US Patent 7335216 Tool for creating an opening in tissue

An piercing member is axially fixed to and positioned within a cutter, both of which are components of a stand-alone tool for creating an opening in the wall of a tubular tissue structure. The stand-alone tool includes an impulse source connected to the piercing member and to the cutter. An actuator is operationally connected to the impulse source, where the actuator causes the impulse source to release energy to and provide an impulse to the piercing member and the cutter. The tool may be configured to make multiple openings in the tissue of the same patient. Where the tool is configured to make multiple openings in the tissue of the same patient, the tool allows the piercing member and cutter to be moved back to an initial pre-deployment position after each use.