Patent Description:
Tissue resection may be performed endoscopically within an organ, such as a uterus, by inserting an endoscope (or hysteroscope) into the uterus and passing a tissue resection device through the endoscope (or hysteroscope) and into the uterus. With respect to such endoscopic tissue resection procedures, it often is desirable to distend the uterus with a fluid, for example, saline, sorbitol, or glycine. The inflow and outflow of the fluid during the procedure maintains the uterus in a distended state and flushes tissue and other debris from within the uterus to maintain a visible working space. <CIT> relates to a surgical instrument with suction control. <CIT> relates to a blade positioning device.

As used herein, the term "distal" refers to the portion that is described which is further from a user, while the term "proximal" refers to the portion that is described which is closer to a user. Further, to the extent consistent, any or all of the aspects described herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects described herein.

The invention provides an end effector assembly according to claim <NUM>. Further embodiments of the invention are provided in the dependent claims.

Provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure is an end effector assembly of a tissue resecting device. The end effector assembly includes a proximal hub housing, an inner drive core at least partially disposed within the proximal hub housing, and a cutting member extending distally from the proximal hub housing and engaged with the inner drive core such that rotation of the inner drive core rotates the cutting member. The end effector assembly further includes a lock and release mechanism operably coupled between the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing. The lock and release mechanism is transitionable between a locked condition rotationally fixing the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing relative to one another thereby rotationally locking the cutting member, and a release condition enabling relative rotation between the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing thereby enabling rotation of the cutting member.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, the lock and release mechanism is biased towards the locked condition.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the end effector assembly further includes an elongated outer shaft fixed relative to and extending distally from the proximal hub housing. The cutting member is received within the elongated outer shaft, rotationally fixed relative to the elongated outer shaft in the locked condition, and rotatable relative to the elongated outer shaft in the release condition.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the elongated outer shaft defines an outer window and the cutting member defines a cutting blade. In the locked condition, the cutting blade is inaccessible through the outer window.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the lock and release mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion rotationally fixed relative to the first portion. In the in the locked condition, the first portion is rotationally fixed relative to the inner drive core and the second portion is rotationally fixed relative to the proximal hub housing. In the release condition, the first portion is rotatable relative to the inner drive core or the second portion is rotatable relative to the proximal hub housing.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first portion includes a first stop ring and the second portion includes a second stop ring. The first stop ring or the second stop ring is movable relative to the other to transition the lock and release mechanism between the locked condition and the release condition.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the lock and release mechanism further includes a biasing member disposed between the first and second stop rings and configured to bias the lock and release mechanism towards the locked condition.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first stop ring, the second stop ring, and the biasing member are integrally formed as a single piece.

In still another aspect of the preset disclosure, the lock and release mechanism includes a lock bar rotationally fixed relative to the inner drive core. The lock bar includes a first portion pivotable between a first position, corresponding to the locked condition, wherein the first portion engages the proximal hub housing in rotationally fixed relation, and a second position, corresponding to the release condition, wherein the first portion is disengaged from the proximal hub housing.

A tissue resecting device provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes a handpiece assembly including a drive rotor and an end effector assembly according to any of the above aspects or other aspects detailed herein. Engagement of the end effector assembly with the handpiece operably engages the drive rotor with the inner drive core and transitions the lock and release mechanism from the locked condition to the release condition.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, engagement of the end effector assembly with the handpiece urges a portion of the handpiece into contact with one of a first portion or a second portion of the lock and release mechanism, thereby decoupling fixed rotation of the first portion relative to the inner drive core or decoupling fixed rotation of the second portion relative to the proximal hub housing.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a first portion of the lock and release mechanism includes a first stop ring and a second portion includes a second stop ring. In such aspects, engagement of the end effector assembly with the handpiece urges the first stop ring relative to the second stop ring, thereby decoupling the first stop ring from fixed relation relative to the inner drive core.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the lock and release mechanism further includes a biasing member disposed between the first and second stop rings and configured to bias the first stop ring towards a position establishing fixed rotational relation between the first stop ring and the inner drive core.

