Patent ID: 8556894

Claim:
An electrosurgical cutting device comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate shaft including: a first lumen extending to the distal end of the elongate shaft; a second lumen terminating proximal of the distal end of the elongate shaft; a first side port extending through a sidewall of the elongate shaft at a location intermediate the proximal and distal ends of the elongate shaft, the first side port in communication with the second lumen; and a second side port extending through a sidewall of the elongate shaft at a location intermediate the first side port and the distal end of the elongate shaft, the second side port in communication with the second lumen; a cutting element extending through the second lumen proximal of the first side port and extending exterior of the elongate shaft between the first side port and the second side port; and a stiffening member positioned in the second lumen such that a proximal end of the stiffening member is located proximal of the second side port and a distal end of the stiffening member is located distal of the second side port, wherein the stiffening member has a solid cross-section which substantially fills the second lumen.