Patent ID: 7766844

Claim:
A surgical instrument comprising: a hub; a movable member extending through the hub, the movable member including a proximal portion proximal the hub and a portion distal the hub, the distal portion configured and arranged to contact tissue, the movable member defining only one opening through a sidewall of the movable member and along a length of the movable member at the proximal portion and a separate opening at the distal portion, the only one opening at the proximal portion extending only partially through the proximal portion of the movable member; a stationary member extending through the hub and defining an aperture along a length of the stationary member proximal the hub, the stationary member being arranged relative to the movable member with a close fit between the stationary member and the movable member, the aperture overlaying the opening at the proximal portion to define an aspiration valve configured to control aspiration such that aspiration occurs through the movable member substantially only during a portion of a repetitive motion of the movable member; and a surgical handpiece comprising a drive mechanism coupled to the movable member to provide motion to the movable member, and comprising an aspiration channel coupled to the stationary member to provide suction through the opening at the proximal portion and the aperture, such that the aspiration occurs through the opening at the proximal portion of the movable member.