Ringed Forceps

Abstract

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.

1 . A surgical instrument which comprises two oppositely-positioned working members each having proximal and distal ends and each having a working surface, said instrument comprising at least one ring member affixed to at least one of said working members to encompass one or more of a user's fingers. 
   
   
       2 . The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein at least one working surface has a heating element to cut or seal and cut tissue. 
   
   
       3 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the instrument also comprises a battery pack electrically connected to the heating element. 
   
   
       4 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein a working surface contains one heating element. 
   
   
       5 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the heating element is an electrically resistant wire, a printed circuit, thin film, or electrically conductive coating. 
   
   
       6 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein a heating element actuator is operatively connected to a heater element. 
   
   
       7 . The instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the opposing working surfaces apply pressure and approximate tissue. 
   
   
       8 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the heating element is capable of being heated to a temperature to first seal and then cut tissue. 
   
   
       9 . The instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the heating element has lower ohmic resistance than body tissue. 
   
   
       10 . A surgical instrument for sealing or welding tissue which comprises:
 two oppositely-positioned working surfaces for compressing tissue, wherein at least one working surface has a heating element,   a heating element actuator responsive to a predetermined pressure to activate the heating element to seal or weld tissue, and   at least one ring member affixed to at least one of said working surfaces to encompass one or more of a user's fingers.   
   
   
       11 . The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the instrument also comprises a battery pack electrically connected to the heating element. 
   
   
       12 . The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein a working surface contains one heating element. 
   
   
       13 . The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the heating element is an electrically resistant wire, a printed circuit, thin film, or electrically conductive coating. 
   
   
       14 . The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein a working surface has more than one heating element. 
   
   
       15 . The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein both working surfaces have at least one heater element. 
   
   
       16 . The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein a heating element actuator is operatively connected to a heater element. 
   
   
       17 . The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the opposing working surfaces apply pressure and approximate tissue. 
   
   
       18 . The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the heating element is capable of being heated to a temperature to first seal and then cut tissue. 
   
   
       19 . The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the heating element has lower ohmic resistance than body tissue. 
   
   
       20 . The instrument of  claim 10 , wherein one or both working surfaces is comprised of non-stick material.