Method of removing soft tissue in the middle ear

Abstract

A surgical abrading instrument for removing soft bodily tissue includes a stiffening support member and an abrasive member formed of a rubbery polymeric material. The abrasive member is mounted on the stiffening support member and includes an integral abrasive surface having a roughness to remove soft bodily tissue when the abrasive member is driven against the tissue via movement of the stiffening support member. The abrasive member can be of integral one-piece construction, in which case the abrasive member can also be formed simultaneously with attachment to the stiffening support member. In one embodiment, the stiffening support member includes a cylindrical shaft with proximal and distal ends, and the abrasive member is formed at the distal end of the shaft for rotation about a longitudinal axis thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.