Patent Description:
To use such surgical cutting instrument to address such tissues, the opening/cutting edge is advanced to the target surgical site, and the opening positioned adjacent the tissue to be removed. The opening may be repositioned to address tissue which could not be accessed with the instrument in the previous position. Surgical cutting instruments with a fixed opening allow surgeons to cut only in the direction of the fixed opening cutting. To access, cut and remove tissue at various locations, surgeons have to reposition the instrument at various angles; or in some instances, change to other instruments having a more appropriately arranged opening.

It may be desirable to access, cut and remove tissue, such as bone tissue, at various locations without having to reposition or change the surgical instrument. While several different surgical instruments and methods of use have been made for tissue removal within the nasal cavity, it is believed that no one prior to the inventors has made or used the invention described in the appended claims.

<CIT> describes a surgical instrument which comprises a manually engageable handle. A first stem section having a longitudinal axis extends from the handle. A second stem section is connected between the first stem section and a cutting tool The cutting tool includes a rotatable shaver. The second stem section has at least a portion which is bendable. A rotatable drive shaft is connected with the shaver and extends axially through the first stem section and the second stem section. The drive shaft has a flexible portion disposed in the flexible stem section. A passage extends axially through the drive shaft for conducting tissue from a location adjacent to the cutting tool through the second stem section toward the handle. A mechanism is connected to the bendable portion of the second stem section for bending the bendable portion to change the orientation of the cutting tool relative to the axis and to the first stem section from a first orientation to a second orientation. The bendable portion of the second stem section includes mechanism for enabling bending movement of the bendable portion by the mechanism to locate the cutting tool at the same angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the first stem section at more than one location along the length of the bendable portion.

While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements and in which:.

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown but is instead defined by the claims.

The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

It will be appreciated that the terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein with reference to a clinician gripping a handpiece assembly. Thus, an end effector is distal with respect to the more proximal handpiece assembly. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as "upward," "downward," "side," "axial," and "longitudinal" also are used herein for reference to relative positions and directions. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and absolute.

It is further understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. that are described herein. The following-described teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other.

<FIG> show a first exemplary surgical cutting instrument (<NUM>) that may be used to remove tissue, such as bone tissue, from the nasal cavity, as well as from any other suitable location. Surgical cutting instrument (<NUM>) of the present example includes a handle assembly (<NUM>), a hub (<NUM>), and a shaft assembly (<NUM>) extending distally from handle assembly (<NUM>). Handle assembly (<NUM>) has a handle (<NUM>) which may be of any suitable configuration. Handle (<NUM>) may include controls for the operation of surgical cutting instrument (<NUM>), or the controls may be located remotely. Surgical cutting instrument (<NUM>) further includes a suction port (<NUM>) operatively connected to a vacuum source (<NUM>) and configured to enable aspiration of tissue, such as a bone tissue, from a surgical site. Rotational motion is delivered by a motorized drive assembly (<NUM>) within handle assembly (<NUM>) to shaft assembly (<NUM>) in the present example, although any suitable rotational or oscillatory motion source may be utilized. For example, such motion source may be housed within handle assembly (<NUM>) or may be external and connectable to handle assembly (<NUM>). A power source (<NUM>) connects to motorized drive assembly (<NUM>) to power surgical cutting instrument (<NUM>) for use. In addition or alternatively, handle assembly (<NUM>) may house a battery (not shown).

Shaft assembly (<NUM>) generally includes an outer shaft (<NUM>) and an inner cutting member (<NUM>) collectively configured to receive and remove tissue from the surgical site. Cutting member (<NUM>), which is illustrated as a tube, is disposed within a longitudinally extending lumen (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>). Cutting member (<NUM>) is configured to be rotated about a longitudinal axis (<NUM>) of shaft assembly (<NUM>) at a distal portion. Although shaft assembly (<NUM>) is depicted as rigid, all or a portion of shaft assembly (<NUM>) may be flexible, with longitudinal axis (<NUM>) comprising a series of cross-sectional centers. Cutting member (<NUM>) defines a lumen and extends proximally to handle assembly (<NUM>) and connects to motorized drive assembly (<NUM>), which rotatably drives cutting member (<NUM>) relative to shaft (<NUM>). In the present example, shaft (<NUM>) is formed of polycarbonate and cutting member (<NUM>) is formed of stainless steel. Of course, shaft (<NUM>) and cutting member (<NUM>) may be formed of one or more alternative materials. The invention is thus not intended to be unnecessarily limited to manufacture with polycarbonate and stainless steel. While the present example of cutting member (<NUM>) is a hollow tube, cutting member (<NUM>) is not limited to being tubular and defining its own lumen (<NUM>).

