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Surgical apparatus with articulating jaw structure

  • US 5,797,959 A
  • Filed: 08/13/1997
  • Issued: 08/25/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A surgical apparatus comprising:

  • a) a handle portion;

    b) an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis;

    c) a tool assembly operatively associated with a distal end portion of the body portion and including;

    i) a first jaw assembly having a proximal jaw portion and a distal jaw portion; and

    ii) a second jaw assembly having a proximal jaw portion and a distal jaw portion, the distal and proximal jaw portions of each jaw assembly being pivotably connected to one another and movable between first and second articulated positions;

    d) a jaw actuation mechanism including a resiliently bendable actuation member having first and second cooperating actuating legs, each leg being connected to a respective one of first and second linkage members, each linkage member extending at least partially through a respective one of the proximal jaw portions of the first and second jaw assemblies and each linkage member being connected to a respective distal jaw portion of the first and second jaw assemblies to effectuate simultaneous pivotable movement of the distal jaw portions relative to the proximal jaw portions of the tool assembly, wherein the distal jaw portions of the first and second jaw assemblies each have an elongated aperture through which a connecting member is disposed to attach the distal jaw portion to the respective linkage member movement of each said linkage member relative to a respective proximal jaw portion causing each said connecting member to slide along a respective elongated aperture; and

    e) a jaw control mechanism operatively connecting the handle portion and the tool assembly and configured to effect movement of the tool assembly between an open position and a closed position.

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