Surgical instrument

A surgical instrument comprising:

• an elongate tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein said elongate tubular member has a length sufficient to permit position of the distal end within an anatomical cavity while the proximal remains external to the anatomical cavity;
• an articulating tool assembly coupled to said distal end of said elongate tubular member, the articulating tool assembly including a dual hinge member having a first side and a second side, and a tip assembly, said tip assembly pivotally connected to said first side of said dual hinge member, wherein said tip assembly includes a base member having a outwardly projecting tab pivotally connected to said first side of said dual hinge member, and a moving member pivotally connected to said base member, and wherein said dual hinge member has a central passageway therethrough;
• a user interface coupled to the proximal end of said elongate tubular member and operatively connected to said articulating tool assembly, wherein movements made at the user interface moves the articulating tool assembly, wherein a ratio of movement between said articulating tool assembly to said user interface is three to one, wherein the user interface includes a handle assembly, a ball and socket assembly operatively connected to said handle assembly, and a support assembly supporting said ball and socket assembly, wherein said proximal end of the elongate tubular member secured to said support assembly, wherein the ball and socket assembly includes a ball having projecting arms disposed within a socket having openings to allow the projecting arms of the ball to move within the socket, wherein the handle assembly includes a grip member and a lever member operably connected to the grip member, wherein the grip member is operatively connected to one of the projecting arms of the ball, wherein said lever member is operatively connected to said moving member of said tip assembly thereby permitting the opening and closing of said tip assembly, wherein said support assembly includes a head casing supporting said ball and socket assembly;
• and at least one cabling member operatively connecting said user interface and said articulating tool assembly, wherein said at least one cabling member is secured to said protruding arms of said ball by a spring tension assembly, said spring tension assembly carrying said at least one cabling member, wherein said spring tension assembly includes a spring having a first side and a second side, and a cable stopper, said protruding arms carrying said first side of said spring, and wherein said cable stopper carries said second side of said spring,
• wherein said dual hinge member includes at least one cable alignment surface, wherein said at least one cable alignment surface prevents entanglement of said at least one cabling member and provides sufficient alignment and/or tension on said at least one cabling member thereby providing said instrument with precise movements and preventing unwanted movements in said articulating tool assembly.

An improved articulating tool assembly suitable for providing precise control of a surgical instrument and preventing unwanted movements, said articulating tool assembly comprising:

• a tip assembly having a base member and a moving member pivotally coupled to said base member, wherein said base member has an outwardly projecting tab, wherein said tip assembly is configured to be positioned at fully opened and fully closed and all positions therebetween, wherein said tip assembly responds to an electrical current by producing heat sufficient to cauterize tissue;
• a dual hinge member pivotally coupled to said tip assembly by said outwardly projecting tab of said base member of said tip assembly, wherein said dual hinge member has a first side and a second side, wherein said dual hinge member has a central passageway therethrough, wherein said dual hinge member provides lateral and vertical movement of the tip assembly;
• wherein said first side of said dual hinge member has an outwardly projecting connecting surface capable of being received within said outwardly projecting tab of said base member, wherein said second side of said dual hinge member is an outwardly projecting tab, and wherein said dual hinge member has at least one cable alignment surface, wherein said at least one cable alignment surface provides precise movements of and prevents unwanted movements of said articulating tool assembly;
• and
• an elongate guide member pivotally coupled to said second side of said dual hinge member, wherein said elongate guide member has a passageway therethough, wherein said elongate guide member has an outwardly extending connecting surface capable of being received within said outwardly projecting tab of said dual hinge member, wherein said elongate guide member wherein said elongate guide member has at least one cable alignment surface, and wherein said at least one cable alignment surface provides precise movements of and prevents unwanted movements of said articulating tool assembly.