Patent ID: 7534243
Filing Date: 2009-05-19
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument comprising: an elongated body extending between distal and proximal ends thereof; a tissue-dissecting tip disposed at the distal end of the body and including a conical exterior wall that converges distally for dissecting tissue in contact therewith; an arm mounted for movement toward and away from the exterior wall of the tip between an open configuration in which the arm is skewed relative to the exterior wall of the tip and a closed configuration in which the arm is substantially flush within the exterior wall for confining tissue between the arm and the exterior wall to apply compressive force to the confined tissue in response to movement of the arm from the open toward the closed configurations; a tissue welder supported with respect to the exterior wall in said closed configuration of substantial unobtrusive position and for exposure in said open configuration to confine tissue disposed between the arm and the exterior wall; and controls disposed near the proximal end of the body and communicating with the arm and tissue welder for selectively moving the arm between configurations for confining tissue between the arm and exterior wall, and for energizing the tissue welder in response to manual actuation of the controls during position of the arm to apply compressive force to tissue confined between the arm and the exterior wall.