Abstract: A surgical tool arrangement including a powered handpiece which cooperates with a combined electrosurgical and mechanical cutting instrument. The electrosurgical and mechanical cutting instrument includes an outer static housing element which defines an electrode for delivering electrical energy to the surgical site, and a cutting element disposed within the outer housing and movable relative thereto for manipulating patient tissue. The electrosurgical and mechanical cutting instrument is an integral component attachable to the surgical tool to provide multiple functions in a single instrument, such as cauterization, ablation and mechanical cutting, without the need for attachment of additional housing structures or other adapters. The tool arrangement also includes a universal handpiece which is capable of accepting and operating a number of different surgical instruments, each having one or multiple functions.

Abstract: A surgical tool arrangement including a powered handpiece which cooperates with a combined electrosurgical and mechanical cutting instrument. The electrosurgical and mechanical cutting instrument includes an outer static housing element which defines an electrode for delivering electrical energy to the surgical site, and a cutting element disposed within the outer housing and movable relative thereto for manipulating patient tissue. The electrosurgical and mechanical cutting instrument is an integral component attachable to the surgical tool to provide multiple functions in a single instrument, such as cauterization, ablation and mechanical cutting, without the need for attachment of additional housing structures or other adapters. The tool arrangement also includes a universal handpiece which is capable of accepting and operating a number of different surgical instruments, each having one or multiple functions.

Abstract: A cutting accessory (20) for use with powered surgical tools. The cutting accessory has a hub (28) for coupling the accessory to the output shaft of a handpiece. A drive shaft (26) formed of stainless steel or other relatively rigid material extends forward from the hub. A head (30) formed from nickel titanium alloy or other metal that is more flexible than the material forming the drive shaft is attached to the distal end of the drive shaft. The head is shaped to form the cutting edges of the cutting accessory. In some versions of the invention, intermediate sections (60) of the drive shaft are formed from the flexible metal or metal alloy.

Abstract: A cutting accessory (20) for use with powered surgical tools. The cutting accessory has a hub (28) for coupling the accessory to the output shaft of a handpiece. A drive shaft (26) formed of stainless steel or other relatively rigid material extends forward from the hub. A head (30) formed from nickel titanium alloy or other metal that is more flexible than the material forming the drive shaft is attached to the distal end of the drive shaft. The head is shaped to form the cutting edges of the cutting accessory. In some versions of the invention, intermediate sections (60) of the drive shaft are formed from the flexible metal or metal alloy.