Patent ID: 8353911

Claim:
A cutting apparatus comprising: (a) a handle; (b) an insertion tube, the insertion tube being associated with the handle; (c) an end effector, the end effector being associated with the insertion tube, wherein the end effector further includes: (i) a body, the body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; (ii) an aperture formed in the body; (iii) a transverse member, the transverse member being positioned within the aperture of the body adjacent the distal end of the body; (iv) a cutting member, the cutting member including an elongated portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the cutting member is coupled with the proximal portion of the body of the end effector and the elongated portion is wrapped around the transverse member; and (d) an elongate shaft, the shaft being associated with the second end of the cutting member, wherein the shaft is associated with the cutting member such that distally translating the shaft urges the cutting member outward through the aperture of the end effector and proximally translating the shaft retracts the cutting member into the aperture and against the transverse member.