Patent Publication Number: US-2013237877-A1

Title: Tissue dissection and removal device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/608,241, filed on Mar. 8, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to a system and method for capturing body tissue samples. The present disclosure is more particularly directed to such a system and method which finds particular application for the isolation, resection, and capture of lymph nodes or other tissue. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     Many thoracic surgical procedures are performed for heart and lung disease, muscle and nerve disorders, ulcers and other serious illnesses. Although surgery may be the best, or only way to treat the disease, patients may sometimes face a long and difficult recovery because traditional “open” thoracic surgery is highly invasive. In an open thoracic surgery, known as a thoracotomy, surgeons must make a long incision through chest muscles and then cut and spread the patient&#39;s ribs to reach the diseased area. As a result, patients may spend up to a week in the hospital and up to four to six weeks of recovery at home. 
     The development of endoscopic video capability and instrumentation has resulted in the application of diagnostic and therapeutic thoracoscopy, also known as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), to many disease processes encountered in thoracic medicine. VATS is a technique in which small diameter instruments such as cameras, graspers, forceps, retractors, dissectors, clamps, and so forth are inserted through small openings in the body to perform surgical procedures within the thoracic cavity. By utilizing a VATS procedure for exploring, diagnosing, and treating disease processes within the thoracic cavity, the pain, morbidity, and long recovery duration of more invasive procedures, such as the traditional large incision thoracotomy can often be avoided. 
     VATS procedures typically require double-lumen endotracheal intubation and single-lung ventilation. Working space in which to maneuver surgically in the chest is created by ventilating the opposite lung through the double-lumen endotracheal tube and allowing the collapse of the affected lung after creation of a small intercostal incision. Collapse of the affected lung enables improved visibility of the lung, as well as virtually all the major structures in the chest cavity, to aid in exploration, treatment, and/or biopsy of a target site. However, double-lumen endotracheal intubation and single-lung ventilation techniques still present limitations when extracting tissue samples is involved. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved system and method for the capturing of body tissue samples. More particularly, there is a need for a system and method for capturing bronchial and thoracic lymph nodes suspected of being cancerous. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument is provided including a handle portion and a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the body portion. The end effector assembly includes a distal tip configured for dissection of tissue, an elongate member having a cavity for the reception of a tissue sample therein and a closing member for securely enclosing the tissue sample within the cavity. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the end effector assembly is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The body portion can include an articulation mechanism for articulating the end effector assembly. 
     A portion of the closing member can include a blade member. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment, the closing member is pivotally coupled to the elongate member. 
     In some embodiments, the elongate member includes a plurality of cavities, each cavity dimensioned and adapted to receive a different tissue sample, and each cavity including a respective closing member, wherein access to each cavity is controlled by an actuating unit. The elongate member in some embodiments includes at least two cavities disposed on opposed sides thereof 
     In some embodiments, the end effector assembly is removably attachable to the body portion. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an end effector assembly is provided including an elongate member including a cavity for the reception of a tissue sample therein and a closing member for securely enclosing the tissue sample within the cavity. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of removing tissue from a thoracic cavity is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a surgical instrument including a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis and having a dimension for insertion through an access port, and an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end of the body portion. The end effector assembly has an elongate member having a cavity for the reception of a tissue sample therein and a closing member for securely enclosing the tissue sample within the cavity. Further steps include introducing the surgical instrument into the thoracic cavity of a patient, dissecting the target tissue via a distal end of the elongate member, advancing the end effector assembly toward a target tissue within the thoracic cavity, opening the closing member to receive the target tissue within the cavity of the elongated member, closing the closing member to sever a tissue sample from the target tissue and to seal the tissue sample within the cavity and removing the end effector assembly from the patient with the tissue sample secured within the cavity. 
     In some embodiments, the method further includes the step of articulating the end effector assembly with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body portion. 
     In some embodiments, the end effector is removably coupled to the body portion. 
