Patent attributes
Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for clamping and cutting tissue. In general, a surgical device is provided having a handle and an elongate shaft extending distally therefrom with opposed jaws coupled to the elongate shaft's distal end. First and second movable handles of the device's handle can be configured to move together during a first phase of travel, and the second movable handle can be configured to move relative to the first movable handle during a second phase of travel. In the first phase of travel, the first movable handle's movement can cause the jaws to move from an open position to a closed position. In the second phase of travel, the second movable handle's movement can cause a cutting element to translate through the jaws. The second phase of travel can be prevented from occurring until the first phase of travel has been completed.