In still another aspect of the present disclosure, the lock and release mechanism includes a lock bar rotationally fixed relative to the inner drive core. The lock bar includes a first portion pivotable between a first position, corresponding to the locked condition, wherein the first portion engages the proximal hub housing in rotationally fixed relation, and a second position, corresponding to the release condition, wherein the first portion is disengaged from the proximal hub housing.

In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the lock bar includes a second portion. In such aspects, engagement of the end effector assembly with the handpiece urges a portion of the handpiece into contact with the second portion to pivot the second portion, thereby pivoting the first portion to disengage the first portion from the proximal hub housing.

A method of assembling a tissue resection device for use provided in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure includes obtaining an end effector assembly including a proximal hub housing, a inner drive core, a cutting member engaged with the inner drive core, and a lock and release mechanism disposed in a locked condition rotationally fixing the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing relative to one another thereby rotationally locking the cutting member. The method further includes engaging the end effector assembly with a handpiece assembly including a drive rotor and a handle housing. Engaging the end effector assembly with the handpiece includes engaging the proximal hub housing with the handle housing, engaging the drive rotor with the inner drive core, and transitioning the lock and release mechanism to a release position enabling relative rotation between the inner drive core and the proximal hub housing thereby enabling rotation of the cutting member.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, engaging the drive rotor with the inner drive core includes engaging splines of the drive rotor with splines of the inner drive core.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, transitioning the lock and release mechanism to the release position includes urging a stop ring into contact with a portion of the handle housing to move the stop ring from an engaged position to a disengaged position.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, transitioning the lock and release mechanism to the release position includes urging a first portion of a lock bar into contact with a cam surface of the drive rotor to pivot a second portion of the lock bar from an engaged position to a disengaged position.

Various aspects and features of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views and:.

Referring generally to <FIG>, a tissue resecting device <NUM> provided in accordance with the present disclosure and configured to resect tissue includes an end effector assembly <NUM> and a handpiece assembly <NUM>. Tissue resecting device <NUM> is adapted to connect to a control unit (not shown), e.g., via cable <NUM>, to provide power and control functionality to tissue resecting device <NUM>, although tissue resecting device <NUM> may alternatively or additionally include controls associated with handpiece assembly <NUM> and/or a power source, e.g., battery, disposed within handpiece assembly <NUM>. In other embodiments, tissue resecting device <NUM> is manually powered and/or controlled. Tissue resecting device <NUM> is further adapted to connect to a fluid management system (not shown), e.g., via outflow tubing <NUM>, for removing fluid, tissue, and debris from a surgical site via tissue resecting device <NUM>. The control unit and fluid management system may be integral with one another, coupled to one another, or separate from one another.

With continued reference to <FIG>, tissue resecting device <NUM> may be configured as a single-use device that is discarded after use or sent to a manufacturer for reprocessing, a reusable device capable of being cleaned and/or sterilized for repeated use by the end-user, or a partially-single-use, partially-reusable device. With respect to partially-single-use, partially-reusable configurations, handpiece assembly <NUM> may be configured as a cleanable/sterilizable, reusable component, while end effector assembly <NUM> is configured as a single-use, disposable/reprocessable component. In either of the above configurations, end effector assembly <NUM> is configured to releasably engage handpiece assembly <NUM> to facilitate disposal/reprocessing of any single-use components and cleaning and/or sterilization of any reusable components. Further, enabling releasable engagement of end effector assembly <NUM> with handpiece assembly <NUM> allows for use of different end effector assemblies with handpiece assembly <NUM>.

End effector assembly <NUM> includes a proximal hub housing <NUM>, an elongated outer shaft <NUM> fixedly engaged with and extending distally from proximal hub housing <NUM>, an inner cutting shaft <NUM> movable disposed within elongated outer shaft <NUM>, and an inner drive core <NUM>, and a lock and release mechanism <NUM>. Inner drive core <NUM> is operably disposed within proximal hub housing <NUM> and coupled to inner cutting shaft <NUM> such that rotational input imparted to inner drive core <NUM>, e.g., via handpiece assembly <NUM>, drives rotation of inner cutting shaft <NUM> within and relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM>. In embodiments, inner cutting shaft <NUM> may be configured to additionally or alternatively reciprocate relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM>. Lock and release mechanism <NUM>, as detailed below, is configured to selectively lock and release inner drive core <NUM>, thereby selectively locking and releasing inner cutting shaft <NUM>.

