초록 ▼

A surgical cutting instrument for cutting tissue includes a flexible outer tubular assembly or cannula sized for percutaneous insertion into an anatomical space, such as a joint space in the spine. The outer tubular assembly has a cutting opening at its angle-tipped distal end, and the proximal end

A surgical cutting instrument for cutting tissue includes a flexible outer tubular assembly or cannula sized for percutaneous insertion into an anatomical space, such as a joint space in the spine. The outer tubular assembly has a cutting opening at its angle-tipped distal end, and the proximal end is supported by a handpiece. A cutting member is slidablv disposed within the outer tubular assembly and includes a tubular cutting head portion defining an end opening and a cutting edge at the end opening. In one specific embodiment, the outer tubular assembly includes a flexible segment connected between two more rigid segments by means of locking grooves. The cutting member includes a flexible drive portion attached to the cutting head portion in order to permit the cutting head portion to flex relative to the remainder of the cutting member and relative to the outer tubular assembly. The flexible segment and drive portion allow the cutting instrument to be pre-configured to navigate through tissue to the cutting site.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A surgical cutting instrument for use within an anatomical space comprising:an outer tubular assembly sized for percutaneous insertion into the anatomical space, said outer tubular assembly defining a longitudinal axis and a central bore therethrough along said axis, said

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A surgical cutting instrument for use within an anatomical space comprising:an outer tubular assembly sized for percutaneous insertion into the anatomical space, said outer tubular assembly defining a longitudinal axis and a central bore therethrough along said axis, said outer tubular assembly including:a first outer tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end;a second outer tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, said second outer tubular member further defining an opening adjacent said distal end sized to receive tissue therethrough; anda flexible tubular member connecting the distal end of said first outer tubular member with the proximal end of said second outer tubular member;a handpiece for supporting said first outer tubular member at said proximal end; anda cutting assembly slidably disposed within said central bore of said outer tubular assembly, said cutting member including:a tubular cutting head portion having a proximal end, a distal end, and defining a cutting edge at the distal end thereof;a drive portion extending axially through said central bore from the proximal end of said cutting head portion to said handpiece, said drive portion including a flexible drive member connected to said tubular cutting head portion, said flexible drive member being relatively more flexible than said cutting head portion; andconnecting means within said handpiece for connecting said drive portion to a source of reciprocating motion to reciprocate said drive portion and thereby said cutting head portion within said outer tubular assembly so said cutting edge traverses said opening.