| abstract |
A surgical instrument ( 10 ) is adapted to contact tissue of a patient, and to provide traction with the tissue in order to inhibit migration of the instrument relative to the tissue. The instrument may include a pair of opposing jaws ( 16, 18 ) with at least one of the jaws ( 16, 18 ) comprising a substrate having a particular surface facing the tissue, and a plurality of discrete elements ( 26, 28 ) disposed on the particular surface for increasing the traction of the instrument relative to the tissue. These discrete elements ( 26, 28 ) may include a multiplicity of granules, bristles, or projections, and may be formed of materials having various properties such as hydrophilic characteristics. The discrete elements in the form of bristles can be oriented too so that the column strength of each bristle provides increased traction in a predetermined direction. |