Optical cannula

1. An intervertebral disc surgical system for use with an electrosurgical instrument having an elongated tubular member housing and an electrosurgical electrode for excising of or shrinking tissue, comprising:

at least one optical cannula configured with a working channel and an optical channel, wherein the working channel and the optical channel are substantially cylindrical tubes positioned parallel to and abutting one another, wherein the working channel is configured to receive the elongated tubular member of the electrosurgical instrument and the optical channel is configured to receive an optical scope, the optical cannula having an optical cannula operative end for entering an operative field of a patient, wherein the working channel extends further toward the operative field than the optical channel;

an outer sheath having a lumen configured to receive the optical channel and the working channel, wherein the outer sheath has a sheath operative end for entering an operative field, wherein the sheath operative end is tapered such that the working channel is permitted to protrude further into the operative field than the optical channel, wherein the outer sheath is oval in shape and is in sliding contact with the optical channel and the working channel;

a tapered dilator configured to slide over a guide wire and slide into the working channel, wherein the tapered dilator has a length and a tapered dilator end such that the tapered dilator end is positioned flush with the sheath operative end when the tapered dilator is positioned in the outer sheath, wherein the tapered dilator is oval in shape to match the oval shape of the outer sheath; and

an optical channel plug with a diameter sufficient to slide within the optical channel.

2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the optical channel has an entrance end opposite from the optical channel operative end, wherein the entrance end is angled with respect to an axis defining the working channel.

3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the optical channel comprises a port in fluid communication with the optical channel for evacuating or providing fluids to the optical channel.

4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the electrosurgical instrument has a diameter sufficient to be positioned through the working channel.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the optical channel has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the working channel.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the optical channel plug includes a bend therein, the bend being positioned closer to a handle member than a distal end of the optical channel plug.