Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument comprising an outer tube having a peripheral wall and a longitudinal axis. The outer tube has a plurality of openings arranged generally longitudinally along the outer tube. Each of the openings has first and second cutting edges defining portions of the periphery of such openings. An inner cutting member is rotatable within the outer tube. The inner cutting member has at least one cutting edge cooperable with the first and second cutting edges of the openings of the outer tube for cutting material from within the patient with a shearing action.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument comprising an outer tube having a peripheral wall, an end wall and an opening in the peripheral wall and the end wall. The outer tube has first and second cutting edges defining portions of the periphery of the opening, and the cutting edges intersect at an angle of at least about 90 degrees to define a corner. An inner cutting member is rotatable within the outer tube. The inner cutting member has a cutting edge cooperable with both the first and second cutting edges of the outer tube for cutting material with a shearing action that progresses along both of the first and second cutting edges toward the corner.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument comprising an outer tube having a peripheral wall and a longitudinal axis. The outer tube has a plurality of openings arranged generally longitudinally along the outer tube. Each of the openings has first and second cutting edges defining portions of the periphery of such opening. Each of the first cutting edges is substantially straight as viewed in a particular direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the outer tube. An inner cutting member to rotatable within the outer tube. The inner cutting member has a cutting edge cooperable with the first and second cutting edges of the openings of the outer tube for cutting material from within the patient with a shearing action.