Shaft (<NUM>) includes a window region (<NUM>) having a shaft opening, such as a shaft window opening (<NUM>), at a distal portion thereof. Distal portion includes a tubular sidewall (<NUM>) that distally terminates in a curved end, such as a generally hemispherical end (<NUM>). Shaft window opening (<NUM>) extends through tubular sidewall (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>) into lumen (<NUM>) and is in fluid communication with the environment surrounding shaft (<NUM>). Shaft window opening (<NUM>) faces radially outward relative to longitudinal axis (<NUM>) such that tissue is configured to be radially received through shaft window opening (<NUM>) into a central suction lumen (<NUM>) of cutting member (<NUM>) in a radially inward direction. Shaft window opening (<NUM>) is surrounded by a relatively dull edge (<NUM>).

Cutting member (<NUM>) includes a cutting window opening (<NUM>) at distal portion of cutting member (<NUM>). Cutting window opening (<NUM>) is configured to longitudinally align with shaft window opening (<NUM>) and includes a cutting edge (<NUM>) extending therealong. It is noted that less than the entirety of cutting edge (<NUM>) may be configured for cutting tissue against an opposing edge (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>). At least a portion of cutting edge (<NUM>) is disposed to move adjacent to and across at least a portion of window region (<NUM>) when cutting member (<NUM>) is rotated or oscillated about longitudinal axis (<NUM>). By way of example, as cutting member (<NUM>) moves in a clockwise direction, edge (<NUM>) of window region (<NUM>) provides an opposing surface to cutting edge (<NUM>) whereby tissue may be severed to remove a cut tissue portion therefrom. Cutting edge (<NUM>) and edge (<NUM>) may have any configuration which suitably cooperates with the other to sever tissue, such as a knife edge, a serrated edge, bipolar, monopolar or harmonic energy modality, or laser activated cutting edge.

The extent of movement and position of cutting edge (<NUM>) relative to edge (<NUM>) is sufficient to separate tissue, whether by severing, tearing or any other mechanism. For example, cutting edge (<NUM>) may cyclically move across at least a portion of window region (<NUM>). Further clockwise movement of cutting member (<NUM>) will advance cutting edge (<NUM>) past edge (<NUM>), such as results from oscillation about longitudinal axis (<NUM>) or from full rotation about longitudinal axis (<NUM>).

With continued reference to <FIG>, vacuum source (<NUM>) generates suction in a proximal direction along suction lumen (<NUM>) and longitudinal axis (<NUM>) toward suction port (<NUM>). Suction lumen (<NUM>) is defined by a tubular sidewall (<NUM>) of cutting member (<NUM>) in the present example and is in direct fluid communication with cutting window opening (<NUM>). Without tissue blocking cutting window opening (<NUM>), such suction proximally withdraws a window airflow therethrough along suction lumen (<NUM>). However, once tissue is respectively introduced into window opening (<NUM>), suction effectively draws tissue into window opening (<NUM>) for resection while tissue blocks airflow along suction lumen (<NUM>). Airflow through suction lumen (<NUM>) essentially terminates such that vacuum source (<NUM>) accumulates the vacuum within suction lumen (<NUM>). Such termination of airflow may generally be referred to as a stalled airflow within lumen. Additional details regarding airflow through lumen and aspiration vents for improving such airflow are discussed in alternative examples described in <CIT> (<CIT>.

Furthermore, surgical cutting instrument (<NUM>) may be used in conjunction with an image-guide surgery (IGS) navigation system, medical procedure chair, and displays described alone or in any combination according to the following: <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>.

While surgical cutting instrument (<NUM>) is configured to remove a target tissue as discussed above in greater detail, a particular position of such target tissue within the patient will likely vary, to at least some extent, depending on the patient and the tissue identified for removal. For example, in some instances, the target tissue may be positioned along a relatively linearly extending cavity in the patient or, in other instances, may be positioned along more complex, winding cavities within the patient. In order to access target tissue within such complex, winding cavities, the surgeon may attempt to reposition surgical cutting instrument (<NUM>) at one or more awkward angles or even discard surgical cutting instrument (<NUM>) for a more suitable instrument depending on the circumstance. Thus, manipulating the position of shaft window opening (<NUM>) and cutting window opening (<NUM>) for greater access to the target tissue generally provides for greater comfort and enhanced outcomes for the patient.

