Patent ID: 8262682
Filing Date: 2012-09-11
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument with an exposed cutting edge for cutting body tissue, said instrument comprising: a handle assembly; first and second spring steel segments, each said segment having a distal and a proximal end, each said spring steel segment having an inner and outer surface; said first and second spring steel segment proximal ends attached to said handle assembly with said first and second inner surfaces facing one another, said first spring steel segment having a first tip formed thereon at said distal end; said second spring steel segment having a second tip formed thereon at said distal end; said first and second spring steel segments secured to said handle assembly, said first and second tips protruding from said handle assembly, said first and second tips biased by said spring steel segments to remain parted one from another, said first tip having a first tip segment extending coaxially with its associated spring steel segment, said first tip segment having a first tip end, said second tip having a second tip segment extending coaxially with its associated spring steel segment, said second tip segment having a second tip end, a first blade segment, said first blade segment formed at an angle to and depending from said first tip segment; a second blade segment, said second blade segment formed at an angle to and depending from said second tip segment, each said blade segment having a leading edge and a trailing edge, each said trailing edge having a cutting edge formed thereon; and said handle assembly further comprising means to selectively force said first and second tips into contact with one another, said first and second cutting edges aligning to form a single exposed and unenclosed cutting edge when said forcing means is activated to force said first and second tips into contact one with the other.