Patent ID: 8043328
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A hydraulically actuated end effector for an endoscopic medical instrument, the end effector comprising: a pair of elongated jaws relatively movable between an open position and a closed position, each jaw having first and second portions and an elongated tissue engaging surface on each jaw that faces the tissue engaging surface of the other jaw for grasping tissue therebetween when in the closed position, the elongated tissue engaging surface of at least one of the jaws having at least a first portion corresponding to the first portion of the jaw and a second portion corresponding to the second portion of the jaw, wherein the second portion of the tissue engaging surface extends from the first portion of the tissue engaging surface at a non-linear angle; an elongated actuating path extending at least partially through the first and second portions of the at least one of the jaws and substantially parallel to the first and second portions of the tissue engaging surface of the at least one of the jaws; and an actuating member carried by the at least one jaw and movable, in response to changes in hydraulic actuation pressure, along the actuating path between the first portion and the second portion.