With respect to <FIG>, a second exemplary surgical cutting instrument (<NUM>) has a deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) distally extending from a handle assembly (<NUM>) and operatively connected thereto via an axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>). Surgical cutting instrument (<NUM>) further includes an articulation mechanism (<NUM>) operatively connected to deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>). Articulation mechanism (<NUM>) selectively articulates deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) between a straight configuration, an upward articulated configuration, and a downward articulated configuration for deflecting distal portions of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) relative to proximal portions of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) and accessing the target tissue. More particularly, an outer shaft (<NUM>) and an inner cutting member (<NUM>) of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) each respectively articulate along a common longitudinal axis (<NUM>) (see <FIG>). Such articulation varies the lengths of cutting member (<NUM>) and shaft (<NUM>) along common longitudinal axis, with the greatest difference being between the straight configuration and the most articulated upward and downward configurations in the present example. Axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) secures cutting member (<NUM>) relative to shaft (<NUM>) to allow cutting member (<NUM>) to longitudinally move along common longitudinal axis (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) during articulation of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) for maintaining alignment between shaft window opening (<NUM>) and cutting window opening (<NUM>) during use. Various features of surgical cutting instruments (<NUM>, <NUM>) may be readily incorporated into each other such that the invention is not intended to be unnecessarily limited to the particular examples shown herein. In any case, like numbers provided below indicate like features discussed above in greater detail.

Handle assembly (<NUM>) has a handle body (<NUM>) that may include controls for the operation of surgical cutting instrument (<NUM>), or the controls may be located remotely. One such control is an activation control (not shown) configured to selectively power motorized drive assembly (<NUM>) via power source (<NUM>). Vacuum source (<NUM>) fluidly connects to suction port (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) to draw a vacuum through suction lumen (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) of cutting member (<NUM>) rotatably disposed within shaft (<NUM>). Motorized drive assembly (<NUM>) rotatably drives cutting member (<NUM>) within shaft (<NUM>) such that cutting member (<NUM>) rotates cyclically and repeatedly through an open state and a closed state in relation to shaft (<NUM>). In the open state, cutting window opening (<NUM>) aligns with shaft window opening (<NUM>) to fluidly communicate the vacuum throughout to the environment for receiving and suctioning tissue therein. In contrast, in the closed state, a tubular sidewall (<NUM>) of cutting member (<NUM>) aligns with and covers shaft window opening (<NUM>) to inhibit further suctioning.

In the present example, shaft (<NUM>) is longitudinally and rotationally fixed to handle body (<NUM>). Axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) mechanically couples cutting member (<NUM>) to a drive output, including a drive output gear (<NUM>), such that cutting member (<NUM>) rotatably locks to drive output gear (<NUM>) while being simultaneously configured to translate relative to drive output gear (<NUM>). In turn, cutting member (<NUM>) similarly rotates and selectively translates relative to handle body (<NUM>) and shaft (<NUM>) to accommodate articulation of cutting member (<NUM>) relative to articulation of shaft (<NUM>) as selectively directed by an articulation input (<NUM>) of articulation mechanism (<NUM>). While articulation input (<NUM>) is shown as a knob in the present example, it will be appreciated that alternative inputs configured to be selectively manipulated by the surgeon may be similarly used.

To this end, <FIG> shows one example of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) in a straight configuration such that common longitudinal axis (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>) and cutting member (<NUM>) is generally linear. At least a portion of shaft (<NUM>) and at least a portion of cutting member (<NUM>) are each formed of one or more flexible materials configured to flexibly deform from this linearly extending common longitudinal axis (<NUM>). In addition, at least such portions of cutting member (<NUM>) are further configured to transmit sufficient torque during use to cut the target tissue as described above. In one example, cutting member (<NUM>) may include an intermediate section having a braided steel material extending from drive output gear (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) to cutting window opening (<NUM>) for flexibility therealong. In another example, cutting member (<NUM>) may include an intermediate section having a torsional drive cable for similar flexibility. Furthermore, the flexible portion of cutting member (<NUM>) in one example may be along an entire longitudinal length of cutting member (<NUM>) up to cutting window opening (<NUM>) or such flexible portion in another example may be limited to a shorter longitudinal length of cutting member (<NUM>) that longitudinally aligns with the flexible portions of shaft (<NUM>).

