Patent ID: 7329253
Filing Date: 2008-02-12
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A soft tissue interventional device, comprising: a handle; a shaft defining a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being coupled to the handle; a lone electrode coupled near the distal end of the shaft, the electrode being configured to be energized with RF energy to cut tissue, and a suction sleeve, the suction sleeve and the shaft being freely rotatable relative to one another such that the shaft is freely rotatable within a stationary suction sleeve and such that the suction sleeve is freely rotatable about a stationary shaft, the suction sleeve including an outer surface and an inner surface that faces and is disposed coaxially around the shaft so as to define an interstitial space between the inner surface and the shaft, the suction sleeve being disposed only between the proximal end of the shaft and the electrode, the outer surface of the suction sleeve defining a plurality of openings that are in fluid communication with the interstitial space, the suction sleeve defining a suction port adjacent the proximal end of the shaft, the suction port being disposed at a non-zero angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the shaft and being configured to enable liquid and gases collected near the electrode to be sucked into the interstitial space through at least one of the plurality of openings and to be evacuated out through the suction port.