Resecting Device

Abstract

A resecting device is disclosed. The resecting device comprises: a handle having a jaw trigger slidably engaged with said handle and mechanically engaged with a spring mechanism communicating a biasing force to said jaw trigger; a fixed shaft portion having a first and a second end, wherein said fixed shaft portion first end is affixed to said housing, wherein said fixed shaft portion second end forms a first jaw member, and wherein said first jaw member has a tissue contact area; and a slidable shaft portion in communication with said spring mechanism and slidable relative to said fixed shaft portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A resecting device comprising:
 a. a handle means providing a user interface for said resecting device;   b. a gripping means engaged with said handle means, wherein said gripping means is operable to grip tissue, wherein said gripping means is configured of two members, and wherein the distance separating said two members of said gripping means is constant along the length of said gripping means; and   c. an actuating means, wherein said actuating means is engaged with said handle means, wherein said actuating means is operable to manipulate the distance between said two members of said gripping means.   
     
     
         2 . The resecting device according to claim  14  further comprising a means to connect said gripping means to a source of electrosurgical energy so that said gripping means is capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue in contact with said gripping means. 
     
     
         3 . The resecting device according to claim  14  further comprising a mechanical resecting means, wherein said mechanical resecting means is selectively advanceable along the length of said gripping means, and wherein said mechanical resecting means is operable to divide tissue between said gripping means. 
     
     
         4 . The resecting device according to claim  14  further comprising a loop means, wherein said loop means is operable to loop around the outer periphery of an anatomical structure, wherein said loop means is selectively deployable and retractable from said resecting device, and wherein said loop means is operable to divide tissue located within the periphery of said loop means. 
     
     
         5 . The resecting device according to claim  14  further comprising an energy selector means, wherein said energy selector means is operable to communicate electrosurgical energy from an electrosurgical energy source to either said gripping means, said mechanical resecting means, or said loop means. 
     
     
         6 . A resecting device comprising:
 a. a handle having a jaw trigger slidably engaged with said handle and mechanically engaged with a biasing mechanism communicating a biasing force to said jaw trigger;   b. a fixed shaft portion having a first and a second end, wherein said fixed shaft portion first end is affixed to said housing, wherein said fixed shaft portion second end forms a first jaw member, and wherein said first jaw member has a tissue contact area;   c. a slidable shaft portion in communication with said spring mechanism and slidable relative to said fixed shaft portion, wherein said slidable shaft portion has a first and second end, wherein said slidable shaft portion first end is mechanically engaged with said biasing mechanism, wherein said slidable shaft portion second end is mechanically engaged with a second jaw member so that said second jaw member and said first jaw member cooperate to form a set of jaws, wherein said second jaw member has a tissue contact area oriented to face said tissue contact area of said first jaw member, and wherein said tissue contact area of said first jaw member is biased away from said tissue contact area of said second jaw member via said biasing mechanism; and   d. a source of electrosurgical energy adapted to connect to said jaw members such that said tissue contact areas of said jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissues held therebetween.