Patent ID: 6453906
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of manipulating a vessel within bodily tissue exposed through an incision using a surgical instrument having a curved vessel-engaging segment and including electrical insulation on the curved segment and an electrosurgical electrode disposed thereon, the method comprising:detaching an initial portion of the vessel from adjacent tissue; atraumatically spreading and pulling successive portions of the length of the vessel from its native tissue bed with the curved segment of the instrument; engaging the initial portion of the vessel with the curved segment of the instrument to detach adjacent tissue from additional portions of the length of the vessel; manipulating the electrosurgical electrode disposed on the curved segment of the instrument into operative engagement with connective tissue or side branches; selectively electrically energizing the electrode to effect severing or cauterizing of tissue in operative engagement therewith; and advancing the instrument along the vessel to sever or cauterize side branch vessels encountered during detachment of additional portion of the length of the vessel from adjacent tissue.