Patent ID: 6827725
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical instrument comprising an elongate hollow probe having an apertured region at its distal end portion, an elongate drive shaft disposed within the probe and mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis within the probe, a cutting tool located at the distal end of the drive shaft and positioned adjacent to the apertured region, an electrosurgical device located at the distal end of the probe, a motor for rotating the drive shaft, and suction means for providing a source of suction at the apertured region for evacuating tissue debris removed by either the cutting tool or the electrosurgical device, wherein the apertured region is constituted by first and second apertures for evacuating the tissue debris, the cutting tool being positioned to enable tissue to be cut by cutting means provided on the cutting tool, the cutting means being engageable with tissue through the first aperture, and the second aperture being positioned in the region of the electrosurgical device.