Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed herein. The surgical instrument comprises a housing, a first actuation member, a second actuation member, and a first cannula. The first actuation member is configured for imparting a reciprocating action to a portion of the instrument. The second actuation member configured for imparting a rotational action to a portion of the instrument. The first cannula is operatively connected to the second actuation member, such that the first cannula is configured for rotational movement with respect to the housing. In one arrangement, a wire member is disposed within the first cannula and is configured to rotate with the first cannula.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly and method of use is disclosed. The surgical access assembly comprises an outer sheath and an obturator. The outer sheath and obturator are configured to be delivered to an area of interest within the brain. Either the outer sheath or the obturator may be configured to operate with a navigational system to track the location of either device within the brain.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly and method of use is disclosed. The surgical access assembly comprises an outer sheath and an obturator. The outer sheath and obturator are configured to be delivered to an area of interest within the brain. Either the outer sheath or the obturator may be configured to operate with a navigational system to track the location of either device within the brain.

Abstract: A tissue cutting device is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece disposed along a first central longitudinal axis and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner and outer cannulas are disposed along a second longitudinal axis that is axially spaced from the first central longitudinal axis. The device may also include an inner cannula stop position control for selectively controlling the position of the inner cannula when it is at rest.

Abstract: A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner cannula includes a hinge between a body section and a cutting section that allows the cutting section to pivot when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula. A tissue collector is also provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. The handpiece includes a proximal section that is angled with respect to a distal section.

Abstract: An aspiration control device may include a conduit having a distal end and a proximal end. The conduit may define a conduit lumen and an aperture vent open to the conduit lumen. A coupling may be configured to couple the proximal end of the conduit with a vacuum source and an inner cannula of a tissue cutting device. The inner cannula may define an inner cannula lumen wherein the vacuum source is configured to supply a vacuum to each of the coupling lumen and the inner cannula lumen. A sleeve may be movably disposed about the conduit, and a device motor may be in communication with the sleeve and be configured to move the sleeve to a predefined position relative to the vent in response to an input single from a user interface. The predefined position of the sleeve may correspond to a predefined level of vacuum to be supplied to the inner cannula lumen.

Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed that comprises a sleeve member, a shaft member and a pair of electrodes. The shaft member extends distally of the sleeve member and has a pair of electrode channels that open at the distal end of the shaft member, wherein the electrode channels are positioned adjacent to one another. The pair of electrodes are configured to deliver energy, and one of the pair of electrodes are configured to be disposed in each electrode channel such that distal ends of each of the electrodes are arranged to protrude from the distal end of the shaft member. An irrigation annulus is formed about the electrodes. The shaft member further includes at least one lumen opening at the distal end of the shaft member.

Abstract: A surgical device is disclosed that comprises a shaft member and a pair of electrodes. The shaft member has a pair of electrode channels that open at the distal end of the shaft member, wherein the electrode channels are positioned adjacent to one another. The pair of electrodes are configured to deliver energy, and one of the pair of electrodes are configured to be disposed in each electrode channel such that distal ends of each of the electrodes are arranged to protrude from the distal end of the shaft member. The shaft member further includes at least one lumen opening at the distal end of the shaft member.

Abstract: A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner cannula includes a hinge between a body section and a cutting section that allows the cutting section to pivot when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula. A tissue collector is also provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. The inner cannula and the outer cannula define an annular space between the inner cannula and the outer cannula, and a seal is provided at the proximal end of the annular space. The seal is preferably a thixotropic, semi-solid material such as a high vacuum, halogenated polymeric grease. The device may also include an inner cannula stop position control for selectively controlling the position of the inner cannula when it is at rest.

Abstract: A thermal system for preserving tissue is disclosed. The cooling system comprises a base member, a temperature control sleeve constructed of a thermally conductive material, and a selectively removable lid member. The base member defines a reservoir and receives the temperature control sleeve. The temperature control sleeve at least partially defines a tissue collector chamber that is configured to receive a tissue collector. The temperature control sleeve is in communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to receive a cooling medium. A slit formed within the tissue collection chamber that is sized to receive a tubing connected to the tissue collector therethrough. The lid member is configured to be selectively attached to the base member, and permit access to a tube mount for the tissue collector when the lid is attached to the base member.

