Patent ID: 6656205
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An endoscopic surgical instrument, comprising:a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis which lies in a first plane; at least three axially extending ducts in said shaft, including a first central duct positioned substantially on the longitudinal axis and two lateral ducts positioned at two opposed locations from the central duct in general alignment with one another; a pair of spaced apart forceps elements, each received in a respective one of the lateral ducts and having distal and proximal ends; a pair of jaws mounted on each of the distal ends of the forceps elements and displaceable relative to one another about a bending axis which lies in the first plane and extends transversely to the longitudinal axis; a pair of first actuators, each connected to the respective proximal end of the forceps elements to move the jaws of each pair toward and away from one another about said bending axis; a pair of second actuators, each connected to the proximal end to axially displace the respective forceps element to an operative position, wherein the distal ends extend beyond the shaft, the distal end of one of the forceps elements being pivotal about a pivot axis extending in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane to move the one distal end in a direction either approaching toward or departing from the other distal end in the operative position, the pivot axis oriented perpendicularly to the bending axis of the jaws; and a surgical instrument received in the central duct between the forceps elements for co-operation with the distal ends of the forceps elements.