Patent ID: 8709035

Claim:
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle; a shaft coupled to the handle and extending distally along a longitudinal axis; an end effector positioned at a distal end of the shaft, wherein the end effector comprises: a first jaw member defining a first longitudinal slot; a second jaw member defining a second longitudinal slot; a first push rod member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled to at least one of the shaft and the second jaw member at a first pivot point; a first linkage member having a distally directed end pivotably coupled to the first jaw member and a proximally directed end pivotably coupled to at least one of the shaft and the second jaw member at a second pivot point; and a reciprocating member translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis through the first longitudinal slot and the second longitudinal slot, wherein a distal portion of the reciprocating member defines a blade, wherein the reciprocating member defines a transverse element positioned to pass through the first longitudinal slot and a first shoulder element coupled to the transverse element and substantially perpendicular to the transverse element, wherein upon distal motion of the reciprocating member, the first shoulder element contacts the first push rod member, exerting a force on at least the first jaw member causing the first jaw member to translate towards the second jaw member in a substantially parallel motion.