     In some embodiments, the instrument includes a second cavity formed on the elongate member, each cavity dimensioned and adapted to receive a different tissue sample, and the second cavity includes a second closing member. In some embodiments, the first and second cavities are disposed on opposed sides thereof; in other embodiments, the first and second cavities are disposed in substantial longitudinal alignment. The method can include the step of closing a second closing member to sever a second tissue sample from surrounding tissue and seal the severed second tissue sample in the second cavity. Each cavity can be dimensioned and adapted to receive different tissue samples, and each cavity can include a respective closing member, wherein access to each cavity is controlled by an actuating unit. 
     In some embodiments, the surgical instrument is introduced into the thoracic cavity during a video assisted thoracic surgery procedure. 
     In some embodiments, the surgical instrument retrieves lymph node for pathology. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with a general description of the disclosure given above, and the detailed description of the embodiment(s) given below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a surgical instrument, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1  A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the surgical instrument of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the surgical instrument of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2 and 2A  are enlarged perspective views of an end effector assembly of the surgical instrument of  FIG. 1 , the end effector assembly including a cavity for receiving a tissue sample therein and a closing member for securing the tissue within the cavity; 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged perspective view of an end effector assembly of an alternate embodiment including a plurality of cavities for receiving different tissue samples, each cavity including its own respective closing member; 
         FIGS. 3B-3E  illustrate the first cavity of the end effector of  FIG. 3A  receiving a first tissue sample; 
         FIGS. 3F-3I  illustrate the second cavity of the end effector of  FIG. 3A  receiving a second tissue sample; 
         FIG. 4A  is an enlarged perspective view of an end effector assembly with opposed cavities positioned therein, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates the end effector of  FIG. 4A  rotated about  90  degrees from the position of  FIG. 4A  to a second position to illustrate the opposed cavities positioned therein; 
         FIGS. 4C-4F  illustrate the first cavity of the end effector of  FIG. 4A  receiving a first tissue sample; and 
         FIGS. 4G-4J  illustrate the second cavity of the end effector of  FIG. 4B  receiving a second tissue sample. 
     
    
    
     The figures depict preferred embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the present disclosure described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the presently disclosed apparatus will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to that portion of the tool, or component thereof which is further from the user while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the tool or component thereof which is closer to the user. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a surgical instrument  10  in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated. Surgical instrument  10  is an endoscopic apparatus and includes a handle assembly  12  and an elongate body  14  extending distally therefrom. The instrument can be 5 mm in outer diameter, although other dimensions are also contemplated. A loading unit  16  which can be replaceable and can be disposable, can be releasably secured to the distal end of elongate body  14 . The loading unit supports the end effector assembly  40 . 
     Handle assembly  12  includes a stationary handle member  22 , a movable handle member  24 , and a barrel portion  26 . A rotatable knob  28  is mounted on the barrel portion  26  to facilitate rotation of elongate body  14  with respect to handle assembly  12  about the longitudinal axis. An articulation knob  13  is mounted on the distal end of barrel portion  26 , in proximity to rotatable knob  28 , to facilitate articulation of tool assembly  40  to angular positions with respect to the longitudinal axis of elongated body  14 . 
     Additionally, the handle assembly  12  if used with the multiple jaw assemblies of  FIGS. 3A-4J  may also include an actuating unit  21  as shown in  FIG. 1A . Actuation unit  21  may include a slidable mechanism  25  for switching between jaw assemblies, as described below with reference to  FIGS. 3A-3I  and  4 A- 4 J. For example, a knob  23  may be located at a first position to actuate a jaw member of the one jaw assembly. When the user wishes to switch to a second jaw member, the user may slide the knob  23  via the sliding mechanism  25  to a second position to enable actuation of a jaw member of the other jaw assembly. Even though the actuating unit  21  is shown on the handle assembly  12 , it is contemplated that the actuating unit  21  may be located on other portions of the surgical instrument  10 . Also note that the end effector assemblies of  FIGS. 1-4J  can be supported on a loading unit, e.g. loading unit  16 , and mounted to the elongate body  14  of the instrument  10 . Alternately, the end effector assemblies can be fixedly (non-removably) mounted to the elongated body  14 . 
