape in which the lumen diameter increases toward the bottom end. 17. The system of claim 1 wherein the bottom end includes a bottom flange that extends radially outwardly forming a funnel-like shape in which the lumen diameter increases toward the bottom end. 18. The system of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of the band has a concavity along the longitudinal axis from the top end to the bottom end and extending circumferentially around the shield from the first end to the second end. 19. The system of claim 1 wherein a profile of the outer surface from the top end to the bottom end is C-shaped around the outer perimeter. 20. The system of claim 1 further including a containment bag; the shield being located inside the containment bag to protect at least a portion of the containment bag from surgical morcellation.

Assignees

Inventors

Classifications

  • with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals (expandable cannulas A61B17/3417) · CPC title

  • with safety means for protection against accidental cutting or pricking, e.g. limiting insertion depth, pressure sensors (for the peridural space A61B17/3401) · CPC title

  • being collapsible, e.g. made of thin flexible material (A61B17/3423 takes precedence) · CPC title

  • with ring member to support retractor elements · CPC title

  • Access ports, e.g. toroid shape introducers for instruments or hands (access sites for liquids A61M39/0247) · CPC title

Patent family

Related publications grouped by family.

External sources

Frequently asked questions

Answers are generated from the same data shown on this page.

What does patent US12274473B2 cover?
Systems and methods for preventing the seeding of cancerous cells during morcellation of a tissue specimen inside a patient's body and removal of the tissue specimen from inside the patient through a minimally-invasive body opening to outside the patient are provided. One system includes a cut-resistant tissue guard removably insertable into a containment bag. The tissue specimen is isolated an…
Who is the assignee on this patent?
Applied Med Resources
What technology area does this patent fall under?
Primary CPC classification A61B17/3462. Mapped technology areas include Human Necessities.
When was this patent published?
Publication date Tue Apr 15 2025 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) (B2). Legal status and post-grant events are not shown on this page.
What related patents are in patentsdb?
We list 12 related publications on this page (citations in our corpus or others sharing the same primary CPC).