Electrosurgical device for harvesting a vessel especially the internal mammary artery for coronary artery bypass grafting

A bipolar electrosurgical tool comprising:

• an elongated shaft having proximal and distal ends;
• a pair of blades joined for relative movement in a scissor-like action between open and closed positions at said distal end of said shaft, each said blade comprising first and second spaced apart electrodes extending along said blade, said electrodes being adapted for connection to a voltage source having a pair of terminals of opposite polarity whereby current flow between said first and second electrodes of each blade promotes hemostasis in tissue contacting said blades;
• a handle operatively connected to said proximal end of said shaft;
• and
• at least two actuators operably connected to said blades wherein a first actuator is positioned on said handle to be operable by one of a user's fingertip on the hand with which said tool is held for actuating said relative movement of said blades, and wherein a second actuator is operably connected to said blades and positioned to be operable by a user's foot for actuating said relative movement of said blades and for actuating current flow through said electrodes of each blade.

A method for harvesting a vessel comprising the steps of:

• providing an instrument comprising a pair of distal coacting members joined for relative movement between open and closed positions and further comprising at least one depressible actuator operably connected to said distal coacting members and having first and second depressible positions wherein depressing said actuator to achieve said first depressible position provides current flow between said members and depressing said actuator to achieve said second depressible position actuates said relative movement;
• contacting tissue adjacent the vessel with said distal coacting members;
• depressing said actuator with a finger;
• providing current flow between said members;
• actuating said relative movement.