CA2627591A1

CA2627591A1 - Instrument for surgical cutting

Info

Publication number: CA2627591A1
Application number: CA002627591A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Kevin Mcfarlin; David M. Reinker; Michael S. Ferrell; William C. Brunnett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Medtronic Xomed LLC
Priority date: 2005-10-27
Filing date: 2006-10-26
Publication date: 2007-05-03
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-26
Also published as: US7717932B2; EP1948038A1; US20070100334A1; US8932312B2; EP2425789B1; US8241313B2; EP1948038B1; WO2007051143A1; JP4972650B2; ES2616311T3; CA2909248A1; EP2425789A2; US20120316590A1; CA2627591C; JP2009513282A; EP2425789A3; CA2909248C; US20100198219A1

Abstract

A surgical cutting instrument for use with a drive motor, and related system and method, is described. The surgical cutting instrument includes an elongated drive member, a cutting tip secured to the drive member, a non-conductive coupling body adapted for connection to a motor assembly, a housing maintaining the coupling body, and an electrical connector for connection to a stimulating energy source. The electrical connector is in electrical communication with the cutting tip via an electrical pathway.

Description

INSTRUMEN'T FOR SURGICALC'UTI:"I?'\G

11~.a pt'ewÃ:tt 4i3Ã'ggtct3l cLÃffiÃ:i4 fÃÃ'Id :iÃJi'g~t,i}.l cutt#.Ã}g, In~$:rtl~32e~3Ãs.
M.~:re relate to surg:icz7i both hij 1: w~eed matinMy ztnd, in somv 01eciÃ=it"11 PÃ=obl% or evok-Qd putoali.il ,m zv~.~~l as prc:+LedÃ.izes tÃtifizing such a de-vice.
Surgical cuffikg in"ArÃ.ÃÃxaents itre cc.~mm'.~~~ly, tise(i tc) p~.~:rfarni a vad~.~iy of procedÃ.Ãres, 'F~.>r e-Nampl.e. imany neuroÃologic<A siÃ.r;gic<A
ope~~=iitsn_~+ irtvral3~e. partial or lraw.1 zemovai of boile OÃ= ot1ieÃ-1UIM tÃss~~e via a hig~h-s~~~ed rotalÃÃ~~ bur or other cutÃÃng ti.ps.
Ex~.a:Ã~~~~lm~~ -1yroc~.~dtÃt:es in this field include of aeomi.Ãc~
neÃtrorna iumot's., n7Ãd mmovaI. of Ã:lÃ~.~ sccrÃÃ.Ãm irt a h=z3:Ãpwi?pla..ky.
'~-urtiomÃ.Ã:: other 4uqgic<il t3~.'?i'ri3t#oÃ~s hm'L .i.'i.ÃI3iluÃi()z3.ir''h#1F.'d Ã'3.85uC' ili#:t3:Ã14y ;?Ã" .mimil. #"equII'C'm-em's. rili.'= typ~Ct$l surgii:.'ll Cut:tÃng iÃbstr>,ÃmenÃ is Ada to a drill. inclÃ.ÃdÃmw a drill handpiece th-A rotates a :;:lit~ck- be-ing rsxÃ:.nec~ ~~v the .ÃrÃt>-ÃoÃ= xÃrzdc.r the c::orÃfÃ=t}l of a foc3t-a3perat:ed orfirtg-z?peraÃ,;d HtÃ:Ãiiiui :Ã~~rv-es we often in close proximity to an area of'boÃie or #issue.Ã-e-moy-al in.
many surgical procedures. 71n~s., one i~~~eramfiingy' c-OÃ~~ettz re1afin'g tc.> these -Ãypes of surg.ic~~ oulÃ:ing operations aiid instrunwnÃs is it-ic dw,,ger ofw-t~ering tv oÃhemise d:ÃrtuÃsginy nm~es thrc~w>.art:.cdz~ertcsÃÃ cu#.Ã:in~; or exwas;;iv-~.~ beaÃ:, For exatnlyti.a, -,vheu a sm.Ãighi: btÃ~ cuffirÃg b:istnimem, is t7si:ii fo.r bitlk; bcsnL remt.n.'Zt, a surtwon. might ~,~
Concer~~ed wifll over-a-si~~~e cuttÃm:'- -as Well as u.-c?bbie aiid mscaci~~ed nerve dma_,e.
.As, >woib~.ar maÃx3p1.e, .Ã. caÃrved bÃ.ir cutfing instrument useci in f.i#3er;wÃtfiv.
-ippI~c:~ti.ir~{Ã~ Ãx~~4V~~t ive. a high th:~.r.mal daschar4ri; <-a the ivttT(itit; btir t;iiing.r.isn, Ãci r#em damaggc.' cimxc'ms.
1ndeed, :aft-en i:ime;; the 6ar:eNdesoribed su:rgdnl outi:in<w i.Ã~stri~inews, require ~a.:~diÃ:icsÃxztl. steps fÃr:Ãd 1't?r e loc.it.it3rt RÃ ctÃmplete >Ã.4uÃ=;;.ical Procedt~re. For e:t;ta:nple. a ma;Aoidet;tcmiy ;:,,,m erÃuail. Ã:<-iqmsiz3g the :umsio:idpai~iosfii~m ,tÃ:Ãd Ã1~~n VaÃ-~.~ftÃllt ~ie mmioz~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~g a cÃÃair.Ãg insmÃmeat wid ~l~lcÃ=rs'cope. Momover, a P"llient ni:Ãy have ab~~orma1Ãmno:my dtie to c'or~~eniial or iaiÃ=o;;enic de.rects tbat pI<3.c?el,; ftrv-es i.n u?.tai?.#:i.cipaÃ:ed z=eelior?s :st?cIx 1hat #tÃe. ai?<3ioi-z?ical.
;ÃmMfet?n i:~~,(ja O#henvis~.a nt?m:Ãt11lY refi~-Ã- tQ tj,,; j #.i$;ÃÃ:ii.t i:~4y not exist. Wliile out stac.:li pnxwftÃros, asuqgan can be reqtiÃre(i #~.~
s~.~qu~.?nfiz=~lh>
LtÃt Ax:ith a suq~ic,.d cutting insrrunmeni and theci probe a ctft area frsÃ=
neÃ~~~es, a:?epanat~
~ evoked po#:eÃlÃia1 }Ã:ti?dpi~.~c~.a. V.iis is i:letÃ:rlv ~t~?~Ã~=~~~' :~4?-ibodzsnents. o:t'#h~.a preaenti.m-i-z,~?,tÃc.~n relaÃ:~.y Io a si.Ã.r~~cal c<Ã.i#.#:i.n;.,w imst.riÃmen#::for includes an e~~.~~~ggat~,~ dn~~e member ~~efinin;..~ a proxinu-it section and a distal section, ~:
cutt:iÃ~O tÃosevured -co 1he distal s~et=s.san of the driN>e mer?ib~.a:r, ai~d a rzon.-Ã:.ond~i~
cc?Ã.Ãpl.irtM bodv to a rz?.otc3r ass~.aÃt:t~~ly. iii:i 1~e. t3icobai?.is~rt, the c,3?.ipl.ing-body wctirecl #o #bv pz=oxi n~ti. ci:ctior:i of tt?e drive nlin?.bvr. '1be.
%i?.strunaimÃ: also 1 nwlude3 a J5 housha;.,~' mti:n#:aining #tie c~.~upla:Ã-~~.~ botly and the pro,,,imnl section ot' flie drive, member, wd aii. ~~evriÃ?a1 cc~~~~~~cwr.fic.~z connection to asii Ã-Ã?uI.a#inõ energy soume. In paqÃuilar, Ãile e.t~.ac~rical coÃ?r3eck?r is in ~leiz#lie::a1 ~f?z?:trt}.i~:a~ t3#ic3z? with tla~ oult:Ãni;, tip ~i'a.tn electrical int#ament has in the otÃtfirig i.nsÃnmlear is s#rai,rb#:
Oitxer ez3tbot):im~.~n#s o#'=i1~e preqent irtvez3i:ian relate i:o a sÃ.irgic'~l cuftirtg sy.~Yem including a,,suc~iua1 cu#:fil)g im#:i=inrts:ni, a mott?=r >Ãssentb1~~~~ and aÃx ew)ked potential moi:iiÃor sys#im. 11.0suÃ=giial etÃt#:inM* .insÃrtiÃ:neÃ:Ãt fi?.cl:tidWs aÃ?:
WorÃga#i drire member, a cuuÃn&" tip, coupling body, abousÃzig, andan eledficai connector i#?
efi-xiriÃ:,al cz>ntnxÃmicaÃaot3 Ns=iÃ:li fl?e c?Ã.itt:%ng, -#ip ViaÃ.>ir:Ã
el~cuic<.A pa-flu-my. The mcsi:f?r lbe coupling bo~' wid tl?e drive mechanism are ~.~on:tiwwred wrel~.y,asably nic.~tmt to c?n~.~
:?noth~.ar. The coi:tpiim,w body et~.~:~ric:Ã.l.ly iwha#~.a. #t3~.a dri~~~
~.11~.~c11mzsm R'Y3?l the {:.u#Ã:in't, #ill ~.~I~.~;~t:i=.ical pa#hw<3~~ upoll moun#iz?y of'-tixe c;isitirÃ;h inst:rur.Ã=zur.Ã# io ihi rtlow as4i.an~~~ly. 'Fh~;.~
evoked pote.n#ial mc?ni.#or m.sie:t?:i :inc-ltytizÃs an krw{,tYy sz?t?rÃ<w sÃ'1i~:Ãi:~ i~~? vl.wri,:.zAty cotÃpled to the a,t~ftiÃ'3'~~ Ã1p via thE? electrical C011.ÃT-mfÃ;t.i- for applying a S#:Imi:llclti.ng f?Ã1ergy to fl?e cu#:[Ãngg #ip via ilit~ ~.~:lec.-1Ã:ical connector and the elec#ric~aI
pa#~~u.'Ay.

Yet other ambodfi~tenls Of the ~=e1ale Ã:c? ;3 me-fliod of pe:r.1i)rlning a Strrz~ic ~t ct7it.t~t,(," P.ri) Cod ar~.~.irtcIuding pRwidirtg a st.FÃ'gk,61 ctai#ing iÃ:Ãstr.immÃ lmav in, g ,tÃ:Ã
eloÃaga:Ã~.~ drive tnomber; ac titlÃng tip, anon-coÃxdu;.wti-vu cc3tÃpli~ig botiy, a howsing> andan comiect~.~Ã= elecÃricalt;~- cotitiec-ted to ttie eiitÃ:irtg iip via. zui eIeat ical Ia~th3s ny. A
.1ner>oka.~t poiezii:ia~ nwÃ=~iiorin~ ;~ysieÃ=~l is. connected to the ctttino imtn.tmertt via the elicÃric:J ~:0Ã1.Ã1t:clo.r=
~~icIi thal an erleqg~.
touree of ih~.~ cl.~Oked poi.il.Ãi'aI mc?niÃor. -"~. stem is in c>ieci~kai camraun:~catÃtan Nvith Ã~ic 4ui:ÃÃiuw tip. The nic.~ior assenibly is operated to efi~xi:tÃ,tie ~.~erformance of a cui:ÃÃ.n.;
~~perat.Ãc?n W-ith the Cut:iing ti.p. A stimulation energy is aliliti~.~:ci Ã:z) t~ie outÃiÃ~tw, tip to fixi.timie cictei.:Ã#nw a prsYximiÃy of t~~ecatÃ:irt*.~ -Ãap it) a nerve by the ~wt?kec:~ pmerttial numilar SY';~te1=kl.
Yet other ~.a~.~~~~~dfi.n~.~mÃs, o.f'iti~.a pr~.a'ser~~ im~.a 'ntÃon r~.~lai~ .Ã;a :Ã, surgical aÃÃ:dÃ-t(g, irt:,Ãnartleai for tise With aawtf3.Ã= ~..~s~.~r.~~~ly irtcI~~i;.ling, a motor hou_,~iag, w;d ÃÃ.n.wlar driving a.
drive michtt~~sm.. I:l3e surgical cuitirag ins[ntmint includes aii. eIt3nw;ate drive me atber,. a i~* amÃag tip, a Ã~oÃl-conci~~cti~~e Couplit~g, bo~),.-, mid ~ousing.
Tfie oc~tÃizag tip is secured lu a disÃ~ ~ealÃc?t3 Of the 0.10Ã:~gaÃe drive, m~.?mb~.~r, t'f3upt.irÃ4M boiiy. is secured to a p.roximai. secÃ:ior.t fl-wrea1'. FurÃher.; the noa" c*ndmtÃ.v~- coupling bod.~~ i;Ã i:on-f.~gured rt?z~ ~~lexÃiwo aft.<~chÃ:~eni f.t) ibe t~five nwT1um.Ãsm oi'tlie. rtiotor stssembly. The instt-ume~~th~.~wingg is prkividett apart from the hotsÃng, , wadm:iz~.~~iz~~
Uqxm. rtioÃaxÃ=iiny to thenÃotar as~ser~~~~ly., tt3e wLÃpl.itÃg body" <3~id Ã:tre ~msÃrumenÃ:.how#ng isolate the ctrffinia tip frortx electrical or Ãrl.tmt;~eaÃ:it: nt?ih~.=
generated by dw- ~3totor ,Ãss'emblY>.

Brief Description of Ã:~ie. D.Ã=.tx{=iÃ:Ã&,;~
~~IG'. I is a mm-s'edimal Vii;w, of one t'Ã:t~bodi.ment sorWtJ'ad mUin;
instruÃ.ni;w in.
:Ã.cxat~daÃ~~e with prin~.~ip1es of -i~le, pr~.~stilt iÃ:tv~.~ntion.
FIG. ? Ãs im e-.,,~~lz~~~~ ~r ~~:c~=~~~~~.cÃc~t~ ~:.Ã~~3 c~.f'~~~~ ~~~r~i~ aI
~.t~Ã~ii~~ wt l.

'.0 FIts: 3 is a tõros3-swti:onZl Vie~=L=- i3fiani)#,fiL='=i' S-''mbodi.mk'~3Ã' :iurn;1 =L'al ct3~lfi1:f4= insirtÃa:n3mif.
in acc~Ordanc~,~: with.p.rillci~.~le of iIie ~.~resent invention.

FIG. 4 z;k a crc?sq-swdiom~l vi.ezk;, inc~~~idi~~g portit?n:: ~~~ow-n schema-ticaIky, of < mc3i~t~~~~,~t~~L~oc~i.~~~ei~t ;'~-rM~ic<.~t c~7t#.ins? .tr~5t~si~t~i~nt in acc.t~rÃ~~~~c=o ~~ ii~3 l:~~~~:ipfe;~ o:'f.hz?
present invention in Ci?i?jl.mc1'ÃoI3 'tN-A) a 11101t3Ã' #155e#t'EblV, FIG. 5A is a. ~~o~a-s~c~iot~af view of atict~~er embodiment Sur;gical CuÃ:ting-frtu-ÃrumenÃ: in accordwic.~ ~-Nidr prirwi~~le"; of Ã:i~e. Pre.~eni:
ic3~~erition in wl:~Juxaai ~l with 'a mo#or xssen~hjv.
'i."ICs. -if3 is a ofa. poi=tit~ii (if the ins-[rumenÃ O."FIG. 5A..
Ft~'s. 6 is a sr-bematic illustramion oi'a surgical clatiila~ Sys#em i~~
accordance wÃÃti principles of t~~~ ~~~~~eat:
1.~.~ FtG. 7 i:: a S~cbemaÃic .il.~u-mati~.~i o.i'moiher sf3ra i.c .tl cut:Ãing '-kyjienl in ,10-ciard;tnce ~4 ÃÃ~ principles of t1le preseaÃ invention.

