Patent ID: 8313495

Claim:
A surgical instrument comprising: a first arm having a handle formed on a proximal end, and a first jaw element formed on a distal end; a second arm having a handle formed on a proximal end, and a second jaw element formed on a distal end; a pivot mechanism connecting said first and second arms at a point intermediate said proximal and distal ends of said first and second arms to define said first and second jaw elements as opposing jaw elements, whereby opening or spreading said handles opens said first and second jaw elements and closing said first and second jaw elements together enables them to grip an external object; and cutting means adjacent said first and second jaw elements, said cutting means comprising: a cutting blade on said first arm; a cutting edge arrangement on said second arm; and a cutting slot for receiving material to be cut, said cutting slot communicating with said cutting blade and said cutting edge; said cutting means being shaped and configured to cut the material placed in said cutting slot when said handles are spread apart.