Patent ID: 8162966

Claim:
A surgical instrument having a proximal end comprising a handle and a distal end located opposite the proximal end in an axial direction, the instrument comprising: a nozzle located at the distal end of the instrument that is shaped to form a liquid jet; a pressure lumen configured and positioned to convey a flow of liquid to the nozzle; an evacuation lumen located between the nozzle and the proximal end of the instrument in the axial direction, comprising a jet-receiving opening located opposite the nozzle to receive at least a portion of the liquid jet emitted from the nozzle, when the instrument is in operation, and which is configured and positioned to convey a flow of liquid away from the jet-receiving opening; and a curette tissue-excision component constructed and positioned at the distal end of the instrument to excise tissue during the surgical procedure, the curette tissue-excision component comprising a body portion located substantially opposite the jet-receiving opening and extending radially outward from a location defined by an axial center of the nozzle to a radial periphery, and a sharpened edge located at the radial periphery and extending circumferentially about the body portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial center of the nozzle; wherein the nozzle is positioned between the jet-receiving opening and a portion of the curette tissue-excision component so that, during operation of the instrument, the liquid jet is directed so as to contact tissue excised by the curette tissue-excision component during a surgical procedure.