De[aii.ez3 ~.~tic ~t'nbodirm-ra Cxfia cu.rg.i~:~al CutÃing it:mt~~ument -243 i.sshqr~=~~
in .P.I0S. .1 and ~1.
lle surgicaf ottÃting ingtninient 20 includes an ou~~~ su~pon ttibe w'~ an eImÃ.;ate drive member M~, a aitÃ:#.ng -Ãip 2~'~, a ~.~c~~~~~ing 6ody- (e.;}.~. a tang) 28, a huwsin;w 30, w)cI .ui ~.I~~.Ã~i~:,~ti cc~Ã~rt~c:ior:l~, i:t~ t~:~~~~t~ #~~r~~.~;, t~a~
i~Ic,y~~~<~:tw cl.~i1~~ ~r~~.tt~~~~;~= ~~ i* ~:z~,t~.i;~:I.IY>
The cutting fip '?6 is cc~mw-~:fed tn anxi extends disÃaik:. from. the elongate drive member 24. The col.kiAanG= body 28 is .ecured -to the 20 eIonggate dÃ:i~~e member 24. The'how~in,7 30 alaffitai.n* t~~e oulersopporÃ: tube 22 mri iho aoi~ptirtg body 28. The. el.kark<31 C-ormeeiar 32 del.is e.1=;; i.alear.ical ~.~rie~sgy fiom (p z?t shmkvn) #.~~ the Ctmint} 1i 1) ''tf via aii. e1eCi~ric>A ,~,~aÃ:~i way, i.:stabliqhcd, al lea;~~ irz p>~~~ bs~
the memb,~~r 24, ~-vfth. #l3e c;?upl:ing body ~28 cIecixi.c,tliY~ ko.1atinM*
ffi e electrical Pathway f'rom co.mpo~~enca (e.,>, a motor wwmb~y: ) oi~~~~~~~~se. proxima1ly, moumed to ~~le.
coupling body 28.
.1II sc}nie wtbod:imen#s, ajournal is ~.~Ã,M.isbed between the e(onÃt~:te dfive mz?mlx~r 2-4 and the omer ttÃbe ?? ~.~~.~m Ã~taÃÃon ofiiie Oongate drive me:~~~~~~ 24 rvfaÃÃ3'e to the outer t:Ãibe 2" (c.a.g., via -anlofto.r assembly (atyÃ sbaw-n-)). I:n so.me embcAm4nts. ~~~e S'urgic~-A aitti.qg i.Ãx;;#.rumoFxi: 2t# atid camportent;~ tbereaf prm;i~~e one. or .mtaro lk<3wres 'Ãiizit 30 .flac.il.iiaw, ea#:te"m4ly- Iii4=li. rotational speods (on the order ~xt.'&t,OOt1 R'NVI)7t w:411 -lile outer iiibe :M. and -ÃilÃis iile 6I ongme drive mem~,~:r 24, deftÃaing ~.~zie or naoz e c~irve-d se; ,T.moms where desimd. U.S. App1ic=aÃ:i;a.n S ~.aiaJ. No, 10/776,835 i;filtxl February 11, 2004 and ~
enÃiÃ:led"H:ig11 Speeai Sa.ir,~Yia?al ~'.i~Ãt~z3h .I.i~+;ta'aa.ir~ir=~~i"1;
Ã:li*e ien.1xiq;s of w13.iai are ~nc:}rporaÃied l:aerei.i~ ~by refe.rvracek describes examples o~~ ~~~ch f:eai.iires in acuord;t~:i,~4> w'ith oiiL LniboiEiniet?t.
1~ie. outer tub~: 2:2) is -tiir elon~;ate wlatlar .~~d~y, delinit3g s't proxi-mal a'e=,ic?~~ 40 iurilli.nÃ3iim~ at ft proximal ei:id 42, a kli.stal ta=?gioaa 44 lea'anima:titsg ai a. disua( ~.~xia~ 46, artd an Ãtaba< "21 ~Ief.inz:s ,I. Icimwn 48 (~,-ashi?ii.:i3 at3 FlC,, ') ex[ei3din4t firz?zn'iha: pa=cs x.irnal end 42 Ãz?
The distal end 4t7. i'Iitis, wi iiiiier surf-acs~ 50 of -the oaiter taÃbe 22.fa.'+rnts t~ie. lumen 48.

T-he outer tt3.be 27 can ftssm.3]e a vaieÃy, of lt'3.21+w.ttudÃi'ta~ sha}?vs, A~ sh(m'J'i FlÃ 521 in MCI, 1,. %n. one ei~lx)d7m~.~rat, the c3u~er tube 22 .ittcludek a. a:,cin>ea3.
;~egrti.ertt at or along 0110 or both of the iÃ:ateniiedi.ata? region 47 ~.~~d/or th~,? di~t,.1 region 44, In addi.t:i;Aia> the ower tula~
22.is constmc=t~.~d t:o.fia.cili:~kn~.~:.fo.rm:itioÃ~ of awt:~~~ing jc?umal ba.arÃr~~ (i.u., frictional iouÃiiat bwar.intM) relaii3~e to the elongue i3.ri~~~e niembet' 24 in -iIic ambcadirric.nÃ: showirt in F'I.G. .1. As -wdfl be d'vsiribvd in greater diwil bS;yto-w-, Eiie outer iiibe MM acts ass a part txf,in eIec:.Ãia:.al paihwky .in some embodiments of ~~~ -pr~-t:.sent i~iva~~itiori.
porÃ:io~ ofÃlie outer tube 22 Ãs oi~~l'struÃ t~.~d a('an. electri.cafly a:,ond.LlcÃ:i.v.e thiaÃ
theouÃ,:r tubi??i-q a~apabla: of'be.ingin lwiÃh Ã:he;:la~~~gaÃ:a' drive Ã:i?i'nilx#'N nC~ thi't'l'4'.ctrici7l L:t331i:Fwor 72. ~~tL ~Li~i'T i,?i~1fis k,~ g3 i7~3Z? ~:=C?##~Ã~jt~~tya~.ii~ ~i .maatLnal selected to provide the otiier tti~e 22 -,vit~~ ~i -oi strength, bigh stiffirii;~ss a;baaacteristic,s sai#s6:ing dianensic.~nal mad curvatwe constraints as ciosired. la (>ne in1ba?di?:l3.iar.it; Ã:}i~' c?cftet' tiabf' 22) is rni3df' of conventional qi#rg.ical.i7t5tniT:i-liriÃ ri3a3le~=iaIs, 4uch :i1 :Ai3ii=]it~.,s4 ;itiill.
ReÃriming tt? J.10. 2, -lhu el;zi-iMZaic tffiv-a: n~ernber 2,=1 includes a pfazximal sei.tiz?ip 60 aiad a ~,~istal section 62. TE-~~ ~longate. drive nxeMbez '~~ has iia overall lot~~~ludinal la.anvt greaEa.xr Ã:liaii. -ihe outer ttibs~ 2"u such t}taÃ:. aqvn final ttiw pr'oxi.niai <3f.1d distal sectia7ns 643, 62 a?Mc:nd :i'.rom tl:ie e-ndt 42, 46, rwsInÃ.:tiv~.~ty, of(he tlYitLr whn 22. '.Ã~~~e eJoijl;.~,<jte dri~~e.tn~~jnber 24is absa a.~otiMtnic#:Gd to b; Ã'ela-fiva;iv tliÃn. I~~ ~artieolar, the thinness c?1'tize e1onMaÃ:e menAver 24, in. co.mbina-ficni ~N'ath Ãlia,' absence of ab&l bearing, ~:~s~:r.~iÃ~~~s> f~s ~~~~rÃ: a~.~'#~)u is~sirat~:t~a~r~t 20, :~lic3~~ s t~a~a 1c~r~~ur~ 48 ~a) 1ia3 ~a a rel.~xÃi3 ~~y sa~~~1t.
aiiamimr, swch #haI ewt3 r.OÃh a pte:fen=ed, minimized outer t~ianic#irr, #-l3ia outer W:bi 22 can have sufficient thickness t.oprovide. r~.yquisit~ sfifThess whe~i mi appÃ=opate material (e.g..
:17-4 siaiini.e~;,, s~ee-1) is selected ~'c.~~~ tlia, ociier tube 22.

{?
In one en:ti7rydiment, #lie eIong<3ie drivu.member'?4.is ;slso cc?zisÃ:z'f3i:ied iofihe;:iliÃani.~ a.
t)Garing rolativo to the ot7ier t.ut~.a -22 i~h%li?.t~aa~~~~~ini.{~~~
~~n~c=~~Ãr~i .i~~s~z:~~~s :lloÃ~~~ a cuÃ~~ed axial fengÃh. LiParticiÃIar, the elongate d:riv;.~
Ãiien~ber :24. is fomied to z~~liihif hi~fl1 strength and Lc?c)d i'aligue chtne~eristic,,~.
the elomilaÃ:e t~tive rtiember=:?4 is t3:tad~.~: of a coz3duc:=t.Fti~.' m<3le.rial to l:sxciti#.fÃ:iU aluartc<.:tl i.omanÃnic.ation beÃweert itie outer support tube 22. 1he e1on;;aie k(rive:mei~~er 24, and, mg will be tiotcribcd in gremer di;[ail. be1<3a-,, the z:uÃ[in?,; #.ip"{,, elongate d-rive Ã~ietiiber 24 is formed oI MM.hucl~~~~d tO01. Steel. A3:1-Ãe.rnativeIy. Offi.er rn;Ã:teri.als. exhibitiag [lie desired dtÃrab.ility_ 1'rac:.Ãure res.istaÃ=zce, ~~ecÃfical emiduetiviÃ-y< etc, cart be, erÃ~~~loyed for ii:te e1t?rÃ4=aÃ:e ciz~ive Tnertxler 24, at~sembl~~ ofÃIie surgical cx~tfinM instÃ~~~~e-aÃ 20 is d~,~c.r.ibecl i.aa greater detail bvlow.
With.Ães~:t) a~sse~~r~~3Iy- o~'Ãtte oÃ.~~r.a:r t:kÃ?~e ~?2 ;uzs~ ~~e ~;ic,~t~~~~Ãe drive ~~i.~.~~3~t~e~=:~~,, ho3~~ev~.~r, :i. hibrÃcanÃ: (110Ã: S'hoivn) is preferably pz'orÃ.c~ed tAong a.lengtzih o#~the .irÃfez=.t-ke; het;veert the E~~~O 22, 2-4 to a bivarinM;
t~er<beÃvv-een.
~:
~~.~ upon rotation (~:t~ gie elc.~n~~~Ãt~.a d~=i-~~e -~Ã~ezr~b~.~r -4 as it I;~sup~~c~.Ã Ã:ed ~~~~ a ~~N~c~~=kx~~~~ÃaÃ~~~.~:
ei~Ti.~;;Ã:, M described.in ti.reaÃ:er detail beioxv, i.nÃ:imaÃe conÃac-Ã
bet3=L>ce.rt the outer Ã-itbe 22 nlai-mained ~eti'vem fla~.~ ~~mpo:Ã=ae-nis 22, 24, such that ~~~ labrÃc:ant.
iieed ii~.~Ã Ã:Ã~,.essarii~~ be eIe-cÃ.riealty conduotive. hianother em~..~c~imenÃ, t~~e hÃ}~rimm is electrically condtÃcÃ:i.-ve further fac-iiiÃ:was e:tes:Ãrica.i Lf?.nÃmunk-aÃ~tm bei:~veen the ouÃ:er lube 22 and the elorls,~p3Ãe drive rtxer:t)b~.ar ~"?4. ThtÃs. .irÃ t~~ie, en=NAimenl t#=ie lub.ric:ani is an elec irically c:andudÃv-e mme ltÃbric.-a}xt. wttc:}3 as a Iubricant azailabte, frt3mNc Q. 1.:-ubrizan.Ã, of iairh<~ven..NMA, wider tt3e trade, nameNif~ ~ge-1 756G.
215 w~dersÃ:ood ti:taÃ: oÃ:}:Ãex con.dudive 1-tÃbri~:=aii.Ã: m.t~erials c t~i be erzlp1t~yed.

11:te i.'=i#tLlf.3g tip 26 can assume a N'ai'iqy {W-Borms, a'3.i3d ii3. one embodiment in'L:I t#.di's a ctÃ:m~ng biÃ:r -70 and an atuhmc:nt end 72. 'T"I~e z,11tachment eÃia:l -72 is sind Ãortxei-v~.~ the ~iStIal s~.~:=tioiÃ 62 of the elongate drive ni~.am~.~:z=:24. "Ã'o t~i-is ezad. -Ã~~c cutting i:ip 21.6 cEiÃi b:.~
secured to Ã:~ie. eii;Aal sc:i,tiori 62 ,ot' the eIoxÃggaÃ:e. drive rtietÃ=ibUr 24 via a Ãxumbur cÃf k3c,'wn.
Prz3ces:,~.Ys {tÃ.ih ,Ãs. :for examp1.~~ ivel:ding, braisitig, pres3-IltÃin,s;, Ãhe~rmal shrin.k. i.iffing.
~~hetiive, etc. A~te-naaÃively, t13e elongate drive member 24 and tli~,~:
cutting tip 26 can be in.lear.dty #:orÃii~,~d su~:=1.1 as ky> mac=himlIg the eIon gaÃ:e drive nizinb,~r -74 and ~~ie cutting tip ~

