Surgical instruments with compliant mechanism design

A device for use as a tool, comprising:

• a main component formed as a monolithic body, wherein the monolithic body is configured to be selectably transformed by a user between an operational configuration and a non-operational configuration, wherein the transformation from the non-operational configuration to the operational configuration comprises engaging two or more portions of the monolithic body in contact together to form an operational tool that can be operably manipulated by the user, the operational tool comprising a distal tool end, a proximal user engagement end, and one or more hinge points, and wherein the transformation from the operational configuration to the non-operational configuration comprises disengaging the engaged portions from each other;
• wherein the monolithic body comprises:
• a first member having a proximal end that forms part of the proximal user engagement end of the operational tool and a distal end that forms part of the distal tool end of the operational tool, wherein the first member includes a jaw disposed at the distal end of the first member;
• a second member having a proximal end that forms part of the proximal user engagement end of the operational tool and a distal end that forms part of the distal tool end of the operational tool, wherein the second member includes a jaw disposed at the distal end of the second member, wherein the jaws of the first and second members oppose one another and together form a functional tip at the distal tool end of the operational tool that is configured to be operably manipulated by the user by actuating the proximal user engagement end of the operational tool;
• a first hinge disposed between the proximal and distal ends of the first and second members, wherein the hinge comprises a first portion on the first member that is configured to mate with a complementary second portion on the second member, wherein the mated first and second portions form a first hinge point and are configured to mechanically interact to render the first hinge pivotable;
• a second hinge disposed between the proximal and distal ends of the first and second members, wherein the second hinge comprises a first portion on the first member that is configured to mate with a complementary second portion on the second member, wherein the mated first and second portions form a second hinge point and are configured to mechanically interact to render the second hinge pivotable;
• and
• a biasing member having a first end and a second end, the biasing member extending between the first member and the second member with the first end connected to and integrally formed with the first member and the second end connected to and integrally formed with the second member, the biasing member configured to apply a biasing force to the proximal ends of the respective first and second members.