Medical instrument with flexible jaw mechanism

A medical instrument comprising:

• a unitary jaw structure having:
• a connector portion,
• a first flexible hinge integral with the connector portion,
• a first jaw portion integral with the first flexible hinge,
• a second jaw portion integral with the connector portion,
• a first arm portion integral with the first jaw portion,
• a first arm hinge portion integral with the first arm portion, and
• an actuator portion integral with the first arm hinge portion for causing rotating motion of the first jaw portion upon linear motion of the actuator portion,
• wherein the connector portion, the first flexible hinge, the first jaw portion, the second jaw portion, the first arm portion, the first arm hinge, and the actuator portion are all formed in a single piece.

A surgical instrument comprising:

• a connector portion, a centerline being defined for the connector portion, a distal direction being defined in one direction along the centerline, a proximal direction being defined opposite the distal direction;
• a first jaw extending in the distal direction from the connector portion at a first side of the connector portion;
• a second jaw extending in the distal direction from the connector portion at a second side of the connector portion, the second side being opposite the first side;
• an actuator portion extending in the proximal direction;
• a first arm extending from the first jaw to join the actuator portion at the second side of the connector portion;
• a second arm extending from the second jaw to join the actuator portion at the first side of the connector portion;
• the connector portion, the first jaw, the second jaw, the actuator portion, the first arm, and the second arm being formed together as a single piece.