~' v 1'a > > = > ~ > >tf ~k t 'tJ ~ a y <> ~r =.~~ Ã~t~~Ã~ :~ :hir~4,ti., ~~.i~.~.~.c~.t'; fc~c~Ãx~GÃÃ~..ri<31. ~~.~
~~=t~l~.;,,., Ã~~.~. ~.~t3r~~,~~.t~. t~~3~~ .Ã~Ãt.~~3~a...~ '~.~ :~Ã:~
thet:.tii.fin;, lip 26shu3uld be swt:ured in a. Ã:maÃnÃ:Ãe.r to facffitaie coÃ~~nwni,~atit~n beÃ~~~ten the ~~~v-o com~.~G>nems 24, 26. As such, Ãtie. ctiÃling tip 26 is f;amied of eleÃ:=ÃncatIy conductive Ã~~~erial, such as -nicAei aIloy maÃ:erÃ;Ãls iri s~~~~ embodiment.
While the aitÃ:ing ? tip 26.milghÃ irtt:111de. sm-11zxt#.i:iÃ:Ãg sU-fÃcture-S as smÃall diat3zond burs, it should be und~.~rsÃ:t?W
kiÃ the cp,Ãres beft"...t.~,.yn. such qnicwre,~ zirÃct the tissm ~and.
l'1iiÃti associated -w~iih cÃiÃting OpQra.Ãi0,13t aItou~ azl c:i;:'ctriial izlter.r.Ãt._c: b:[wec:n a. cufting area. (Ã-ltst ~h'mtn) and i..}ndueÃi-v~;.~
ponions oi'~~~ ctiÃtzng tip 26. R~gzwdlens. the ove-raIl fbrin ofifie otituniz bcir 70 can assfÃm~,~: a. -variety of shapes andsir~s knowu i.Ãi -t[ze ai: (t.a.tw., '21 tiim fluted, I nwi di:imond, eÃc:.). AftermtAiveIy. the cuÃ:ia.ri;; Ã.if)26 can assume .1rzy orÃIicr form apprt~~~ria:te for and/or b~.?Ã'io cuÃt.ÃItg.prE?Gc.'diirwu.
Tht.a c:.oopli~~g, b~dy 28 czui wssuni.t.a a variety of forms bÃ.it is ge-wraily. s:.tarffi<wu.r~.~ to 11mil.iÃaÃ:e ccsm~lecÃ.it.~rÃ c3.i'a TnF3torasseÃÃ:ÃbIy (noÃ::Ãhtsi3iÃ) Ã:t?
the eiongae d.riw nx~.art:Ãber :24.
.,A,;wilt be itÃxdorstt?o.i in greater detail b~ltxiv, suti:Ãe emtr#dimen.Ãs o0h. c ~quin Ãhzit the motor assmmbly be, tilecÃrÃmIIlv inszÃ1atG.d 1:nim ~~~e e-l:ang%e, dr#vL ~me.imber 24.
in order Ão ensure Ã:fÃaÃ the .mola3.r ~~sernbl-y- is eh~~,:.-fric'al1.y irisulÃiÃed !:rom. the eIo.q a:te drive rÃ~~mbi:r?4. For t?\<im ~l::F in one embt?dimeÃ:a the CtÃupI.ing bodly -zg zs fo.rrrÃcd ~,~#'wn-condtÃoiv,e ceraÃiiic. or pIwti.t:< material, such as mi'C.:=ltem :~.' resin availa:E~le from. GE
?t~ PlasÃao~i of Pitts.fie1d. NIA or other po1~~.Ã~3eÃ~i~ or ~.wer~.Ã~dc rz~~.~eri.~s ~~.~~ibi~.Ã~~ :~i.Ã:~i.ii:~r te sÃ:rerzgÃh. Afterm<3iiv-eI.y. Ã:}Ãe t:~ouplzrzg Nkly 28 c>Ãa.t befbrmed f:rc3rti. z-AIisy Avith a 3 t.> exterior cotr[iwy.
IÃ ~tÃtaul.dhe iÃÃ:Ãdei~,,Ãood Ã}Ã.i#. #:li4 t nz~t:0iovvn;3 can be of the ÃY
pe typie.all~~ omployed with wÃgical crtÃffing itistrumems, such ~ ~lectric, baÃery-Po3~~~r; d, ~.-~r ?~ ~Ã~~Ã~~3~~.Ã~~,. ~Ã~~ ~~.~rÃ~~~:~~~r~~ ~Ã~t~Ã:t?z :~.s;~~~xik~~i= ~;;
~Ã:~~.i~z~.ta~t.~ 1~~~~t~. :~~~~c~t~-t~zÃ~.~~=~~~z~Ã4~ t~~' I~ack-,r.t7nvi:lle, FL under ihe ÃradL name Vi&10:'~'. "k1#~.Yrnalivt,aly~
oÃho:r types of motors or drill drive 'ys'ÃGnis om~ be eÃ~~~~oyed. In ggae.rdl t:eÃ'Ãm", Ãile mmor assemb1y, ÃncI~de"', a housing a dfiv~.a.Ãx3okor. Tht.a.mortor dri've: (e.g, roÃai:~) a. sliÃi't t?r oiht.yÃ= (h=iv~.~:
rn~ch:~ÃlÃsrxÃ ÃhaÃ:is c.o.n.Ã3et:~Ã:t.d k) the eitangait.a c3ri=vemUiÃibet= -24 tÃporz iit;3tÃm-i.ng of Ã:iÃ,Ã
ilÃ#:tÃ.n4; Ãm-s#:rtÃment 2Ã3 to tlie m~.~~lfzr assembly. To this iaÃ'zd, the [1ri-vemic;han4mi can i.ueIt.Ãd~,~ a ct~~~~~ectt3r of a~.~~pe Ãs=pivil~~~ employed wit~~ suxgicaf t:utfinM inst;rumenÃs th"IÃ
faÃ;.i.Iit:iÃm connt.~akm or cc.~tiplitay tt.> ttae Ã:>tÃtti.Ãig) t~evic.e, such a~:~ .Ã me:~~mucal cml.Ãlzao.r IS
(e,g.~ the drive. m~ch:tnis.in ca1-i il-is;i-tide a t.huck exlwding frc)r.l~ a awi:i?r driv-en s1rart oppo;,iteitxw driti~e. mc.~tc3O, -non-contaoinw a.ir-drsverl s i?volin , etc..
With thi", in mind Illia c<3upÃing body 28 of IFIGS. I and -12 is f{dapÃed for use'wÃih drive .11le::hall.isill oollnec-'tor (e.g._ chc~ck.) #:or setecti~~e moclnÃin{>
c?#'tl3~ c~~plini} N~ly 28 to the * dfive rlxecbwisrlx. with ihL coujiffiig body ?~ ~~ecErit~~,alIy> ~
s6l~u=i:qg the d.rzv.s I1~edl<3ni,-un, and th1.i;= the ÃlxoÃor, fr~.~lm. the elongate drive.~~~~~~ber 24.
~~i more ~pecÃ.t.ic t:erms.: ;1nd gnone inaliodgrlivrlt, i~e cfwpt:anM~ body 2~,-" is defined by a distal porÃiot3 90 -wd a ~ro:xim-al pcwi:i;wn 82. 'f ~~~ ~~~~zd portion 80 I:ornis a ~."~rsf passag~.~
84 ~.~xtetl~ing t:roma dÃst:a~ end 8~'~ -itierec3f 'Iffie first. passa~w~.a 84 defines a dzameter sized to U) loosely recei.re Ã:i1e. prc.4'ximal ~~nd 42 of i:ll~.> c?ctier ttsbe. '?2t.
sersing, ta) 4Ten~xatly afig!rt i}t,:
outer Ãtibe "M rehafive to the pro xi~3~~~1 ~~c3rtiva) ~~, ImporÃ4~Ã~~Y>, fl)e di~~~t porfiÃt~~ 4W cmi r(.~tal:e- fir:;eI~~ kibol.tt til~.a outer -1uli~.~: 2:2. Th~.a proximal portion 8:2 forms a s~.~x:~~~~ pas:age 8i eatel.lcfi.q pro\ir:lalis: frc3rlx -tli.e firsi: pass<x;;~ 18,4. Ttlesecand p~k aw=,e 87 i.s sir.ed to M-c,:iv~.~
,ln~ ~:l~.iÃ1#.~l~.~x ~t~w ~~~=o~.~z~:l~~ :~c~i.~.iz~art t~i? ~~1' Ãhs.Y
~:~[c~Ãl~t~Ãia ~ir~~~s:~ ~:l~.vrl~~er:~ A~. ~:-x ~t~is r~MY~~r~t, ~.~~.~.~
15 c,1u plinw b;wdy- 28 can be ~:~un1~er ~ec~iaid to flie .pr~~imW secfivn 60 of -iEie eIonLyaÃe drive member 24 ky avarÃekyc3i' ~echniques. For exampIe. the coupling t3c3dy 219 cmi. be c~~~~er-mi~lded ortÃ:o tt3e. i'I.o.nga#e drive me.tnbe.r 24. fIowe;ver, in one c.trlboditrlen.Ã; the coupling bod~~ 28 is furthe-r s~.~~~ed tQ Ãhe. praximat sec:=tio:n. fiO of the elangatw drive member k4 by w:.~~labI~,~ fr;wm:l3:enkul L~.~ctite- Corp.
2() Altet~at~~~~ly. other epo:~~~,~ or adhes.ive;~ ~~ii t}e -used.
Tk3~.~ p:roxirl-yal portii?rl 82 of zhccoupIi.q bodz: 28 .R).r.c-ns ix groor~e 90 wti a #.:w&,: -)2 each adapted -Iry 1'aciliiat:e- coupling io the -r.liotor>lssei3ibls- drive 1r:la:llallis.i1.l (cw-'t sllowri),.
Bor i:mampI.e a diuck. '1he tang ;:;2 serves as a guide st7r:i;:lt.c: that Prcst:noies rapid, call.si:"tznt asw.m~ty of tf~~ drit~~e mech;m#sm to ~~~ zoupi.iz~~ ~~odi 28. C3t3ce ag_ain, ho3~wver., tt3e.
25 coupling body 28 can asswliL a-v adLty of aber c:ont~~ura:kiozls.
Similar io ili.w cot7pl:rt3g body 28, tbv h,ot7sing 30 cf~~l assume a L4t6~.apy- ot.'.i'orn:~s and is pai:ralI4.> i',.ÃafiggpIe{~ to 'supf)orl f#lkx ;1~1n-er t#.1bfi". 22 i3'a"
wrfi"=ll fls facÃfili~~e awa4"hl:t?em af~~he.
coupling b(A), 28, kind ~.~loagale drive in~~~~be1='M4, to a nicsior assembly or "li ~.~~dpi~.~:..: , 0101 sbow.n.
Il3~.a :ixl51mnxertt housi.q~ 30 is provided ;ipartfroi3:1 awy ht?usiÃ:tg;l ~sof:.i<3~c~i.
witil ti-le inok?r I.n one. irn.botii:i:nan. Ã~~c. hovsktg 30 is I:orm~.adfton:l Ll nonFa~~~~duct~~e materhd sti.~i Tha~ ~~le 4l~.~wi.nw 3f:~ also laci.~itat~.~
electrical LsoIadata of tlle 1.11ciior ass~.a;~.libly. from the eloqgyatc.a &zv~ ~~~ember 24, and.in the "i:i~ng g tip 26, t~lmn z~.~s~e:txtbiy of d.te cvÃ:Ãiri.~Y, iRstamtcnt'y0 #t?
ibe.t=ttotts.ras:-,eynbly. For es:>irtx~~le., itt oiie. embodiment the hms3:t:it': :.;t3 is I:Ortned of a fititiW c1-ysÃ;1*1 poIymm To 1111s cx3d~ Ãh, s~
~~ow,zing 30 can b~- insen n~~ldW over the outer trib~.~ 22. Aftemat:iv~.yly'm a Vffictz< ~,=tf'Othe.r i:echc3icues, such as gItiit3g. press #iÃtirig. tliert3tal sht=ilil:fitrhkq, ec., are ~ eqt.tal ky~ aci:epial)l e. llie howsill~ 3 0 ow3 ini:or~lot=ate. a v.
tt=Ãetv of featctms il-taÃ:fiaciliÃ:.tÃ~.a ,t~is~.rÃ~ir~ .Iti() ~~~~~3x; ~Ãt ~~~~Ã~ ~~.rt~:~irt~,:~~. ~t:it~ t.i32 rl~I:~.i~.vc~ ~~i= ~~~t~:t=.il.~i;~ <af'~~~~~~.~~_i~~~rs 104, Thecentral aperwre 100is sizerl ic,~ rec~eivu at lmsÃ aportionof the naoÃor aH~embiy aperÃ:ure-100. I~i addition, or alterÃaaÃively., tt3e homi.ng 30 em~ t>e configured t,.=t &cditaÃe ;t:tt:l-clunenÃ: to the tliotc.~t' aase.t-t;bly viast~a~p I"~t tlirt.~:ad<:.
int:erfer~nc~.~.(:if, vic>. ~mlb~.~:~, 'wiib the embC3f~Zi.ine.t3.1:s. of FlGS. I and '>.. Ãtto l:tc33.i t.I~.~uf 30 i~efimets a li#6 flftidi~~ connected to ihe aperture lo(). 1.11e p;:iSsz3Ã?t' 106 is sizi'd to il:iaiu#.itin th4'.
outer 1t3b~' 2-7 -aW iat7. be forÃtlcad du:iinwan itiseft molding priciredure.
The electrical c;~.~m~.aaot 32 incl.t.ides ati. ii~,~t:tla-ted: Avi.re 110 having atl expo,e'd end 112. For purposes of tfito sÃ:%e of ilae wire 110 is in FIt =S, I mid ~. As sh.:mmin RG. 1, iN ~.a:~.POsIM c-i:td 11? is soldered to at:i z?tnet:r stirf:ace. of the maet' s-ttpport ttibe 22, sN--Ai a disi,,H portion of iIie lNvire bLingsiÃpported ~~ the haitsi~ig. 30. Hkmvever, in.
.20 W.rt?mai:i~-e embori.imenÃs, -ttie. olectrica[ connector 32) mm be w-eldtvd. attached Nv.iÃh a lr.lt~taI
coÃmecto.r (C.g., screvs:), pre'qs~ fifted, c::ri-nip~.~d, orati:ached ".4th t'oiidus:ii 3-i.~~at~~xc-81 ve to Ãbe owc:i' sctppot=t tube 22 or iixE~.~w=rallz> 1'or'stxG(I Ã.hermfttx. 1rt uer.tet al. te.r.ms, ~ifie el-et .Ãrical sr:.otxi:ioci.or 3.2, 'and ir) Pariiiuiar Ãhe"w~ire, 1. 10, C'art be ~~is~i.tri~ ~ll~ Connec#ed tÃ.x .ti:ty poi.ni alot;g ;~. ~eriwtla c-:fi ~ie, mter tube. 22; li~.~1~~e3 er, the a~ea.nearesr ii~e housing, 30 i.lr enLoltlpm,i5i'd i-411:t7.t~ ~~~e hotiSYt3?; :~~'~ # ~ .t~1~~5~- ~rgou{st23~c Ã3].
I"Ite sor~tic'.0c'tzttit~~ intt.am.ion.t 20 is disposit:i4, ~~e ejan~:.raÃt'y drive me.mberNtivitlzia t#~o hÃm~.Wn 48 of (I3e octter titbe MZ
As ~.~revi~~~ly descrÃ~.~~.~, in one ~inbudÃmenÃ: a g..#r~.~a::e lt,tbrÃcatii: (nzst sl-~~vm) is disposed along at:(exsÃ a Pordon cs#; Preferf#bji> ail f'ilf:#rity o~1 lan irtterfltce between iheelt?n,,gat~.a drive m.i.an~~~~rN
and ti:to inner saa:i=.Ã:a.ce 50 Q-Ã.'th>;M kttiter tttbc. 22. '1'he outor Ã~~~bQ, 22 is t~scnkl.ed to #-lii housinv:.t 3t) as ~~~~A.N>~ ill FICa: 1, Y~~ifli the intermediate region 47 and ttie d.Ãstal region 44 eal:~.?ad.Ãng distal i:k) t:~le housing 30. Asmentzoned-, i1.1 one embodiment, Ilie insulated wire . , .~> ,. .. .
c?f Ã~iÃc~. ~IÃ'cÃ:r~.c>il c:~c3.i~~~Ã.,~.~Ã:c?~ ,~ i ~rt Ã.alet'Ã.r.ic~z3i 1~
~t~:t the outer i:Ãibe ~'k. .~ ;
it is sc?lc~~red to :i pc?rEion o#'iIxW i?tAter ttibe 22.
'lliÃ.~ ~~ousin~ II)o c~mbc:.i3isert molded over both fla~.~: outer Ãobe 22aÃ~~ a portion of il?e e(ectdcal c~.~n~?ectc?r 32 ea.tendingfrom Ãhec~~~teÃ= IÃile ?~?., Avith ÃiYe eIongafe drive ~ rneixtWi= 24 Ãi:ien. being ~?~;iGÃ'f~ 1~ .i'~~~Ã~3 Tl3~' lumen 48, :~t~i~it:iÃsix<3llv_ in Ã~Ã3Ã~ Ã.axtx~~t~t~irt?ax:Ãt, ,~~
i:sf.i.~rÃor noil-coÃtdtictive ct?-ming or St~.YÃ:ve (Ãim is .tormwd or prci-vide.t over the otÃÃi:r iiÃb~ 212 dÃ.st,,A the For e;N.imp[e, in s:tiie embotlime.i?t, a riin-conÃfucÃive sleeve (e.g, a shrink tÃÃbe of pÃ?~ywer) is fitted about aÃ~ ei-xtLriÃ?.r portion c~~
~ie, acÃÃer tube 22 ~theni #su exteusl:ing~ dÃstall;~~ fircmz the hoÃ:i*i.n=wf 30 I-o tfi~.~
di;?taJ. end 4(-;. As, will bc.~
understood zri wrÃ?ater deÃ:.til beI.ow> theno~3--conduc;ii v-e c:t?atin4.~ or s, I.eÃ?z~0 Pi=t?.irÃotes 111.e abiliÃy, ot ti~e c-tÃitia?g tip 26 to aot as a.~ electrical ~.~t=o~.,.
PÃ=evGntiÃ~~ ShÃ:tnti.iag of c_tÃÃ:rel?Ã to suÃ:r~.~a:Ã~?cl:ima fiqs-tie, ~.~Ã?~3e., or oiliez stÃ,ucIÃ.Ãr,.~~ ~~-hen Ã?.
staz?.ulatian en~rgy. is applied thereto Ada.iiÃ:ioni~ly., in o~ic, embod%Ã:i?in#Y V.'<In.aiÃs prefiwrred de3i.M~.i~ f~Ã3ftirws of the surgit.W. Ã:3.t#Ãi.i~g i.i?strunae:Ã3:t.20., suc.11. ~~ lnat~ri,-~d a~~ec-tic?Ãi an(i the. re5u~tantjaurnal bewin;,,x.> -,Ã1lc?~~:~ 1:or only 1Ã~nii~~
~xpÃ:~su.re, Ã?:t'tl?e eloÃ?.,waie drive meÃu1eÃ= 24 diaial tÃ? Ãt3e dzll"ial e~Ãd 46 ot' i~~~ outer -iÃ.ibe. ';,;,w2, ropz'esem:ed m B in FIGY. .1. For em?mp1~.>., Ã:lte. eape~qed ie~Ãt,~,,ffi B
c3.Ã the eÃ.sxr~gaie dÃ:ivÃÃ
mz?mle-r 24 ir pref;erab1y ÃxÃ?Ã grewer thaÃ?. t3. 'l imh (2.54 mm), :Ãnd ~?xÃ?Ã=:. pr<femb~y ~ÃQi ~rew:Lr Ãhm 0.05 inch, (1.3 mÃi?). ~-ii light of this disclosure, it sh~.-~tÃlÃ~ bti uÃ~~~r,",ÃooÃ.Ã that Ãhi:~ ljnu.Ãed exposure of ttie e1c?~i~atz?: dri~~~ inember 24 {fl?at is otD?er\.vise eIeÃ~tricllty-conducÃiv.-Ã?) Ã:o the eiu~.irc?~Ã~ÃlmA c;w) ~tsc? Prcamc?te r.110.i=e.
i?ffec.-ii;<e use csf'-il-~e s:uffing til) 26 .Ãs, a.Ã3 elecÃric.'al PÃ=Ã?bÃ.a by reducing potential eleciriatl shunÃ.i~ig.

the Ã;csuplii:iM~ bod~> 218~ it sectr.i=Ã:ki tc) pro\ji=z?a1 secÃi.csn ~.~t?
of ett?ngate drii>e Ãi?enybe-t 24, wh~~~ ~ie. cutting tip 26 is ait-aÃ:-tied tÃ? the distal seÃAc~? 62 of Wii:}Ã thi;: f?sse~x:Ãbisr, tili: in";Ã.ihmid wi.i~ 110 of ti?.~ ~~ec1rka1 c~.~ri.~ectc:r'32 is in c1ectzic;ll co113~3;EuniCaÃToi3: Witi3 tlli: ot~Ãe1' si#.j.3po~'# t'tib~.'~ 22. WhÃih i~Ã ti.i;'Ã:i .i, in electrical Ã.~ammuni,:ÃÃ:ti~~~ -vv-ith i1ie eI~.~ngal~;.~: drive meÃi?be-t ?4, ivhich in itÃm is Ãa ~.aieotr.ical. c=omnÃuniÃ?aÃion -i3~e cutting tip _26. This.fiÃ?rc?ls m eleÃ:.irÃc=al Pa?:t~~~~~~~, corl;:isliqg e?.i'tbe eI.eÃ:f.Ã:ii~=al connecicyr 32, 11ii'.= t)i.~Ã:~'1' silppi?~'[ tlibe 2'~~, the u1c?~3g>Ãie Ã3.i:~ve.
:+{) member ZsÃil f}w , mÃ#.Ãi.ii4y t1~ 26.
As --illud.Ã;d to 6me, t1i~.~ iÃ~struinent. 20 prm.,ides mi extremely stabte electrical p::i,Ãh-43.;:?y Ã~Ã;Ã:~~_Ã.~:eÃ~ -ilze electrical cc?~?~~Ã~cic~r 32 ,~, i!.~id Ãl3e Ã:=~:iti:~.Ã2g 'Llp 26. IIl t:+Iif. Ã?Ii#l3Ã?d~~'11'L,''.l:t't.

