Patent ID: 6183433
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical suction cutting instrument comprisinga tubular outer member having a proximal end, a distal end and an opening at said distal end defining a cutting port;an inner member having a proximal end and a distal end, said inner member being rotatably received in said tubular outer member and carrying a cutting member at said distal end positioned adjacent said cutting port at said distal end of said tubular outer member;a suction passage disposed within said tubular outer member and extending along said inner member;a fluid supply passage extending exteriorly along said tubular outer member and being closed except for a proximal opening connectible with a source of flushing fluid and a distal fluid outlet from which the flushing fluid is discharged into said tubular outer member; anda fluid supply inlet formed through a wall at said distal end of said tubular outer member opposite and in alignment with said cutting port, said fluid supply inlet communicating with said distal fluid outlet whereby flushing fluid discharged from said distal fluid outlet is introduced through said fluid supply inlet and supplied to said cutting member at said cutting port, said flushing fluid being aspirated through said suction passage along with bodily tissue cut by said cutting member at a surgical site to reduce clogging of said surgical suction cutting instrument without irrigating the surgical site.