A method of controlling a surgical cutting device, the device including a hollow
needle with a port for tissue entry and a moveable cutting blade for severing tissue
entering the needle through the port, the blade being movable between a first portion
enabling tissue entry through the port and a second portion closing the port, the
tissue entering the needle being severed as the blade moves between the first and
second portions, the method includes the steps: a) providing vacuum to the hollow
needle to cause tissue entry into the needle through the port; b) moving the blade
from the first portion to the second position to sever the tissue entering the
needle; c) evacuating severed tissue from the needle by vacuum; d) reducing vacuum
to the needle before moving the blade from the second position to the first position;
and repeating steps (a) through (d).
