Electrosurgical instrument with dual blade end effector

1. An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:

(a) a first jaw;

(b) a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw, wherein the second jaw is movable between an open position and a closed position;

(c) a first blade, wherein the first blade is movable between a first proximal position and a first distal position, wherein the first blade is operable to pivot the second jaw from the open position to the closed position when the first blade is translated from the proximal position to the distal position; and

(d) a second blade, wherein the second blade is movable between a second proximal position and a second distal position while the second jaw is in the open position, wherein the second blade is entirely proximal relative to the second jaw when the second blade is in the second proximal position, wherein the second blade is exposed between the first jaw and the second jaw when the second blade is in the second distal position and the second jaw is in the open position, wherein the second blade comprises a distal cutting edge.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first blade defines at least one channel, wherein a portion of the second blade is positioned within the at least one channel of the first blade.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first blade is configured to be actuated independently of the second blade.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a handpiece coupled with the end effector.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the handpiece comprises a first actuator operable to actuate the first blade and a second actuator operable to actuate the second blade.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first actuator comprises a trigger pivotable relative to the handpiece.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the second actuator comprises a slider translatable relative to the handpiece.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first blade comprises a pin assembly, wherein the second blade is positioned in the pin assembly, wherein the second blade is translatable relative to the pin assembly.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the distal cutting edge comprises a curved profile.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the distal cutting edge comprises a pointed tip.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the distal cutting edge comprises a first ramped surface and a second ramped surface that form the pointed tip.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the distal cutting edge comprises a first ramped surface extending obliquely to form the pointed tip.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the distal cutting edge extends vertically across a distal end of the second blade.

14. An apparatus, the apparatus comprising an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:

(a) a first jaw;

(b) a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw, wherein the second jaw is movable between an open position and a closed position;

(c) a first blade, wherein the first blade is movable between a first proximal position and a first distal position, wherein the first blade is operable to sever tissue positioned between the first and second jaws when the second jaw is in the closed position, wherein the first blade comprises an interior sidewall; and

(d) a second blade, wherein the second blade is movable between a second proximal position and a second distal position, wherein the second blade comprises an interior sidewall, wherein the interior sidewall of the first blade faces the interior sidewall of the second blade, wherein the interior sidewall of the first blade and the interior sidewall of the second blade define a lateral distance, wherein the lateral distance is uniform along the interior sidewalls of the first and second blades, wherein the second blade is operable to sever the tissue positioned between the first and second jaws when the second jaw is in the open position.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the second blade comprises a blunt distal end.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the second blade is configured to translate along a top surface of the first jaw.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the end effector is operable to selectively apply bipolar radiofrequency (RF) energy.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the end effector is operable to apply the bipolar RF energy when the second blade is in the distal position.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the second blade comprises:

(i) a distal end, and

(ii) a cutting edge having a hook configuration, wherein the cutting edge is proximal in relation to the distal end.

20. A method for operating an apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a first jaw, a second jaw pivotable relative to the first jaw from an open position to a closed position, a first blade, and a second blade terminating at a distal most end, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) advancing the second blade from a first proximal position to a first distal position when the second jaw is in the open position such that the second blade is exposed between the first and second jaws, wherein advancing the second blade creates a sharp dissection, otomy, or back scoring of tissue;

(b) retracting the second blade from the distal position to the proximal position, wherein the distal most end of the second blade is more distal in the first distal position as compared to the distal most end of the second blade in the first proximal position;

(c) advancing the first blade from a second proximal position to a second distal position, wherein the first blade simultaneously drives the second jaw relative to the first jaw to the closed position compressing the tissue and severing the compressed tissue during the act of advancing the first blade.