Collapsible endoscopic forceps

An endoscopic instrument comprising:

• a guide tube, having proximal and distal ends and a diameter;
• an operating device arranged at the proximal end of the guide tube;
• a pair of gripper jaws arranged at the distal end of the guide tube and connected to the operating device, the gripper jaws hingedly connected to a headpiece located at the guide tube distal end;
• the gripper jaws operated by force transmitting means extending through the guide tube upon actuation of the operating device;
• and
• wherein each of the gripper jaws is formed from a plurality of segments such that adjacent segments are hingedly attached to each other said plurality of segments having a dimension in a first closed position smaller than the diameter of the guide tube and a dimension in a second open position larger than the diameter of the guide tube, each of the jaws forming a ring created by said segments and describing a plane such that the individual segments can rotate about each other in the plane of the ring;
• and
• each said ring consisting of a number of rod shaped segments having a pair of ends each of the ends of said rod shaped segments containing slots, and each of said slots lying in the plane of said ring;
• and wherein each of said segments are connected by joint pieces placed in the slots of said segments, each of said joint pieces containing a bore therethrough.