Abstract: Surgical interfaces and adaptors for properly positioning a portion of a medical instrument within an endoscope at a site of interest is disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly is described that includes an outer sheath and a selectively removable obturator. The outer sheath is defined by an open distal end and an open proximal end and includes a hollow body portion therebetween. The obturator is defined by a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end further comprises a tapered distal tip member. The obturator is configured to be received within the outer sheath such that the tapered distal tip member protrudes from the open distal end of the outer sheath when the obturator is in an introducing configuration. The outer sheath further includes a gripping member, wherein the gripping member includes at least one retaining notch formed on an outer surface thereof.

Abstract: An illuminating ring assembly is disclosed. The illuminating ring configured to be used with a surgical access element. The illuminating ring assembly comprises a housing defined by a cover and a wall member extending from the cover, wherein the cover and wall member cooperate to define a cavity therein, a light element configured to be disposed with the cavity, and an attachment mechanism configured to selectively attach the housing to a surgical access element. Wherein the cover and the light element both include an opening therethrough.

Abstract: A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner cannula includes a hinge between a body section and a cutting section that allows the cutting section to pivot when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula. A tissue collector is also provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. The outer and inner cannulae are offset from the motor and drive assembly, and the center of gravity of the device is in the forward part of the device, providing an ergonomic design that is particularly suited for neurosurgical applications.

Abstract: A tissue cutting device includes an outer cannula, and axially fixed inner member, an actuation assembly, a slidable shuttle member, and a vacuum fitting configured to connect to a vacuum source. The outer cannula is configured for selective rotation. The shuttle member is operatively connected to the outer cannula to reciprocate the outer cannula. The axially fixed inner member is disposed within the outer cannula.

Abstract: A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner cannula includes a hinge between a body section and a cutting section that allows the cutting section to pivot when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula. The inner cannula also includes a bending portion between the proximal end of the inner cannula and the hinge which is bendable with the outer cannula. The device is particularly suited for accessing neurosurgical sites that are not accessible along a linear path.

Abstract: A cooling system for preserving tissue is disclosed. The cooling system comprises a base member, a temperature control sleeve constructed of a thermally conductive material, and a selectively removable lid member. The base member defines a reservoir and receives the temperature control sleeve. The temperature control sleeve at least partially defines a tissue collector chamber that is configured to receive a tissue collector. The temperature control sleeve is in communication with the reservoir. The reservoir is configured to receive a cooling medium. A slit formed within the tissue collection chamber that is sized to receive a tubing connected to the tissue collector therethrough. The lid member is configured to be selectively attached to the base member, and permit access to a tube mount for the tissue collector when the lid is attached to the base member.

Abstract: A tissue cutting device that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner cannula includes a hinge between a body section and a cutting section that allows the cutting section to pivot when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula. A tissue collector is also provided and is in fluid communication with the lumen of the inner cannula. The inner cannula reciprocates at a rate that is greater than 1000 reciprocations per minute, and variable aspiration may also be provided to the device to control tissue traction and provide fine shaving and debulking.

Abstract: A tissue cutting device especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. At least one position transducer for tracking a location in space of the tissue cutting device is rigidly associated with the handpiece. The position transducer is operable for sending a signal indicative of a location of a distal end of the outer cannula. The tissue cutting device may also include an angular position sensor for determining an angular position of the outer cannula relative to the position transducer.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument for cutting tissue includes an outer cannula with a cutting opening and a cutting member within the cannula. The cutting member is connected to a source of reciprocation, and as the cutting member reciprocates the cutting member head is guided by a sloped member within the cannula to essentially a zero clearance position relative to a cutting edge of the cutting opening of the cannula. The instrument cleanly severs tissue extending through the cutting opening into the outer cannula.