Proximal hub housing <NUM> of end effector assembly <NUM> includes an outer housing <NUM> and an inner housing <NUM> disposed in fixed orientation relative to one another, e.g., fixedly engaged with one another. In embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a distal end portion of inner housing <NUM> is disposed within and engaged to a proximal portion of outer housing <NUM> with inner housing <NUM> extending proximally from outer housing <NUM>, although other configurations are also contemplated. Regardless of the particular configuration of outer housing <NUM> and inner housing <NUM>, outer housing <NUM> and/or inner housing <NUM> is configured to releasably engage handle housing <NUM> of handpiece assembly <NUM>, e.g., via snap-fit, threaded, luer-lock, lock-button, or other suitable engagement, and may be configured for fixed engagement with handle housing <NUM> or rotational engagement therewith.

Elongated outer shaft <NUM> of end effector assembly <NUM> includes a proximal end portion <NUM> extending into and fixedly engaged within proximal hub housing <NUM>, e.g., engaged with outer or inner housing <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. With additional reference to <FIG>, elongated outer shaft <NUM> extends distally from proximal hub housing <NUM> to distal end portion <NUM> defining a closed distal end <NUM> and a window <NUM> proximally-spaced from closed distal end <NUM>. Window <NUM> provides access to the interior of elongated outer shaft <NUM> and may be surrounded by a cutting edge <NUM> about the outer perimeter of window <NUM> so as to facilitate cutting of tissue passing through window <NUM> and into elongated outer shaft <NUM>. Alternatively, edge <NUM> may be blunt.

Inner cutting shaft <NUM> includes a proximal end portion <NUM> and a distal end portion <NUM> defining a closed distal end <NUM> and a window <NUM> proximally-spaced from closed distal end <NUM>. The edge of inner cutting shaft <NUM> surrounding window <NUM> defines a cutting blade <NUM> to facilitate cutting of tissue passing through window <NUM> and into inner cutting shaft <NUM>. Inner cutting shaft <NUM> is rotatable relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM>. Inner cutting shaft <NUM> may be continuously rotated in a single direction or may be configured to reverse and move in opposite directions. In either configuration, rotation of inner cutting shaft <NUM> relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM> defines at least one open position of end effector assembly <NUM> (see <FIG>), wherein inner cutting shaft <NUM> is oriented relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM> such that window <NUM> at least partially overlaps window <NUM>, thus enabling fluid communication therebetween, and at least one closed position of end effector assembly <NUM> (see <FIG>), wherein inner cutting shaft <NUM> is oriented relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM> such that window <NUM> does not radially overlap window <NUM>, thus inhibiting fluid communication therebetween. In the at least one open position, cutting blade <NUM> is exposed; in the at least one closed position, cutting blade <NUM> is not exposed. As detailed below, lock and release mechanism <NUM> is configured to lock inner cutting shaft <NUM> in a closed position, e.g., the position illustrated in <FIG>, prior to engagement of end effector assembly <NUM> with handpiece assembly <NUM> and to release cutting shaft <NUM> once end effector assembly <NUM> is engaged with handpiece assembly <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, inner drive core <NUM> of end effector assembly <NUM> includes a generally cylindrical body <NUM> defining a lumen <NUM> extending longitudinally therethrough. Body <NUM> includes a proximal portion 143a and a distal portion 143b. Proximal potion 143a of body <NUM> includes a plurality of splines <NUM> radially-spaced about the interior of body <NUM> and, thus, radially surrounding a proximal portion of lumen <NUM>. Proximal portion 143a of body <NUM> extends proximally from proximal hub housing <NUM> of end effector assembly <NUM>. Distal portion 143b of body <NUM> extends distally through inner housing <NUM> of proximal hub housing <NUM> and is (directly or indirectly) fixedly engaged with proximal end portion <NUM> of inner cutting shaft <NUM> (see <FIG>) within inner housing <NUM>. As such, rotation of body <NUM> imparts rotation to inner cutting shaft <NUM>. Inner drive core <NUM> further includes a collar <NUM> disposed about a proximal portion of body <NUM> and fixed relative thereto. Collar <NUM> includes a protrusion <NUM> extending radially outwardly therefrom.

