Pinion blade drive mechanism for a laparoscopic vessel dissector

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a handle assembly including an actuator mounted for manipulation through an actuation stroke;
• an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis;
• a reciprocating member extending at least partially through the elongate shaft, the reciprocating member mounted for longitudinal motion through the elongate shaft;
• and
• a drive mechanism for inducing longitudinal motion in the reciprocating member in response to manipulation of the actuator through the actuation stroke, the drive mechanism including:
• a first rotating component defining a first circumference, the first rotating component coupled to the actuator about the first circumference such that the manipulation of the actuator through the actuation stroke induces rotational motion in the first rotating component;
• and
• a second rotating component defining a second circumference, the second rotating component coupled to the first rotating component such that rotational motion in the first rotating component induces rotational motion in the second rotating component, the second rotating component further coupled to the reciprocating member about the second circumference such that rotational motion of the second rotating component induces longitudinal motion in the reciprocating member, wherein the second circumference is greater than the first circumference.