     In the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 1B , the handle assembly  28 ′ of instrument  10 ′ has an in line profile. Handle portion  26 ′ is line with shaft or elongate body  14 ′ and loading unit  16 ′. Knob  13 ′ pivots jaw  40 ′ between open and closed positions. Such in-line handle can be used with any of the jaw embodiments disclosed herein. The in-line handle may provide improved ergonomics in certain applications with the user grasping and maneuvering the shaft. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the end effector assembly  40  includes a cavity  48  for receiving a tissue sample therein and a closing member  46  for securing the tissue within the cavity  48 , 
     The end effector assembly  40  is attached to surgical instrument  10  at its proximal end  42  by a frictional fit, threaded engagement, or other methods. The end effector assembly  40  includes a tip  50  at its distal end  44 . The tip  50  is shaped for blunt dissection of tissue. A cavity  48  is formed in an interior length of the end effector assembly  40 . The cavity  48  is configured to receive a tissue sample therein. A closing member or jaw  46  is pivotally mounted via a pivot mechanism  52 , e.g. a pivot pin, to the elongate member (or stationary jaw)  56  of the end effector assembly  40 . The closing member  46  is configured to securely enclose within cavity  48  a tissue sample removed from tissue during a surgical procedure. The closing member  46  is adapted and dimensioned to be of a size approximately equal to the size of the opening or cavity  48  to fit therein to retain together with stationary jaw  56  the severed tissue sample. 
     The configuration of the distal tip  50  aids in the dissection of tissue as it navigates through the thoracic cavity. The tip  50  can be constructed in a sloping configuration. The tip  50  may have a conical or spherical outer face or edge. One skilled in the art may contemplate a plurality of different geometric configurations for the tip  50  for enabling the tip  50  to effectively dissect a portion of tissue. 
     The closing member  46  includes a blade member  54 . The blade member  54  may be any type of cutting element, such as a chisel blade, that aids in the cutting of a tissue sample. The blade member  54  may extend the entire interior length of the closing member  46  and is preferably centrally disposed. However, it is contemplated that the blade member  54  could extend along only a portion of an interior length of the closing member  46 . It is also contemplated that the blade could be off center. Additionally multiple blades could be provided. 
     The end effector assembly  40  may comprise any suitable shape and material. Solely by way of example, the end effector assembly  40  may comprise stainless steel or a biocompatible plastic. The end effector assembly  40  may be substantially cylindrically-shaped, when in the closed or clamped position. The end effector assembly  40  may be configured to articulate via the articulation knob  13  (see  FIG. 1 ), as well as rotate about a longitudinal axis extending the length of the elongate body  14  of the surgical instrument  10 . 
     In use, to perform a VATS procedure, the surgeon creates an incision, generally less than one inch in diameter, through an intercostal space (i.e., the area between the ribs) of a patient into a thoracic cavity. An access port may optionally be inserted into the incision to prevent the incision from closing. The access port could also be utilized in spread the tissue adjacent the opening. Endoscopic instrument  10 , with closing member  46  in a closed position, is inserted through the port and into the thoracic cavity (not shown). The tip  50  can bluntly dissect tissue as the instrument  10  is advanced to the target tissue. After the end effector  40  of the endoscopic instrument  10  is in the desired location in the thoracic cavity, the surgeon may then adjust movable handle member  24  to deploy the end effector assembly  40  toward the target site as described below. The user may also rotate the end effector assembly  40  via rotation knob  28  and/or articulate end effector assembly  40  via rotation of knob  13  to adjust its position to facilitate access to the target tissue. 
     End effector assembly  40 , extending from the distal end of elongate body  14 , is then maneuvered within a working space to perform the desired diagnostic or surgical procedure, such as to remove a lymph node from tissue. Closing member  46  is moved to an open configuration by release of handle member  24  for receiving the lymph node. Once it is determined that the lymph node has been placed within the cavity  48 , the handle member  24  is moved to cause the closing member  46  to move to a closed configuration. Such movement severs the tissue via blade  54  and secures the severed tissue within cavity  48 . Once the lymph node has been securely sealed within the cavity  48 , the end effector assembly  40  and instrument  10  are removed from the patient. The lymph node may be transferred to another storage vessel. The lymph node is delivered to a technician for further processing to determine, for example, whether the lymph node is cancerous. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , an alternate embodiment of an end effector assembly in accordance with another embodiment is illustrated and designated generally by reference numeral  60 . End effector assembly  60  includes two cavities  68 ,  74 , spaced axially from another, for receiving different tissue samples, each cavity  68 ,  74  cooperating with a respective closing member or jaw  66 ,  72 . 
