Miniature surgical instrument

In a miniature surgical instrument comprising means defining an essentially pistol form instrument with an actuating handle of scissors form, an elongation tubular shaft with a longitudinal axis, the said shaft mounting at its distal end a working tip of opposed elements, at least one of which is pivotable for moving the elements into and out of working engagement, means defining a linear actuating linkage contained within the shaft and connected to said scissors form handle for linear actuation thereby and linked to the pivotable element(s) to actuate the same through linear movements of the linkage, the improvement comprising:

• (a) means for rotating the shaft and locking it in positions to provide different secured rotational positions for the tip and comprising means defining an annulus between parts which are movable relative to each other in a rotational sense, and further comprising in said annulus:
• (i) plural linear spring and stop subassemblies,
• (ii) means defining a rotatable face with notches for receiving the stop members of said subassemblies;
• (b) means for admitting cleansing fluid to the annulus, and
• (c) passage means leading from the annulus to the shaft to allow passage of cleansing fluid through the shaft around the linkage portion therein and out through an open shaft end near the tip,
• (d) means for sealing the instrument against fluid escape through regions other than the tip,
• (e) and further comprising seal means to define and limit the said fluid path,
• (f) and further comprising an injection port in the handle region and check valve means therefor, and
• (g) wherein an additional one of said spring-stop assemblies are provided as a back-up spring to a check valve.