Patent ID: 7695470
Filing Date: 2010-04-13
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for surgically treating tissue, the apparatus comprising: a pair of yoke-shaped electrically conductive members mounted in spaced substantially plane parallel array, with each member formed as a substantially planar sheet including a slotted opening extending inwardly from a forward edge thereof, and with the slotted openings of the members substantially transversely aligned to receive therein the tissue to be treated, each of the members including a conductive portion disposed above the slotted opening and a conductive portion disposed below the slotted opening to configure each member as an electrode disposed above and below the slotted opening and operable at one or opposite polarity; a cutter mounted intermediate the spaced members for movement in a plane parallel to and spaced from the members between an open configuration in which the cutter is displaced from obstructing transverse alignment of the slotted openings, and a closed configuration in which a cutting edge of the cutter passes through the transverse alignment of the slotted openings for transversely severing tissue disposed in the slotted openings and across the spacing of the members; and an actuator linked to the cutter for controlling movement thereof in the plane spaced from the members between the open and closed configurations.