     The end effector assembly  60  may be attached to surgical instrument  10  at its proximal end  62 . The end effector assembly  60  includes a tip  80  at its distal end  64  which is configured like tip  50  of  FIG. 1  for blunt dissection. A first proximal cavity  68  and a second distal cavity  74  are disposed on a length of the end effector assembly  60 . Each of the cavities  68 ,  74  is configured to receive a different tissue sample therein. A first closing member or movable jaw  66  is pivotally mounted via a pivot mechanism  70 , e.g. a pivot pin, to the elongate member or stationary jaw  75  of the end effector assembly  60 . Additionally, a second closing member or movable jaw  72  is pivotally mounted via a more distal pivot mechanism  76 , e.g. a pivot pin, to the elongate member  75  of the end effector assembly  60 . The closing members  66 ,  72  are configured to securely enclose different tissue samples removed from tissue during a surgical procedure. The closing members  66 ,  72  are adapted and dimensioned to be of a size approximately equal to the size of their respective cavities  68 ,  74  to encapsulate and seal a tissue sample disposed therein. 
     Each of the closing members includes a cutting blade as in the cutting blade (and its variations) discussed above. 
     The distal tip  80  aids in the dissection of tissue as it is advanced through the thoracic cavity. The tip  80  can be constructed in a sloping configuration. The tip  80  may have a conical or spherical outer face or edge. One skilled in the art may contemplate a plurality of different geometric configurations for the tip  80  for enabling the tip  80  to effectively dissect a portion of tissue. 
     One skilled in the art may contemplate incorporating three or more cavities along the length of the elongate member  75 . The cavities may vary in size and shape. The cavities may also vary in shape and size with respect to each other on the same end effector assembly. Even though the cavities  68 ,  74  are shown to be in a series configuration, one skilled in the may contemplate a parallel configuration for cavities  68 ,  74 . Moreover, one skilled in the art may contemplate a plurality of cavities in substantially equal spaced relation to each other or in non-equal spaced relation to each other. 
       FIGS. 3B-3E  illustrate the second (distal) cavity  74  of  FIG. 3A  receiving a first tissue sample  61 , whereas  FIGS. 3F-3I  illustrate the first (proximal) cavity  68  of  FIG. 3A  receiving a second tissue sample  63 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     In  FIG. 3B , the second closing member  72  is open, whereas the first closing member  66  is closed. End effector assembly  60  approaches a first tissue  61 . In  FIG. 3C , first tissue  61  is located in the vicinity of the second closing member  72 . In  FIG. 3D , a first tissue sample portion  61 A of the first tissue  61  is disposed within the second cavity  74 . In  FIG. 3E , the second closing member  72  is closed such that the first tissue sample portion  61 A is severed from the surrounding tissue by the blade on closing member  72  and is enclosed (sealed) and secured within the second cavity  74 . 
     However, the surgeon may require another tissue sample from a different tissue during the same operation. As such, once the second closing member  72  has been closed to secure the first tissue sample  61 , the first closing member  66  may be opened to allow the surgeon to obtain another tissue sample from the same or different tissue. For example, the actuating unit  21  of  FIG. 1  A may be employed to enable switching between the second and first closing members  72 ,  66 . In particular, the knob  23  may slide from a first position to a second position via the sliding mechanism  25  in order to operatively connect handle  24  to the jaw closing rod for closing member  66  and disengage the closing rod for jaw  72 , to operate the first closing member  66 . 
     In  FIG. 3F , the end effector assembly  60  approaches a second tissue  63 . In  FIG. 3G , first tissue  63  is located in the vicinity of the first closing member  66 . In  FIG. 3H , a second tissue sample portion  63 A of the second tissue  63  is disposed within the first cavity  68 . In  FIG. 31 , the first closing member  66  closes such that the second tissue sample portion  63 A is severed from the surrounding tissue and enclosed (sealed) and secured within the first cavity  68 . 
