Vessel harvester

Abstract

Apparatus and method for harvesting selected vessels in the body of a patient include manual manipulation of a rigid dissecting endoscope and the reconfiguration thereof to facilitate tissue dissection and tissue dilation in the formation of an anatomical space about the vessel within which side-branch vessels may be manipulated in preparation for severance and removal of the vessel from the anatomical space.

1 . An apparatus for selectively performing tissue manipulation in the body of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongated structure having a distal end and a proximal end with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween;   a first surgical effector device disposed near the distal end of the cannula;   a second surgical effector device disposed near the distal end of the cannula;   a first control member disposed near the proximal end and linked to a first surgical effector device;   a second control member disposed near the proximal end and linked to the second surgical effector device, the first control member and second control member configured for longitudinal movement along the elongated structure;   wherein, with respect to the distal end of the elongated structure, movement of at least a portion of the first control member actuates a longitudinal movement of the first surgical effector device, and movement the second control member causes longitudinal movement of the second surgical effector device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated structure is a cannula and is configured to receive an endoscope. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fir surgical end effector is chosen from the group consisting of a vein retractor, a tissue shears, and a bipolar electrocauterizer. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first control member is located distal to the second control member. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for selectively performing tissue manipulation in the body of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongated structure having a distal end and a proximal end;   a surgical effector device disposed near the distal end;   a control member disposed near the proximal end and linked to the surgical effector device, the control member having a first portion and second portion configured for independent movement with respect to each other,   wherein a first movement of the first and second portion causes displacement of the surgical effector with respect to the distal end, and a second movement of the first and second portion causes an action of the surgical effector different than displacement.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the surgical effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, and wherein the second movement of the first and second portion of the control member causes movement of at least the first jaw to the second jaw. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the elongated structure is a cannula and is configured to receive an endoscope 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for selectively performing tissue manipulation in the body of a patient, the apparatus comprising:
 an elongated structure having a distal end and a proximal end with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween;   a first surgical effector device disposed near the distal end;   a second surgical effector device disposed near the distal end;   a first control member disposed near the proximal end and configured for controlling the first surgical effector device;   a second control member disposed near the proximal end and configured for controlling the second surgical effector device;   wherein the first control member and second control member are configured for movement on the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the elongated structure is a cannula and is configured to receive an endoscope