SELF PROTECTING KNIFE FOR CURVED JAW SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

摘要

An electrosurgical hemostatic instrument including a curved end effector. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a bipolar endoscopic clamping, coagulation and cutting device. In this device, a substantially straight, axiall y flexible knife is used to cut tissue grasped by the jaws of the end effector. The end eff ector includes a knife channel which is wider than the knife. The knife may include sacrificial contact points adapted to contact the walls of the knife channel as the knife moves through the channel, protecting the cutting edges of the knife blade from damage.