A tissue cutting system that is especially suited for neurosurgical applications is disclosed and described. The system includes a tissue cutting device and a bi-directionally manipulable foot actuator assembly that is operatively connected to the tissue cutting device. The device includes a handpiece and an outer cannula in which a reciprocating inner cannula is disposed. The inner cannula includes a hinge between a body section and a cutting section that allows the cutting section to pivot when the inner cannula reciprocates within the outer cannula. A vacuum generator is in fluid communication with the inner cannula lumen. When the footswitch is manipulated in a first direction, the vacuum generator generates a vacuum level in the inner cannula lumen. When the footswitch is manipulated in a second direction, the inner cutting cannula is enabled for reciprocation upon manipulating the footswitch in the first direction.
