Patent ID: 8425509

Claim:
A surgical instrument ( 1 ) for performing controlled myotomies, particularly for performing internal anal sphincterotomies, comprising a proximal handle portion ( 2 ), an elongate insertion shaft ( 3 ) connected with the handle portion ( 2 ) and extending distally therefrom, a distal incision tip ( 4 ) arranged at a distal end of the insertion shaft ( 3 ) and adapted to incise tissue distally adjacent to the insertion shaft ( 3 ), a lateral incision member ( 5 ) arranged at the insertion shaft ( 3 ) and adapted to incise tissue laterally adjacent to the insertion shaft ( 3 ), wherein the lateral incision member ( 5 ) is movable from a rest position, in which it is retracted towards or inside the insertion shaft ( 3 ) and an operational position in which it protrudes laterally from the insertion shaft ( 3 ), wherein the insertion shaft ( 3 ) is substantially rigid and straight and has an elongate flattened shape defining a reference plane, wherein the lateral incision member ( 5 ) can be protracted transversely to the reference plane of the insertion shaft ( 3 ).