US Patent 8123750 Apparatus and methods for removal of intervertebral disc tissues

Apparatus and methods for removing tissue from an intervertebral disc are disclosed. The apparatus can include an elongated guide tube, a rotary cutting member and a drive shaft. Other apparatus can include an elongated guide tube, an inner guide tube, a cutting head, a rotary cutting member and a drive shaft. The elongated guide tube has a bendable end. The apparatus are generally configured to extend and withdraw a rotary cutting member while controllably bending the bendable end of the guide tube.