Patent ID: 8545534

Claim:
A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate tube extending along an axis; an actuation mechanism positioned at least partially within the elongate tube and axially movable with respect to the axis of the elongate tube; a first jaw structure comprising: a first jaw spine having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the first jaw spine comprising a first aperture extending through the proximal portion thereof, a first slot positioned distal the first aperture; a first overmold having an atraumatic outer surface and a first coupler adapted to receive a jaw pad; and a first atraumatic jaw pad coupled to the first coupler ; and a second jaw structure comprising: a second jaw spine having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the second jaw spine comprising a second aperture positioned through the proximal portion thereof, a second slot positioned distal the second aperture; a second overmold having an atraumatic outer surface and a second coupler adapted to receive a jaw pad; and a second atraumatic jaw pad coupled to the second coupler; and wherein the second jaw spine is pivotally connected to the first jaw spine at a first common pin extending through the first aperture and the second aperture, the first common pin operably coupled to the actuation mechanism, and wherein the first jaw slot partially overlays the second jaw slot forming an intersection location therebetween, and wherein the second jaw spine is slidably connected to the first jaw spine at a second common pin extending through the first jaw slot and the second jaw slot at the intersection location, the second pin coupled to the elongate tube.