     Therefore, the surgeon may obtain two tissue samples via the same end effector assembly during a single surgical operation by simply using an actuating unit to switch between first and second closing members. As an alternative to the switching mechanism, a separate handle can be provided to open and close each closing member. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , an end effector assembly  90  with opposed cavities  92 ,  102  positioned therein is illustrated, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     The end effector assembly  90  includes a pair of opposed cavities  92 ,  102 . The end effector assembly  90  also includes a first tip  100  and a second tip  101  at its distal end  107 . Together, the tips  100 ,  101  form a blunt dissecting top similar to tip  50  of  FIG. 1 . The first cavity  92  is disposed on a top length of the end effector assembly  90 , as viewed in the orientation of  FIG. 4B , whereas the second cavity  102  is disposed on the opposing side, i.e. the bottom length, of the end effector assembly  90 . The cavities  92 ,  102  are configured to receive different tissue samples therein. A first closing member  94  (or movable jaw) is pivotally mounted via a pivot mechanism  96 , e.g. a pivot pin, to the elongate member or stationary jaw  103  of the end effector assembly  90 . A second closing member  104  (or jaw) is pivotally mounted via a pivot mechanism  106 , e.g. a pivot pin, to the elongate member  103  of the end effector assembly  90 . The closing members  94 ,  104  each have a cutting blade (e.g. blade  105  of jaw  104 ) as in the cutting blade (and its variations) described above. The closing members  94 ,  104  are configured to securely enclose different tissue samples removed from tissue during a surgical procedure. The closing members  94 ,  104  are adapted and dimensioned to be of a size approximately equal to the size of their respective cavities  92 ,  102  to encapsulate and secure a tissue sample therein. 
     In use, the end effector  90  is at the distal end of the surgical instrument such as instrument  10  of  FIG. 1 . After end effector  90  of surgical instrument  10  is inserted in the thoracic cavity, e.g. through an access port, the surgeon advances end effector assembly  90  toward the target site ( FIG. 4C ). End effector assembly  90 , extending from the distal end of elongate body  14  is then maneuvered within a working space to perform the desired diagnostic or surgical procedure, such as, removed of a lymph node from tissue. The end effector  90  can be rotated or articulated by knobs  28  and  13  respectively. For example, initially, both closing members  94 ,  104  may be in a closed configuration. Once the surgeon determines that a first sample needs to be extracted, first closing member  94  is adjusted to an open configuration for receiving the lymph node as shown in  FIG. 4D . Once it is determined that the lymph node has been successfully placed within the first cavity  92 , the handle member  24  is moved to cause the first closing member  94  to move to the closed configuration to sever the tissue sample (via blade  105 ) and retain it within cavity  92  ( FIG. 4E  ad  4 F). Then, if the surgeon determines that a second sample (e.g. tissue # 2  of  FIGS. 4G and 4H ) needs to be extracted, end effector  90  is rotated, as shown by arrow “A” in  FIG. 4D . Then, the second closing member  104  is moved to an open configuration for receiving the lymph node from a different tissue. Once it is determined that the second lymph node has been successfully placed within the second cavity  102 , the handle member  24  is moved to cause the closing member  104  to move to a closed configuration to sever the tissue sample and retain it within cavity  102 . Once the lymph nodes have been secured within their respective cavities  92 ,  102 , the end effector assembly  90  is removed from the patient. The lymph nodes are delivered to a technician for further processing to determine, for example, whether the lymph nodes are cancerous. Thus, the surgeon is permitted to extract two different tissue samples from different tissue during a single procedure without having to remove the end effector assembly each time a tissue sample needs to be extracted. 
     The design of the distal tips  100 ,  101  aids in the dissection of tissue. The tips  100 ,  101  can each be constructed in a sloping configuration. The tips  100 ,  101  may each have a conical or spherical outer face or edge. One skilled in the art may contemplate a plurality of different geometric configurations for the tips  100 ,  101  for enabling the tips  100 ,  101  to effectively dissect a portion of tissue or different tissues. The tip  100  may be disposed as a mirror image to tip  101 , and adjacent to each other. 
