# US 2019/0314080 A1 · Rotating electrical connector for rf energy enabled tissue debridement device

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- Number: US 2019/0314080 A1
- Document ID: US20190314080A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/456,948
- Filed: 2019-06-28
- Published: 2019-10-17
- 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/US20190314080A1

## 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 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 including a connector in electrical contact with the proximal contact surface and an extension electrically coupled to the electrical contact;
wiring electrically connected to and extending from the extension for delivering electrical power to the connector;
an actuator linked to the proximal contact surface;
wherein the 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 connector.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured such that the connector is rotatable relative to the extension.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 2, wherein the device is configured such that the 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 connector is formed as part of a stationary connector further including an arcuate segment, and further wherein the connector and the arcuate segment remain electrically connected with rotation of the connector relative to the extension.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 4, wherein the device is configured such that the connector rotates relative to the arcuate segment with rotation of the connector relative to the extension.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 4, wherein the device is configured such that the connector rotates relative to the arcuate segment 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 device is configured such that physical contact between the connector and the arcuate segment is maintained throughout 360 degrees of rotation of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 1, wherein a shape of the connector defines a rotational axis, and further wherein the connector and the arcuate segment remain electrically connected with 360 degrees of rotation of the connector about the rotational axis.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 1, further comprising an irrigation path extending along the outer shaft.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 9, wherein the irrigation path is defined by tubing carried external the outer shaft.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 9, wherein the device is configured such that the irrigation path rotates with rotation of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft.

### Claim 12 (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 13 (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 14 (depends on 1)

The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 1, further comprising a handpiece carrying the actuator.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The bipolar electrosurgical device of claim 14, wherein the outer shaft defines a proximal side opposite the cutting window, and further wherein the proximal side is mounted to the handpiece.