11.
ai?.d il?.e elongate driv-e member 2.4 (ti iie; a#:.te~~,~#:
in put, to il?e, l?e-ncl) ~~ta1?list:ies:ind cc?m,ti;ttemly= in.iir?taim~
t:}?w ci?nliniic3tas clectriÃ:.aE
coupting between ilie cunip(?a?eÃiis 27., 24, ciÃcli flaaÃ anj~tubr#cant provided between ttÃe otiter t;ibe 22 and the drii:e, member 2-4 Ãleed l?c?t b-e electrically cc?f?ciiictive> In a3.#:4riSa#iv-e eiÃ:it?od.im~.tn1s, -llxe ui~eu1'an e1ec#.riciAy conductive Mmm.;U f:sxi' thi? jt?umal bear.~nc, :ic#s to ftirther -mairÃtain continuous electrical s;c?n:imunzc:Ãtion beiiveeÃ? ~~e, ocater ~t~~?~?i?:it ÃtÃ~e N~ :~-it~ t~~c~ ~.lc?nM?~~#~ i~ÃÃ.~ ir ~~~n~.~~r:?~~.
Rk~;*irt~li5~.
continuous electrical the electrical connector 32 ~id I-lie cutting lip 26 1?c?ll? at rest xiÃid d-tÃring ~~ghNs-p~.~~.~d cutting oper.?itic?fas. for ex..Ãm~?~c those re>Ã.;:binM =;re-a#:~.~r ll-.~an N,i3N) RPM, zacad in jmbcuIaiz'.. l1wqe reaching apprt?xi.itÃately, 8W,00Ã3 TON'T. 1ti ttÃm, the noÃ.a-c:ondu~.~tive cou:pli~~~ ~~~~~ ~8an~.~
nc?nNconducti~,e housing 30 act Ic?
11?saI.at~.> lb.~.~:Ãl?t?~tor a*.~.a;~Ã-~I~ly. (t?z?t sho1vÃ~) fk?i?i flie electrical pati?i=~,ay -to prevent iIt#.i,.?#'Ã'~ip'#iom or misdirection or'61eC#T'l.t:.tl our.iertt ir~a1 el.iltM #:hrc?u,ih -thc~ ~le-cffical .isa ffic : uttrng Ãil) 26. 'I'his electrical .isoiation of the z?-ic}tor assembly is panii<utarlg h~~~.#nan-t vk.-'hen. Ã1i.e. iiiot+~~ assembly (~~ hmidpiece) is gzc?w?cied. 1=n ~.~aniLular, it Pcevcnt's cttrretiÃ
I:rs?Ãii beii-~~ ~lumted aNvay, froÃil the eIeot~~~~l p~~luvay. bi;rti~~~eea ttie eleL_uicaI. c=omieot~.~r 32 -iiid the i'u1#:J.il~..=, -tip 26.
In addÃ.#aon, ky eli~~~~caltx' isolating thepatiei?.#:-applzed ci?mp~.~Ãleni (Le.., the imaing iip uf;).ftom -t~e mc?ior aw~~~~ibty (not: shmvn), ~~~e nc?~~~conducti.~~e cc?tiplittg body ~1-8 mid hc?ÃÃs.iniM 30 set ~ e tc? jue'vent the conduction of aqy eleetfic:Ã1 or triboelec-trÃc -nc?i~e fi'a~111 tile, motor ~Ã..~w.inkÃly tt? -tl-ie s:i?itirÃa #:i.fa 26 i:}tat rni~;tht othe.m~ise c:amqc iDiei=#er~~~Ce.,w-Ah other di~~~ic,~,, posAiz>nes~ may or at #besuÃ=gic=al site ~1hat:i'eIy -qu.)n biosigna1s, troal #tt~.~ p:~~i~,ant .t~)y Pr<?per ;3pe:i'aIion. 'T'ht3s. ~he caittit3g insÃrurt:ierÃt 20 ish?gb.ly comp~~~~~e f+,?r use N.zith other ~evi~~s 46;?~ amplifs tt..l3~~~~evei bic?aiy>ns sxÃ~~i -m E'L>IG, EkG. ..
EEG, .ABR, ftxr ilie.

ibe el.ear:ical coÃ:id~c4#r 32 can ~e. W:iminated, Av--hb the i'esult"In!
ciitti.ilt; #.il.~"'tr~~rnmt providÃng a dist_iÃi~.wt..ia~1provem~;.~n# over c:s.Ãst_in~,} desÃgms ~.~'ilÃ~n wscyd in a ~ep~~rai.e pat.Ã.ent mc?nrt.rar,Ã.n;.~.~ devke.
Whil e #:lie wui'gsical cutting im:tÃ=azmea#: 2110 has b~.~?. d~.~; cz'zbcd as provi dixÃg a curved Al'aft cÃ?Ã?.fi~,~~mt~Ãtsxn z<a:jxklL t?fhi,tYb. spÃ:?ec~ operation, in cs#bvr embodiments, a -nic?.i'v shall des.Ãg~~ can be empl;wy'~,~:d ud are c,,i.pa.~le oI'zsupporÃ.Ã~~~ larger :~~~aft- diameters and c:u#:fing fip diamet~.ar: o#''7 mÃ.?z or greater (for ~.axampI e. fc?r 11-i:tik borie rex~:~~s~~ai ~~ri~~:eL~~ar~.~}. Fc)r ex~:rr~~3le, -klie ;~'c~~~iC~aI
c~~Ã~ti~3~; ~~lSÃT'117iIU71~~. ~.Ã) c~1F3. be 'fo#T.tl.L.'d the otiÃur #.t~l3e.22. and -ttit3s the ett3ngali.> d.r.iv.e n:twmbwr -24>
assuming a sÃ~'~i~
~it or 1~~:~s.~~r shape. A~~~~rnati~~~lyY FIG. 3 illtisÃraÃcys atumbor embodiment surgical ct3iÃiag inatumeaÃ
120 in accordanLe w-iÃh principies oi'it,*e {~resenÃ i~~~~ention t#iaÃ:
includes -ati eIansg-ate iÃrive.
s mc.rnbex 124, Ãi cuit.ing Ã:ip 126, :z 'couphÃ~~ ~~~dy. 128, a 110';I;~ing 1.30, ~-.m i:Iearica[ z .on~~ucÃ:or ~I.~~?, ~.
. tifi. ~.be,~Ã%~~~; a:sc~~:1~1~> ~.~~4. 'I'~~ surgical c:~.ai.Ã:i.~~g i.~~.~tr i~.~~i~Yc~Ã t ~tÃ ~<~~~ be ~~~~t~ ~~~ a ':tcx!w PÃece:", siniihu, to r~~haÃ is somei:im.~.~ #vmivd a "bur v\tw~-iier,"
-[haÃ: c~.~~. b~.~ fiited cxt-I
the front a#'a niotox assÃ~n*.iY ~.~.r 'ha<ipieoe" (tiot Amvq) to provide additional stability (c>g.. to Ãarev e~i i N-vob~.~le) to the elon gate dri'v~.~:.t-~~ember 124 .isid ctf iting tip :t.2~'~. in 1.0 addhic?n, and. %s ii~>;cribec~ be-iow, i:}t~.'sC.~tt~ic<3:1. 20 ay f~~ti~~~~~I;' configured to establish an e1ecuical paÃ~~'~vay fr~.~~~l t1lo olecui, connector 132 to the c~1#tl.ma lio 126, Ã uncÃ:i.on,1:li~.~ e-la3n;:Ãedr.k.,~.~ mantsar1 24Ãs a#mi~.tly d%sposi?dzi4-[t1it) t~~~ bous.iT1Ã:; I30, 'T'he i;u#.Ãi.qtz tip .126 i4 ioms:YcELd to amf 151 o:~.aoad5 dktatly- fxoni Ãtie elon;..~xe drive mei~~ber 124. Theccupfin=w body 12~ is wcuml it the eIm~,waÃe drive mo.t-~~~erI24 mid is adapted :f'cx -to a dri,:e.Ã~wthmÃsm connector {~3i?i Sl3i)wil) cA.'i3n3Wor assembly (~ioi 5h{3wn.), Tbe bi3i7k1~tg 1.40 is p#'C.~~videC~
<~3;~7'Ã. ?.~#'4,33:F3 Ã~.~<? .t~2i;3~.L).F' a'~tiS~mbky;, and maintains tb:~,'. 0-lLa1'ti:al connector 1;,~2#{nd the b.'Y=i?~'$~t,t.4Y,', ass~,~mb1ly. 134. llus,, the housing 130 acts ~~ainÃ~~~ and 'u~.~po~l the elong tiie drh'e.
inemter 124 4,n w-elI a,~ tllo outfinAw tip 12fi socaued Ã~~~~eld) atxd t~ie.
bearing as;,em61y 1:.~4.
FinalÃv, 'ar.t e1.ear.ic-al 1)-a:khvti-ati' i;; e;:iabfis'hcd from the eIeo#rie'ai c<ounec,Ãiar 132 -ÃÃ$
Ãlte cuÃ:fi:t~M' tip 126, i"cv example -via.1:tie bearing a,,,s~.anxbly 134 mti the drive meinbe~~ ~124, Hc~~~.~ez Q,r; it thould benotcd f1iat gaxsÃea.d o.t" #hia wnducÃii,k coupling r6aÃionship shmkvn, the cultiÃ~~ hvwumollÃ 120,m1be. configured tc~ establish a~3 i~id~~~-tivo or 25 coupiing tt3 tt3o cutting tip .126.
'The elonM;t:Ã~ drive member i'~ ~ ~~iit~c~z s a prr~~ irr~al s~~oÃiea~~ i i>t? asn(i a k~rsi.<~l.
seeÃÃvn 162. As shmvn." the elongate drive.member 124 ~~~~ an overall 'Ios3giÃ:udinal length greater '111,T1 t:haÃ of the hoasi.t~~.w 130 such Ã:}~~~t apun -l.iii 0. dÃmaI
-o~.~eÃio~i 162 extends fiarn tho }1(ausin4 zS 1.30. At te~,~t a por-ÃÃt?n aI'#~ie. eI.oag<3ie dri3-ezxionA= 124 is 30 ft)~'med of a in order to 't:aCSlitZ:ie 3v'i.Ãh Ãili cutting tip 126. as vv:ill be described in greater deÃail below. Some ~~~~ijp.rop~:iaÃo materials i:~1clude, sta:i.tlk~::sgÃee1 and tool stte-t nxiteriah,., such zu ;~~~~Sera.,~s tool sÃ~.~:ots.,,A-SerÃos. tool I~
Aei~I etc. Ali.emaÃ:iveh~, otber xn:zÃ:er'i;:Ã:1s i.'xhil).iiiay #i3e, de;,ircd E;.c~nd~ictiviÃ~,. ~tc:.. ~.~~i~ be ei~pl.o~~~~t R).rIbe WIoixgnAec!rÃVe .111einber 124.
Ibec~.=~t)ptiiaw body 178 c-an s{ssume a vwicty of:~orm& bjtt: is 001~fljwatr;.d t~.~
fiictlila#:e connection i."~f a mi."~lcyt=;isSet'tlblt' drÃve iTlechailiS.113 cZ)l?itet.''Lor (iiot shown) to Ãh~.a i.~Ion_snule driv~.~ irietatber .1'~4. As a point of reference, fl3i.a.inotor assembly (n~~~~ shown) and the dt'ivi=: iT?LL'hai'I.iCiI3 cC)7'inet:tC33' can :j4;}i.iTiii' ~3.2'i3riLÃt' L).f fbrii3C Zt~i3. T.i~~.=j.uCi.t' <3. ~~F3ck), .I;i prt~t'#ot#.wh' described 3t3 i'i.':,t?C:tcltiC?Ti wA ~ib-~.'.r ~.,-.mbt3dI.i3:iE'.ntS. i3'i t3Ã1f' ~,'3T3bZ)dÃ.Tt3.i:m_ the coupling body '128, is defined ~~~ ~ ~~~~~l Pc.YrÃion 180 IÃ~d a -proxinuill porÃic~~ I lk~". 'Fhe dÃso1 portion 180 i:i#'the coupling bady 1'1118 is configured t:t) :{'acibu;~e coupih-qg oi'tti~.a 1.0 elc?rt,;aÃ:e driv-e member 124 Ãx? Ã:t3e. couplinfM bo(iv. 128r "nae wxipi.ir~g, boitv 128 _;::nt bi~
~ec-tirod to tEio prc.~xinaal 'ection 160 of ttie eJ{wn;.,~aÃe drÃve.Ãale-mler ky -a vui.etly of techniques, suc:.}.t as via acl~~~~iv~,~:s, iiia1e kind'or #:~n.ude -11zrwids, c~~~~enuoldins? Ãhecouphnw~
bo(i~ 128, over Ã:he. ~.~lonjgnÃ:te dri v-e ir.3ember .124, w3d oÃ:her:Ã. The proxi.irt<~l po:rÃian .1,8~2, M
Wri:i, is con.Ã1gr.ired to sen~w <i.w :i ";tiÃ.dw surtace that progiiotes rapid, ccns.isÃ'im.t<is~ambty of I ~ ~~~e. illoifxr -,iy_K~.~mbly dri~~e mechwismconneclor (e.g, a, 6uc~:) to itie c~otipting bo4~' 1:9.
Once ;.~~ain, houez:~r. the coupling body, 128 cmx wsstune a varieÃy oi'oÃher .Iorou_ WS Ow <~4~~.i~t~~1<< t3Ã' the coup:lÃu;x bo~~~~ ~i. ~.8 Ã:i? Ã:h~.' elon;>Ãle, driv. e. Ãt:~~rnber .1214 an.d: c?r Ã:c? Ã:~ie.
motor drive n:i~wfmnism.
Similar to ;wthet ~nibodiment~ previously described. f1ie cc~upti~~g, kfdy 1213 is 20 i'orined of a non-conductive -mater.i~l -mad ;~~Ã~ves to asjis't iÃ~
~fectrical.ly ~ro]"It.~~~~ Ibe Aq such, the Doti-~
~:~;31'l'i.i~:tTl~~? ~.~3'Li~'3l.iP1~? ~~~~c~s' .t'~4 can IN,, to.rir3ed of >t. varieÃy a,~
pw,yicusty, described.
I=#ie cutting tip 12(~ c"M ah* a variety of ~~~rnui, #noiudrn~ tha',,,4 previ~.>us:ty.
25 di:sc~ibezi. 'T'he cutting tip :126 includes a ouÃ:tiz~~ btir 170 >Ãnd >Ãn ,t:kux~~rnLni: elid 172. 'T'lie F3.aa'L'h3:ix-ra ei3d .172 is conAz;ured Ã'o.recebv~e the distal section .16,2 of the elongate Ãf:r:iw ÃaÃcnilw'124. To this eÃid, the cutting tip 12f) cati be s~.~tÃ:reil tt3 -fl:ie. distEit s~~.~:Ãi,;fÃa 162 of the elongate drive n~.~.asnb~.~:r 1:24 via. a number af known meffiods such as, for ~.a~uimpi,.*, wi~l.diz3y. braising, Ã~:~ixrix3:~l ;~~tr~:i~~'#:ii:~i~3t;. xit~I~osive, rÃ~;~le f~r~~ir~~.r't:~:ir~a1~:
'40 ihrettds>.. ac. 'tbc e[unt*aÃe. dri-ve t:nimbc:r :t'2-~ and #bi:
cuttiÃ:iMP tip 126 can <iIwmaÃzA~~.*.ty bv 'mue~~ st~~~i ~i:~ b~*-, rnachin.Ã~~g ~ffi~,; e1wigme drive ~~iembir 124and the cuning ÃÃp :126-ftoni a::ingf~.a .~~~ece.

