Patent ID: 7462187

Claim:
A handle assembly usable as a powered surgical apparatus with a source of suction and a source of irrigation fluid, comprising: a movable cutting blade assembly that includes a rotatable inner tube defining a cutting surface and an outer tube defining a cutting window, the inner tube extending within the outer tube so as to define a tube gap therebetween; a handle having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion defining a distal section that is connectable to the movable cutting blade assembly, the upper portion defining a integral proximal end having a suction coupling and an irrigation fluid coupling, the suction coupling and the irrigation fluid coupling each forming a proximally extending convex projection, the handle defining an irrigation fluid channel that extends from the irrigation fluid coupling to the cutting blade assembly, and a suction channel extending from the suction coupling to the cutting blade assembly, the irrigation fluid channel being in fluid communication with the tube gap; and a connector connected to the proximal end of the handle at the irrigation fluid coupling and the suction coupling, the connector defining an irrigation fluid entry channel that is contiguous with the irrigation fluid channel of the handle, and a suction entry channel that is contiguous with the suction channel of the handle.