Monopolar resection device and method of use

1. A tissue grasping device, comprising:

an elongate shaft having proximal and distal ends;

first and second jaws, each pivotally coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and adapted to engage tissue therebetween; and

a monopolar cutting element comprising an elongate needle, the monopolar cutting element being:

(a) slidably mated to at least one of the first and second jaws,

(b) flexible such that it flexes when the first and second jaws move between open and closed positions,

(c) slidably movable between an extended position in which the cutting element is positioned adjacent to a distal end of the first and second jaws, and a retracted position in which the cutting element is positioned adjacent to a proximal end of the first and second jaws, and

(d) adapted to couple to an energy source for delivering energy to the monopolar cutting element.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second jaws have a longitudinal axis, and wherein a distal end of the elongate needle extends substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein a distal end of the elongate needle extends substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first and second jaws.

4. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a handle mated to the proximal end of the elongate shaft and having an actuator located thereon for moving the first and second jaws between an open position in which the first and second jaws are spaced a distance apart from one another for receiving tissue therebetween, and a closed position in which the jaws are positioned adjacent to one another and adapted to engage tissue therebetween.

5. The device of claim 4 , further comprises a retraction knob mated to the handle for moving the cutting element from the extended position to the retracted position.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the cutting element extends through an inner lumen of the shaft and includes a proximal end that is adapted to couple to an energy source.

7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the elongate shaft is flexible such that the elongate shaft is adapted to be inserted through a tortuous body lumen.

8. A method for processing the device of claim 1 for surgery, comprising:

a) obtaining the device of claim 1 ;

b) sterilizing the device; and

c) storing the device in a sterile container.

9. A tissue grasping device, comprising:

a handle having a flexible elongate shaft extending distally therefrom;

opposed jaws coupled to a distal end of the flexible elongate shaft and adapted to engage tissue therebetween, wherein each opposed jaw is pivotally coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft; and

at least one monopolar cutting element comprising an elongate needle, the monopolar cutting element being:

(a) slidably mated to at least one of the opposed jaws and adapted to slide relative to a longitudinal axis of the opposed jaws to cut tissue engaged between the opposed jaws, and

(b) flexible such that the monopolar cutting element flexes when the opposed jaws move between open and closed positions.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising a retraction knob coupled to the handle and adapted to slidably move at least one cutting element relative to the opposed jaws.

11. The device of claim 9 , wherein the at least one cutting element includes a proximal portion extending through the elongate shaft and a distal portion protruding from at least one of the opposed jaws.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the distal portion extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first and second jaws.

13. The device of claim 9 , further comprising an actuator operatively associated with the first and second jaws and adapted to move the first and second jaws between an open position in which the first and second jaws are spaced a distance apart from one another for receiving tissue therebetween, and a closed position in which the jaws are positioned adjacent one another and adapted to engage tissue therebetween.

14. A method for cutting tissue, comprising:

positioning tissue to be cut between opposed jaws pivotally coupled to a distal end of an elongate shaft of a tissue grasping device;

moving the opposed jaws to a closed position to engage the tissue disposed therebetween, wherein moving the opposed jaws comprises pivoting both jaws to the closed position;

activating a monopolar energy source to deliver energy to a cutting element coupled to the opposed jaws wherein the cutting element flexes when the opposed jaws are moved to the closed position; and

slidably retracting the cutting element relative to the opposed jaws to cut the tissue.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein slidably retracting the cutting element comprises actuating a force to a retraction knob that is operatively associated with the cutting element to slide the cutting element from an extended position in which the cutting element is disposed within a distal end of the opposed jaws, to a retracted position in which the cutting element is disposed within the proximal end of the opposed jaws.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein moving the opposed jaws to a closed position comprises actuating a trigger formed on a handle to move the opposed jaws from an open position in which the opposed jaws are spaced a distance apart from one another, to the closed position.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising, prior to positioning tissue, inserting a flexible elongate shaft of the tissue grasping device through a tortuous body lumen to position the opposed jaws located on a distal end of the flexible elongate shaft adjacent to the tissue to be cut.

18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising, prior to positioning tissue, delivering the opposed jaws of the tissue grasping device to an abdominal cavity via a natural orifice.

19. The method of claim 14 , further comprising sterilizing the tissue grasping device after at least one use.