Patent ID: 8603130

Claim:
An instrument for engaging an underlying blood vessel or body structure comprising: first and second instrument arms each having a proximal end and a distal end and coupled by a hinge, said hinge permitting said instrument arms to move relative to one another, said arms disposed in a first plane perpendicular to the axis of said hinge; first and second handles extending proximally from the proximal ends of said first and second instrument arms respectively; and first and second instrument fingers extending distally from the distal ends of said first and second instrument arms respectively and terminating at a distal tip, said instrument fingers being axially straight over their entire length to said distal tip, each of said instrument fingers having a proximal end and a distal end, each of said instrument fingers proximal ends joined to a respective distal end of each of said instrument arms thereby forming a juncture, said juncture comprising a bend of 20 to 80 degrees of angulation with respect to said first plane thereby disposing said straight instrument fingers in a second plane at an angle of 20 to 80 degrees to said first plane, said second plane defined by said straight instrument fingers in a spread-apart position; wherein each of said instrument fingers distal ends comprises a substantially planar bottom surface, said bottom surface extending to said distal tip and being disposed at a 20 to 80 degree angle to said second plane.