US 2014/0151428 A1 · SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SECONDARY JAW CLOSURE FEATURE

Abstract

An apparatus for operating on tissue includes an outer sheath, upper and lower jaws connected at a pivot point, and a firing beam comprising a distal pair of flanges. The firing beam is configured to be received within slots defined in the upper and lower jaws to close the jaws. A proximal portion of the upper jaw defines a lever arm, and a free end of the lever arm extends proximally past a distal end of the lower jaw and proximally past the pivot point. The lever arm includes a pair of segments defining a portion of the slot of the upper jaw. The segments are configured for receipt through an outer sheath aperture. The pair of segments are operable to abut a distal end of the distal pair of flanges or be driven by the distal pair of flanges to assist with closure of the jaws.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:

(a) an end effector assembly comprising:
(i) an upper jaw having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion of the upper jaw defines a lever arm,
(ii) a lower jaw pivotally connected to the upper jaw at a pivot point, wherein the distal portion of the upper jaw extends distally past the pivot point wherein the lever arm extends proximally relative to the pivot point, and
(iii) a firing beam configured to be received within slots defined in the upper and lower jaws to close the jaws;
(b) a body operable to communicate with the end effector assembly;
and
(c) a shaft extending between the end effector assembly and the body, wherein the shaft comprises an outer sheath.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Surgical instrument with secondary jaw closure feature

Life of this patent

Surgical instrument with secondary jaw closure feature

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20