Patent ID: 8409216

Claim:
A surgical instrument for removal of material from a patient, the surgical instrument comprising: a. a retrieval bag configured to open and close; b. a first arm having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the first arm is associated with the retrieval bag; c. a second arm having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the second arm is associated with the retrieval bag, wherein the distal end of the second arm is in communication with the distal end of the first arm, and wherein the second arm is operable to move away from the first arm to open the retrieval bag; d. a plug, wherein the plug is associated with the first and second arms, wherein the plug is fixedly secured to the first arm and wherein the plug is slidable relative to the second arm; and e. an actuator in communication with at least one of the first arm or the second arm, wherein the actuator is operable to translate longitudinally to urge the second arm away from the first arm to open the retrieval bag; wherein the retrieval bag is opened upon distal movement of the actuator; wherein the actuator comprises an actuating rod having a recess and a spring near a distal end of the actuating rod, wherein the spring extends longitudinally within the recess; wherein the spring is configured to maintain spatial separation between the plug and a distal end of the actuating rod.