Biological unit removal tools and methods

摘要

Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tools may incorporate retention members and mechanisms configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. Some of the retention members are stationary and some are movable within the lumen of the biological unit removal tools. The distal tips of the tools are desirably configured to reduce the chance of transection of a biological unit, such as by including both cutting segments and blunt relief segments. A number of dual concentric tube embodiments permit a division of removal functions. Distal fluid or gas delivery may be used to help separating biological units from surrounding tissue.

主权项

1. A method of removing biological tissue from a donor area, comprising:
rapidly advancing an outer elongated body to penetrate the donor area, the outer elongated body having a distal tip configured to cut through tissue; halting the advancement of the outer elongated body at a first depth; advancing an inner elongated body having a lumen sized to receive a biological unit more slowly than the rapid advancement of the outer elongated body and concentrically relative to the outer elongated body so that a distal tip of the inner elongated body extends past the first depth to a second depth, the distal tip of the inner elongated body being relatively more dull than the distal tip of the outer elongated body; and withdrawing the inner and outer elongated bodies to remove the biological unit from the donor area.