Patent ID: 9636128
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: A61B,Y10T

Claim:
1. A handle assembly for use with a surgical instrument having an operative distal end portion comprising: a handle housing; a drive element movably mounted within the handle housing and connected to an operative distal end portion for performing surgery; an actuator movably mounted on the handle housing; and a force-limiting mechanism disposed between the drive element and the actuator, the force-limiting mechanism having a breakaway force, the force-limiting mechanism including: the force-limiting mechanism being attached to the actuator so that the force-limiting mechanism moves with the actuator when the force applied to the actuator is less than the breakaway force and so that the force-limiting mechanism pivots with respect to the actuator when the force applied to the actuator meets the breakaway force, the force-limiting mechanism applying a drive force to the drive element when the force applied to the actuator is less than the breakaway force.