Patent ID: 7758577

Claim:
A tissue grasping device, comprising: an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends; first and second jaws, each pivotally coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and adapted to engage tissue therebetween; and a monopolar cutting element comprising an elongate needle, the monopolar cutting element being: (a) slidably mated to at least one of the first and second jaws, (b) flexible such that it flexes when the first and second jaws move between open and closed positions, (c) slidably movable between an extended position in which the cutting element is positioned adjacent to a distal end of the first and second jaws, and a retracted position in which the cutting element is positioned adjacent to a proximal end of the first and second jaws, and (d) adapted to couple to an energy source for delivering energy to the monopolar cutting element.