Patent ID: 8974480
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument with an exposed cutting edge for cutting body tissue, said instrument comprising: a handle assembly, said handle assembly having a proximal end and a distal end; a first segment extending from said handle assembly proximal end, said first segment movable with respect to said handle assembly, said first segment having a tip and a first blade depending from said tip; a second segment extending from said handle assembly proximal end, said second segment movable with respect to said handle assembly, said second segment having a tip and a second blade depending from said tip; each of said first and second blades having a leading edge and a trailing edge, said handle assembly movable for: (i) moving said first and second blades into contact with one another; and (ii) for moving said first and second blades apart from one another; and said trailing edges forming a single exposed and unenclosed cutting edge when said first and second blades are moved into contact one with one another, whereby said cutting edge can be used to form a cut in said body tissue and said first and second blades can be used to widen said cut when said first and second blades are moved away from one another.