초록 ▼

A surgical instrument comprises two oppositely-positioned working numbers each having proximal and distal ends and each having a working surface. The instrument also comprises at least one ring member affixed to a least one of the working members to encompass one or more of a user's fingers. In one

A surgical instrument comprises two oppositely-positioned working numbers each having proximal and distal ends and each having a working surface. The instrument also comprises at least one ring member affixed to a least one of the working members to encompass one or more of a user's fingers. In one embodiment at least one working surface has a heating element to cut or seal and cut tissue.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A surgical instrument for cutting or sealing and cutting tissue which comprises two oppositely-positioned working members each having proximal and distal ends and each having a working surface, wherein at least one ring member is affixed to at least one of said working member

What is claimed is: 1. A surgical instrument for cutting or sealing and cutting tissue which comprises two oppositely-positioned working members each having proximal and distal ends and each having a working surface, wherein at least one ring member is affixed to at least one of said working members to encompass one or more of a user's fingers, wherein at least one working surface has a heating element to cut or cut and seal tissue, and wherein a ring member affixed to a working member is slidingly affixed and may be positioned by the user at any point along the working member. 2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the instrument also comprises a battery pack electrically connected to the heating element. 3. The instrument of claim 1, wherein a working surface contains one heating element. 4. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the heating element is an electrically resistant wire, a printed circuit, thin film, or electrically conductive coating. 5. The instrument of claim 1, wherein a heating element actuator is operatively connected to a working surface heating element. 6. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the opposing working surfaces apply pressure and approximate tissue. 7. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the heating element is capable of being heated to a temperature to first seal and then cut tissue. 8. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the heating element has lower ohmic resistance than body tissue. 9. The instrument of claim 1, wherein a sleeve extends over the distal end of one or both working members. 10. The instrument of claim 1, wherein each heating element is substantially thermally insulated from the working members. 11. The instrument of claim 1, wherein each working surface comprises a thermal conducting material. 12. The instrument of claim 1, wherein each working surface comprises thermally reflective material. 13. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the heating element is a heater wire comprising material selected from the group consisting of nichrome, stainless steel, nitinol, and metallic alloys. 14. The instrument of claim 1, wherein each heating element is operatively connected to a power source. 15. The instrument of claim 14, wherein the power source is a portable DC power source. 16. The instrument of claim 14, wherein the power source is an RF power source. 17. The instrument of claim 14, wherein the power source is a low frequency AC power source. 18. The instrument of claim 1, which also comprises a heating element actuator responsive to a predetermined pressure to activate the heating element.