Rotating electrical connector for RF energy enabled tissue debridement device

A bipolar electrical device having a proximal region and a distal region, the device comprising:

• a housing positioned at the proximal region;
• a first electrode assembly disposed within the housing, the first electrode assembly including a first stationary portion, a first rotating portion rotatably disposed within the first stationary portion and a first electrode coupled with the first rotating portion through a first extension member engaging a first outer arcuate connecting surface of the first electrode, wherein the first electrode defines a first electrode surface positioned at the distal region;
• a second electrode assembly disposed within the housing and electrically isolated from the first electrode assembly, the second electrode assembly including a second stationary portion, a second rotating portion rotatably disposed within the second stationary portion and a second electrode coupled with the second rotating portion through a second extension member engaging a second outer arcuate connecting surface, wherein the second electrode defines a second electrode surface positioned at the distal region;
• a hub rotatably disposed within the housing and connected with the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, wherein upon rotation of the hub relative to the housing, the first rotating portion, the first electrode, the second rotating portion and the second electrode rotate with respect to the first stationary portion and the second stationary portion;
• and
• an irrigation path fluidly coupled with the hub and configured to deliver fluid from the proximal region to the distal region.

A bipolar electrical device, comprising:

• a proximal region maintaining a housing having a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection electrically isolated from the first electrical connection, the first and second electrical connections disposed within the housing and selectively electrically connected to wiring disposed within the housing;
• a distal region opposite the housing;
• an outer shaft rotatably disposed within the housing, the outer shaft defining a lumen, an outer circumference, a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein the proximal end defines a first connection surface electrically connected with the first electrical connection and the distal end defines an outer shaft cutter defining a window in the outer shaft and a first electrode surface;
• an inner shaft rotatably disposed within the lumen of the outer shaft, the inner shaft defining a distal portion opposite the proximal region, the distal portion further including an inner shaft cutter defining a cutting window in the inner shaft;
• an electrode body rotatably disposed within the housing, extending along the outer circumference of the outer shaft to the distal region and electrically isolated from the outer shaft, the electrode body defining a second connection surface electrically connected with the second electrical connection and a second electrode surface spaced apart from the first electrode surface;
• a hub rotatably disposed within the housing to support the outer shaft and the electrode body for rotation about a rotation axis, wherein upon rotation of the hub 360 degrees about the rotational axis, the outer shaft and the electrode body rotate relative to the housing and relative to the wiring, the first connecting surface maintains electrical connection with the first electrical connection and the second connecting surface maintains electrical connection with the second electrical connection;
• and
• an irrigation path fluidly coupled with the hub and configured to deliver fluid from the proximal region to the distal region.

A surgical system comprising:

• a blade assembly, comprising:
• a proximal region maintaining a housing having a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection electrically isolated from the first electrical connection, the first and second electrical connections disposed within the housing and selectively electrically connected to wiring disposed within the housing;
• a distal region opposite the housing;
• an outer shaft rotatably disposed within the housing, the outer shaft defining a lumen, an outer circumference, a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein the proximal end defines a first connection surface electrically connected with the first electrical connection and the distal end defines an outer shaft cutter defining a window in the outer shaft and a first electrode surface;
• an inner shaft rotatably disposed within the lumen of the outer shaft, the inner shaft defining a distal portion opposite the proximal region, the distal portion further including an inner shaft cutter defining a cutting window in the inner shaft;
• an electrode body rotatably disposed within the housing, extending along the outer circumference of the outer shaft to the distal region and electrically isolated from the outer shaft, the electrode body defining a second connection surface electrically connected with the second electrical connection and a second electrode surface spaced apart from the first electrode surface;
• a hub rotatably disposed within the housing to support the outer shaft and the electrode body for rotation about a rotation axis;
• an irrigation path fluidly coupled with the hub and configured to deliver fluid from the proximal region to the distal region;
• a handpiece coupled with the blade assembly, comprising:
• an actuator assembly coupling the hub to the handpiece, the actuator assembly including an actuator rotatably mounted to the handpiece such that a portion of the actuator is exteriorly exposed for manual interface by a user;
• wherein the actuator causes rotation of the window and the hub relative to the housing such that, upon rotation of the hub 360 degrees about the rotational axis, the outer shaft and the electrode body rotate relative to the housing and relative to the wiring, the first connecting surface maintains electrical connection with the first electrical connection and the second connecting surface maintains electrical connection with the second electrical connection.