vaie-ÃY of s?Ãa~~~~s aiiti sizes kumwz in Ã1:rc art 2.mrÃx; I T.n.ixr d.ixrmozrti, eÃ:0..), 'Regarrd1 ms, the elonw:'ate drive member .i 24,aad #be cullarrs= tip I "~~
}rre 3~.~ured together sÃ.r0r that ÃheA' are in as previotr~~~. described in. assvckatÃ~.>n t~~~lh ~~ÃI~~r= ~Ã~3~~~s~irYt~z~Ã~.
~ 'llae botrs.irr9 I +Ã3 can ass ut=fre -a vari~.aky f3f .i'or=r3.r4 and :ts ;;~~r~~.~='r'aIl~' t,:~st~.~igtÃred -i~s maintain il:rc: e:1t}r.Ãzg'aÃ:e drive iner.rilaGÃ' 124r it:re e:tec:h-ic;tl connector 132, and ~~ie bo<rlÃng ;rsSvÃrlh1'S' 134. ci5 il'ell. as fa4rllt;r~.t;t13i)'fr'!'itlng (~~thi;
t",ut#.i77p, .iTi,,q]'r31'I].'=r1~ 120 '~t'+ ii motor a=rssemb1y (irot .lr.own). To this tnd, fI~e, b{-itrsiÃig 130 am be iriserÃ
rxroldc~d over 'aporÃÃ.~.~~r of ili~.a ~.~:l.earical cor~~eatar i:.~2 zrnd the be:rri.Ãm as:=~,~mbIv 134, .A[temaiivelv-. tr.vtrri~.~:iv of 1.0 fwohniq{res, suctr as ~wlui.agg, w~ldin~, ~~:t=e,~s-t~~tirit~, ~.~~i~r~r:r~~~I. shrink fitÃin~, et~::., mue cqw-illy amepta.hk The housing 130 can ir~~orporate a variety offeitur~.?s itral: Phoiiitat~.~;Ãssembly to th~.~ motrar .rs'sZerr-r~~ly., including those .~~~~A.'ior:ts(y demibr.~d. Ft.ir exarn.pI.ej in. s.3ate embodirt3errt, ille 11011'~ki.rl4Y i 301:i?r=ar;~, a.
ce-rxt.ra.l ~z~~edur=e 200 hav-irtM aat open prox im3r1 end 202 co.n.fi;;trÃ.'4d. l:or" atÃach-m:=.at to a.
corr~~por:rt~ing cogr:rpca.rxezrt (e.ig., zr ~~~lei) 15 ot'. the iiiot~r asse~~.~b1y~~ia r~~ett3~~~ 'k.riowri to those of ordimm~~
~kit~ in ttte aÃÃ:. 'r~~~ central 4~~ertur=e 200 Ãs sz: ed tc.~ r~.~:cei vc; xrÃ~d c~~~ture at lemt a psar'Ã:kon of the awtc>r assenrbly. [Tr the housing 1.3Ã.3 caÃ-i be. wÃ=r#iMrrred -to fac.ii.iiaÃ:~,.~
.tÃ:Ãac::h'st:reÃA -Ão the moior= 3rssembly v4~ ~n.ap fil;t, threads, inter:fz.aret~~e fiiv et.c. t:n t:rne er=r~badimen.Ã:~ ~~~e housing 130 is formed o.f' a niat~rkd (e.g, a 1Ãquid elysqak Pc~ly.me'r) -Ã:k) ass.Ãst.i1r i.wlaticagg the ztrotr:r.r= assembly f-ror~i ian eIecl:~ic;Ã1 pafllwa~forrired by the cuÃ:ÃÃrrg .iirsÃ:rirrrie-tr-i 1.20 as described b~~~~Av.
'ri3~.~ electrical 4couneclcxr= 1 32 iN: corrCr4'rrroti Ã.o t.ilcrli#arte deli3 eÃc c3.i'a qi:anrÃI>rtÃi?sr ene:r=,y f:ram an enÃ:aÃ=M,,y sotarcw (not sho-w.-n) to the mrtÃiqg tip 126 vi a. Ã:ire. O~,~,:.ÃricA paÃhu.-zry.
AS acÃ~~~. in c~~le, eÃ~~~icldiiaie-rii, the c-onno-otor 1:32. ir~~lude,~
insulated wim 210 25 having an exposed erid 212. As A{=il:t be dt-sc=ribeti in greater detail kÃwlt?-w, iiie in4uI>tied ivÃrk 210 c-m~ be ccrnr.r~.yded #o moni.iar.irlw:*, "k~y:rti:ms, stÃc<}:r as -Ãhe, eÃ:rergy scxtrrce of a r~~rve Ãilonitorirlg system (Ãi~..=~i. slzown). nM ~~~ow-n in F:I.G. 3, ilie ir~sufatcy~ ~Mr;.~: 210 hm 6"11 oremik'Aded iziio the hou,-~iag U'30, witti th~.a ~.a.~~~~sed end 21111 in c.carrf:Ã.ak~.-iAi i:tr: t~.~atinx>
arssem~~ly 134. In particular, Ã:lr~ exposed end 2,12 is, soldered or t?Ãtror=tivi~e el.ec:.t.r:icalIv :k0 z,slrpl~.~d (e.g.. Ã-ne#.al t~aaenirr; c~ndrrcbr>eatsive_ t,.rr..Mpr.rl:4Y. pxv,~t tit. #.~ f.tl~~ Ie,~r:itr~:
a's-s~.~rul~~~ ~134. In ;w~ier enabc.~dit3~ents< ~~ie. electrical connector 132 can, emablish, an electrical paihwky if) -ilze cut:ti~~g fip 1.2t> Vla offiez rraeams. Fc>~
exarzjple, i:h~.~ iÃ~~-ulaWd ~3i.Ã=,~

