Instruments, devices, and related methods for soft tissue dissection

Abstract

A differential dissecting instrument for differentially dissecting complex tissue comprising is disclosed. The differential dissecting instrument comprises a rotary drive train having a central, longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end. The differential dissecting instrument may also comprise at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel or bluntcone that is rotatably associated with the distal end of the rotary drive train. The bluntwheel or bluntcone may comprise projections that are configured to differentially dissect a complex tissue when the differential dissecting instrument operates. The at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel or bluntcone may have an axis of rotation that can be either coaxial or transverse to the central, longitudinal axis of the rotary drive train. The differential dissecting bluntcone may be a hollow, deformable, elastic cone bearing tissue-engaging projections along one or more edge that is configured to fold and/or deform into a twin set of counter-rotating differentially dissecting edges.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A differential dissecting instrument for differentially dissecting complex tissue, comprising:
 a rotary drive train having a central, longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end; and   at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel, wherein the at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel:
 is rotatably associated with the distal end of the rotary drive train; 
 has at least one axis of rotation substantially transverse to the central, longitudinal axis of the rotary drive train; and 
 is rotated by the rotary drive train. 
   
     
     
         2 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the differential dissecting instrument comprises a plurality of differential dissecting bluntwheels. 
     
     
         3 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the differential dissecting instrument comprises two differential dissecting bluntwheels. 
     
     
         4 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel is constructed out of a substantially rigid, high-modulus material. 
     
     
         5 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 4 , wherein a modulus of the at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel is greater than 10 9  Pascals. 
     
     
         6 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 3 , wherein the axes of rotation of the two differential dissecting bluntwheels are concentric. 
     
     
         7 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 3 , wherein the axes of rotation of the two differential dissecting bluntwheels are non-parallel. 
     
     
         8 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel is constructed out of a substantially flexible, low-modulus material. 
     
     
         9 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 8 , wherein a modulus of the at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel is less than 10 6  Pascals. 
     
     
         10 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 3 , wherein the two differential dissecting bluntwheels are substantially apposed and are configured to operate in opposite directions. 
     
     
         11 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel comprises a wheel or disk having at least one blunt, differentially dissecting, tissue-engaging projection along or forming its edge or margin. 
     
     
         12 . A differential dissecting instrument for differentially dissecting complex tissue, comprising:
 a body, wherein the body has an axis with a proximal end and a distal end;   a motor having an axis of rotation;   a drive shaft, having a proximal end and a distal end, the drive shaft being coaxial with the motor and being rotatable by the motor, wherein the distal end of the drive shaft is directable toward a complex tissue; and   at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel, wherein the at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel:
 is rotatably associated with the distal end of the drive shaft; 
 is rotatable by the drive shaft; 
 has at least one axis of rotation forming at least one angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the drive shaft; and 
 comprises distal projections for differentially dissecting the complex tissue, 
   wherein the motor is configured to rotate the drive shaft, which in turn rotates the at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel whose distal projections engage the complex tissue to be dissected; and   wherein the distal projections of the at least one differential dissecting bluntwheel are configured to differentially dissect the complex tissue.   
     
     
         13 . A differential dissecting instrument for differentially dissecting complex tissue comprising:
 a rotary drive train having a central, longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end;   at least one differential dissecting bluntcone, wherein the at least one differential dissecting bluntcone:
 is rotatably associated with the distal end of the rotary drive train; 
 has an axis of rotation; and 
 is rotated by the rotary drive train. 
   
     
     
         14 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one differential dissecting bluntcone is constructed out of a substantially flexible, low-modulus material. 
     
     
         15 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 14 , wherein a modulus of the at least one differential dissecting bluntcone is less than 10 6  Pascals. 
     
     
         16 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one differential dissecting bluntcone comprises a cone having at least one blunt, differentially dissecting, tissue-engaging projection along or forming its edge or margin. 
     
     
         17 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the differential dissecting instrument comprises a plurality of differential dissecting bluntcones. 
     
     
         18 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 13 , wherein the axis of rotation of the at least one differential dissecting bluntcone is substantially coaxial to the central, longitudinal axis of the rotary drive train. 
     
     
         19 . The differential dissecting instrument of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one differential dissecting bluntcone comprises a hollow, deformable, elastic cone bearing tissue-engaging projections along one or more edges, the at least one differential dissecting bluntcone configured to fold and/or deform into a twin set of counter-rotating differentially dissecting edges.