Patent ID: 8702749
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument, comprising: a housing; an end effector assembly spaced-apart from the housing and transitionable between a first condition and a second condition; a drive bar coupled to the end effector assembly at a first end and extending into the housing, the drive bar longitudinally translatable between a first position and a second position for transitioning the end effector assembly between the first condition and the second condition; a handle assembly moveable between an initial position and an actuated position for translating the drive bar between the first position and the second position; and at least one linkage pivotably coupling the drive bar, the handle assembly, and the housing to one another via at least a first pivot, a second pivot, and a third pivot, one of the first and third pivots fixed relative to the housing and the other of the first and third pivots floatable relative to the housing, the second pivot movable relative to the first and third pivots between an unlatched position, corresponding to the initial position of the handle assembly wherein the second pivot is disposed on a first side of a line segment connecting the first and third pivots, and an over-center latched position, corresponding to the actuated position of the handle assembly wherein the second pivot is disposed on a second, opposite side of the line segment connecting the first and third pivots to latch the end effector assembly in the second condition.