Tissue resection device, system, and method

Abstract

A resection device and method permits safe and efficient encapsulation, isolation and resection of body tissue. The device includes a sheath of flexible and severable material configured to receive the body tissue to be resectioned as it is drawn therein. The sheath may be expandable and held in an expanded condition as the body tissue to be resectioned is drawn into the sheath. Thereafter, the sheath is permitted to collapse about the body tissue to contain and constrict the body tissue. Once the body tissue to be resectioned is disposed in the sheath, the sheath is severed to resection the body tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease body tissue comprising:
 a device that has a generally cylindrical shape and is open at a first end and at a second end; 
 a resilient sheath configured to mount to the first end of the device in a manner where a substantial portion of the sheath resides within the device; 
 a vacuum source for drawing target lung tissue into the sheath at the first end of the device; and 
 a severing tool. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum source is in communication with the second end of the device. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein a vacuum is drawn through the resilient sheath to draw the target lung tissue into the sheath. 
     
     
       4. A method for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease comprising:
 expanding a portion of a resilient sheath that has an open end configured to permit lung tissue to be received therethrough; 
 mounting a portion of the expanded resilient sheath to a delivery device that is substantially rigid and that has an open end configured to receive the lung tissue therethrough; 
 placing the delivery device at a location that is adjacent said lung tissue; 
 drawing said lung tissue through the open end of said delivery device and through the open end of said resilient sheath; and 
 releasing said expanded resilient sheath to permit said sheath to constrict said lung tissue. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising severing the resilient sheath and the lung tissue drawn therein. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the lung tissue is drawn into the open end of the delivery device by a vacuum. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the open end of the resilient sheath is mounted on the delivery device. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 4 , wherein a substantial portion of the sheath resides within the delivery device when mounted to the delivery device. 
     
     
       9. A method for treating body tissue comprising:
 expanding a portion of a resilient sheath that has an open end configured to permit target body tissue to be received therethrough;   mounting a portion of the expanded resilient sheath to a delivery device that is substantially rigid and that has an open end configured to receive the body tissue therethrough;   placing the delivery device at a location that is adjacent the body tissue;   drawing the body tissue through the open end of the delivery device and through the open end of the resilient sheath; and   releasing the expanded resilient sheath to permit the sheath to constrict the body tissue.    
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9, further comprising severing the resilient sheath and the body tissue drawn therein.  
     
     
       11. The method of claim 9, wherein the body tissue is drawn into the open end of the delivery device by a vacuum.  
     
     
       12. The method of claim 9, wherein the open end of the resilient sheath is mounted on the delivery device.  
     
     
       13. The method of claim 9, wherein a substantial portion of the sheath resides within the delivery device when mounted to the delivery device.  
     
     
       14. The method of claim 9, wherein placing the delivery device at a location that is adjacent the body tissue comprises selecting a location comprising diseased tissue.  
     
     
       15. The method of claim 9, wherein placing the delivery device at a location that is adjacent the body tissue comprises selecting a location comprising lung tissue.  
     
     
       16. The method of claim 15, wherein the lung tissue location comprises nodules.  
     
     
       17. The method of claim 9, wherein placing the delivery device at a location that is adjacent the body tissue comprises selecting a location comprising tumors.