Patent ID: 8623266
Filing Date: 2014-01-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating an angled tissue cutting instrument having a flexible inner tubular member, comprising the steps of forming a continuous helical cut along a length portion of a solid wall elongate tubular body to impart flexibility along the length portion; applying a coating of adhesive over an outer surface of the tubular body along the entire helically cut length portion; positioning a heat shrinkable sleeve over the adhesively coated helically cut length portion such that the entire length portion is disposed within the sleeve; applying heat to shrink the sleeve diametrically over the length portion so that the sleeve is disposed over the length portion with a close diametric fit and the adhesive bonds the sleeve to the outer surface of the tubular body along the length portion; and inserting the tubular body for rotation within an angled outer tubular member with the length portion disposed within a bend of the outer tubular member to conform to the configuration of the outer tubular member while transmitting torque from a proximal end of the tubular body when the tubular body is rotated in forward and reverse rotational directions within the outer tubular member to rotate a cutting configuration connected with a distal end of the tubular body and exposed from a cutting port of the outer tubular member to cut anatomical tissue, the sleeve bonded to the tubular body providing resistance to wind-up and unwinding of the helically cut length portion while transmitting torque.