Vibrating surgical instruments for blunt dissection and methods for use thereof

Abstract

A dissector including a body, a first arm, a second arm, and a string and methods for use thereof. The first arm extending from the body towards a distal end thereof and the second arm extending from the body towards a distal end thereof. One end of the string is coupled to the first arm adjacent the distal end thereof and the other end of the string is coupled to the second arm adjacent the distal end thereof. The first and second arms have an expanded configuration such that the string is taut and have a collapsed configuration such that the string is slack. The string is configured to dissect tissue when the first and second arms are in the expanded configuration. The string may oscillate to dissect tissue. The distal ends of the first and second arms may atraumatically dissect tissue.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method for dissecting tissue, the method comprising:
 inserting a dissector within a surgical site in a collapsed configuration thereof, the dissector including:
 a body; 
 a first arm extending from the body to a first distal end thereof; 
 a second arm extending from the body to a second distal end thereof; and 
 a string with one end coupled to the first arm adjacent the first distal end and the other end coupled to the second arm adjacent the second distal end; 
   dissecting tissue with the first and second distal ends;   expanding the first and second arms of the dissector from the collapsed configuration, wherein the string is slack, to an expanded configuration, wherein the string is taut; and   dissecting tissue with the string.