Vessel harvesting retractor with integral electrosurgical clamping elements

A device for harvesting a blood vessel, comprising:

• a shaft having a lumen configured to accept an endoscope, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a handle connected to the proximal end of the shaft for manipulating the device;
• a head piece connected to a distal end of the shaft;
• a vessel holder connected to the shaft and spaced apart from the head piece for holding the blood vessel;
• and
• a vessel cutter connected to the shaft for cutting the blood vessel.

A method of harvesting vessels comprising:

• providing a vessel harvesting device comprising a shaft having a lumen configured to accept an endoscope, the shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle connected to the proximal end of the shaft for manipulating the device, a head piece connected to a distal end of the shaft, a vessel holder connected to the shaft and spaced apart from the head piece for holding the blood vessel, and a vessel cutter connected to the shaft for cutting the blood vessel;
• locating a vessel to be harvested;
• making an incision to expose the vessel;
• inserting the vessel harvesting device into the patient through the incision;
• dissecting the vessel from the surrounding tissue with the vessel harvesting device;
• holding a side branch of the vessel using the vessel holder;
• transecting the side branch of the vessel using the vessel cutter;
• and
• removing the vessel.