~~.1Ã~ om b4 corÃrÃeded to a wire bri.ish, suicix as ix b4rc' Il:axÃr.Ãr.
bnÃsh sÃrrÃÃlar if 1lxc7,w xÃ sed in motor as5i'mbl1e5 (TÃot sh1?Lvi1) tK+1t #.s:ErÃ d:mi.<3i<t N;'1.th il3e elongplL
l.Ãx on~.~ embfulim~.~ntm tlxe =G~eariÃx~:assemt)iti> 134 is a ball beatiÃxg-type, device, and incltÃdw an itiÃieÃ= rac-e or ring 220. an ofÃter race or ring ''n?, atrd roII:iÃx;f elements, (or ball be:Ãr'iÃr,W.,s3 224, all of vO~~ich am amned ol'elec:.t.ric:Ã11y conductive Ã'n>Ãteriz.~.
Sux'il as stai.Ãrt;~s"s ;Ae~.aS.
11-w bvamxg ~ ~ernbI~~ 1.34t:.aÃx also i Ãr.clÃ.Ãdc: a beaÃ-i.Ãx~; retainer nÃ:Ãg, ivhich ntvd not be define. aboreconfÃgxÃred to coa-xÃaity receive (ir.e clor~~ate dravx.~: Ã~~embeT 124, It: shoÃ:Ãtd be noted that the elozxg.lte, drive member 124 is received u-4~thirt the inÃr:er riz3g 220 -~vffb to c;reaie a coÃxt:Ã.ÃtuÃxs eieu.ricai pat~lu.=L=Ã{' NeÃvveca il.xe tvvo compon~.w.Ã~ts 1-41 220.
Fmm fbe previous de::c=ript:ioir., ft ~NdlI be Ã.ÃÃzderstood trat: Ãlxe.
bearing assembly 134 acts 4x.4 an eli~,~t:a~ic"3.1 putkÃway, Ixz~hvcen t:he. oiect.rix;al. ommecuv .1:32 aÃid -ilxe elontwt:aÃ,:~,,iri ve taw.mNu Ã 214; sxÃcl). #ha1 tt:Ãcr uvo are iri crlec[r'izal IÃ tr:as been sx~rpris.int?Iy ~~~,-Ãkiml tlxaÃ passivated bearings- and beariÃ~t~.c~ luk3ri.c.,nc~d with 3xon-conduc:tive. 1ubÃ-.t~ant, or not Othen=vise iala.Ã=.i4mtec3, c-aÃr. interfere v0d.l:f'c>rmiÃrg mx ~~ecifical p~~hwk~~: beuv-evm. -tii.e.
~.~Iecinf<:al coÃtriect:xrr 13=2) fu3d t:l;~~ ~lozan<Ae. c:i.Ã=.ive.
Ãnerr:Ã~~ar 124, For exartrpleA the b, arin45:
, semb1y 134 is des.iped N6tb. 3mail pp:Ã be-twe~.arÃ the ro3tin<{ 2~~?4 m~~
the r;Ã=
< as 220. 2,22 that allow Ãhe. rotlinV:..~ Oements, 224 t:~ e6ecti-velr> float in inst:x~~ce,,,, of't~~~~~ ducÃr .20 high-speed opemim. Furit~er, ttie rol:(i.ng e[emems,224 ma"y have ~~entri~iti.es thaÃ:.Ã=esWt irt s~~edive coritact: behveezr #t3e rf>ffiqM* elements ~'.24, t:tre otatc:r ring 222, and the r.Ãr.ner.rÃrÃg, 22t). As stÃx;lx; in oÃr.e. eta:Ãbodicrtent, #tx~ bearim', a.ss L.mk~iv .1:;>4 aucixÃdc~-; c-oÃ~iducrtiv~.a ;;;ri.~;:~:.~e (nirt ~lmm) to fi.1l gaps (~3ui rhawÃt) hQtwLQ.ÃÃ ttÃc roffiÃx~ ;;'tam.vxÃ#.;Ã
224 anci Ãh~:~ ÃÃxÃr:z=r.t=ing 22.0 and ~~~ie, outer fing, 22=2. As such, iti orle eÃ~~bodiment the beari~~g, asseÃr~~lY is ase., sud r. 1v,,N'E'o8O1 0 7,15Ã>G ,nvail.able Ã:rcsÃx3 ;~::z-e :t.:~.i~Ã'i~~~:fr.t:s r~f ~'~~i.~=~xtY.~~~Ã:Ã~ ~~1 ~. :~~
~~~.~~r.i~~~Ã:Ã~.~i~. ~,ts;~~c>~~t~r~Ãr. ~~Ã~r~rs f~.n t~~:Ã~~.~~I~~~~
ele.mencs -224, such as ch.i o.mitoxx ox.ic~eanclr or Ãr.Ã&cyt ox.ide, ue of4~.WÃi imd to Ãnereasm Ã;.orrfa :io.Ãr. Ã-esis#:anc~.~ -vid hardn~,~;= of flr.~.x rolling ~le..ments., bui: c:aÃr.,~.,:rve to retider theÃu ~~~.~;~~=i~:t~~ls~ .Ãxc9.Ã~.~,:.t~rÃt~xÃ~t'i.~c:. :~;; wxÃ~;~1 irt e~r3~.a ~.arÃx~~~i~~~Ã~~rÃ'~ iiz~: r~1~~Ãx~ c~1~rt~~~~t~; ~~~ rÃ.r~
BzrnrÃed stainless s#.te(. JÃ:npirrlandy~ Whas bi~Ãr fuÃÃ:Ãd iix~~ by it~c-Orp~rati.Ãa~ sue;Il. feat~ires, i1ie bming a.ssembl:v 134 is capable of forai-zi~~g a continuous electriciii pat~lw~.~.", or coni:i.Ãr.uou.,~ eiect~ic:ÃI.
00Ãx113.111Ã1katioÃx, vv-it:h 1:l.le ef~.~ngat~.a d:uve 'I Ci meniIer '1'>4 zuiti Ã:lÃe. e1eotri'c<3l c,'annef:.'lt>.r .l :321 wbiie tk~e-cu#.i:irtg 'iip 126 i~, zi:E -res'~ and iÃ:.ls #.uÃniÃÃMr ta relatively b.it~h .rc3tafinnal spct~-~C15 greater than 243,000 RP:'L>l'. (ttd in oÃie e~~~~~~imcnt aspe~.yd,.~ t4pp.r~aclaing 80,0Ã.)0 R.PM.
Uponfinal as~embly_ ;Ã. st-a.bie eIe:trical i;s, established 'froni tlie.
eIelaric~-al 1:32 =tcy'ille ct2.ttis-g tip 1.2(5. ConversG1yt'llie coupling body 128, <~s -,{:4ll as -ilx~
hous:ing 1.30, aots to eIectrically i.rÃ;"Waie motor ~~~so'n:Ãbiy ÃÃloÃ: .frum tl:w ci~~tricat pathway. desiribal upon i-tiotinling of''Elic cuit.iÃ-g instrument 120 t:ck the moÃor,~s'senabIy.. IÃ~
suii:t, in one enbodi:~~enÃ> tbe bearings~~embly I 34'i.ncludes'~~iaterkuls and i-5 c-on. l:ÃgurLd stÃdi 't[izit the elear.icaI patbway- is coiÃ'tinuotÃ-sly .ÃrutÃaiainedd'cÃring operkit.ie3ti, withr:ut.
iit3ri.nw=, of the eif>Ãt~gate. drive menil~r 124~
uÃd~ as a Sp~edu greater tbaÃ~ 20,0(X) Rl'M, and as high as 80,000 RPM. "f taenoz~-cE3ndÃ:acÃ#ve coupl.Ã'ttg body 128 electrically .isolaÃ:es tl.~e drive m~.a'ttib~.~:r 124 (ihiii i!g ~.~ffierwÃ:~e p~in of dzc electrical pati140~my-) frorl:i'di% cc?rr~'q)t1rtdi:t1g component of tl3E? motor c1.~:4i'znbIt cirivo nwxbanism io Avhic:h ttie c_..Ãpling botiv .128 i-i atiaclte+.l, -w~hcre:as the n<3r~-candui.tlt~~.~
housing 130 (that other~.vÃse is iÃi contact tvith. tile etect.Ã~iall pathv~.-<V.) electrica[.ly, Ãs;alate's the cu:cting instru.ments, 120:frc?ai c~orr~spc.~ndili;> c~~~~iponent(s) (Yf-the motor "we-ably- (e:;~~.r nlz?k)r "Isse'rÃxbty b.a3l7qiÃ3g ar ca3ll.et:) t:t? w1-~icl:t the insarunÃent:
i's aWa~:.}te.d.
D~pimtli:qgg xÃpoÃx a de-sirGkl distal exÃ'ewdan of(1ic LlorÃgate drive memler l .24 from the housing 130. 'f1ic elongate d:ri~~e nieti7b~.~x 124 can.furth~.~r itic:ItÃde a ~~ion" cottdtÃcÃÃve, emerior coaling, or Sleeve to pcevoiii sl1unti.Ãt;~. of ele4t.Ã=.iLa~ ~-~~t~'e~t~::~v1>;Ã.;c~ .i~~~c~'~t~'tlt~~ desired ~.al.ec'Ã.rzcz3l Pathw<3y #:mixt i:}te eii.ac;Ã:z=icz~. t'i)nnectc>r 1:32 to 'tlxe ajitirÃg tip I.~'6 and,,'br irtadvi.~rfexÃt coaÃ:aci: with i:~ie- ~Ã=zi9Ã'or assLmbiv.
.
ia.addlti.fln to. ensuring a. suabl:e cottplin. s*
boik~- 123and houaing'130 serve to isolate tl~e cuuii3g tip 1~6 frarll elelaric~~ or i.rib~:~elec1ri~;al noise ~;e~~eÃ'~.ied ts~~ >~..1x1G~ft~.r ~.~:~~r~~~~13>
~i#l3er~~=i:~~~'~~=~i~uÃ~~:;~tl'!cs uÃ~cl rot,Ãt.ingldrii i.~~;z; !lxu eic}rÃgat~.Y drive Ãwmber '!."?4. Thus, tin:Ãilar to *w st3rctizal ctitt.ing.
eIment 20 {FIG'. 1) previously d~.~:s~.=:ribed, in aItemaÃive en:z~~..~d.imeilcs. tli~;.~ stÃrw.~Ãcal cutting i~~Mawiem 12~) need.not: Ãzictade tfie electrical asmuxt~~r 13~.. with 'tbe #l7~.' trai7.;iT3liSs1w3 of electrical or $riboel.earical wAse t~.~ the oui:i1t3M tip 1261n <i alawlir il-laÃ: mi.t~ll.Ã %Ã~.Ã~erf:erz 3~~iih p:rz~p-Ã= vpÃ:'rat~t~t3 ixf~;:t separate i~~Ã'r~c7~~::rati~~~:

pattent luoÃl.ÃtorÃ.ng device.

A portion L?.i'~f~Ã~:tir=r ~.i~?~~?c~ai~~ixt: ~Ã~>~c ~l ci~Ãt~~3~
~~Ãst.~~3rÃ~z~Ã'i 3i3 ivd~h principlcs of t~~~ prewnt iz?ti=ei-~tiori in conjtmaion with fi pz?.rtsoi?. of3Ã motor ~.yr.2:>4, ;3-z-utfin>2 tip 2:.~6, ii:.otiplÃt?,;' b~dy "21:.>,8',, a?. h~.~usi~?g 240, affiiii;Ã wupliÃ2t, ws~emi?lv. 24:
(~=eÃ:~,ari>rtc~.~~ o~.}s:ÃeraIh)r aÃid aÃl et~.aci~=ic.:t.l conÃ?ectoz,2144.
For ease t?f.iiiu4t~=.:itiorr, ttai.a d.r:ive nie.ii-iIer 134, the cjÃ#t:j.Ãig tip 236. the coupli.ixg, body 23t; and portions of the n:Ã~tor ,Ã;~;4nilily :2:1" a:ri.a show~~ s6emzit:icaily in NO. 4. -As described bcl,m.v, the .insÃrtimerÃt. 230 operates in a inanner=inAhar to previous enib;wctiini;~ntst wher~by tt~~
coupling boc~> 238 is.
coupled to ilit..a .mo'Ão.r ass~.~mbIN', 2,32 (sÃ.icii ass via a chuck 246) #o.r rot.?:lÃng #:Ii~.~ cuÃtiÃ?.g tip 116. FÃa~'Ãlxe~', a stÃmulat:in:~ cur.re~xi i~efiS~ereti by il7e el.c~tzfric:a1 connector 244 flo~~-s u? ih.~.a ctÃ.tiiÃig ÃÃt) w~~, viii the fltiid coupli.Ãags a~s-embIy 242 as part of au~
e-voked pwteutk~
:illOÃ1ÃlE3fiE1" Op''.# fitit?1l.
Tk~e, d:ri-ve rn~.aÃÃ:Ãbe~ 234 i:~,,.ri?~'~ried c3f'.t. rzg id, dec t.risA.' i t3ndudi9e nx.?zeriat (e .4f.
sievt ), ~.ixi defiÃ:is:Y~ a dis[<it porti.flz?. 248, w i~Ãt>':rinediatv po.rdoz?. 25F i, and a proximal ponion M~?". The distal pc?rtic?Ã?: ~~~ is aaached tc? or othUn--vise termilux~~~ '11 ifii Ã?tittAa~.~ Ãit) ?:.~;:$ irÃid c~iws defines m~ axial lengtli or extensi.~.~n oÃ'tt;e cutÃii?g tip 236 relat:h:e to th~.a how,kag 240, and cau:.t,~,sume a varieh.- of I.engÃtÃ;:. 11e prcmi.i?:Ãal poi=t:icsr~ 252 ÃerÃrfiwltew, or in one emWdiÃnew Os shc3~.~:i?) lbrins, the coupfii:zsf body 238. ~',.:-,gardlcss in one enib~,~~im.e;:tt, tl?e intesniediate porÃir3rt ~50 has tiÃi increased ~~iter diameter a_,k cc?~~~p~:~:ed to ttie distal wd proxi.Ã~~l port:ion:? 248, 252 (a.1 I.emt in ibose re{~io~?s inunedi.ate-ly a~~aceÃlt the inÃ:;?rmedi;i:ie portion 2.RX), ant~ i,~~ characterized a,~ beii3gl exierii?rky expowd as cortijaaÃrcd Ãe? ~~ie distal at3d pÃ=t?.x:imM pc?rtio~is 24,R, 252. N'fo~=e particularly.OÃ~ 01Ã0 embue~im.in#. an cxtwior of -itxe dri-ve. member 2 a4is w~3cornp;:tssed by :w e.lv~cifii-aIly non-o~.~nduotÃve., insulating Lo-atii?g 2-54 (a=e#ereue~.~ ~,er~er,111y) in all r~;.iona exupÃ. ~~ie-intermediate po.rdcsi?. 250. .~.~; ct. pcAm of ret:ez=o:ice, a thickÃxess of tta~.~ irt srÃI:3fing couli~3g.254 is Qxagw'erawd i.t? FIG. =~I for charitY prtrputes. ~Vitb.
e.{:t3bc?diÃ:nci:Ãi;,, %iÃ M3:ii;:b. the driv. Ã,e, n?emlw. 234 forms body, 1238, the cc.~upIing, br.~dN.> 2M is atsa cov <yred by the coai:im) 2,54 (it be:i3?~; u~?d~.a4::t;:~~d that :f'i?r zAtwrn.zt:ive e,i?3k3c?di.meÃ-rt:s hi w}?ich Ãi?~.a Ã:.oupI.Ãt.18 bofly 2:"kg is ltÃrnx4d apart from, aÃ?.dsubsecpeÃ?.t:ly= att.Ãc.hed1o, it3e.
drive niGaniber2:+4., Itle zottpfin4* hody '7348, is eitherco.inpr'r.sed. of'ai:t dectric~~~ly Ã~c}i~~c~~tÃ~~i~=(i~ s~ mai.vÃ'ÃaI <ÃrFd;'o:r i.s coated vv-ith w electrically insulafivc~ covering). Cwwer~~ly. witti ~.}mbudiments, Ãti which tl?~.a d:r:i~~~e ni~.~:mbez 234 I'ornis -Ã1le cutting tip 236i. the c:,uÃt.irÃg tip 236 is free of th~.> insuIaÃive, l.~
co:Ãt4qy, 254. ~ard1~.',&s, i}Ãe i.Ã~saIÃ3:iive 00::3.Ã:irtg 254 caÃi take at.v-axseky ol ft>rats, and caÃl be ~.~aplii:~~ irÃ a .Ã~Ã~ÃItit~~d:e ~+~'n~~~rÃ~ÃeÃ=;Ã. For eb~~~~~~le~: tkÃ~.~
fn3~ÃI<7.~~~~~ ~:.~?~Ãi.irÃ#~:25~Ã can be p[<Ã,~~~, shri-iik. i:tÃbintw, over molded plastic, cytc.., fomxc:d of aii ~.yleÃrie4illy= non-canductive material.

The ~.~13'#'ÃLT3i> tip 236 and 1he coupling bo4, 238 can assui3"ie my i:xf tt3e 1ia.Ã=.i11s pr::-vaomt;y described. Tlms, ilxe cul#.ixÃg tip 23t','c:ÃÃx k3e a 1mr, cui:[itag tee-i:h, etc. ~~ alluded to Aovi:, tt:Ãc: ctat7~lin,; bod~y- 238 caabe Ã.Ãxiegralty lomiect b1' the drive member 234 or ~rz~s~Ã.~Ã~; ~f ;te~.~;Ãr,~Ãi~#~'. ~.Ã~ can;~ ~~ÃzÃ~c~c~ÃÃ~i~t~~: ~3~sY~~~
~Ã=. i~~~ ~:t~u~~tgn~.~ ~~~~~~~~ :?:3~ .~t~.Ã t~s ~. ~,vrt~~~~ ~
:41~~~ ~c>r re]easably engaging i1ie chuck 2 S. Al~emal~~~~~~ ~ ~~e, coupling ~.~~~ M cmi asscm~.~,~: iDifÃer c~.~nfig~Ã:~~t%oÃls a corrcs~~~~~~~~ng csamponea~ of Ibe ÃÃioi~r 4~.tismembly 232.
~11Ã~ ~~oushig 240 cmi incorporate various described mci :ficmed f:ron-. or ~.aEI~.xri.orIy coki~.~.~:d with, aÃi. eI~,~cÃ~cafly m:ÃteÃ=Ãa1 (~.yqg... #tl~.~
hocÃsirtM'24t3 i::aÃi beforrtxM of eleci:m.tl1y insulative p1<)slic;). The housing 24(l def.ines a d~tical :ÃC='.:'=Ion. 258, a proximal re-g1on. 260; c3Ã1d a cC'Ã:FmA passage 262. 'rl3.e passi3.gC'. 262 ji Wong ~~e proximai region 260 is sL,,ed to miaiin&dy reoei~~~ a corr~s'P~.~nc~~~ig homina 263 (iil.Ã:ÃstÃw~.~d schematically) c>:#'til~.a mc3la.~.Ã= assembly 232.
Conr>ersel,4>, ffie. distal reg.i<3n 2558 fsarnis pas5zgyo 262 ix? Ix sd.ig ,tÃiIy greater i:it art a d%zurÃei:er of i:iÃe. drive Member 234 <:at~
~" c~,~Ãifigcire~. 1.0 mmiÃ:Ãt"Az~ ponions of'ilic; fluid z>oupI.irtMt asswz~~~~~~ -242 ~~.:~ described betuw, b.a. ~.~n~.~ embodiment, ttie -I-iiÃid ccMqp:Ii.nt# assembly 242 indudes a ~ondu~~ivespacer -21t*~ ~~d wbing 2~?6 flu#dbi~ Loil.neo#ed to a source t:t1oÃ sh%twd) of eIeit.Ã=iCal1V, amduCE.ive flaid. 'I'~~~
cor~~ucti3~i.~ spacer 264 is .for.ixÃed iyf >i. b;Ãrdmed, e1es:1ris:at1y corÃduci:ii~e rnet;ii and is Ã~Ã~~.ÃÃ=~~~.~.~ i~a i~=~~ ~~sÃ>Ã.J ~~~~t>~~ '~~~ ~t't~~~ 1=~~;Ã.Ã;:~.Ã~~;
2~~~ .Ã~rgÃ.ÃÃ: t~~~.a ~~>Ãssf~~~ ~'t~2. ~'~Ã i~.Ã~~
imbodime:Ãt. the ccsndudivi :~~~acvx 264 is a. ring or rx#ber cylindrical shape do.ril:Ãizlo, (xt) iz~~~~.im~ aperture 268 (re-teremed geÃ~~rdly-). Ttie internal aperture. 268 liaa a dkÃnviez a~~~~roNim.ttirÃf~,= f~r-i oÃiteÃ= di.w'neteÃ' C.3'f the i.n.ti'.=rm~.'dif1Ie portion 250 of ilio dÃ'.Ev~' 71fv~3:2be2=~211.+-4 ~mdl. 111"If tÃponfinat at~embI.yj the, iÃ:Ãizamediai~.Y portion 250 is i.n.
