Surgical forceps including shape memory cutter

摘要

A forceps includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto. The shaft has an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another. At least one of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one shape memory cutting member is coupled to one of the jaw members. The shape memory cutting member(s) is transitionable between a retracted state and an extended state. In the extended state, the cutting member(s) extends between the jaw members to cut tissue disposed therebetween when the jaw members are in the approximated position.

主权项

1. A forceps, comprising:
a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including: a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another, at least one jaw member moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween; and a shape memory cutting wire extending longitudinally along one of the jaw members, the shape memory cutting wire having first and second end portions and an intermediate portion, the first and second end portions coupled to the jaw member such that the intermediate portion is suspended therebetween, the shape memory cutting wire transitionable between a retracted state, wherein the intermediate portion is positioned adjacent the jaw member, and an extended state, wherein the intermediate portion extends between the jaw members to cut tissue disposed therebetween.