Surgical micro-resecting instrument with electrocautery feature

A surgical micro-resecting system comprising:

• a micro-resecting instrument including:
• an outer tubular member formed of an electrically conductive material and defining a proximal section, an intermediate section, a distal section, and an internal lumen, wherein the distal section forms a cutting window open to the lumen,
• an inner tubular member disposed within the lumen and defining a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end forms a cutting tip,
• a hub assembly maintaining the outer tubular member at the proximal section thereof and the inner tubular member at the proximal end thereof,
• wiring permanently electrically connected to the proximal section of the outer tubular member, wherein electrical connection of the wiring to the outer tubular member is encompassed by the hub assembly,
• an electrical insulator covering a region of the outer tubular member distal the hub assembly, wherein the cutting window is free of the insulator;
• a powered surgical handpiece coupled to the proximal end of the tubular member for driving the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member;
• and
• an energy source electrically connected to the wiring opposite the outer tubular member.

A method for performing a micro-resecting operation at a target site of a patient as part of an ENT surgical procedure, the method comprising:

• providing a micro-resecting instrument including an outer tubular member having a lumen and a distal section forming a cutting window open to the lumen, an inner tubular member disposed within the lumen and having a distal end forming a cutting tip, wiring permanently electrically connected at a connection point to a proximal section of the outer tubular member, a hub assembly maintaining the inner and outer tubular members and enveloping the connection point, and an electrical insulator covering a region of the outer tubular member distal the hub assembly such that at least the cutting window remains exposed relative to the insulator;
• delivering the distal section of the outer tubular member to the target site such that the cutting window is located at the target site and the cutting tip is located within the cutting window;
• driving the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member such that the cutting tip resects tissue at the target site to effectuate a portion of an ENT procedure;
• supplying energy to an exposed region of the distal section of the outer tubular member via the wiring;
• and
• cauterizing tissue at the target site via the energized exposed region.

A method of manufacturing a micro-resecting instrument for use in an ENT procedure, the method comprising:

• providing an outer tubular member formed of an electrically conductive material and including a proximal section, a distal section, and a lumen, the distal section forming a cutting window open to the lumen;
• providing an inner tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end forming a cutting tip;
• disposing the inner tubular member within the lumen such that the cutting tip is aligned with the cutting window;
• electrically connecting wiring to the proximal section of the outer tubular member;
• connecting a hub assembly to the proximal section of the outer tubular member and the proximal end of the inner tubular member, the hub assembly encompassing the connection between the wiring and the outer tubular member such that the wiring is permanently electrically connected to the outer tubular member;
• and
• covering a region of the outer tubular member distal the hub assembly with an electrical insulator, at least the cutting window being exposed relative to the insulator.

A surgical micro-resecting instrument for use with an ENT procedure, the instrument comprising:

• an outer tubular member formed of an electrically conductive material and defining a proximal section, an intermediate section, a distal section, and an internal lumen, wherein the distal section forms a cutting window open to the lumen;
• an inner tubular member disposed within the lumen of the outer tubular member, the inner tubular member defining a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end forms a cutting tip;
• a hub assembly including:
• an outer hub connected to the proximal section of the outer tubular member,
• an inner hub connected to the proximal end of the inner tubular member, wherein the inner hub is received within the outer hub and includes a proximal section adapted to releasably engage a powered surgical handpiece;
• wiring electrically connected to the proximal section of the outer tubular member and adapted to deliver energy to the outer tubular member from a remote power source, wherein the electrical connection of the wiring to the outer tubular member is encompassed by the hub assembly;
• and
• an electrical insulator covering a region of the outer tubular member distal the hub assembly, wherein the cutting window is free of the insulator.