Conductive instrument

A surgical instrument for monopolar nerve monitoring, comprising:

• first and second handle members configured for movement about a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly including:
• an elongated member positioned in a first bore defined in the first handle member and positioned in a second bore defined in the second handle member, wherein the elongated member is configured to facilitate movement of the first handle member relative to the second handle member;
• a first washer in electrical contact with the elongated member and at least one of the first handle member or the second handle member, the first washer including a bore defined by an inner wall configured to engage and bias the elongated member upon engagement thereof;
• and
• a biasing member including first and second radial cuts defined in the first washer forming a finger spring separated from the first washer, the finger spring moveable to bias against the elongated member upon engagement thereof, the finger spring extending inwardly past the inner wall into the bore of the first washer,
• wherein the hinge assembly forms an electrical single connection and a first distal tip of the first handle member and a second distal tip of the second handle member such that both the first and second distal tips are electrically connected to the single signal connection, and
• wherein the finger spring is configured to move during the movement of the elongated member upon actuation of the first and second handles to provide and maintain an additional biasing contact with the elongated member to ensure electrical continuity.

A method of monopolar nerve monitoring, comprising:

• operably coupling first and second handle members to move about a hinge assembly and forming a single electrical connection between the first and second handle members at the hinge assembly;
• operably coupling the first handle member and the second handle member with an elongated member;
• positioning a first washer in contact with the elongated member and at least one of the first handle member or the second handle member, the first washer including a bore defined by an inner wall, the inner wall configured to engage and bias the elongated member upon engagement thereof;
• and
• forming a biasing member in the first washer defined by first and second radial cuts, the biasing member separated from the washer and moveable during movement of the elongated member upon actuation of the first and second handle members, the biasing member configured to provide and maintain additional biasing contact with the elongated member to ensure electrical continuity, the biasing member extending inwardly past the inner wall into the bore.