Patent ID: 8523893

Claim:
A laparoscopic scissor instrument comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; a scissor assembly positioned at the distal end of the elongate shaft; the scissor assembly comprising: a first scissor blade comprising an aperture defining a pivot of the first scissor blade; a second scissor blade comprising an aperture defining a pivot of the second scissor blade; and a pivot pin pivotably coupling the first scissor blade to the second scissor blade, the pivot pin extending through the distal end of the elongate shaft, the aperture of the first scissor blade, and the aperture of the second scissor blade; and an actuation mechanism extending through at least a portion of the elongate shaft, the actuation mechanism being operatively coupled to the scissor assembly and longitudinally slidable within the elongate shaft, and the actuation mechanism comprising: a first flanking plate having a bend and at least one projection extending therefrom; and a second flanking plate having a bend and at least one projection extending therefrom, wherein the bend of the first flanking plate bears against the bend of the second flanking plate, the at least one projection of the first flanking plate contacts the second flanking plate, and the at least one projection of the second flanking plate contacts the first flanking plate such that the bends of the first flanking plate and the second flanking plate and the at least one projections of the first flanking plate and the second flanking plate maintain a space between the first flanking plate and the second flanking plate.