Patent ID: 7070604
Filing Date: 2006-07-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A cutter head for cutting patient tissue during reciprocation by electrosurgery, comprising: a) an outer housing of electrically-insulating material including an axially-projecting electrically-insulating outer tube having a distal end surface formed by a closed end, an aperture located in a side wall of the outer tube adjacent to the distal end of the outer tube for receiving tissue to be cut, b) an inner electrically-conductive tube telescoped within the outer tube and having at its distal end an open-ended working end of sufficient length such that when reciprocated between an extended and a retracted position the working end alternately covers and uncovers the outer tube aperture, c) means for providing an electrical connection capable of supplying RF electrosurgical currents to the inner tube, d) means for reciprocating the inner tube within the outer tube such that, when the inner tube's working end is reciprocated across the aperture in the outer tube while RF electrosurgical currents are applied to the inner tube via the electrical connection, any tissue entering the outer tube aperture is excised primarily via the RF electrosurgical currents.