appÃ=oximme contact wfth the conductive s~~ac~.~:Ã= -764. In cme enibc.~d.iment, ilie ct3ndivÃve spacer 264 is ~.~oÃ=m's,, ;~~~~,'o:Ã= formu arad.ial opening)(::) (one oi'N-vhich.is ili.tÃs-tÃ=Ãit~d a1270 in FiG: 4).t'~.~r m<~~ons desc:ribed below.
'11i whin?; 266 is fn.Ã-in;;*dofaÃ;Ã iIi-:o:Ã=.icnl:ly is -fluit~~~~
cou ~~lcd 4~t: a prox.i~~~al. end (ii~~t s~a~3~~a:) ila~:re{w~' t;w a soÃ.iÃ=c~,# of eI~Y~t.~i~:tilt~~ ~;o~~i~.~Ã~~t~~ ~ 1~~ÃÃ~.
(h;at: For evmpte, thL.a C.aiuc=tÃ=.icalIyoondue-lÃti=e f1tÃid cm b~.a sabn.~.~:, e-Ã:e.. Reggardles;;, a distzM end. of i~~~e tub.ixÃg, 266 is flui~ly-c,'ormeotcci to t:iÃe.
ca~xc~uc.ti3 c ; ~~~xcc.r '*Ã>~, swch as via a port x7-2 fc~rnuNt.ÃrÃ theht?lÃsii:Ãsc 240. 'Wlth th~s cc?nfi~.,~unmicn, c.onti.uc:iivelbid f:rom the i:u.bi.nw 266s :ti:mes to ttic ccÃitttÃ~.~tivc spacer 264 and tljeÃx to z~.ai ilii~.~rior surfjc:e tjaexGaol :dtte to c.aith-er a porosiW or other i'ortiicd opening 270 in t~ie, cor~ductiv~
Spa.cer 264 as ~ ~~~=4~a~at~~l~~3~.a~c..r~1~c~3.
FÃ.mIl1z=. ii:Ã~.Y e1ect:rÃ.c'.0 ilmÃlnc;ctor "44 iS ;Ãr:t inSol.at~.Yd. ivirc or other bc7d.y C,tpable of delivering an eI.c:ctÃ:ii:al clirr:.'ni:. '.T'he eteciric.il ccuncs:#or 244, is iii:c:t.r.ic-<illy conn~.~u~d (e.&. welded_) to ~le conductive spac~:r264. Thus< a por.tiott of'ihG
clectrical ccnn~.~ctoÃ-244 omi ex:ietid dirot Ugh t~ie hoL~,~~~~ 24,0as ihtawn.
Dur.irÃs:; Ii:te cutting irÃst:rcuxteat 230.Ãs moclnted. -to the mc'AoÃ' a,"c.'mE3~y 21.32zws.
A~.~um. As a point ot:'ret~,~:rencc, ttiÃ.x iaiotor asscmb1y 232 hicludes the cixuc:.i<;. 246 forming an :itnc.~:ztuil.f1ange 274 nestable uri.thin t~~~ ~~oove 2-56 of th~,?
~;~oqi,liÃz,w body 238 tc) facÃliultc.~:
~:~~. Ã:~~cl.ut~.v ~~ Ã=i~~~;~ 27~~ ~c~r~~t~ sc~i~~Ã:~~,Ãt.ita~.llz>:} ~:t~r ~tÃ.~~~~c~rt~z~~ tl~.i~ ti.Ã~ir~: rÃ~:~.:~~:Ã~;~r '~ s-1 15 when rotated by d~iveÃi ratafton of itie chtick 224~~=cmpling lx)d;~ ~%.
141_gardfe~s, a.
stÃ.mÃ.alwing cwrent i!~ tielivei=e-d to ilie cuttin,w tip 236 w part of an e-'.- o~.ed poient:ial r.tiz?z3i#.i).r.irtg operxti.o.Ã3. (#.h"3l may or l3t<3.~" Ãit3t: t3(,.i:u#' i3't i[ali]ilÃ14ltt~il with cult'!.Ãl,x) by sÃlpi~ly.1.Ã11~51 a conductive fluid to the. oni:ÃductiNi e:Ãpacer 264 via ihe tubing 266. Dui to;t pori3si~y md>~.~r other opening 270 in. iÃie cc7iidtÃc-live tp,,,iccr 2164. th~.~
conductive .~~1uici flo,~~s t;a an.
:?t# interface or :~pacin;, i3ewveetx the conductive spacer 2E4 md. the iÃ~temietliate portion 250 c3~i~~: ~3~i.~~ ~~cr:t~~~c~ ~ ~~. .~A.;~ ~~:t~s~~<~Ã, ~.c'c3.t~.t~ucfi~~c ~.~.iic~. Ã:il~~:t '~.'~S ~:~ f:f~Ã:~x3~.~; ci.~c~~=ic~.~l.i' colÃpiirtg7 t1:ce Loll.duct.ive spa.cer.2{a4 atid tb~.a drive niurni7er 'M:.+4. Wb~.are desired, scal;s (Ã=iot:
~~~owÃ~) cm be pro;=idcd. kiist~t:l andYor proxgmzii the t:onduii.iv~:~
spftczr. '~(A io coniain cr.Enductive-flu.id at the conductive spacer Ãiiei~ibct 234 inter.t;tc,e.
R~gardlest_,', aÃl 25 s l: ctticat p:3tllwaE' ir: established in. xvhzcb. asti.Ãtuilr3ting, Luc'rcn#. 't.'I.ows from cicc:~Ãrical conductor 244 {r.fihem--s.se civctrf.cti.l.ly ronrÃected. io a stimui.'atin.t;. energy source (nol thr<3w,2,ih -the cxmducti~~~ s:pZ~~r drive n~.c.amber:2:44, iind -to the cut:finy tip 236. "#'lie im%ulativ-c,a coat:in~.? 254 p-roinoÃ~.aa t~~~ of the ~;~ut:iitig t:il) 236 <3.4 ,~ielcctri.c..Ãl Pr'obe, Pr~~~entitig ;4.ÃcÃnlicÃg (?.f current tci scÃrromiding 6:~Sue. FtÃri:iier, #i:ls~ in~ukÃ#.it'c ccswing 254 over -lhc: r.ot7pl.it3g body 238 (or other, ~~on-ufnducÃk--e c;wnI::ÃgiÃmtion. of ~ie couOling tc)dy 23S) in cw~juncfi~,~n witti the t~on-2Ã3 condf3cÃ.iv.e haw 1.ng:24~} i.~wtricaliy a;;of"Aa5 fbe coTiducÃ:i.-vc:
paÃh~~~~.i the niowr ~.~sembIy- 23>2,as Nve1l as from a ~~ernthenvise h;tndfing. the I:tt}tfsinM;- 240..
A p;.~rb{an of xiotber entoclim~.ynt surg.icat 28t.? inacc~.~r~anu 'wiÃh ÃI-ie Principles o:f'tl~e. Present iw~~ellt.ikyn ill ccalijun~.~Ãion u.ith a P.~I'tiaii oi ilie illoÃ:or ~ ass~.zmblY 232 de4{:.dbed a~~~~ve., is,,sk3ow-n in FIG. 5.1.. 'l"Exc imsÃ:rimxwnt 280 is ;ainlilar.irl many respects lo, tIlc: insÃrtin:-uni 2*30 (Ft.G. 4) previously dc=ri.l~ed, with. like clemztnt;
having like reference nuz31bers. NVA1I -this in mind, 'itie insÃrunzwnt 2>0 .includes the elon~..'mL, d-rive. niLmbex 2 34. the ~::tiÃ:tÃ~~g tip 21 36. fI~e coupling body 23 8, ~bccnishxM;:~~82. ~~~
~le:.Ãria:.~~f coupling menibIy> 784 (referenced ga..~~~endtyl and the electrical conaeci r 244.
A~i de-s-cribed be-iow; the zns[rxameut 280 c}pe-raiew in .t. m4xnner similar to - t~~r:t~.ic~~~~~
~~~~bo~im.ents, ~ie mator asseza~~lv. 232 is coupled tc.~ the c:otipl.Ãa~g bokiy'238 (saÃ4h :is via the chuck 246) .tor rotatiny ~~e c-utfing -tip 230.
z3e.Us~~eretf b~~ the eI.edt=ioal ct3nne~. =ior 2.44 (such<is frcrrti.
asiimuiaii~~~ ener4M~~ source (rto#.
si~ow~n)) flo~vs to the, t:utÃin.T; tip 2 46 vi a the Q'IecÃricttl ccsuptirtMY
assznibly. 218,4 as p-irt o.~': ~~.
e-,~Ã.=~:~~d pc~~enfia[ ~~~on.Ã#ori.ng, operation.
Sftnilar t~ ~~~evÃc.~ws embodi.}uen.ts, Ãtie drh>e Ã~iena~.~er 234 is -fonii~.a(i ~.~i' or coated ,~vi.th a rigid, elec Ãric-aIl4- zmd defixies -flie distal portion 248, lli.e intermediate portio:ii. 250, wd the pri?:~i.mal port.iQn 252. In. tb.is regard, ille distal "Ir~~t proximal portiortw 24S'. 2252 are encompas,,"d or coNfered by the elvorically ÃÃon-ea~~~ua#v-e. inswia-lika coating 254 (ref~~~~~~~~ ~~~~em%:') as pye%>i:,wty ~~s&i~ed. u.-herea-s the in.Ã:wrmedi>ite porÃ:i.can 250 i:~ exteriorly exposed.
'lli~.a hous.ing 282 is, simitar Ã~) pz=e6ou4 ernbcAin~ents, fcyrmW of ui ~.alect.ricaliy n7awri;:tl, cuch zis phisÃi.c. Jii. addition, tl:te htxu;'i:ngg MK" is et3n1:Ãgurvd to ~~~ivea~~~ ~~l-aintaiÃi 'it~~ ~~edfica# c~~upliog assembly 28.4, ;.tic~~ as ~~iaa. pr~.~~~', fiÃ.
Alti.arrwfivelj>, the ~~t~~~si~ts:.t ~28? can inCltic~~: adi~.i~ti~~~3~Ãl that more secr~~=eI?~~
receive and niiiinl.ai.n: the ele~~~~~I cutipIis~g assembly 284.
W:Ãtli additional to FIG: 5B, ~~e ei~.~:e~Ãzical cocipl~ng zss~.~:~~~~ly'284'has a.
z=~.~tatable; b,~a~Hwg-Ã~~pe config-urat:izq. ;~~id.include,,k n.inner ~~~~rn~..~s5 286., ~i ouÃ:-Ir ~a-ce 288, and a b: uir.q~ ~ac?tt~> 290. The iitit~~,r harness '8~:~ is <i.
~;~:r.~er~~ll.~ ~iix~ ~~1~~~~es~ ~acx~~> ~~4#:~~~.i~~z; a.
base 292,anda. plural%Ãy. of'fingi:rs 294. "I.'hw fingers 2{-M cxwnd fr.'sxrn #be base 291 .in za.
~~~~~~n, Bs Dhshicta (rehative to thelongitudinal axis defined by Ili~.>.
drive and c:~oÃ-iibitxe to de:fit~e =. inner k3n outer diatileter 2#., t3i'the anÃc,r.ines~iate pt?.t'i:ian?10 of Ã:l3e. drive nlembut',234. Tl3tist upon #.iz3.tl a,5s'emtaly, the fingers 294 ct3ntai=$ :iÃ:Fd engage ti=iL Inl'ei'med.im.d,,~ ~.~ol't3~:ot1 250 of the dnvL 7'tii'mb,a~ 234, To ensure L'=m1Sis~4I1t, i."=t?il:tÃt3t#.~>iÃS t:onllti.wt, in oÃ'#i.'=
ombodÃ.iTlen#õ the 1:Ã3lgeÃ'S 294 are "p~~.''-Ioa~.~.~;.~'' to extend radia1iv in ww=dly r6Iaiive to tlie base 292, combining tc4 n at:tiraliy atsstÃ.ink aix i.nnt;t' i$.iarnt:ter.[e s #b:tn an otsteÃ= th<3mc~teÃ' o'~~
the portitsi-t 2550.
Rc~garÃ~less. the i:ixilc>r .Ixs7mms -2186 Ã.:t .R)rmed ~.~#';ti:t eli:ctmal1y ctanciuctiA.'e r.Ãle-mÃ, t11,6 tts 15to~.al. The otii:er ract.a 281,"'~ is cx#'a conductave.met:tl, and Ãs, sized l:~.~~ se-cÃ.iremenÃ t:c the housing 2,82 (e.g., pr~s.s fit). Finally, the bearing body Z~) is ahs-t.~
.~lectria:.ttfly conductive, and is ;Ãdqtcd to facilitate t'okation of thc inner ha~Ãic~~ 286 relative -R) the a3utei' rac:e-288. :I.n. one etttbodirrteni:~ -iI~e bearing bodi, 290 is ti ferrz~-flÃ.iid bearÃng. 1-ii ad~iiton, or as- m; aftematÃve, the bearing bc~ty 290 can tÃzc-ItÃ~~e one or tnne.
ball N~ttrÃttM(s) #:onzi~.~d of tuÃ ~~edricaIly conductive materi;Ã.l (e.g.., stÃ.~I). Ret:zAÃ=dltimZ, the electrical t'~)izi~~i=~c~r244 iacludeq art Ã.m.xil.aiedwi.re elec;~-rically coupled zzetc~edl isa the otif.4rt-we 2188, ;ta;id ihiÃs> c,<m extsmrl through a Ãbickia.ess of the hot.tsiliy -2 &k. '~~"ith ÃhÃ.s c~.~nfigizataon, m electrical pathw-ay is estat~lMec~ ~~cyÃii ttie electrical eoÃt:nectt.~~ 2-44 to t[i~.~
cuÃ:tÃtig tip 23(i via -II~~ electrical c.ouplitig m*cmb~)= 284 :u.1d it;c sfnve mertat)er 234.
Rt:w.ixa:ing to FIG. 3 A, during u:;e iii.e. iÃÃsi:rcir.Ãierti 280 is connected to -ilie mcAor aswÃnb1y. 232. For example, the chuck 246 (sh~~~k,.n schemvic;-ally).ic connected to tbie coupling body "38, w-~ith the bewings 274 (sh;wmm -flic drive .2{) ineaiter 234 w~ previously described. Rotation t.i'da~ ~chtÃ~~ 246 causes t~ie, ctrtfin;M ii23( i~~ t'z~~aÃ:~,~ ~:~ ~~:~rl ~~L ~~. c~i:kÃ:irt;, ~ i?~?~rtxÃ~.i>.i~.. ~.rt ~1~t~i~~.t3.i~; 1:}t~ ~ix;~tt=ttixÃc:i~.i: "~~st~ c<3sÃ ~~t.a tattt~~lt~;~~
c~ icz per'#:ormt3.r.t evoked tx)1enfiaÃJ ct'to.i1.i1cyrit38 operation ~-3>itkr fitsuÃa cuÃtin;;. A s#.ir.i:ttil;:ttfrict crirTet3t.is deliver.cd 4i.1. the il.eiti:iÃ,:al c;jnÃ:ioctoi 244 tf? d:te iMedricai c.oupling assembly 234. In jxvft.tÃIw,. -iIie. current is to ttie-outer nac,e, 288 -whii~.h.irt Ã:tÃtrÃ c-orÃdlici:s the current to tt3e inner hai'c3t.;5s via di4 b4arii'tg ~~eggardl~.~,,,~t,~f whether the dri-ve member .' 34k rojatis~gl conducis the alyptÃ:. curr~.~.ÃÃÃ to the cÃtl:tittg *#:ip 236. OÃzct.a ag::t#n, the it~safiativc coating- 2554 of Ãh~.~ cÃ.tri'et.Ãt distal thi holÃsi.ng 2V, sticli ihtxt itie current is fixtÃscd t~txir.Ã i'tte ct.itti.ixg tip 2:+6. 1:11 ,tddit#.on, tiel. i:'.1:i3:iul#iti1'G' coating 254 (#i3id./oi other assoc#.a:ted m--i.Ãh t~~e coupling boc~~238) and ttit~ ~~ousing :~~~ co.mbi.Ãa.e. to .i~~suhme th~.a m~.~tor a,seÃ~~~ly 232 fraÃzi iiiw currertt; as well as frol.11 a -w~.a:r. oÃfzenv:Ãs;* hwidliny ~~~o hotÃsinf> 2282". In ciie ~2 embodi.ÃrÃ~.~tri:, flr.e lrowi~3ti ~~a'>.'clcc#ricz~~ coup1ir.t4= as.serÃilr1y 284 keri-es as~
dcvim., and 1,I3t~s can Iao repeatedly c~mplt>yt.~.! wi0-i ~,Ã v3nÃe~y- of other dri Vw:Ãr:Ãember;,~ 734 Ond thtis, t:ia-ting tip 236 and coupling NAN.> 238}
Regardless ol'a~i e,\act :6cw~rj oi'tl3e surgical cutfiÃ2g imwaÃr3etrÃ, 'a "%'Acal cwiin:, For eminipic, RCs. 6 illustrates sc:h.ymatic~My aStaQ #.c,d cuitin;; qstem 310tl in acco-Man ce vvith one embodimzani. of the presc~ri' .invell.iÃon, 'l'11.0 ~x~rM~ic~~1 cutting 300 .in.:(utft:,: ki.
Surgica1 cutfing ÃmstrEÃlneW 3 1 0. a mimc~~ ~~semii~ly 320, atisi ~~~ evoked potential m~.~~~iÃc~Ã-(or ~'Ã'zoÃritorina) systelr~ ~33t). It:1ias. been discovered diat the sequential wid separate process of P~'tAA:Zr g flr~.ar1 cuffing, or a;: bas bc;cri r'equir'i.~i in ~~~e p~..4Ã. is zin area of poiwnÃidi# Ãmpx~~~emezit addressed by ~le sur-gical ctittiÃr{} systema.
300, resulting, for t.a~aÃnpie:.i.Ã-~ im. cariy. w-arn~n~~., -sy-sterzl.'f.or Sur~;cong, alcrtirz$M ~1.1t'.Ãr1 to Pot:~,'nÃ:~al.ÃaÃrogcnÃc irtjwy to aeu~'al The si~nui#an~.at?us cuffi~tg, tiriti probzng, p~'oc:edu~'e.
iir:w.Ã=.ib,:d betz?-I'v is saÃ.%'r Ã.cr the patiz'Ã:a {s~.:~ c:orn-parec1 I.o ~iU couveniional teclwrqu.L of a1ÃeÃxt;ming cu#.tiÃ:iM
~ 5 and pro'bir~~) ~~~ the stÃr ~~~ori is no loÃ~gtiz rtiqtiired t~.~ manually-estimate Ã~~ appropriaÃe de~,~til (>f cut bctw-ecn prtking c3pemcions, md ovcrall procedure !iÃiie is.mMuccd, In S}n.i: w~3:ibt)dÃ~33G~3t, the :;cÃrs..=,ical uf~ttirÃ.g .in:~immertt 3.10 caÃi. be of,t. ,.~i~n~laÃ= d,;hi2.;.F.ai 1.0 1-be wrgic<)I ~aÃt.tiÃ:~;,f insauÃ~enis 20 (FIG. 1); 120 (FIG: 3), 130 (FIG. 4), or -280 (HO.
5A1.), previously desciibed, and generally includes a ctÃtting ti.~i 312 and an eIcctric-ai cannecli.~r 314, i~~~lh tlie eiccc~=m~d Lonnec#or 314 bei~ig elft,,IrÃcaIly t;onÃxecÃed to ifie ew:Ãing, Ãip 312 via zui eleczricai paÃinva-v e:,Aabli~;l=~cd ky -fl'~c s:titfi~tM~
imsi:~'urÃxcnl 3 1.0 ,);~ Prcvi.cau Iy i#M;:c~ibed. 'llie Ã-ix?ior ass~.arÃr~~ly:+ 20 can assume aÃti> krtow~~Ã
ttmxr:Ã, mrei #bot~gh ;l'~ow-a ginc-rally Ã~iiitidvs a l:ttxu.si:irg. #t=n:m-icsÃ'aÃr.d.a drive witi3 ti3e su.Ã'~k-al c,uffiÃr.g) iÃr.stru.metit 3 If) aÃid ilxe, Ãz~~wr ;waemWy 320 adaptcd.lor moumÃn~~

