Abstract: A disposable cutting blade assembly for use with a handpiece having a motor for rotatably driving the cutting blade assembly includes a plastic hub mounted on a proximal end of an outer member. The hub is configured to be received in a bore in the handpiece in a particular orientation relative to blade coding sensors therein. The presence and absence of elements in the hub are detected by the sensors to identify the type of cutting blade received in the handpiece.

Abstract: A disposable, single use cutting blade assembly for use with a handpiece having a motor for rotatably driving the cutting blade assembly includes a plastic hub mounted on a proximal end of an outer member having a configuration to be received in a bore in the handpiece in a particular orientation relative to sensors therein and having first and second annular sections at least one of which has a recess therein for receiving a coding element to be detected by the sensors, the first and second annular sections being secured together to close the recess and hold the coding element therein.

Abstract: A motor-driven surgical instrument having particular use in arthroscopic procedures has its drive motor operation controllable entirely from a switch cluster mounted on the instrument handpiece. The switch cluster is curved to substantially follow the circumferential profile of the handpiece and thereby avoid large platforms or projections that would add to the weight and bulk of the handpiece and destroy its balance. The switches in the cluster are arranged to minimize the movement of a surgeon's finger in quickly moving from a speed or direction control switch to an on/off switch. A unique arcuate printed circuit board having a small radius of curvature is employed as part of the switch cluster and is able to withstand the high temperatures to which the handpiece is exposed during sterilization between procedures. Disposable, single-use cutting blades are individually coded to provide a sensible parameter representing the optimum operating speed range of the cutting blade.