Arthroscopic devices and methods

A medical device for removing tissue in a patient, comprising:

• an elongated outer sleeve with a distal cut-out;
• a ceramic cutting member rotatably disposed in the elongated outer sleeve for exposure in the distal cut-out, the ceramic cutting member including a longitudinal axis that extends between a proximal end and a distal end of the ceramic cutting member;
• and
• an electrode carried on the ceramic cutting member,
• wherein a cutting window is formed in the ceramic cutting member, the cutting window configured to cut soft tissue as the cutting member is rotated or rotationally oscillated and engaged against soft tissue,
• wherein at least a first flute and a second flute with a first burr cutting edge and a second burr cutting edge, respectively, are formed in the ceramic cutting member, the first burr cutting edge and the second burr cutting edge each configured to cut bone as the cutting member is rotated or rotationally oscillated and engaged against bone,
• wherein the ceramic cutter is rotatable in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction in the elongated outer sleeve, the first burr cutting edge facing in the first rotational direction for cutting bone when the ceramic cutter is rotated in the first rotational direction in the elongated outer sleeve, the second burr cutting edge facing in the second rotational direction for cutting bone when the ceramic cutter is rotated in the second rotational direction in the elongated outer sleeve, the second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction,
• wherein the cutting window is disposed circumferentially between the first burr cutting edge and the second burr cutting edge,
• wherein the electrode is also disposed circumferentially between the first burr cutting edge and the second burr cutting edge but is diametrically opposed to the cutting window on the ceramic cutting member.