Continuing with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, lock and release mechanism <NUM> of end effector assembly <NUM> includes a proximal stop ring <NUM>, a distal stop ring <NUM> rotationally fixed relative to proximal stop ring <NUM>, and a biasing member <NUM> disposed between proximal and distal stop rings <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. Proximal stop ring <NUM> defines a recess <NUM> and, in an at-rest position of biasing member <NUM>, is radially disposed about collar <NUM> of inner drive core <NUM> with protrusion <NUM> of collar <NUM> received within recess <NUM>, thus rotatably fixing inner drive core <NUM> relative to proximal stop ring <NUM>. Distal stop ring <NUM> is fixed relative to inner housing <NUM> of proximal hub housing <NUM>, e.g., via molding, adhering, compression-fitting, seating, etc. distal stop ring <NUM> over or within a proximal portion of inner housing <NUM>, although other suitable methods or manners of fixing distal stop ring <NUM> relative to inner housing <NUM> of proximal hub housing <NUM> are also contemplated.

Biasing member <NUM> may be a living hinge formed integrally with proximal and distal stop rings <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, e.g., formed as a single molded component, although biasing member <NUM> may alternatively be formed separately from either or both of proximal and distal stop rings <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, and/or may be any other suitable biasing member such as, for example, a compression spring. Biasing member <NUM> is configured to bias proximal stop ring <NUM> relative to distal stop ring <NUM> towards an at-rest position wherein, as noted above, proximal stop ring <NUM> is radially disposed about collar <NUM> of inner drive core <NUM> with protrusion <NUM> of collar <NUM> received within recess <NUM>, thus rotatably fixing inner drive core <NUM> relative to proximal stop ring <NUM>. In embodiments, the protrusion and recess may be reversed, e.g., where the protrusion extends from proximal stop ring <NUM> and the recesses is defined within collar <NUM>.

As detailed above, the receipt of protrusion <NUM> of collar <NUM> within recess <NUM> of proximal stop ring <NUM> in the at-rest position of biasing member <NUM> rotatably fixes inner drive core <NUM> and, thus, inner cutting shaft <NUM>, relative to proximal stop ring <NUM>. Further, as also detailed above, proximal and distal stop rings <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, are rotationally fixed relative to one another, and distal stop ring <NUM> is rotationally fixed relative to inner housing <NUM> of proximal hub housing <NUM> and, thus, elongated outer shaft <NUM>. Thus, in the at-rest position of biasing member <NUM>, inner cutting shaft <NUM> is locked relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM>. In embodiments, protrusion <NUM> and recess <NUM> are oriented such that inner cutting shaft <NUM> is locked in a closed position relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM>, e.g., wherein window <NUM> does not radially overlap window <NUM>, thus inhibiting fluid communication therebetween, and wherein cutting blade <NUM> is not exposed.

With momentary reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, upon engagement of end effector assembly <NUM> with handpiece assembly <NUM>, as detailed below, proximal stop ring <NUM> is moved towards distal stop ring <NUM>, and, as a result, biasing member <NUM> is compressed. This movement of proximal stop ring <NUM> is also relative to inner drive core <NUM>, such that this movement of proximal stop ring <NUM> towards distal stop ring <NUM> displaces proximal stop ring <NUM> from about collar <NUM>, thus displacing protrusion <NUM> from recess <NUM> and, in turn, releasing inner drive core <NUM> to permit rotation of inner cutting shaft <NUM> relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, handpiece assembly <NUM> generally includes a handle housing <NUM>, a drive assembly <NUM> disposed within handle housing <NUM>, cable <NUM>, and outflow tubing <NUM>. Handle housing <NUM>, as detailed above, is configured to releasably engage proximal hub housing <NUM> of end effector assembly <NUM>, and defines a pistol-grip configuration, although other configurations are also contemplated. Handpiece assembly <NUM> may further include one or more controls (not shown) disposed on or operably associated with handle housing <NUM> to facilitate activation of drive assembly <NUM> in a desired manner.

