Patent AU-2022200136-A1 (AU)
Title: Thermal debriding tools
Inventor: BARRY DONALD E
IPC: A61B17/3211
Filed: 2022-01-11
Abstract: In general, thermal debriding tools and methods of using thermal debriding tools are 
provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a thermal debriding tool is configured to be advanced 
minimally invasively, e.g., arthroscopically, into a patient and to cut tissue using electrical 
energy. The thermal debriding tool includes a heating element configured to be positioned in 
contact with tissue and to be heated. The heated heating element is configured to cut the tissue 
so as to allow the thermal debriding tool to cut the tissue using electrical energy. The heating 
element can be a resistive heating element that is configured to become hot when a current is 
delivered to the heating element. The thermal debriding tool can include an actuator configured 
to be actuated to cause the current to be delivered to the heating element, thereby allowing the 
heating element to be heated on demand.
resistance or temperature of the heating element. For still another example, the shaft can define a 
longitudinal axis, and the heating element can be U-shaped with opposed legs of the U-shape 
extending longitudinally and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. For yet another 
example, the heating element can include a substantially flat plate with a first edge of the plate 
facing distally and a second, opposite edge of the plate facing proximally. For still another 
example, the actuation of the actuator can be configured to cause the heating element to heat to a 
temperature in a range of about 500°C to about 1000°C.  
[0011] For yet another example, the conductive lead can be formed of copper. In some 
embodiments, the heating element can be formed of a metal having a higher resistance than 
copper.  
[0012] For still another example, an outer diameter of the shaft can be in a range of about 2 mm 
to about 5 mm. For another example, the tissue can be at one of a knee of the patient, a hip of 
the patient, and a shoulder of the patient. For yet another example, the tissue can include 
meniscus tissue.  
[0013] In another aspect, a surgical method is provided that in one embodiment includes 
arthroscopically advancing a surgical device to a knee of a patient. The surgical device includes 
a handle and an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle. The shaft is configured to be 
advanced arthroscopically into the patient. The surgical device also includes a conductive 
heating element at a distal end of the shaft. The heating element is configured to be heated such 
that contact of the heated heating element with tissue causes the heating element to cut the tissue.  
The surgical device also includes a conductive lead operably coupled to the actuator and to the 
heating element. The conductive lead extends through the shaft. The surgical device also 
includes an actuator configured to be actuated and thereby cause a current to be delivered along 
the conductive lead to the heating element, thereby heating the heating element. The surgical 
method also includes actuating the actuator, thereby causing the heating element to be heated and 
cut meniscus tissue.  
[0014] The surgical method can have any number of variations. For example, the surgical 
device can also include an insulative guard extending distally from the elongate shaft, the 
insulative guard can include opposed distally-extending legs, and the heating element can be 
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