Articulation mechanism (<NUM>) includes articulation input (<NUM>) connected to a pair of elongate members, such as a pair of cables (<NUM>), each connected to a distal end portion (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>). More particularly, cables (<NUM>) extend along respective longitudinal channels (<NUM>) on angularly opposing sides of a tubular sidewall (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>) about common longitudinal axis (<NUM>). Cables (<NUM>) are secured to distal end portion (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>) within respective longitudinal channels (<NUM>) and proximally extend therefrom into handle body (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) to operatively connect to articulation input (<NUM>). In the present example, cables (<NUM>) are push-pull cables (<NUM>) configured transmit force in tension and compression for more easily articulating deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>). While the present example shows longitudinal channels (<NUM>) formed within tubular sidewall (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>), an alternative example may have cables (<NUM>) longitudinally extending along an outer surface of tubular sidewall (<NUM>) and, in addition, may be positioned in an outer radial groove extending along the outer surface of tubular sidewall (<NUM>). An outer sheath (not shown) may further cover cables (<NUM>) positioned on the outer surface of shaft (<NUM>). Alternatively, rather than dedicated longitudinal channels (<NUM>) as discussed above, cables (<NUM>) may longitudinally extend in an annular gap between cutting member (<NUM>) and shaft (<NUM>).

Upon articulation of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>), a distal shaft end (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>) and a distal member end (<NUM>) of cutting member (<NUM>) respectively deflect relative to a proximal shaft end (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>) and a proximal member end (<NUM>) of cutting member (<NUM>). Manipulating articulation input (<NUM>) one direction, as shown in <FIG>, pulls one cable (<NUM>) in tension and pushes the other cable (<NUM>) in compression to articulate deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) from the straight configuration to the upward articulated configuration. More particularly, distal shaft end (<NUM>) deflects upward relative to proximal shaft end (<NUM>) such that tubular sidewall (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>) similarly urges tubular sidewall (<NUM>) of cutting member (<NUM>) to follow along the arcuately extending common longitudinal axis (<NUM>). Thus, distal member end (<NUM>) also deflects upward relative to proximal member end (<NUM>) while maintaining longitudinal alignment between shaft window opening (<NUM>) and cutting window opening (<NUM>) from the straight configuration to the upward articulated configuration.

With respect to <FIG>, manipulating articulation input (<NUM>) the opposite direction pushes one cable (<NUM>) in compression and pulls the other cable (<NUM>) in tension to articulate deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) from the straight configuration to the downward articulated configuration. More particularly, distal shaft end (<NUM>) deflects downward relative to proximal shaft end (<NUM>) such that tubular sidewall (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>) similarly urges tubular sidewall (<NUM>) of cutting member (<NUM>) to follow along the arcuately extending common longitudinal axis (<NUM>). Thus, distal member end (<NUM>) also deflects downward relative to proximal member end (<NUM>) while maintaining longitudinal alignment between shaft window opening (<NUM>) and cutting window opening (<NUM>) from the straight configuration to the downward articulated configuration. While the above description initiates articulation from the straight configuration to each of the upward and downward articulated configurations in the present example, it will be appreciated that such articulation may initiate from any configuration of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) and terminate in any configuration of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>). The invention is thus not intended to be unnecessarily limited to initiate and terminate articulation as shown and described herein. Furthermore, while the present example of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) selectively articulates via articulation mechanism (<NUM>), an alternative shaft assembly may having one or more portions of cutting member (<NUM>) and shaft (<NUM>) be formed of a malleable material. Rather than selectively directing articulation input (<NUM>), the surgeon may grip and physically manipulate such malleable cutting member and malleable shaft by hand to a desirable shape for use. Thus, the surgeon may manipulate malleable deflectable shaft assembly to at least any articulation as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> show the distal end portion of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) in greater detail with distal shaft end (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>) and distal member end (<NUM>) of cutting member (<NUM>) respectively in the straight and upward articulated configurations. <FIG> shows distal member end (<NUM>) a predetermined longitudinal distance (D) from distal shaft end (<NUM>) in the straight configuration, whereas <FIG> shows distal member end (<NUM>) the same predetermined longitudinal distance (D) from distal shaft end (<NUM>) in the upward articulated configuration. To this end, shaft window opening (<NUM>) remains longitudinally aligned with cutting window opening (<NUM>) in each of the straight and upward articulated configurations and, indeed, remains similarly aligned in any configuration.

