Patent ID: 9566082
Date: 2017-02-14
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. An endoscopic instrument, comprising: a) a flexible tubular member having proximal and distal ends, said tubular member sufficiently elastically-flexible to be passed through a tortuous passage of a retroflexed endoscope; b) a flexible control member having proximal and distal ends and extending through said tubular member; c) a proximal handle assembly for moving said control member and said tubular member relative to each other; d) a clevis coupled to said distal end of said tubular member, said clevis defining a longitudinal axis; e) first and second end effectors rotatably mounted on said clevis at an axle, each end effector including a cam-slot; and f) an actuation member fixed to said distal end of said control member and extending through said clevis, said actuation member including a cam-pin which rides in at least one of said cam-slots of said end effectors such that longitudinal displacement of said actuation member relative to said clevis moves said end effectors between open and closed configurations, said actuation member is provided with a distal alignment guide located entirely distally of said cam-pin, said distal alignment guide including a longitudinal slot with a flared distal opening and being advanced distally relative to said end effectors to extend about said axle to guide movement of said actuation member relative to said axle and center said actuation member on said axle such that said end effectors open symmetrically about said longitudinal axis.