Drive assembly <NUM> includes a distal drive rotor <NUM> and a motor <NUM> that drives rotation of distal drive rotor <NUM>. Distal drive rotor <NUM> includes a plurality of splines (not explicitly shown, similar to splines <NUM> of distal drive rotor <NUM> (<FIG>)) radially-spaced about the exterior thereof that are configured to mate with splines <NUM> of body <NUM> of inner drive core <NUM> of end effector assembly <NUM> upon engagement of end effector assembly <NUM> with handpiece assembly <NUM> to thereby engage distal drive rotor <NUM> and inner drive core <NUM> with one another. Cable <NUM> provides power and/or control signals to motor <NUM> to control rotation of distal drive rotor <NUM>.

Outflow tubing <NUM> is configured such that, with end effector assembly <NUM> engaged with handle housing <NUM>, outflow tubing <NUM> communicates with the internal lumen of inner cutting shaft <NUM> (see arrow "F" in <FIG>) of end effector assembly <NUM> to receive resected tissue as well as fluid and other debris withdrawn from an internal surgical site during use. Outflow tubing <NUM> is configured to ultimately connect to a collection canister (not shown) or other suitable collection reservoir for collecting the tissue, fluid, and debris withdrawn from the internal surgical site.

Referring generally to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, as noted above, prior to engagement of end effector assembly <NUM> with handpiece assembly <NUM>, inner cutting shaft <NUM> is locked relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM> in a closed position (see <FIG>) via the bias of biasing member <NUM> retaining proximal stop ring <NUM> about collar <NUM> of inner drive core <NUM> with protrusion <NUM> of collar <NUM> received within recess <NUM>.

In order to engage end effector assembly <NUM> with handpiece assembly <NUM>, end effector assembly <NUM>, lead by inner drive core <NUM>, is inserted into handle housing <NUM> of handpiece assembly <NUM>. With additional reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, upon further insertion of end effector assembly <NUM> into handpiece assembly <NUM>, inner drive core <NUM> is slid about distal drive rotor <NUM> such that the splines (not shown) of distal drive rotor <NUM> engage splines <NUM> of body <NUM> of inner drive core <NUM> to thereby rotatably engage distal drive rotor <NUM> and inner drive core <NUM> with one another.

As inner drive core <NUM> is slid about distal drive rotor <NUM> to engage distal drive rotor <NUM>, proximal stop ring <NUM> is moved into contact with a shoulder <NUM> defined on the interior of handle housing <NUM> of handpiece assembly <NUM>. Shoulder <NUM> inhibits further proximal movement of proximal stop ring <NUM> into handle housing <NUM> and, thus, as inner drive core <NUM> is slid further about distal drive rotor <NUM> to engage distal drive rotor <NUM>, rather than proximal stop ring <NUM> advancing proximally therewith, proximal stop ring <NUM> remains stationary and biasing member <NUM> compresses to enable the continued proximal movement of inner drive core <NUM> (and distal stop ring <NUM>) relative to proximal stop ring <NUM> until end effector assembly <NUM> is engaged with handpiece assembly <NUM>.

The above-detailed proximal movement of inner drive core <NUM> (and distal stop ring <NUM>) relative to proximal stop ring <NUM>, enabled by the compression of biasing member <NUM>, results in the displacement of proximal stop ring <NUM> from about collar <NUM>, thus displacing protrusion <NUM> from recess <NUM>. In this manner, lock and release mechanism <NUM> no longer constrains inner drive core <NUM>; rather, inner drive core <NUM> is permitted to rotate, thus permitting rotation of inner cutting shaft <NUM> relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM>. Accordingly, upon engagement of end effector assembly <NUM> and handpiece assembly <NUM>, lock and release mechanism <NUM> releases inner drive core <NUM> and inner drive core <NUM> is engaged with distal drive rotor <NUM>. Thus, with end effector assembly <NUM> engaged with handpiece assembly <NUM>, motor <NUM> may be activated to drive rotation of distal drive rotor <NUM>, thereby driving rotation of inner cutting shaft <NUM> relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM>.

Once tissue resecting device <NUM> is assembled, e.g., once end effector assembly <NUM> is engaged with handpiece assembly <NUM> as detailed above, tissue resecting device is ready for use. In use, tissue resecting device <NUM> is positioned within an internal body cavity or organ, e.g., a uterus, such that the distal end portion of end effector assembly <NUM> is positioned adjacent tissue to be removed. Tissue resecting device <NUM> may be inserted through an endoscope, e.g., a hysteroscope, or other device, or may be used independently.