As shown in <FIG>, axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) mechanically couples with cutting member (<NUM>) to maintain the predetermined longitudinal distance (D) between distal shaft end (<NUM>) and distal member end (<NUM>) regardless of the configuration of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>). In the straight configuration of <FIG>, axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) extends between and mechanically couples cutting member (<NUM>) to drive output gear (<NUM>) of motorized drive assembly (<NUM>). More particularly, axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) mechanically locks rotation of drive output gear (<NUM>) to proximal member end (<NUM>) and transmits torque therethrough such that drive output gear (<NUM>) rotatably drives cutting member (<NUM>) relative to shaft (<NUM>) (see <FIG>).

While rotatably securing drive output gear (<NUM>) to proximal member end (<NUM>), axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) has a spline coupling (<NUM>) that simultaneously allows for longitudinal translation of proximal member end (<NUM>) relative to drive output gear (<NUM>) for maintaining the predetermined longitudinal distance (D) (see <FIG>) during articulation. With respect to <FIG>, articulating cutting member (<NUM>) to the upward articulated configuration causes distal shaft end (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) to longitudinally engage distal member end (<NUM>) and urge cutting member (<NUM>) proximally toward drive output gear (<NUM>) as indicated by arrow (<NUM>). In the present example, proximal member end (<NUM>) compresses against a spring (<NUM>) such that cutting member (<NUM>) is distally biased toward distal shaft end (<NUM>). Alternatively or in addition, axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) may include a wave spring assembly and/or bearings to accommodate such longitudinal movement and bias. By way of further example, axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) may include a longitudinal drive mechanism in place of at least spring (<NUM>) to actively position cutting member (<NUM>) relative to shaft (<NUM>). In this respect, the invention is not intended to be unnecessarily limited to passive adjustment, such as by biasing cutting member (<NUM>) with spring (<NUM>) as shown in the present example. Returning deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) from the upward biased configuration to the straight configuration will reverse the longitudinal movement of cutting member (<NUM>) away from drive output gear (<NUM>). Such proximal movement indicated by arrow (<NUM>) would similarly occur upon articulating deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) from the straight configuration to the downward articulated configuration.

Axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) of the present example is connected inline with drive output gear (<NUM>) and, indeed, a remainder of motorized drive assembly (<NUM>), such that axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) is generally distally positioned relative to drive output gear (<NUM>). In another example, axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) may be coaxial with common longitudinal axis (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) and drive output gear (<NUM>) may be positioned on another axis offset from common longitudinal axis (<NUM>) (see <FIG>). In such an alternative example, one or more portions of axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>), such as spring (<NUM>), may be proximally positioned relative to drive output gear (<NUM>), which is positioned alongside proximal member end (<NUM>) of cutting member (<NUM>). A driven gear member (not shown) may be coupled to proximal member end (<NUM>) to laterally engage drive output gear (<NUM>) to drive rotation of cutting member (<NUM>). Driven gear member (not shown) would thus remain engaged with drive output gear (<NUM>) while longitudinally sliding relative to drive output gear (<NUM>) thereby allowing for longitudinal translation of proximal member end (<NUM>) relative to drive output gear (<NUM>) in order to maintain the predetermined longitudinal distance (D) (see <FIG>) as discussed above.

In another example, <FIG> shows an alternative deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>), which has an outer shaft (<NUM>) with an inner cutting member (<NUM>) similarly configured to deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) discussed above. However, in addition to or alternatively, shaft (<NUM>) has a plurality of gaps (<NUM>) positioned longitudinally through tubular sidewall (<NUM>) along an inner radius of deflection, such as upward articulated configuration. Gaps (<NUM>) are generally opened in the straight configuration and close, to at least some extent, as shaft (<NUM>) articulates toward the upward articulated configuration. Gaps (<NUM>) provide space for the material of shaft (<NUM>) to more easily and predictably deflect during use. Such gaps (<NUM>) may be similarly positioned on an opposing side of sidewall (<NUM>) to create a similar downward articulated configuration and/or positioned on cutting member (<NUM>) for similar deflection thereof. Alternative materials or structures for flexing deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) may be similarly used, and the invention is not intended to be unnecessarily limited to the flexible materials and structures as shown and described herein.

