Patent ID: 7927361

Claim:
A method for removing material of an intervertebral disc defined by a nucleus surrounded by an annulus and opposing end plates, the method comprising: obtaining a surgical shaving instrument including: an elongated outer tubular member defining a closed distal end, a central passage and a cutting window at a distal segment thereof, the cutting window having a perimeter edge and being fluidly connected to the central passage; an inner tubular member coaxially disposed within the central passage, the inner tubular member defining a central lumen and a cutting tip at a distal region thereof, the cutting tip including a plurality of teeth formed about a mouth otherwise fluidly connected to the lumen, wherein upon final assembly, the cutting tip is exposed within the cutting window, and the cutting tip and cutting window combine to define a shaving head; coupling the inner tubular member to a powered handpiece, wherein the powered handpiece is adapted to cause the inner tubular member to rotate relative to the outer tubular member; inserting the shaving head through the annulus and into the intervertebral disc, including the closed distal end directly contacting and passing through the annulus while the cutting tip is not activated; positioning the shaving head such that the cutting tip contacts targeted material of the intervertebral disc; activating the powered handpiece to rotate the cutting tip relative to the cutting window; shearing the contacted intervertebral disc material between the perimeter edge of the cutting window and the teeth of the cutting tip; and aspirating the sheared intervertebral disc material through the lumen via the mouth.