Surgical instrument with expandable cutting element

Claim 2

A surgical instrument comprising: a shaft having a distal end; and an end effector located at the distal end of said shaft, said end effector comprising: first and second elements comprised of first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces respectively, said elements movable relative to each other from an open, spaced apart position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position for approximating the tissue between the surfaces, said closed position defining a variable gap between said surfaces; a cutting element comprising first and second cutting blades, said cutting element being movable with respect to said surfaces to divide tissue approximated between said surfaces; wherein said end effector includes a mechanism to provide scissors-like cutting action between said blades as said cutting element is advanced; said cutting element being adaptable in size to fit within said variable gap between said first and second surfaces.

Claim 3

The instrument of claim 1 wherein said end effector further comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion and a longitudinal axis extending proximally to distally through said end effector, and wherein said end effector includes a mechanism to cause oscillation of said cutting element about said longitudinal axis as said cutting element is advanced.

Claim 4

A surgical instrument comprising: a shaft having a distal end; an end effector located at the distal end of said shaft, said end effector comprising: a cutting element; first and second elements comprised of first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces respectively, said elements movable relative to each other from an open, spaced apart position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position for approximating the tissue between the surfaces, said closed position defining a variable gap between said surfaces, wherein at least one of said elements includes a groove therein, wherein said groove includes an oscillating surface; said cutting element movable in said groove to divide tissue approximated between said surfaces, wherein said cutting element comprises one or more spring members biased in a cutting element expanding direction and wherein at least one of said spring members is biased towards said oscillating surface; and said cutting element being adaptable in size to fit within said variable gap between said first and second surfaces.

Claim 5

A surgical instrument comprising: a shaft having a distal end; an end effector located at the distal end of said shaft, said end effector comprising: a cutting element; first and second elements comprised of first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces respectively, said elements movable relative to each other from an open, spaced apart position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position for approximating the tissue between the surfaces, said closed position defining a variable gap between said surfaces, wherein at least one of said elements includes a groove therein, wherein said groove includes an oscillating surface; said cutting element movable in said groove to divide tissue approximated between said surfaces, wherein said cutting element comprises one or more spring members biased in a cutting element expanding direction and wherein at least one of said spring members is biased towards said oscillating surface; and said cutting element being adaptable in size to fit within said variable gap between said first and second surfaces.

Claim 6

A surgical instrument comprising: a shaft having a distal end; an end effector located at the distal end of said shaft said end effector comprising: first and second elements comprised of first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces respectively, said elements movable relative to each other from an open, spaced apart position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position for approving the tissue between the surfaces, said closed position defining a variable gap between said surfaces wherein each of said first and second elements includes a groove formed therein; a cutting element movable in said groove to divide tissue approximated between said surfaces, wherein said cutting element comprises one or more spring members, each of said spring members including a blade formed at a distal end thereof and wherein one of said spring members is biased towards said first surface and one of said spring members is biased toward said second surface; and said cutting element being adaptable in size to fit within said variable gap between said first and second surfaces.

Claim 7

A surgical instrument comprising: a shaft having a distal end; an end effector located at the distal end of said shaft said end effector comprising: first and second elements comprised of first and second opposed tissue contacting surfaces respectively, said elements movable relative to each other from an open, spaced apart position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a closed position for approving the tissue between the surfaces, said closed position defining a variable gap between said surfaces wherein each of said first and second elements includes a groove formed therein; a cutting element movable in said groove to divide tissue approximated between said surfaces, wherein said cutting element comprises one or more spring members, each of said spring members including a blade formed at a distal end thereof and wherein one of said spring members is biased towards said first surface and one of said spring members is biased toward said second surface; and said cutting element being adaptable in size to fit within said variable gap between said first and second surfaces.