Surgical instrument handle and actuator means

A hand-held surgical instrument comprising a handle attached to a tool having at least one articulated member thereon, the handle comprising:

• a) an elongated base having a body portion, a top surface, opposite bottom surface, a first side and an opposite second side, a distal end a proximal end defining an inner portion;
• b) an elongated lever having a first surface, an opposite second surface, a front end, a rear end and an actuator arm adjacent the rear end adapted to be projected into the inner portion of said base at a predetermined point;
• c) means for connecting said actuator arm to said base at the predetermined point to allow said lever to pivot about a transverse axis at the predetermined point between a normally open position and a closed position, wherein said base and said lever are juxtaposed to each other along their length, with said lever extending forward from said connecting means toward the distal end of said base, such that the first surface of said lever is adjacent to the top surface of said body portion along a longitudinal axis thereof;
• d) means connected to said lever for biasing said lever in the normally open position;
• and
• e) an actuator rod pivotally connected at a fixed point on the actuator arm of said lever such that moving said lever from the normally open position to the closed position causes said fixed point on the actuator arm to be displaced toward the distal end of said base, thereby moving said actuator rod distally and causing movement of the articulated member.