Patent ID: 6652521
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical instrument comprising:a handle; a first actuator operably mounted to the handle and movable between at least an open position and a closed position; at least one of a first jaw and a second jaw operably connected to the first actuator, the jaws each having a distal end, the distal ends of the jaws being spaced apart when the first actuator is in an open position and the distal ends of the jaws being closer together for approximating tissue therebetween in a tissue grasping region when the first actuator is in a closed position; a second actuator operably mounted to the handle and movable between at least a proximal position and a distal position; a cutting element operably connected to the second actuator, the cutting element comprising a first blade configured to cut tissue held in the tissue grasping region between the first jaw and the second jaw when the cutting element is moved from a central position to a proximal position; and a biasing spring operably connected to the second actuator for biasing the cutting element in a central position.