25 to oÃ'~e atiollicr ~..4 pr.'m--ioc.siy d~.:~cribcd. R~.aYMtaÃ'~~-ilxe rtrt~lor .t:~scr~~t~~:~' 320 ~~~3f~: tta~
Surgic.tt ct7lf.ing instmrÃr~111 3 10 tire assenrbl~.~d such fliat :Ãnc?toÃ=
wssernbl:i> 320 drives (c.;;, ri.~t"Ii:cs) itte ctttting, tip') .12 in order to perform a ctiti:iÃatw.
uperatÃOrl. :'4ratab4-~~ ~S des~.wr~bed above, the r.1roioras4~.~:mbi.s 320 is clectfica'dl~~ ~~okatwd #:Ã=oÃ'~t the cwti.Ãrtw tip 3I2 atrd th--i.~i~..xctrical. paiimky. Upor3 rwmilir3y of 'tlrc cuttÃ~ig i~351.~'umurÃ'i 31.0 to tlÃe. ~ncsi'or m-~se~rtbly The evoked potential Ã'#'Ão1.3#1~3:I' ; t"s-tt,yÃTl 330 is a #lev--e #:I1teg~ity 3'1'#.0T'#Ãto:C.Ãn~.' kySteml, a"

o.f' Jac -ksonvi#lr', FL. In yi.ar.tera.l -icrais, -Ã#ie evo#:r'dpc?-[eaÃiai is adapted to r.F?.d.Ãca~e -whei:r arr eme.r~;#zwri P.ri?be, f.or ex-am#:sfe the ctÃ.Ãt~ng ÃÃp,312. is proximate at?.erve 340 (s1xc.~wt?. schemC=tti~.waliy}
clt~~ in~,~ a sm~,~ical. cuÃtang .Ã-~r(?c~dure. Fi?r emul?p#e; t#?~ ~~~oked potentiai monitor ::ysiem 330L;m inclrr,~eapatient:
waso#e maintaining circuiu) 1xi.n~,~ capable ~?i~ #~~=c?3~.~ti~~?~ ~. ~i~.c~~tilr~#.~~3~ ~~?i.arM:1 c?r c:tarr~t~t i.t? ~.
~~~i7~ z i~ :~ ~Ã~~~t~(~Ã#n;..~ ~.ans~.t~;;~ v,~~~.~r~i?
adtli-iicn, cfe:.Ãwdes (~?z?# sho~Au) are #S:#aced ml or in musde,s that are eumÃÃ~d by> uzv-Ls in p:r~~imiÃ;y. to the expected cotfin,.~
area, mi-d arL
cl~.~cirica#ly eoup[~.~~ Ãc? #ilc i.t-~Ã:erfas:.e comsc#~.a. In thia manner, the decÃ:ro~~e,; s.i~~ial zi raspt>w~qe to the Patie-rA #.t?.Ã:erfac-e .iaWr~?.t# es#rr.ipr.t?.ent (e.g,, proce,~::c?r) ;~.~I10a a ~~imuhating currew enervates a nerve o#'c~.~nc=c~rn. 'I'iie evoked potential monitor system 330 can also i.ticlude alarnts or c?if~er iz?~icaiÃ.cr* -is knmvn in the arÃ:.
.I~.~.~~ar~~e,~a, the i'I.earkal cor~r~ec:=tt?.r 314 Ã,~ .irt electrical c+c?~numni.calti?Tt wiÃ:tt both the ev.-{?k$d pc~teni?i3I

~31or1Ã~orsywÃ'i.'=r~~ 330 and the L'tÃtt1~3g tip 312 (C~.~i:i tfiFL
L'Ytfi'.E.w.C'=i:I~i pi3th-w'i:l['). In this t3:laanLr., the cutting tip 312 serve~~ as ~~i elecÃ~ca'I prabe iii ilie evoked potenti6Ã
numzt~.~:r system 330 a~v#:eu ea~.~r,07-~.~c# via V?e, electrical c(?miecii?r 314.
During i~.~~:,. the e3 ~~~:er~ pc?ier?Ãi<3#. rr~csr~iio~r system 330 prompts c#~.~I.~~~~.r~, (~~r~:.t'~r?.~?#~~
co~?Ãinnows tio#i.vc?ry) of a s#imtda#h?g eÃ?irgy~ (z?.wY., curreixi.) Ih:rt?ugh the. eiectr#c,rl. connector 314 tc.~ the cuffint# tip 312 via ille c?#ectrical patlm-ay establis1~ed ky the cuffin;.,w insÃrumeat:
310, M?e p:re~..-.icw#;c~ de-scrit?edsurtwiLa# cutting i.iuammencs 20(FiG. #
). 120 (FIG. 3). 230 (F:M. 41280 (FIG. SA) are 4everz-A examples of inserun-~i.~nts c?a#?ab#e of ensuring that t#?e PrcyperlE= pI<3i:cdpz?.Ãim!
c f~~ ~trt?t~~:~: (r3~?# t~t?.o~t~~x) ~aro'c~~it~.i? i~i~ i~~~cs#;.Lii p.Ã#,~.1 t:r~.c?rtit~?r :~=>s#ez?:r :3::yf3 with ~Ã~~;~~~<~~~~~~?
indicative o.fi a proximity of t#ie. cLi*:tt#nt) tip :.~.t 2 to t#ie nerve 340 in response to t#ie. applied :.6r?:11a#.?;Ãiri*M i:,trt~'eÃ?.i:. For examp#e, based compamsou of Ã:he>~pp#.ied sdam#z3dr?g cur:rzrr#. Avi.th the signa1~~.~ :inCom?,rtion fram ilie, patient e#:miroc#ws,, the ~.~Y>~ke,:I potential .monit.c?:r svs#~.Ws?x 330 am detect, anella:r -rovide #iae. wser ,~-,111x information iac~icaÃ#ve of, the tip 312 being aÃ: or iv-it#?irz -adisiar?r:=r; D of ihe nerve(s) 14Ã3 of c:anc:.~n i.
'11e.mote?:r as;~ernE?#y. 320, oÃ.#xe~-~~~~~e det;tz=icai#v isohateci..t:roni Ã:}~e dc~ive.re.#

sÃ~~~?:E~l~.Ã'~Ex~~: ~.'=1IG~"w;~4', is S1i)l~.ilÃ".i~ll.~:i?~35.~ 4' pt?4}'L3:~'(~ -1f1 J";?'li=tt~.' -~.llk Gi7#~i:l7tf? tip ~~ 1 2. +~~:FL4;:, ~~.Ã:~~ult~~~.=~~.t~ o~~ ~~~b~Ã-~~~ÃÃi~i~~ co~?:c~~rre~~t bone or ti.s~.iÃ?
~tÃÃ~ÃiÃ~g ~.~~l iier~~e #~robiÃ~~
f1mclio:r?s cau3 be perk?rmed by the systam 300. Further, ev=c?ked t,c.~ter?Ã:#zil ai;-a.ÃiiiarÃng can be pv&mn~.~d v-ie3. the cui:iiny inqÃ:run-wiÃi 31.0 wit}Ã t:lÃe z3:tot:c?z' <w'embly a20 tfeac.t.ivaÃi'+:i (i.e...
>.O.i.ÃT." or not ot'heÃ'vvÃse drÃving the cuÃ'iÃng Ãntizument 310).
In a. related embodiment surgictil cutting system 3,50 shm-Nm in Fft's: 7. a suqt~cal i'titt#.Ã2;-'1.Ã#StÃ'1~~2c'i~~ 3?'~ ~i~~'i1lf> a OlÃ1Ãt11i> tip 3533 is aygii#1 potiic'fec~ Its' a 1?lit$+3r ms'se#1#~ly ~ (iff~~sÃr~Ã:ut~ in FTt:: 7 a..4 part ss# the c~~tt.i'rÃ~? .irÃstr~Ãrtx~'r:Ã#
352). 'I"fi~.x suÃr43icat i:utfin; Ã.nstruÃrÃent: 3452 c,3rÃ }Issume ;.Ãi:li' of Ãhe forÃus f3revicatisly tf.'i5cÃ:i.~~ed. 'i"!:Ãe cutfing insirumeÃi#'motur }Issezr-IbIy 352 is i:I.cctÃ'onic,,ilfs< ckx43fe.d to asur'w,'Ã.c:il cfri[l i:omu.iIe:4541, stÃc-ii. "Is M. XPS:r;s: console (MedtamicAonu.id< [nc, o!'Jac;ksonviII.e, IcL),1~av.ing ini~~~n'M
ch:caÃtry. f-br controlling }am~iet= delivered to the n-~~.~Ã:cyr assemb(v~
35~'~. 'ni~.a s,,..-st~.~:~~~ 350 f:urther ir.tcfutfe~q .I P,lt.i~.~nt nionitt3.r SlYsieÃxl :456 sc3oha:: <3st evoked potential rnz?nimÃ= system zis previously de-scrzb~.~ or a plmi:orm stÃcJi < an iÃ~~~~ge guidance sy-mew.t ax>aiI-able under ilie -trade zmme UmdmarX;k'~ E'fement.1~~ System f::ro.m MedtronÃÃ:.w Xo.Ãned, Inc, of FL. ~~~g'ar:.fi~.ask of Ã31Ã exact a link or wireless connecÃioÃ:Ã) is established between tIis:Y scÃrfg ,,icwA drill console 354 and (i~e W#ettt monitoring system 35i>r w,'Ah. -f[iti patiew monitor s>>:,,tem.'~56 bu~ng, adapted processor opezi.1ting puyaumt: -io appÃ=o.fl.Ã=.ime Program~~~in;x) to Prompt~ -die sur~:.'.ic.il drifl eon_,wte ;i54 to disable th~.an.iotoÃ' asseÃ:nb14 a~igÃ3aI delivered 'ihÃisÃ%fi the cmxawÃ:ÃicatgorÃ li.n.1- 358.
:~~.c~re the patient monitoring ~y'tem 35Ãi is ad-zipted to molliÃ;ar a p.,WeaÃ Mt~ during, a*t4~ic,,A ~~~~edtÃre. fnvof'v#ng the surgical cutfin~
~m",taÃment :.~52.
Patient c .;:m ir-ic:fYÃcle evak~.~.f ~~~Ien i:iaf.Ã-moni i:oriÃxig as Prev.
iouEiy de.scxst).eti {e.g., ,awÃ~'e 362 cian provide a ;ÃtÃz3'zu1.Ãt.irÃg curreÃxi:.t:Ã'o:Ãi.Ã i.}Ãe patieixt mLaTÃitoa' q.;~lam 356 to tilÃttÃ.ng Ã.13""#:t't#Y)3m;t 35.2), or Ccii:1 bG ciÃ7y oti]L-'=T' i1pp3"Z'TpTT.ttW ~.~="p'G'' t).r'f]7o21iI(?Ã:1T3M~
(i,.g,.., 3:Ã31a,,i.,Y,,t=

&wÃd;ince). For exaz3ipfe, in ;aÃ~~ ~~~~~odiment., tfie p:~t#ent iiioixitor systemIw~'~ iÃ~~ludes 'EN-f.~) eI.euro&064, 3OC;M :1.., m3tf "CI:I. M"), WoÃ~gui.tf3 path efcarode 368 (.~ST.i~:~L~. REMNN"} zinti ti Ã=ufuen.ce ~.yiectrt}ds:Y 370 'rfle f: NIG c1;,~c.w#r,~dos ;.~64, 36(s tire, pli.i;;.~d. in.Ãamscl~.~:s innervated by tl~e nenia;.~s of coÃicem. The return path electrode 368 provides a return paifz l:c>r tfic.a jai'muhiÃ:ic3n c=tÃrTetit dei.ÃveÃ=edb~y Ãf:Ãs; oui:fing tip 353.t:ox emkx)di meats in -%a>f3ic:f;. the def i v~.arLaf.
;~iniulai:ioa C-urÃ=eiÃ-t is mÃ
kt~ iszilate'd. cm#.put that is not f:7nh ref:e:r~.Tt:Ãt:vef (Md 1hereforz own isolated Ã=i:tttm).
f.b~.a :te6eÃ:ence electrode 370 provicfe a commonref~.?remce beoi'~ea the patieal _300 aÃid tti~.a patient monitur::ystsem 3:5#'? {r~qui'r.ed. -t~o cetiter thc.a EMG
szgad-I wiitxÃti th~.a nTpui r~z3ye of the recording .tnipli#.iersi. 'RÃe i:us:sÃ ptÃth aÃid refereÃis:e 370 ~,:ta be phÃ,~~d ~aia va~ety- o#'tmaiions on the p~~fient 3,60. suc~h as the ;Ãw'mvrrx. shoulder, 1:oml:~ead,. etc. .Rewuvdlessv Ã.TviÃi detecian=w or atk.Ãi;rwÃsk d~.~:terminiiig that the owting -tÃ.p 353 i'~ Pr;.sximaÃe cÃ-.i-iicai an"Ãta:}nly Ã1me) oi'Ã~~e patient 34{0. ~~e patient ÃlloÃzi-tor s')=stem 5 '156 is adapted to deliver a d.i5,Ã.bl.i~UgsigcaaÃJ to -tlxe ;:ur4~ica1 drill ionsole 354., pr,.Ãmpiin;;
pi3we-d_118 atl: o!' the cÃ.ittin.-g 35Z the Vstem 3~0 ial-TectÃvety proviciQs an to furd3irvnstire patieil.Ã mfzty.
In fi=~~~~ of the above, the "oi'non-seqlÃenÃfal, higlt-speed cuni~~g and ~.~rc>tyin= or oth~.ar.monÃtorintw can bi..a rL.aatifeLi.hi accordance w-Ãth ~.anxbodim~.~~~-ts f>:('tl~e preseaÃ Ã~~~~emÃcm.
jc:ai ou1:fin;; instrument and re-]ii:led sw-4MicaI ciit-[inM :,ys'iein c-an 1.)e T#:te ;cÃrg wqi1oyed t~.~ pefl:~rm virtuA~~ ~ly surgirai Pr{cedur~.~: r~.~qWdaM cutting of fiMsue w~d ner~~c monit:or#ng, ande;:peciaI l.
cu#.Ã:i.ngf -lÃp is rC3li3ted at elevated speeds (r~,~..9... ,greate.r than 1000 REM) to e~~~~i.~;Ã:u;~Ãe des#xed fisstiv z=vn'wv-al. iÃ:Ã an oÃi:Ã~nvise coaul.ed SttrM~iia[ "c).icess site. Ftsr emanip1e, t[io.
15 wst~ument and syste~~.~ of en-ibadimews of tlie, preserÃt inveatic.~n ca:~
be emplo~ ed w poi:t:~rm procedures su~h as nmuoadectomy, dÃscec;t:onky, etc,, to mane bui a I:e~~~. Aspects crf the ~3~Gsi.'TÃ#, #.rtv%Ã3tion ari' :i7i?t .I#.3Y'lhed ÃC? wn' pi3.Ã-iicxÃta.r procedure, oui:firiy tip of ~Ã~.~~.iÃÃ~ ;Ã~sc~z~.~. ~t~~.~~~~c~~~s~ c~.iti~~ W~~c~ ~~c~~:~c~~x~?, #.h~?
irÃs~n.~~i~.~~Ãt ~i~.t~. sx=st~Ã~i c~.t' :~
~~~~~~idi~~~Ã~~tt:~ o~'ttie ~:~rc~tieÃ~t ill~~Ã~li4:io1l O~~er~~~:e to ~.~~~o~~a.~.[~.~ bcwt3~ ~:iss~.ÃÃ~ e~Ãl~:~~:~ and ~~~;a~e ?t.# potential (J.e., nerve) monitoring w-itti~.~Ã:ic the need -fora sop;~rate electrical probe iTi;~ immwilÃ.
1Ãiali:er.Ãxa1ive cutting ;isieiTÃ lT.tdtÃdC.'4 z3tie or Ãx3c?re tii~~er birxsÃM,nal-basrut patiia3Ãt monitoring di:vi.cias(e.M;.> efc.) iF3 addilion to ilie sÃ:fÃ giczd cÃ.Ãttin,~. instrwilent avid t3le itlotc?r assembl}:, M.Y.4t1 (~ie-se 25 en.ÃbodÃ.ÃnLnts, tht,', ~cutEimy ;iySlL.i13.i11i])> t?7.'.il3ay tum fi3.ChidG ~.~t3 t viked poli',nfi.al monitor SysiMm, and i-l3e sÃar4Yical ~;a~~~ÃÃc=*, iÃ:ismÃmeni, may o:C may -t3ot include an electrical ConnecÃor oCheÃZi'Ã~e ~i.~(i;yctiif/~lly connecting ~~~e cutting ti-P to wi~.~Ãleitw:~=
source. Sl.~.ywarlSlVss..non.
coÃ~ductiv~.a wupl.ing body md.hoÃsing compoÃ-~ent-s O.t'tb~.~: Surgic=al Ciliti~ig imstrumeÃ~~ em t:~~.e any of t~3e.~i>~'r~Ã;~ i~.c~s+uTi.l~et~ 1~i? i,'I~CE3'Ãi:~3llz> isolate the .ÃX3t)tt5Ã= assert~~~l;c~ t'~=t~rÃ~z -it~e ct~Ã~ti13~
6p. Dwi.ng use, the suÃ=.Y.icZlz:titÃiÃtg iÃ:ÃstruÃnm.t is mounted k.i ii:Ãe moKzr ,Ãssemb.ly-, ~.i~.d. #.11.i:
motor assm*:lY is operated to drive (e.g., rmate) ttie cutting ti~) at a surgÃcal. site.
cof3ouÃ=reat mv~.i~th operation o~.'-ilze pafimt moÃxftorÃn.; irÃevice, opeF'ki#es to nioni#.ar ac t>.ne3.ftit?n t3f. #.1i.e. pz3taert"t. To this e,ni3- elear.ical or triboelec .~-ricnoise genem ted"ky the moter assumbly is nQt coadw-ted. io #.heunfin-a tip (and thus nat cc3ndttct~.yc3. t~.~ ~~~~ svr~.-=,icW sit-Otl.ue to Ã1le Ã~~a~a--~c~~~<~tÃ~
ti~ ~ couplin~ body filid hocmhlg> ancl ffita:: d~.~es iiot interfere wifb ope#'-atÃoi3 ol'the lxi[ieiit "misni"iori#3g i;:.~vlLe(s).
~ Althooghspecifi~: unxbodim~.~stt;', have bLen.illusÃ:raÃ~.~d and described h4min, it xsill be appreciated by- thcs;~.Y of vrdirtan~fsl:ili in thearÃ thLti.av~~.rieN, n#'aIl~ernat~.~ and=or zmpie~uenÃations may. be subai"iuti~.~l :R)z Ãhespecific emb+;.}dimetus ;shzau.-m and desc~~bed,w,fthoul d.eparÃiiig from ilie scc~p-a- of ~ie pr~.~seiit invention.
This ~~laplicati~.~ll is intended lc} cover my ada:ptatiows or A:a:ri.ations oftbe specific emk3c3din~.~.~.ms di'scmed I=tare-in.. T1:3erefo.re., ii:.is i.n.t:e-ntl:ed that this in.N.--en"fii?Ã3 Nw liriii"ied tzn1y. by- the ddan:,, artd"tl':te equivaI~,~~m- ~alereol".

Claims

1. A surgical cutting instrument for use with a motor assembly having a motor and a drive mechanism, the instrument comprising:
an elongate drive member defining a proximal section and a distal section;
a cutting tip secured to the distal section of the drive member;
a non-conductive coupling body adapted for connection to a motor assembly drive mechanism, the coupling body secured to the proximal section of the drive member;
a housing maintaining the coupling body and the proximal section of the drive member;
and an electrical connector in electrical communication with the cutting tip via an electrical pathway established by at least the drive member, the electrical connector adapted for electrical connection to an energy source.

2. The cutting instrument of claim 1, wherein the non-conductive coupling body is formed of polymeric material.

3. The cutting instrument of claim 1, wherein the housing maintains a portion of the electrical connector.

4. The cutting instrument of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed of non-conductive material.

5. The cutting instrument of claim 1, wherein the cutting instrument is configured such that energy flowing through the electrical connector is continuously delivered to the cutting tip during rotation of the drive member at a rotational rate of at least 20,000 RPM.

6. The cutting instrument of claim 1, wherein the housing maintains a bearing assembly disposed between the housing and the elongate drive member, and further wherein the electrical connector is coupled to the bearing assembly such that the electrical pathway from the electrical connector to the tip includes the elongate drive member and the bearing assembly.

7. The cutting instrument of claim 6, wherein the bearing assembly includes an inner race, an outer race, ball bearings, and a conductive grease.

8. The cutting instrument of claim 1, further comprising:
an outer tube maintained by the housing, the outer tube defining a proximal region terminating at a proximal end, a distal region terminating at a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end;
wherein the elongate drive member is disposed within the lumen of the outer tube and the electrical pathway includes an interface between an inner surface of the outer tube and the elongate drive member.

9. The cutting instrument of claim 8, wherein the interface is at least partially defined by a journal bearing between the outer tube and the drive member, the electrical pathway includign the journal bearing.

10. The cutting instrument of claim 8, wherein an outer surface of the outer tube distal the housing is at least partially covered by a non-conductive material.

11. The cutting instrument of claim 8, wherein the outer tube defines a curved segment distal the housing.

12. The cutting instrument of claim 8, wherein the cutting tip is a bar.

13. The cutting instrument of claim 1, wherein the drive member is straight.

14. A surgical cutting system comprising:
a surgical cutting instrument, the cutting instrument including:
an elongate drive member, a cutting tip attached to a distal section of the drive member, a non-conductive coupling body attached to a proximal section of the drive member, a housing maintaining the coupling body and the proximal section of the drive member, an electrical connector in electrical communication with the cutting tip via an electrical pathway established by at least the drive member;
a motor assembly including a motor and a drive mechanism selectively mounted to the non-conductive coupling body such that the drive mechanism is electrically insulated from the electrical pathway, the motor adapted to rotate the drive member; and an evoked potential monitor system having an energy source selectively coupled to the electrical connector for applying a stimulating energy to the cutting tip via the electrical connector and the electrical pathway.

15. The surgical cutting system of claim 14, wherein the system is adapted such that as the motor rotates the cutting tip at speeds of at least 20,000 RPM, the stimulating energy is continuously delivered from the energy source to the cutting tip.

16. The surgical cutting system of claim 14, wherein the evoked potential monitor system is adapted to indicate when the cutting tip is proximate a nerve during a surgical cutting procedure.

17. The surgical cutting system of claim 14, wherein the cutting tip is a bur.

18. The surgical cutting system of claim 13, wherein the cutting instrument housing is electrically non-conductive and is provided apart from a housing of the motor assembly such that upon mounting of the cutting instrument to the motor assembly, the cutting instrument housing electrically isolates the electrical pathway from portions of the motor housing otherwise in contact with the cutting instrument housing.

19. A method of performing a surgical cutting procedure comprising:
providing a surgical cutting instrument including:
an elongate drive member, a cutting tip attached to a distal section of the drive member, a non-conductive coupling body attached to a proximal section of the drive member, a housing maintaining the coupling body and the proximal section of the drive member, an electrical connector in electrical communication with the cutting tip via an electrical pathway established by at least the drive member;
electrically connecting an evoked potential monitoring system to the cutting instrument via the electrical connector such that an energy source of the evoked potential monitor system is in electrical communication with the cutting tip;
mounting the surgical cutting instrument to a motor assembly;
delivering the cutting tip to a surgical site;
operating the motor assembly to perform a cutting operation with the cutting tip;
applying a stimulation energy to the cutting tip via the energy source; and detecting a proximity of the cutting tip to a nerve based upon reference to the stimulation energy.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein performing a cutting operation with the cutting tip includes rotating the cutting tip at a speed of at least 20,000 RPM.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein performing a cutting operation and applying a stimulation energy occur substantially simultaneously.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein the method is characterized by the motor assembly continuing to operate while a proximity of the cutting tip to a nerve is detected.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising:
automatically disabling power delivery to the motor assembly based upon the detected proximity.

24. A surgical cutting instrument for use with a motor assembly including a motor housing and a motor driving a drive mechanism, the cutting instrument comprising:
an elongate drive member defining a proximal section and a distal section;
a cutting tip secured to the distal section of the drive member;
a non-conductive coupling body attached to the proximal section of the drive member and adapted for selective attachment to the motor assembly drive mechanism; and a non-conductive housing provided apart from the motor assembly housing, the non-conductive housing encompassing the coupling body and the proximal section of the drive member;
wherein the coupling body and the housing are configured to electrically isolate the cutting tip from the motor assembly upon mounting of the cutting instrument to the motor assembly.