Connecting elements for connecting push rod to end effectors in a disposable laparoscopic surgical instrument

In a double acting laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising a reciprocally movable push rod having proximal and distal ends with a pair of first through-holes in said distal end, one of a grasping, cutting, clamping, dissecting, and extracting end effector means having two pivotally rotatable end effectors each having a second through-hole, an actuating means coupled to said push rod at said proximal end of said push rod, an outer tube through which said push rod extends and to which said actuation means is coupled, and coupling means for coupling said push rod and said two pivotally rotatable end effectors, an improvement comprising:

• said coupling means comprising,
• a) a first unitary resilient staple-like element having
• a first terminal portion pivotally engaging a first of said pair of first through-holes in the push rod,
• an oppositely extending second terminal portion pivotally engaging said second through-hole in a first of said two end effectors, and
• a substantially U-shaped middle portion coupling said first and second terminal portions of said first unitary resilient staple-like element;
• and
• b) a second unitary resilient staple-like element having
• a first terminal portion pivotally engaging a second of said pair of first through-holes in the push rod,
• an oppositely extending second terminal portion pivotally engaging said second through-hole in a second of said two end effectors, and
• a substantially U-shaped middle portion coupling said first and second terminal portions of said second unitary resilient staple-like element.