Rongeur with cutting implement that is selectively driven by a motor so the cutting implement performs either power assisted or manual cutting of tissue

A configured to excise tissue, said rongeur for comprising:

• a cutting unit including an outer tube and a cutting implement that is slidably disposed within the outer tube, the outer tube and cutting implement each having a distal end;
• a body separate from the cutting implement;
• a mounting assembly attached to at least one of said body or the cutting unit and configured to removably mount the cutting unit to said body;
• a spindle rotatably disposed in said body, said spindle configured to engage the cutting implement so that the cutting implement rotates with the spindle and said spindle including a feature for holding the cutting implement to said spindle so that the cutting implement can move longitudinally relative to said spindle and so that when the cutting implement is moved longitudinally relative to said spindle, said spindle is able to simultaneously rotate the cutting implement with said spindle;
• a power source connected to said spindle for rotating the spindle;
• a cutting implement advancement/retraction assembly moveably attached to said body that releasably engages the cutting implement and that is configured to, upon actuation, longitudinally move the cutting implement relative to said spindle so that the distal end of the cutting implement can be extended towards and retracted away from the distal end of the outer tube of the cutting unit;
• and
• wherein said cutting implement comprises a cutting tube, said cutting tube configured to define a fluid communication path to draw excised tissue through said cutting tube.