Light energy surgical system, apparatus, and method

A surgical method, comprising:

• moving a jaw assembly between an open position and a closed position to grasp tissue, the jaw assembly including:
• a first jaw member non-movably secured to a distal portion of a mounting tube,
• a second jaw member movably secured to the distal portion of the mounting tube, and
• a window secured to the first jaw member and forming a tissue contacting surface, the window being oriented in a plane oblique to a longitudinal axis of the mounting tube, wherein the second jaw member is spaced part from the window when the jaw assembly is in the open position;
• conveying light energy through a light guide to at least one lens positioned distal to the light guide, the light guide being disposed inside the mounting tube;
• focusing the light energy into a light beam using the at least one lens;
• and
• applying the light beam through the window to the tissue grasped by the jaw assembly,
• wherein the window forms a liquid-tight seal between the tissue and the at least one lens.

A surgical system, comprising:

• a light energy generator configured to provide light energy;
• and
• a surgical instrument coupled to the light energy generator, the surgical instrument including:
• a mounting tube defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and a distal portion,
• a light guide disposed inside the mounting tube and configured to convey the light energy,
• at least one lens positioned distal to the light guide and configured to focus the light energy into a light beam,
• a jaw assembly coupled to the distal portion of the mounting tube and positioned distal to the at least one lens, the jaw assembly including:
• a first jaw member non-movably secured to the distal portion of the mounting tube,
• a second jaw member movably secured to the distal portion of the mounting tube, and
• a window secured to the first jaw member and forming a tissue contacting surface, the window being oriented in a plane oblique to the longitudinal axis and forming a liquid-tight seal between tissue and the at least one lens, and
• a handle assembly coupled to the jaw assembly and operable to move the second jaw member between an open position in which the second jaw member is spaced part from the window and a closed position.