Patent ID: 6464711
Filing Date: 2002-10-15
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A steerable surgical cutting instrument for being powered by a powered surgical handpiece to cut anatomical tissue comprisinga bendable outer tubular member having open distal and proximal ends; a bendable inner member disposed in said outer tubular member and having a distal end exposed from said distal end of said outer tubular member for cutting anatomical tissue and having a proximal end; at least one actuating wire extending proximally from said outer tubular member to effect bending of said outer and inner members when said actuating wire is pulled in a proximal direction; an inner hub secured to said proximal end of said inner member, said inner hub being releasably connectible with a powered surgical handpiece by which said inner member is rotated within said outer tubular member to cut anatomical tissue with said distal end of said inner member; an outer hub secured to said proximal end of said outer tubular member and being releasably connectible with the powered surgical handpiece to secure said outer tubular member while said inner member is rotated within said outer tubular member, said outer hub having a passage therethrough for receiving said inner member when said inner member is disposed in said outer tubular member with said inner hub disposed proximally of said outer hub, said outer hub having a pair of opposed pivot pins disposed on opposite sides thereof, said pivot pins being disposed distally of the powered surgical handpiece when said outer hub is connected thereto; and an actuator pivotably mounted on said pivot pins, said at least one actuating wire being attached to said actuator, said actuator being selectively rotatable about said pivot pins in a first direction to pull said at least one actuating wire in said proximal direction to bend said outer and inner members.