Once tissue resecting device <NUM> is positioned as desired adjacent tissue to be removed, tissue resecting device <NUM> is activated. Activation of tissue resecting device <NUM> drives motor <NUM> which rotationally drives drive rotor <NUM>. Rotation of drive rotor <NUM>, in turn, drives rotation of inner cutting shaft <NUM> relative to elongated outer shaft <NUM>. Activation of tissue resecting device <NUM> also serves to activate suction through outflow tubing <NUM>, thereby applying suction through inner cutting shaft <NUM>. With such suction applied, tissue is drawn through window <NUM> of elongated outer shaft <NUM> and window <NUM> of inner cutting shaft <NUM>, while edge <NUM> and/or cutting blade <NUM> facilitates cutting of tissue as a result of the rotation of windows <NUM>, <NUM> relative to one another. The suction also draws fluid and debris through inner cutting shaft <NUM>. The tissue, fluid, and debris suctioned through inner cutting shaft <NUM> travel proximally through inner cutting shaft <NUM>, inflow tubing <NUM>, and ultimately, are deposited in a collection canister (not shown). Tissue resecting device <NUM> may be utilized until the desired tissue is removed from the internal body cavity or organ. Once the desired tissue is removed, tissue resecting device <NUM> may be deactivated and removed from the surgical site. Thereafter, end effector assembly <NUM> may be disengaged from handpiece assembly <NUM> and discarded (or sent for reprocessing), while handpiece assembly <NUM> is cleaned and/or sterilized for reuse.

Referring to <FIG>, an exemplary lock and release mechanism <NUM> configured for use with a tissue resection device <NUM> similar to tissue resection device <NUM> of <FIG> (except as explicitly contradicted hereinbelow) is detailed. Lock and release mechanism <NUM> includes a lock bar <NUM> supported within a slot <NUM> defined within body <NUM> of inner drive core <NUM> of end effector assembly <NUM> via support arms <NUM>. Lock bar <NUM> includes a proximal portion <NUM> extending proximally from support arms <NUM> and a distal portion <NUM> extending distally from support arms <NUM>. Distal portion <NUM> includes a protrusion <NUM> extending therefrom. In an at-rest position of lock bar <NUM>, distal portion <NUM> is positioned such that protrusion <NUM> extends into a recess <NUM> defined within a lock ring <NUM> fixed relative to inner housing <NUM> of end effector assembly <NUM>. As such, in the at-rest position of lock bar <NUM>, inner drive core <NUM> is fixed relative to inner housing <NUM> and, thus the inner cutting shaft (not explicitly shown, similar to inner cutting shaft <NUM> (<FIG>)) is fixed relative to the elongated outer shaft (not explicitly shown, similar to elongated out shaft <NUM> (<FIG>)). Inner drive core <NUM> further includes a plurality of splines <NUM> radially-spaced about the interior of a proximal portion of body <NUM>.

Continuing with reference to <FIG>, distal drive rotor <NUM> of drive assembly <NUM> includes a plurality of splines <NUM> formed on the exterior thereof and also includes a cam surface <NUM> extending proximally from splines <NUM>. Cam surface <NUM> may define, for example, a frustoconical configuration, or any other suitable configuration.

As noted above, in the at-rest position of lock bar <NUM>, e.g., prior to engagement of end effector assembly <NUM> with handpiece assembly <NUM>, protrusion <NUM> of distal portion <NUM> of lock bar <NUM> extends into recess <NUM> of lock ring <NUM> to fix inner drive core <NUM> relative to inner housing <NUM>. In order to engage end effector assembly <NUM> with handpiece assembly <NUM>, end effector assembly <NUM>, lead by inner drive core <NUM>, is inserted into the handle housing (not shown, similar to handle housing <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>) of handpiece assembly <NUM>). Upon such insertion, inner drive core <NUM> is slid about distal drive rotor <NUM> such that the splines <NUM> of distal drive rotor <NUM> engage splines <NUM> of body <NUM> of inner drive core <NUM> to thereby rotatably engage distal drive rotor <NUM> and inner drive core <NUM> with one another.

