Device for grasping and/or severing

Abstract

A surgical device ( 101 ) for grasping and severing body tissue comprises a housing ( 140 ) which defines a proximal end ( 102 ) and a distal end ( 104 ), a user operating handle ( 160 ) at the proximal end ( 102 ), and two blade elements ( 110, 120 ) at the distal end ( 104 ). The user operating handle ( 160 ) may be activated to pivot the blade elements ( 110, 120 ) about two parallel grasping pivot axes to grasp a piece of body tissue which is located between the blade elements ( 110, 120 ). The user operating handle ( 160 ) may also be activated to pivot the blade elements ( 110, 120 ) about a severing pivot axis to sever a piece of body tissue which is located between the blade elements ( 110, 120 ).

1 - 64 . (canceled) 
     
     
         65 . A surgical method of grasping and/or severing body tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a first operative element and a second operative element;   b) providing a first actuating element, and a second actuating element coaxially positioned with respect to one another;   c) moving the first actuating element relative to the second actuating element to pivot at least one of the operative elements in a first orientation to grasp body tissue located between the operative elements; and   d) moving the second actuating element relative to the first actuating element to pivot at least one of the operative elements in a second orientation to sever body tissue.   
     
     
         66 . A method as claimed in  claim 65  wherein the step of moving the first actuating element relative to the second actuating element pivots the first operative element and the second operative element in opposite directions to grasp tissue between the operative elements. 
     
     
         67 . A method as claimed in  claim 65  wherein the step of moving the second actuating element relative to the first actuating element pivots the first operative element and the second operative element in opposite directions to sever tissue. 
     
     
         68 . A method as claimed in  claim 65  wherein the actuating element is moved by axially translating the actuating element. 
     
     
         69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . A method as claimed in  claim 67  further comprising the step of moving a third actuating element relative to the second actuating element in a direction different than the direction of movement of the second actuating element. 
     
     
         71 . A surgical method of grasping and/or severing body tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a surgical instrument having a first operative element, a second operative element, a first actuating element and a second actuating element;   b) moving one of the first and second actuating elements to pivot the first operative element in a first direction; and   c) moving the other of the first and second actuating elements to pivot the first operative element in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the first actuating element being slidably disposed within the second actuating element.   
     
     
         72 . A method as claimed in  claim 71  wherein the step of moving one of the actuating elements to pivot the first operative element in a first direction comprises pivoting a handle to effect axial translation. 
     
     
         73 . A method as claimed in  claim 72  wherein the step of moving one of the actuating elements to pivot the first operative element in a second direction comprises pivoting a handle. 
     
     
         74 . A method as claimed in  claim 71  wherein the first operative element and the first actuating element interact for movement by a stationary pin-recess arrangement. 
     
     
         75 . A method as claimed in  claim 71  wherein the first operative element and the second actuating element interact for movement by a stationary pin-recess arrangement. 
     
     
         76 . A method as claimed in  claim 75  wherein the first operative element and the first actuating element interact for movement by a stationary pin-recess arrangement. 
     
     
         77 . A method as claimed in  claim 70  wherein the operative elements have curved proximal surfaces which move into abutment when the first and second operative elements are moved to a closed position. 
     
     
         78 . A surgical method of grasping and/or severing body tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a surgical instrument having a first operative element, a second operative element, a first sleeve and a second sleeve, the first and second sleeves engagable with a portion of the operative elements;   b) moving the first sleeve in an axial direction to pivot at least one of the operative elements between an open and closed position in a first orientation; and   c) moving the second sleeve in an axial direction to pivot at least one of the operative elements between an open and closed position in a second orientation different than the first orientation.   
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the step of moving the first sleeve comprises moving the first sleeve within the second sleeve. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the first sleeve has a recess to receive a first projecting portion of the first operative element, and wherein the step of moving the first sleeve applies a force to the first projecting portion of the first operative element to effect pivoting of the first operative element in the first orientation. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the second sleeve has a recess to receive a second projecting portion of the first operative element, and wherein the step of moving the second sleeve applies a force to the second projecting portion of the first operative element to effect pivoting of the first operative element in the second orientation. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 80  wherein the second sleeve has a recess to receive a second projecting portion of the first operative element, and wherein the step of moving the second sleeve applies a force to the second projecting portion of the first operative element to effect pivoting of the first operative element in the second orientation.