Coating for surgical blades

A method of making a surgical blade for cutting soft tissue and hard tissue, the method comprising:

• providing an elongate outer tubular member having an inner surface and defining a distal opening,
• providing an elongate inner member having an outer surface, the elongate inner member being movably received within the outer tubular member, the elongate inner member including a distal cutter positionable adjacent the distal opening in the outer tubular member to permit the cutter to engage tissue through the distal opening, at least one of the inner and outer members being formed of soft stainless steel, and
• coating the inner surface of the outer tubular member, the outer surface of the inner tubular member, or both with copper or alloys or mixtures of copper and one or more other elements.

A method of forming a blade for cutting hard tissue, the method comprising:

• providing an inner member and an outer tubular member, at least one of the inner and outer members being formed from soft stainless steel,
• coating a portion of an outer surface of the inner member, an inner surface of the outer tubular member, or both with a composition selected from the group consisting of copper and alloys or mixtures of copper and one or more other elements such that the blade can be used to cut hard tissue.

A method of cutting hard tissue, the method comprising:

• providing a surgical blade having an inner member and an outer tubular member, at least one of the inner and outer members being formed from soft stainless steel, a portion of an outer surface of the inner member, an inner surface of the outer tubular member, or both being coated with a composition selected from the group consisting of copper and alloys or mixtures of copper and one or more other elements,
• placing the blade against hard tissue, and
• cutting hard tissue with the blade.