# US 12,108,978 B2 · Rotating electrical connector for RF energy enabled tissue debridement device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,108,978 B2 - Document ID: US12108978B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/456,948 - Filed: 2019-06-28 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-18 - Assignees: Medtronic Xomed, Inc. - Applicants: Medtronic Xomed, Inc. - Inventors: John R. Prisco; Eric P. Detmers; Wenjeng Li; David J. Little; Patrick Richart; Jose Valdez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12108978B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/148: {having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy} - A61B 17/32002: {with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments} - A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor} - A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor - A61B 2018/00178: {Electrical connectors} - A61B 2018/00208: {actively driven, e.g. by a motor} - A61B 2018/00321: {Head or parts thereof} - A61B 2018/00565: {Bone} - A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation} - A61B 2018/00595: {Cauterization} - A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61B 2018/00916: {with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device} - A61B 2018/126: {bipolar} - A61B 2018/142: {at least partly surrounding the target, e.g. concave, curved or in the form of a cave} - A61B 2018/1452: {including means for cutting (A61B2018/146 takes precedence)} - A61B 2218/002: Irrigation - A61B 2218/007: Aspiration - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A bipolar electrosurgical device is disclosed that operates in a mechanical cutting mode and a hemostasis mode. The device includes a housing and a blade assembly extending from the housing. The blade assembly forms a cutting tip and cutting window at a distal end region to provide mechanical cutting of tissue and first and second electrode assemblies to provide electrical energy to tissue. The first and second electrode assemblies can each include a rotary connection assembly to allow spatial orientation of the cutting window relative to the housing and/or cutting tip. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bipolar electrosurgical device comprising: an inner shaft forming a cutting tip; an outer shaft defining a lumen and a cutting window; wherein the inner shaft is rotatably disposed about a rotational axis A defined within the lumen such that the cutting tip is selectively exposed through the cutting window; first and second electrodes associated with the outer shaft such that the first and second electrodes rotate with rotation of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft; wherein the first electrode is electrically isolated from the second electrode and is electrically connected to a proximal contact surface; a rotary electrical connection assembly maintained by a hub member, the rotary electrical connection assembly including an outer stationary connector and an inner rotating connector at least partially nested within a pair of opposing, arcuate arms of the outer stationary connector, the outer stationary connector held stationary upon rotation of the hub member about the rotational axis A and the inner rotating connector configured to rotate in connection with the hub member about the rotational axis A, the inner rotating connector in electrical contact with the proximal contact surface, the rotary electrical connection assembly including an extension electrically coupled to the outer stationary connector between the pair of opposing, arcuate arms, wherein both the outer stationary connector and the inner rotating connector are electrically conductive, partial ring-like structures extending at least 180 degrees about the rotational axis A; wiring electrically connected to and extending from the extension for delivering electrical power to the outer stationary connector which is conducted to the inner rotating connector along the pair of opposing, arcuate arms to common, nested surfaces of the partial ring-like structure of the inner rotating connector; and an actuator linked to the proximal contact surface, wherein the bipolar electrosurgical device is configured such that the outer shaft rotates relative to the inner shaft and the wiring in response to operation of the actuator while the proximal contact surface remains electrically connected to the inner rotating connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the bipolar electrosurgical device is configured such that the inner rotating connector is rotatable relative to the extension. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 2, wherein the bipolar electrosurgical device is configured such that the inner rotating connector rotates relative to the extension with rotation of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the extension is formed as part of the outer stationary connector, and further wherein the inner rotating connector and the outer stationary connector remain electrically connected with rotation of the inner rotating connector relative to the extension. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 4, wherein the bipolar electrosurgical device is configured such that the inner rotating connector rotates relative to the outer stationary connector with rotation of the inner rotating connector relative to the extension. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 4, wherein the bipolar electrosurgical device is configured such that the inner rotating connector rotates relative to the outer stationary connector with rotation of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 4, wherein the bipolar electrosurgical device is configured such that physical contact between the inner rotating connector and the outer stationary connector is maintained throughout 360 degrees of rotation of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 4, wherein a shape of the inner rotating connector is similar to the rotational axis A, and further wherein the inner rotating connector and the outer stationary connector remain electrically connected with 360 degrees of rotation of the inner rotating connector about the rotational axis. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 4, wherein the outer stationary connector further includes a bridge interconnecting the extension and the opposing, arcuate arms. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 1, further comprising an irrigation path extending along the outer shaft. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 10, wherein the irrigation path is defined by tubing carried external the outer shaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 10, wherein the bipolar electrosurgical device is configured such that the irrigation path rotates with rotation of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the proximal contact surface rotates with rotation of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the second electrode is electrically connected to a proximal contact surface, and further wherein the proximal contact surface associated with the second electrode is electrically isolated from the proximal contact surface associated with the first electrode. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 1, further comprising a handpiece carrying the actuator. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 15, wherein the outer shaft defines a proximal side opposite the cutting window, and further wherein the proximal side is mounted to the handpiece. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the outer stationary connector and the inner rotating connector are formed from electrically conductive materials. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the first electrode is disposed on an edge of the outer shaft defining the cutting window. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 18, wherein the second electrode is disposed on an outer surface of the outer shaft.