       FIGS. 4C-4F  illustrate the first cavity  92  of  FIG. 4A  receiving a first tissue sample portion  120 A of tissue  120 , whereas  FIGS. 4G-4J  illustrate the second cavity  102  of  FIG. 4B  receiving a second tissue sample portion  130 A of tissue  130 . 
     In  FIG. 4C , the first closing member  94  is opened, whereas the second closing member  104  is closed. End effector assembly  90  approaches a first tissue  120 . In  FIG. 4D , first tissue  120  is located in the vicinity of the first closing member  94 . In  FIG. 4E , a first tissue sample portion  120 A of the first tissue  120  is disposed within the first cavity  92 . In  FIG. 4F , the first closing member  94  closes such that the first tissue sample  120 A is severed and enclosed and secured within the first cavity  92 . Thus, a first tissue sample  120 A has been obtained from the surgeon. 
     However, the surgeon may require another tissue sample during the same operation. As such, once the first closing member  94  has been closed to secure the first tissue sample  120 , the end effector assembly  90  may be rotated, and the second closing member  104  may be opened to allow the surgeon to pursue another tissue sample from the same or different tissue. For example, the actuating unit  21  of  FIG. 1A  may be employed to enable switching between the first and second closing members  94 ,  104 . In particular, the knob  23  may slide from a first position to a second position via the sliding mechanism  25  in order to rotate and access and operate the second closing member  104 . Alternatively, a separate handle mechanism can be provided for each closing member. 
     In  FIG. 4G , the end effector assembly  90  approaches a second tissue  130 . In  FIG. 4H , second tissue  130  is located in the vicinity of the second closing member  104 . In  FIG. 4I , a second tissue sample portion  130 A of the second tissue  130  is disposed within the second cavity  102 . In  FIG. 4J , the second closing member  104  closes such that the second tissue sample portion  130 A is severed and enclosed and secured within the second cavity  102 . Thus, a second tissue sample  130 A has been obtained from the surgeon. 
     Therefore, the surgeon may obtain two tissue samples via the same end effector assembly during a single surgical operation by simply using an actuating unit to switch between first and second closing members. Note the second closing member can be operated either after or before operation of the first closing member. 
     Therefore, in summary, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure assist in the dissection and capturing for retrieval of lymph nodes during, for example, a VATS procedure. Lymph nodes are retrieved for specimen pathological analysis to help plan for further cancer treatments. The end effector assemblies of the surgical instrument  10  would be able to navigate through the thoracic cavity to dissect tissue and capture and remove lymph nodes. The surgical instrument  10  would be navigated by a surgeon with the jaws held in the closed position by the handle, such that the tip of the distal end of the end effector assembly dissects tissue and is advanced to be placed adjacent the lymph node. Once the handle of the surgical instrument  10  is released, the closing member is opened and the cavity is exposed to receive the tissue dissected. The handle of the surgical instrument  10  is then actuated to close the closing member and cut or separate the specimen (e.g., a lymph node) from the surrounding tissue. The surgical instrument  10  is then removed from the body of the patient and the specimen is removed from the cavity and placed in, for example, a proper receptacle for further examination. The distal end of the surgical instrument  10  is configured to articulate as well as rotate about a longitudinal axis of the elongate body  14  of the surgical instrument  10  to facilitate maneuvering the closing members to the desired position adjacent tissue to be removed. 
     It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, the jaws of the foregoing embodiments can be provided with electrocautery capability to cut tissue and/or effect a tissue seal. 
     As can thus be seen, the present disclosure provides a system for capturing one or more body tissue samples. In some embodiments, more than one body tissue sample may be captured during a single procedure, thus shortening the surgical procedure. 
     As can be appreciated, although described for thoracic procedures, the surgical instruments disclosed herein can be utilized in other procedures and other body cavities. 
     While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of presently disclosed embodiments. Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 
     Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the present disclosure based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.