Patent ID: 6915804

Claim:
A surgical instrument for performing a tracheotomy procedure on a patient in need thereof comprising: an elongated body comprising a forward and a rearward end, and a handle extending transversely from said elongated body at a position proximal to said rearward end; said elongated body comprising a first shaft and a second shaft, wherein said first shaft and said second shaft portion are secured such that the first shaft is longitudinally moveable; a cutting portion integral with or attached to said first shaft at its forward end, said cutting portion comprising at least two cutting edges; a foot plate integral with or attached to said second shaft at its forward end; and a handle mounted to said body portion, said handle comprising a lever communicatingly engaged to or integral with said first shaft, wherein upon actuation of said lever, said cutting portion of said first shaft is drawn toward said foot plate, thereby punching a window in the trachea of said patient.