# US 10,441,303 B2 · Surgical forceps > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,303 B2 - Document ID: US10441303B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/402,295 - Filed: 2017-01-10 - Published: 2017-04-27 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2012-10-08 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Stephen M. Kendrick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441303B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/282: {Jaws} - A61B 17/2841: {Handles} - A61B 17/285: combined with cutting implements - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw} - A61B 18/1447: {wherein sliding surfaces cause opening/closing of the end effectors} - A61B 18/18: by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves - A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like} - A61B 2017/2926: {Details of heads or jaws} - A61B 2017/2933: {camming or guiding means} - A61B 2017/2936: {Pins in guiding slots} - A61B 2017/2944: {Translation of jaw members} - A61B 2017/320094: {additional movable means performing clamping operation} - A61B 2017/320095: {with sealing or cauterizing means} - A61B 2018/00196: {reciprocating lengthwise} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another. One or both of the jaw members is movable along a first axis relative to the other jaw member between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. The first and second jaw members are configured to maintain the parallel orientation therebetween upon movement of the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. A drive bar is coupled to one or both of the jaw members. The drive bar is selectively movable along a second axis that is different from the first axis between first and second positions for moving the jaw members between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical end effector assembly, comprising: first and second jaw members, at least one of the first or second jaw members movable relative to the other of the first or second jaw members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, the second jaw member defining a knife channel extending at least partially longitudinally therethrough; a knife disposed within the knife channel and movable transversely relative thereto between a retracted position, wherein the knife is fully disposed within the knife channel, and an extended position, wherein the knife extends from the knife channel between the first and second jaw members; a knife bar disposed within the knife channel and movable longitudinally relative thereto between an un-actuated position and an actuated position; and a pin and slot mechanism operably coupling the knife with the knife bar such that longitudinal movement of the knife bar between the un-actuated position and the actuated position effects transverse movement the knife between the retracted position and the extended position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pin and slot mechanism includes a cam slot defined within the knife bar and a cam pin engaged to the knife, the cam pin slidably disposed within the cam slot. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cam slot is defined within the knife bar, and wherein the cam pin is engaged to the knife. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 3, wherein the pin and slot mechanism further includes a guide pin engaged to the second jaw member and extending transversely through the knife channel, the guide pin slidably disposed within the cam slot. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 4, wherein the cam slot includes a linear portion and a curved portion, the guide pin slidably disposed within the linear portion of the cam slot and the cam pin slidably disposed within the curved portion of the cam slot. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first jaw member defines a knife channel and wherein the knife, in the extended position, extends into the knife channel of the first jaw member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of energy for treating tissue disposed therebetween. ### Claim 8 A surgical end effector assembly, comprising: first and second jaw members, at least one of the first or second jaw members movable relative to the other of the first or second jaw members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, the second jaw member defining a knife channel extending at least partially longitudinally therethrough; a knife disposed within the knife channel and movable transversely relative thereto between a retracted position, wherein the knife is fully disposed within the knife channel, and an extended position, wherein the knife extends from the knife channel between the first and second jaw members, the knife including a cam pin engaged thereto; a knife bar disposed within the knife channel and movable longitudinally relative thereto between an un-actuated position and an actuated position, the knife bar defining a cam slot including a curved portion, wherein the cam pin is slidably disposed within the curved portion of the cam slot such that longitudinal movement of the knife bar between the un-actuated position and the actuated position effects transverse movement the knife between the retracted position and the extended position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 8, further including a guide pin engaged to the second jaw member and extending transversely through the knife channel, the guide pin slidably disposed within a linear portion of the cam slot. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first jaw member defines a knife channel and wherein the knife, in the extended position, extends into the knife channel of the first jaw member. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first and second jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of energy for treating tissue disposed therebetween. ### Claim 12 A surgical instrument, comprising: a housing; a shaft extending distally from the housing; and an end effector assembly operably coupled to a distal end portion of the shaft, the end effector assembly including: first and second jaw members, at least one of the first or second jaw members movable relative to the other of the first or second jaw members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position, the second jaw member defining a knife channel extending at least partially longitudinally therethrough; a knife disposed within the knife channel and movable transversely relative thereto between a retracted position, wherein the knife is fully disposed within the knife channel, and an extended position, wherein the knife extends from the knife channel between the first and second jaw members; a knife bar disposed within the knife channel and movable longitudinally relative thereto between an un-actuated position and an actuated position; and a pin and slot mechanism operably coupling the knife with the knife bar such that longitudinal movement of the knife bar between the un-actuated position and the actuated position effects transverse movement the knife between the retracted position and the extended position, the pin and slot mechanism including a cam slot defined within the knife bar and a cam pin engaged to the knife, the cam pin slidably disposed within the cam slot. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the cam slot is defined within the knife bar, and wherein the cam pin is engaged to the knife. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 13, wherein the pin and slot mechanism further includes a guide pin engaged to the second jaw member and extending transversely through the knife channel, the guide pin slidably disposed within the cam slot. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The surgical instrument according to claim 14, wherein cam slot includes a linear portion and a curved portion, the guide pin slidably disposed within the linear portion of the cam slot and the cam pin slidably disposed within the curved portion of the cam slot. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the first jaw member defines a knife channel and wherein the knife, in the extended position, extends into the knife channel of the first jaw member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the first and second jaw members are adapted to connect to a source of energy for treating tissue disposed therebetween. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the second jaw member is fixed relative to the shaft and wherein the first jaw member is movable relative to the second jaw member and the shaft between the spaced-apart and approximated positions. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument according to claim 12, further including an actuator associated with the housing, the actuator operably coupled to the knife bar such that actuation of the actuator longitudinally moves the knife bar from the un-actuated position to the actuated position.