Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods are provided. In one aspect, a method of securing a fixation device within an opening in a tissue is provided, including delivering a material in a flowable state to said opening, and changing the state of the material so that the material forms an interference fit that secures the fixation device in the opening.

Abstract: A tissue cutting instrument includes an outer member, an inner member received within the outer member, and a cutter coupled to the inner and the outer members such that rotation of the inner member about an axis causes off-axis movement of the cutter. A method of cutting tissue includes positioning an outer member such that the outer member is adjacent tissue, engaging the tissue with a cutter coupled to the outer member, and moving the cutter to end-on cut the tissue. The extended portion of the cutter extends distally beyond a terminal end of the outer member.

Abstract: A device includes a printed circuit board having a first surface and a second surface. The printed circuit board defines an opening therethrough from the first surface to the second surface and a circuit formed on the first surface of the printed circuit board with no portion of the circuit intersecting the opening. The second surface of the printed circuit board at least partially bounds a first channel in fluid communication with the opening. A method of venting includes displacing air within a cavity of a switch by moving the air through one or more channels formed in a layer defining cut-outs in fluid communication with the cavity. The air is moved through an opening formed in a printed circuit board. The layer is positioned at a first side of the printed circuit board. In addition, the method includes moving the air through a venting channel positioned at a second, opposite side of the printed circuit board and into the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A device includes a printed circuit board having a first surface and a second surface. The printed circuit board defines an opening therethrough from the first surface to the second surface and a circuit formed on the first surface of the printed circuit board with no portion of the circuit intersecting the opening. The second surface of the printed circuit board at least partially bounds a first channel in fluid communication with the opening. A method of venting includes displacing air within a cavity of a switch by moving the air through one or more channels formed in a layer defining cut-outs in fluid communication with the cavity. The air is moved through an opening formed in a printed circuit board. The layer is positioned at a first side of the printed circuit board. In addition, the method includes moving the air through a venting channel positioned at a second, opposite side of the printed circuit board and into the surrounding-environment.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods are provided. In one aspect, a method of securing a fixation device within an opening in a tissue is provided, including delivering a material in a flowable state to said opening, and changing the state of the material so that the material forms an interference fit that secures the fixation device in the opening.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods are provided. In one aspect, a method of securing a fixation device within an opening in a tissue is provided, including delivering a material in a flowable state to said opening, and changing the state of the material so that the material forms an interference fit that secures the fixation device in the opening.

Abstract: A tissue cutting instrument includes an outer member, an inner member received within the outer member, and a cutter coupled to the inner and the outer members such that rotation of the inner member about an axis causes off-axis movement of the cutter. A method of cutting tissue includes positioning an outer member such that the outer member is adjacent tissue, engaging the tissue with a cutter coupled to the outer member, and moving the cutter to end-on cut the tissue. The extended portion of the cutter extends distally beyond a terminal end of the outer member.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes a rigid outer member within which is disposed a hollow inner member having rigid proximal and distal ends and a region disposed between the rigid proximal and distal ends that is relieved to render such region relatively flexible. The flexible region is integral with a portion of the proximal end disposed adjacent to the flexible region. The inner member transmits force (such as torsion) applied to its proximal end to move a cutting implement disposed at its distal end and cause it to cut tissue admitted through an opening in the distal region of the outer member. In another aspect, a region of the inner member is weakened (e.g., by relieving an integral region of the member) with respect to the remainder of the inner member to cause this region to break if the force (e.g., torque) applied to the inner member exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a cutting implement comprised of two elements. A driver, which may be disposed within an outer member, transmits force applied at a base to the cutting implement to move one element of the cutting implement in one direction, and the other element in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes a rigid outer member within which is disposed a hollow inner member having rigid proximal and distal ends and a region disposed between the rigid proximal and distal ends that is relieved to render such region relatively flexible. The flexible region is integral with a portion of the proximal end disposed adjacent to the flexible region. The inner member transmits force (such as torsion) applied to its proximal end to move a cutting implement disposed at its distal end and cause it to cut tissue admitted through an opening in the distal region of the outer member. In another aspect, a region of the inner member is weakened (e.g., by relieving an integral region of the member) with respect to the remainder of the inner member to cause this region to break if the force (e.g., torque) applied to the inner member exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes a rigid outer member within which is disposed a hollow inner member having rigid proximal and distal ends and a region disposed between the rigid proximal and distal ends that is relieved to render such region relatively flexible. The flexible region is integral with a portion of the proximal end disposed adjacent to the flexible region. The inner member transmits force (such as torsion) applied to its proximal end to move a cutting implement disposed at its distal end and cause it to cut tissue admitted through an opening in the distal region of the outer member. In another aspect, a region of the inner member is weakened (e.g., by relieving an integral region of the member) with respect to the remainder of the inner member to cause this region to break if the force (e.g., torque) applied to the inner member exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that includes a rigid outer member within which is disposed a hollow inner member having rigid proximal and distal ends and a region disposed between the rigid proximal and distal ends that is relieved to render such region relatively flexible. The flexible region is integral with a portion of the proximal end disposed adjacent to the flexible region. The inner member transmits force (such as torsion) applied to its proximal end to move a cutting implement disposed at its distal end and cause it to cut tissue admitted through an opening in the distal region of the outer member. In another aspect, a region of the inner member is weakened (e.g., by relieving an integral region of the member) with respect to the remainder of the inner member to cause this region to break if the force (e.g., torque) applied to the inner member exceeds a predetermined threshold.