In order to further aid alignment between an inner, cutting member (<NUM>) and an outer shaft, another alternative shaft assembly may include a longitudinally elongated shaft window opening (not shown) configured to remain in communication with cutting window opening (<NUM>) as cutting member (<NUM>) longitudinally moves within outer shaft. Such elongated shaft window opening (not shown) longitudinally extends further than shaft window opening (<NUM>), discussed above, while cutting window opening (<NUM>) may remain the same. The additional elongation of elongated shaft window opening (not shown) is sized to accommodate the longitudinal movement of cutting window opening (<NUM>) to maintain consistent communication therethrough in any of the configurations shown in <FIG>.

In use, with respect to <FIG>, surgeon introduces the distal end portion of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) into the nasal cavity of the patient toward the target tissue while the deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) is in the straight configuration. The surgeon manipulates the articulation input (<NUM>) to articulate deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) from the straight configuration toward either the upward or downward articulated configurations as desired for accessing the target tissue with the shaft and cutting window openings (<NUM>, <NUM>). During the articulation shown in <FIG>, cables (<NUM>) push and pull on distal end portion (<NUM>) of shaft (<NUM>) such that shaft (<NUM>) urges cutting member (<NUM>) along common longitudinal axis (<NUM>) to collectively articulate deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>).

With respect to <FIG>, distal shaft end (<NUM>) engages distal member end (<NUM>) and proximally translates cutting member (<NUM>) to urge proximal member end (<NUM>) relative to proximal shaft end (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) and toward drive output gear (<NUM>). Axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) biases distal member end (<NUM>) toward distal shaft end (<NUM>), but spring (<NUM>) resiliently compresses to accommodate the longitudinal translation of cutting member (<NUM>), while spline coupling (<NUM>) simultaneously remains rotatably locked to cutting member (<NUM>). The translation of proximal member end (<NUM>) thereby retains the predetermined longitudinal distance (D) between distal shaft end (<NUM>) and distal member end (<NUM>) to maintain longitudinal alignment of shaft and cutting window openings (<NUM>, <NUM>) regardless of the particular configuration of deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>).

Once shaft window opening (<NUM>) accesses the target tissue, the surgeon selectively powers motorized drive assembly (<NUM>) to transmit torque from drive output gear (<NUM>) and through axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) to rotatably drive cutting member (<NUM>) to cut and remove the target tissue against cutting edge (<NUM>) (see <FIG>) as discussed above. While the above description first articulates deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) and then rotatably drives cutting member (<NUM>) to cut the target tissue, the surgeon may alternatively drive cutting member (<NUM>) while simultaneously articulating deflectable shaft assembly (<NUM>) in other examples.

It should be understood that any of the examples described herein may include various other features in addition to or in lieu of those described above. By way of example only, any of the examples described herein may also include one or more of the various features disclosed in any of the various references.

Versions of the devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In particular, versions of the device may be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts of the device may be selectively replaced or removed in any combination. Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, versions of the device may be reassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, or by a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present disclosure.

By way of example only, versions described herein may be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument may be obtained and if necessary cleaned. The instrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep the instrument sterile until it is opened in a surgical facility.

Claim 1:
A surgical instrument (<NUM>), comprising:
(a) a shaft (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to articulate from a first configuration toward a second configuration, including:
(i) a distal shaft end (<NUM>),
(ii) a proximal shaft end (<NUM>),
(iii) a shaft sidewall (<NUM>) extending from the distal shaft end to the proximal shaft end and configured to move the distal shaft end relative to the proximal shaft end, and
(iv) a shaft window opening (<NUM>) extending through the shaft sidewall;
(b) a cutting member (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed within the shaft and configured to cyclically move relative to the shaft, wherein the cutting member is further configured to articulate within the shaft from the first configuration toward the second configuration, including:
(i) a distal member end (<NUM>),
(ii) a proximal member end (<NUM>),
(iii) a member sidewall (<NUM>) extending from the distal member end to the proximal member end and configured to move the distal member end relative to the proximal member end,
(iv) a cutting window opening (<NUM>) extending through the member sidewall and configured to align with the shaft window during cyclical movement relative thereto and receive a tissue for cutting, and characterised in that the instrument further comprises:
(c) an axial adjustment coupling (<NUM>) longitudinally securing the shaft relative to the cutting member and configured to longitudinally move the proximal member end relative to the proximal shaft end while articulating the shaft and the cutting member from the first configuration toward the second configuration to inhibit movement of the distal member end relative to the distal shaft end for maintaining alignment between the shaft window opening and the cutting window opening.