Clamp and Scissor Forceps

An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly including:

• first, second, third and fourth elongated jaw quadrant members, each jaw quadrant member including a tissue sealing surface and a sheering surface, the tissue sealing surfaces of the first and third jaw quadrant members opposing one another, the tissue sealing surfaces of the second and fourth jaw quadrant members opposing one another, the sheering surfaces of the first and second jaw quadrant members opposing one another, and the sheering surfaces of the third and fourth jaw quadrant members opposing one another;
• and
• wherein the jaw quadrant members are moveable in each of a grasping mode and a cutting mode, the first and second jaw quadrant members moving in unison with one another and the third and fourth jaw quadrant members moving in unison with one another relative to and in an opposite direction with respect to the first and second jaw quadrant members during the grasping mode for grasping tissue between the sealing surfaces of the jaw quadrant members, the first and third jaw quadrant members moving in unison with one another and the second and fourth jaw quadrant members moving in unison with one another relative to and in an opposite direction with respect to the first and third jaw quadrant members during the cutting motion for sheer-cutting tissue disposed between the sheering surfaces of the jaw quadrant members.

A method of grasping and cutting tissue, comprising the steps of:

• providing an end effector assembly including:
• first and second jaw members disposed in opposed relation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including first and second longitudinal jaw halves, at least one of the first and second jaw halves of each jaw member moveable with respect to the other jaw half between an aligned position and a displaced position for cutting tissue disposed between the jaw members;
• positioning the jaw members such that tissue to be cut is disposed between the jaw members;
• moving the jaw members to the approximated position to grasp tissue disposed therebetween;
• and
• moving the jaw halves to the displaced position to cut tissue grasped between the jaw members.