Abstract: A surgical micro-resecting instrument including an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member, a hub assembly, wiring, and an electrical insulator. The outer tubular member is formed of an electrically conductive material and defines a proximal section, a distal section forming a cutting window, and an internal lumen. The inner tubular member is disposed within the lumen and defines a proximal end and a distal end forming a cutting tip. The hub assembly maintains the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. The wiring is permanently electrically connected to the proximal section of the outer tubular member with the electrical connection being encompassed by the hub assembly. The electrical insulator covers a region of the outer tubular member distal the hub assembly, at least the cutting window free of the insulator. In one preferred embodiment, the hub assembly includes an outer hub insert molded to the outer tubular member, and forms a generally radially extending shroud.

Abstract: A powered surgical handpiece for use with a micro-cutting instrument, includes a motor contained within a housing. The housing includes a motor enclosure surrounding the motor and a sleeve placed about the motor enclosure. An internal passage is formed entirely between the sleeve and the motor enclosure. Finally, the sleeve defines a handling region and forms inlet and outlet ports proximal the handling region which are fluidly connected to the internal passage. During use, a cooling fluid, flows through the internal passage as the cooling fluid circulates from the inlet port to the outlet port. The motor is sealed relative to the cooling fluid by the motor enclosure. Thus, the cooling fluid does not directly contact the motor, but instead serves as a heat exchange medium through which heat generated by the motor is thermally transferred to the cooling fluid via the motor enclosure.

Abstract: A surgical micro-shaving instrument including an outer tubular member coaxially maintaining an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member is an elongated body defining a distal section, a proximal section and a central lumen extending from the distal section to the proximal section. The distal section forms an elevator tip and a cutting window. The cutting window is positioned proximal the elevator tip and is connected to the central lumen. The elevator tip terminates at a blade-like edge and is non-blunt. In one preferred embodiment, the elevator tip terminates in a knife edge. Regardless, the elevator tip defines a top surface extending from the elevator window. In one preferred embodiment, the top surface extends in an angular fashion, planar with a plane of the cutting window. In another preferred embodiment, the top surface includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. With this configuration, the proximal portion is planar with a plane of the cutting window.

Abstract: A method for operating an implantable therapy system to conserve energy includes providing an implantable sensing device that generates a signal as a function of a physiological parameter of a patient during a treatment period. The signal is monitored during at least portions of the treatment period to detect a physiological event for use in controlling therapy of the patient during the treatment period. Energy consumption by the sensing device is terminated during the treatment period for at least portions of the treatment period when signal monitoring is not performed. Another method for operating an implantable therapy system for conserving energy includes providing an implantable component for performance of a function during a treatment period for the therapy system. The implantable component is operable in at least a first state during the treatment period and a second state outside of the treatment period; the first state using more energy than the second state.