Patent ID: 7547314
Filing Date: 2009-06-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An endoscopic vessel harvesting device comprising: an elongated sleeve member for insertion into a body having a vessel to be harvested; a cutter longitudinally extendable from the sleeve member toward a cutting position for cutting branches of a vessel being harvested, the cutter comprising a V-tip and a longitudinal slit for receiving a branch to be cut, the cutter further comprising electrodes adjacent to the longitudinal slit for being electrically energized to cut and cauterize the branch; and a debris remover fixed to the sleeve member in alignment with the longitudinal slit for mechanically removing debris from the longitudinal slit when the cutter is positioned longitudinally inward from the cutting position, the debris remover being operable during times that the sleeve member is inserted into the body, wherein the debris remover comprises a wiper arm suspended from the sleeve member and biased to impinge into and traverse along the longitudinal slit as the cutter moves into and out of the inward position.