Patent ID: 7488322

Claim:
A surgical cutting instrument for use with a motor having a drive mechanism, the instrument comprising: an outer tube defining a first curved segment, a proximal region terminating at a proximal end, a distal region terminating at a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the lumen being defined by an inner surface of the outer tube; an inner wire assembly received within the lumen and comprising a wire, the inner wire assembly including a proximal section and a distal section, wherein the proximal section extends proximally from the proximal end of the outer tube; a cutting tip connected to the distal section of the inner wire assembly, wherein at least a portion of the cutting tip extends distal the distal end of the outer tube; a coupling chuck secured to the proximal section of the inner wire assembly, wherein the coupling chuck is adapted for connection to a drive mechanism of a motor; and a housing maintaining the proximal region of the outer tube and the coupling chuck, the housing being adapted for connection to a motor; wherein a rotating journal bearing is established between an outer surface of the inner wire assembly and an entirety of a length of the inner surface of the outer tube distal the housing upon rotation of the inner wire assembly relative to the outer tube; wherein upon final assembly, the wire assumes a shape of the first curved segment; and further wherein the instrument is configured to allow rotation of the inner wire assembly relative to the outer tube at a speed in excess of 50,000 RPM without failure of the bearing.