Laparoscopic grasper with force-limiting grasping mechanism

A surgical instrument for grasping tissue, the surgical instrument comprising:

• a handle assembly comprising a movable handle pivotably coupled to a stationary handle;
• a jaw assembly, wherein the jaw assembly comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, and wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are pivotable between an open configuration of the jaw assembly and a closed configuration of the jaw assembly responsive to pivotal movements of the movable handle;
• and
• an elongate shaft assembly having a proximal end coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end coupled to the jaw assembly, the elongate shaft assembly comprising:
• an outer case;
• at least one actuator enclosed in the outer case, and
• the at least one actuator having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein each of the at least one actuator comprises a plurality of planar extension elements disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the planar extension elements have a geometric profile that corresponds to a pre-defined spring constant that lengthens in response to force being applied to the at least one actuator, wherein the planar extension elements have a width smaller than its height and length, and wherein the at least one actuator limits an amount of force above a pre-determined threshold that is provided to the jaw assembly via the lengthening of the planar extension elements, the force being received via the pivotal movements of the movable handle, wherein the at least one actuator comprises two or more actuators arranged in parallel in an adjoining orientation, and wherein the arrangement of the two or more actuators in parallel have a combined width between 0.02 and 0.11 inches.

A surgical grasping instrument comprising:

• a handle assembly comprising:
• a stationary handle, and
• a movable handle pivotably coupled to the stationary handle;
• an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle assembly, wherein the elongate shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle assembly, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and a central longitudinal axis defined by the proximal end and the distal end, the elongate shaft comprising:
• an outer tube, and
• an actuator positioned longitudinally within the outer tube, wherein the actuator having a sliding fit with the outer tube, and wherein the actuator being responsive to pivotal movement of the movable handle;
• and
• a jaw assembly at the distal end of the elongate shaft, wherein the jaw assembly comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw and the second jaw are pivotable between an open configuration of the jaw assembly and a closed configuration of the jaw assembly responsive to pivotal movement of the movable handle,
• wherein the actuator has a first length along the central longitudinal axis, wherein the actuator comprises a planar extension element that lengthens the actuator to a second length greater than the first length along the central longitudinal axis in response to a predetermined force applied to the actuator, the lengthening of the actuator configured to limit an amount of force received from the movable handle above a pre-determined threshold that is provided to the jaw assembly, wherein the planar extension element has a width smaller than its height and length, and
• wherein the planar extension element comprises a plurality of extension sections that are configured to have a consistent and repeated geometry that provides a waveform-like profile, and wherein a length of each of the plurality of extension sections is between 0.2 and 0.36 inches.