	US 7,455,679 B2
	Surgical elongate blade assembly with interchangeable inner member, kit and method relating thereto
Kenneth M. Adams, Jacksonville, Fla. (US); and Gary Peters, Knoxville, Tenn. (US)
Assigned to Medtronic Xomed, Inc., Jacksonville, Fla. (US)
Filed on Feb. 20, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/781,852.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/448773, filed on Feb. 20, 2003.
Prior Publication US 2004/0181250 A1, Sep. 16, 2004
Int. Cl. A61B 17/22 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 606—170

7 Claims

1. A method of performing a surgical procedure on a patient comprising the steps of

treating tissue of the patient with an elongate blade assembly formed of a first elongate outer tubular member having a first configuration and a distal end with an opening therein and an inner elongate member rotatably disposed in the first outer member and having a cutting tip disposed adjacent the opening in the distal end of the first outer member, the outer and inner members having proximal ends removably attached to a handpiece that rotates the inner member within the first outer member to cause the cutting tip of the inner member to contact and treat tissue at the opening in the distal end of the first outer member;

detaching the blade assembly from the handpiece and removing the inner member from the first outer member during the surgical procedure on the patient;

inserting the inner member in a second elongate outer tubular member having a second configuration different from the first configuration and a distal end with an opening therein such that the cutting tip of the inner member is disposed adjacent the opening in the distal end of the second outer member;

attaching the proximal ends of the inner member and the second outer member to the handpiece; and

continuing to treat tissue of the patient during the surgical procedure by rotating the inner member within the second outer member and contacting the tissue with the cutting tip of the inner member at the opening in the distal end of the second outer member.