Importance

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Abstract

An instrument for performing a surgical procedure includes a housing, an elongate shaft having a proximal end mounted by the housing and a distal end with a peripheral edge, a first end effector assembly protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft and having an end effector at a distal end, and a second end effector assembly protruding from the distal end of the elongate shaft and having an end effector at a distal end. Distal portions of the first and second end effector assemblies extend laterally outward at an angle from first and second longitudinal axes of the elongate shaft to positions where at least a portion of the corresponding end effectors are spaced laterally outward of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft. In addition, the end effector assemblies are rotatable about the first and second longitudinal axes of the elongate shaft to cause the corresponding end effectors to move along first and second arcuate paths. When inserting the surgical instrument through a portal in an endoscopic procedure, the first and second end effector assemblies are preferably moved to undeployed positions where their end effectors are spaced laterally inward of the peripheral edge of the elongate shaft, for example by rotating the end effector assemblies inwardly or drawing the end effectors proximally into the elongate shaft so that they are straightened. In use, the end effectors can be moved from their undeployed positions to deployed positions disposed laterally outward of the peripheral edge due to the angled configuration of the distal portions of the end effector assemblies.

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First Claim