Retractable tissue cutting device

A device for cauterizing tissue, comprising:

• an elongate body extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and including a channel extending longitudinally therethrough;
• a distal member connected to the distal end of the elongate body, the distal member including a lumen extending therethrough in communication with the channel and a recess extending through an exterior surface of the distal member along a portion of a length thereof, the recess extending from a recess proximal end to a recess distal end which includes a receiving structure;
• a cutting wire slidably received within the channel and the lumen so that the cutting wire is movable between an open tissue-receiving configuration, in which a distal end of the cutting wire in its entirety is proximal of the recess, and a closed tissue-gripping configuration, in which a distal portion of the cutting wire extends across the recess such that the distal end of the cutting wire is moved toward the distal end of the recess to be received within the receiving structure;
• and
• an energy source connected to the proximal end of the cutting wire to provide an electrical current therethrough so that the distal end of the cutting wire cuts a target tissue gripped between the distal end of the cutting wire and the distal end of the recess in the closed tissue-gripping configuration.

A method for cutting tissue, comprising:

• inserting a cutting device into a living body to a target tissue via a working channel of an endoscope, the cutting device including a distal member having a lumen extending through a portion thereof and a recess extending through an exterior surface along a portion of a length thereof;
• receiving the target tissue in the recess of the distal member;
• sliding a cutting element within the distal member from an open configuration, in which a distal end of the cutting element in its entirety is proximal of the recess, to a closed configuration, in which a distal portion of the cutting element extends across the recess such that the distal end of the cutting element is moved toward the distal end of the recess to be received within a receiving structure at the distal end of the recess to grip the target tissue therebetween;
• and
• applying energy along a length of the cutting element to cut the target tissue received within the recess.