Surgical instrument for endoscopic and general surgery

A surgical instrument for use in endoscopy comprising:

• a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end;
• an end effector pivotally attached directly to the distal end of the tubular member, the end effector comprising a first piece and a second piece, each piece having a pinion at its proximal end;
• linkage extending through the tubular member, the linkage comprising:
• a first elongated member having, at its distal end, a rack for engaging the pinion of the first end effector piece, wherein relative movement between the first elongated member and the tubular member causes the first end effector piece to pivot;
• and
• a second elongated member having a rack at its distal end for engaging the pinion of the second end effector piece, wherein relative movement between the second elongated member and the tubular member causes the second end effector piece to pivot;
• and
• a handle attached to the proximal end of the tubular member, the handle comprising:
• a first control means for causing translational movement of the first elongated member relative to the second elongated member, thereby causing the first end effector piece to pivot relative to the second end effector piece;
• and
• a second control means independent of the first control means, the second control means for causing relative translational movement between the tubular member and both the first and second elongated members without significant relative translational movement between the first and second elongated members, thereby causing the first and second end effector pieces to pivot simultaneously in the same direction.

An endoscopic surgical instrument comprising:

• a tubular member having a distal end and a proximal end;
• an end effector pivotally attached directly to the distal end of the tubular member, the end effector comprising a first piece and a second piece, each piece having an opening on its proximal end;
• linkage extending through the tubular member, the linkage comprising:
• a first elongated member having, at its distal end, a pin for engaging the opening in the first end effector piece, wherein relative movement between the first elongated member and the tubular member causes the first end effector piece to pivot;
• and
• a second elongated member having, at its distal end, a pin for engaging the opening in the second end effector piece, wherein relative movement between the second elongated member and the tubular member causes the second end effector piece to pivot;
• and
• a handle attached to the proximal end of the tubular member, the handle comprising:
• a first control means for causing translational movement of the first elongated member relative to the second elongated member, thereby causing the first end effector piece to pivot relative to the second end effector piece;
• and
• a first control means for causing relative translational movement between the first and second elongated members, thereby causing the first and second elongated members without significant relative translational movement between the first and second elongated members, thereby causing the first and second end effector pieces to pivot simultaneously in the same direction.