Biliary sphincter scissors

Abstract

Biliary sphincter scissors, used in a sphincterotomy, include a stationary blade and an actuated blade having dimensions which allow the scissors to pass through a channel in an endoscope. The biliary sphincter scissors include a flexible arc-shaped curvature in the distal end to allow for creation of an incision in a sphincterotomy.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . An endoscopic biliary sphincter scissor device comprising: 
 a first scissor blade;    a second scissor blade;    an actuator having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the scissor device to actuate relative movement between the first scissor blade and the second scissor blade; and    a flexible sheath surrounding the actuator that can be inserted within an endoscopic channel to position the scissor device at a surgical site.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sheath has an outer diameter of 2.5 mm or less.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first scissor blade is stationary and the second scissor blade rotates relative to the first blade.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the actuator comprises a wire and a control element.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sheath comprises a wound filament.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the sheath comprises a coating material.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the coating comprises polytetraflyoroethylene.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the stationary blade extends along a longitudinal axis of the sheath.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sheath comprises a distal arced region defining a plane of orientation of the scissor.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the stationary blade comprises a tapered stationary blade and the actuating blade comprises an angled actuating blade.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the blades comprises an electrode element that cauterizes at a surgical site, the electrode element being connected to an electrical source.  
     
     
         12 . An endoscopic sphincterotomy system comprising: 
 an endoscope having a viewing port, a channel through which an endoscopic scissor can be inserted and an elevator that actuates movement of the scissor extending through a distal port of the endoscope; and    a biliary scissor having a first blade, a second blade, a sheath having a diameter less than a diameter of the endoscope channel, and an actuator that actuates relative movement between the first blade and the second blade.    
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the endoscope has a side viewing port and the distal port opens in a radial direction such that the scissor, having a distal accuate region, extends radially from the endoscope, the arcuate region defining a plane of orientation of the scissor relative to the endoscope.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the sheath has an outer diameter of 2.5 mm or less.