As inner drive core <NUM> is slid about distal drive rotor <NUM> to engage distal drive rotor <NUM>, proximal portion <NUM> of lock bar <NUM> is moved into contact with cam surface <NUM> of distal drive rotor <NUM> and, upon further sliding of inner drive core <NUM> about distal drive rotor <NUM>, proximal portion <NUM> is urged radially outwardly from inner drive core <NUM>, e.g., due to the frustoconical (or other suitable) configuration of cam surface <NUM>. This radial outward urging of proximal portion <NUM>, in turn, pivots distal portion <NUM> radially inwardly into inner drive core <NUM>, thus withdrawing protrusion <NUM> of distal portion <NUM> of lock bar <NUM> from recess <NUM> of lock ring <NUM> and, as a result, releasing inner drive core <NUM>. Accordingly, upon engagement of end effector assembly <NUM> and handpiece assembly <NUM>, lock and release mechanism <NUM> releases inner drive core <NUM> and inner drive core <NUM> is engaged with distal drive rotor <NUM>.

As an alternative to handpiece assembly <NUM> (<FIG>) and/or handpiece assembly <NUM> (<FIG>) configured for manual grasping and manipulation during use, tissue resecting devices <NUM>, <NUM> may alternatively be configured for use with a robotic surgical system wherein the end effector assembly <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to engage a robotic arm of the robotic surgical system in a similar manner as detailed above with respect to engagement of end effector assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> with handpiece assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. The robotic surgical system may employ various robotic elements to assist the surgeon and allow remote operation (or partial remote operation). More specifically, various robotic arms, gears, cams, pulleys, electric and mechanical motors, etc. may be employed for this purpose and may be designed with the robotic surgical system to assist the surgeon during the course of an operation or treatment. The robotic surgical system may include remotely steerable systems, automatically flexible surgical systems, remotely flexible surgical systems, remotely articulating surgical systems, wireless surgical systems, modular or selectively configurable remotely operated surgical systems, etc..

The robotic surgical system may be employed with one or more consoles that are next to the operating theater or located in a remote location. In this instance, one team of surgeons or nurses may prep the patient for surgery and configure the robotic surgical system with the surgical device disclosed herein while another surgeon (or group of surgeons) remotely control the surgical device via the robotic surgical system. As can be appreciated, a highly skilled surgeon may perform multiple operations in multiple locations without leaving his/her remote console which can be both economically advantageous and a benefit to the patient or a series of patients,.

The robotic arms of the robotic surgical system are typically coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by the surgeon to produce a conesponding movement of the working ends of any type of surgical instrument (e.g., end effectors, graspers, knifes, scissors, cameras, fluid delivery devices, etc.) which may complement the use of the tissue resecting devices described herein. The movement of the master handles may be scaled so that the working ends have a corresponding movement that is different, smaller or larger, than the movement performed by the operating hands of the surgeon. The scale factor or gearing ratio may be adjustable so that the operator can control the resolution of the working ends of the surgical instrument(s).

Claim 1:
An end effector assembly (<NUM>) of a tissue resecting device (<NUM>), comprising:
a proximal hub housing (<NUM>),
an inner drive core (<NUM>) at least partially disposed within the proximal hub housing (<NUM>);
a cutting member (<NUM>) extending distally from the proximal hub housing (<NUM>) and engaged with the inner drive core (<NUM>) such that rotation of the inner drive core (<NUM>) rotates the cutting member (<NUM>); and
a lock and release mechanism (<NUM>) operably coupled between the inner drive core (<NUM>) and the proximal hub housing (<NUM>), the lock and release mechanism (<NUM>) transitionable between a locked condition rotationally fixing the inner drive core (<NUM>) and the proximal hub housing (<NUM>) relative to one another thereby rotationally locking the cutting member (<NUM>), and a release condition enabling relative rotation between the inner drive core (<NUM>) and the proximal hub housing (<NUM>) thereby enabling rotation of the cutting member (<NUM>), and
wherein the lock and release mechanism (<NUM>) includes a proximal stop ring (<NUM>), a distal stop ring (<NUM>) rotationally fixed relative to proximal stop ring (<NUM>), and a biasing member (<NUM>) disposed between proximal and distal stop rings (<NUM>, <NUM>).