Surgical instrument and method

Abstract

An actuator for use in a surgical instrument, the actuator includes an upper portion configured to be actuated by one or more fingers, wherein the upper portion has an upper distal portion for operating the surgical instrument in a first mode of operation, and an upper proximal portion for operating the surgical instrument in a second mode of operation, and wherein the upper distal portion and the upper proximal portion have different respective tactile configurations for informing the user of the first and second modes of operation, respectively.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A surgical instrument for harvesting a vessel, comprising:
 an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end;   an electrical circuit;   a surgical device at the distal end of the body, wherein the surgical device comprises an electrode coupled to the electrical circuit; and   a handle coupled to the proximal end of the elongated body;   wherein the electrical circuit has a first wire and a second wire that are parts of a circuit coupled to the electrode, the second wire being a backup wire.   
     
     
         20 . The surgical instrument of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second wires are electrically connected to the electrode, the second wire being a backup wire for supplying energy to the electrode. 
     
     
         21 . The surgical instrument of  claim 19 , further comprising a fuse that couples to the electrode, wherein the first wire and the second wire are electrically coupled to the fuse, the second wire being a backup wire for supplying energy to the fuse. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical instrument of  claim 19 , further comprising an electrical switch within the handle, wherein the first wire and the second wire are electrically coupled to a switch terminal at the electrical switch, the second wire being a backup wire for supplying energy to the switch terminal. 
     
     
         23 - 53 . (canceled)