Patent ID: 8690909

Claim:
An endoscopic instrument for use with an endoscope having a working channel, comprising: a) a tubular member having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis; b) a 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 cam-pin coupled to said distal end of said control member; e) a clevis coupled said distal end of said tubular member; and f) first and second end effectors rotatably mounted on said clevis, each of said end effectors including a cam-slot having a longitudinal extension defined by first and second parallel sides and a proximal bilateral widening, wherein said cam-pin rides in close tolerance with said longitudinal extensions to define a non-giving assembly of said end effectors about said clevis for any given location of said cam-pin within said longitudinal extension, wherein longitudinal displacement of said cam-pin within said longitudinal extensions effects movement of said end effectors between open and closed positions with said non-giving assembly requiring said end effectors to be angularly disposed oppositely relative to each other and about the longitudinal axis when said end effectors are displaced from said closed position, and wherein movement of said cam-pin into said bilateral widening releases said end effectors from said non-giving assembly to permit limited free rotation of said end effectors relative to each other to facilitate movement of said end effectors through a bent working channel of the endoscope.