Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A surgical instrument comprising a tubular outer member having a proximal end and terminating distally at a distal end and having an operating channel defined therethrough; an intermediate member having a body disposed at least partly within said outer member, said body having a proximal end and a distal end, a pair of opposed jaws each having a substantially flat grasping surface and being disposed on said distal end of said body and being resiliently biased apart; a handle coupled with at least one of said jaws and configured to move said pair of opposed jaws between open and closed positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A surgical instrument comprising a tubular outer member having a proximal end and terminating distally at a distal end and having an operating channel defined therethrough; an intermediate member having a body disposed at least partly within said outer member, said body having a proximal end and a distal end, a pair of opposed jaws each having a substantially flat grasping surface and being disposed on said distal end of said body and being resiliently biased apart; a handle coupled with at least one of said jaws and configured to move said pair of opposed jaws between open and closed positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein said body is tubular and said operating channel extends through said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said jaws are formed integrally with said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said jaws are formed separately from said body and are attached to said body by coupling means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said jaws define a recessed portion and an insert is removably disposed in each recessed portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An instrument as recited in claim 2, further comprising an inner member movably disposed in said tubular body, said inner member having an end effector on a distal end for performing a medical procedure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein both of said jaws are movable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein one of said jaws is fixed and one of said jaws is movable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of said jaws has an arcuate portion formed therein for receiving tissue without compressing the tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pair of opposed auxiliary jaws, said auxiliary jaws move in a plane that is transverse to a plane in which said jaws move.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An instrument as recited in claim 1, wherein said jaws have biopsy boxes formed therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An instrument as recited in claim 4, wherein a biopsy box is formed in said inserts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
101 words
A multifunctional instrument for use in performing procedures within an anatomical cavity comprising a handle; an elongate tubular member having a proximal end coupled with said handle for being disposed externally of the anatomical cavity and a distal end for being disposed within the anatomical cavity and carrying a pair of opposed, relatively movable jaws, said elongate tubular member defining a channel permitting access to an operative site within the anatomical cavity from outside the body; said jaws being movable relative to one another by manipulation of said handle to perform grasping operations, each jaw having a substantially flat grasping surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
101 words
A multifunctional instrument for use in performing procedures within an anatomical cavity comprising a handle; an elongate tubular member having a proximal end coupled with said handle for being disposed externally of the anatomical cavity and a distal end for being disposed within the anatomical cavity and carrying a pair of opposed, relatively movable jaws, said elongate tubular member defining a channel permitting access to an operative site within the anatomical cavity from outside the body; said jaws being movable relative to one another by manipulation of said handle to perform grasping operations, each jaw having a substantially flat grasping surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
84 words
A multifunctional instrument for use in performing procedures within an natomical cavity as recited in claim 13 wherein said jaws are biased apart toward an open position and further comprising an outer tubular member disposed telescopically around said elongate tubular member and having a proximal end coupled with said handle and a distal end movable relative to said elongate tubular member by manipulation of said handle between a retracted position allowing said jaws to open and an extended position causing said jaws to close.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A multifunctional instrument for use in performing procedures within an anatomical cavity as recited in claim 13 and further comprising a coupling detachably coupled with said elongate tubular member for mounting said opposed, relatively movable jaws.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
A multifunctional instrument for use in performing procedures within an anatomical cavity as recited in claim 13 wherein at least one of said jaws is electrically conductive and further comprising an insulated connector coupled with said electrically conductive jaw for connecting a cauterizing current to said blade.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of conducting a surgical procedure comprising the steps of: introducing a member having a body and moveable jaws disposed on a distal end of said body into an area proximate tissue, each of said jaws having a substantially flat grasping surface; manipulating the tissue with said jaws; communicating with the area proximate the tissue through a channel defined through an outer member disposed around the member.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of conducting a surgical procedure comprising the steps of: introducing a member having a body and moveable jaws disposed on a distal end of said body into an area proximate tissue, each of said jaws having a substantially flat grasping surface; manipulating the tissue with said jaws; communicating with the area proximate the tissue through a channel defined through an outer member disposed around the member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 17 wherein, in said communicating step, said channel passes through said body of said member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 17 further comprising introducing an inner member having an end effector through said channel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
104 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a tubular outer member having a proximal end and terminating distally at a distal end and having an operating channel defined therethrough; an intermediate tubular member having a body disposed at least partially within the outer member, the body having a proximal end and a distal end and a pair of opposed jaws, each having a substantially flat grasping surface and being disposed on the distal end of the body and being resiliently biased apart; and a handle coupled with at least one of the jaws and configured to move the pair of opposed jaws between open and closed positions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
104 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a tubular outer member having a proximal end and terminating distally at a distal end and having an operating channel defined therethrough; an intermediate tubular member having a body disposed at least partially within the outer member, the body having a proximal end and a distal end and a pair of opposed jaws, each having a substantially flat grasping surface and being disposed on the distal end of the body and being resiliently biased apart; and a handle coupled with at least one of the jaws and configured to move the pair of opposed jaws between open and closed positions.