Importance

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Abstract

A steerable surgical cutting instrument incorporating an articulating mechanism comprises a bendable outer tubular member, a bendable inner member disposed in the outer tubular member, at least one actuating wire extending from the outer tubular member to effect bending of the outer and inner members when the actuating wire is pulled proximally, an outer hub secured to a proximal end of the outer tubular member and an inner hub secured to a proximal end of the inner member proximally of the outer hub. The outer and inner hubs are releasably connectible to a powered surgical handpiece used to rotate the inner member within the outer member to cut anatomical tissue at a distal end of the instrument. The articulating mechanism includes the outer hub, a wire guide disposed on the outer member distally of the outer hub, an actuator pivotably mounted on the outer hub and a housing assembled on the outer hub distally of the powered surgical handpiece. The wire guide guides the actuating wire to extend proximally from the wire guide for attachment to the actuator, which is pivotable to pull the actuating wire proximally to effect bending of the outer and inner members.

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First Claim