Patent ID: 8317811

Claim:
A surgical instrument for endoscopic surgery that comprises an elongate rigid tube having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a first phalanx having a proximal end and a distal end, a second phalanx having a proximal end, the proximal end of the first phalanx coupled with the distal end portion of the elongate rigid tube in a manner that permits the first phalanx to pivot with respect to the elongate rigid tube, the proximal end of the second phalanx coupled with the distal end of the first phalanx in a manner that permits the second phalanx to pivot with respect to the first phalanx, the second phalanx linked to the rigid elongate tube by first and second cable segments, the first and second cable segments each comprising a proximal end portion, a distal end portion and an intermediate portion extending between the proximal and distal end portions, the proximal end portions of the first and second cable segments fixed to the elongate rigid tube, the distal end portions of the cable segments coupled to an interior of the second phalanx, the intermediate portion of the first cable segments positioned within a first duct situated in an interior of the first phalanx, the intermediate portion of the second cable segment positioned within a second duct situated in the interior of the first phalanx, the intermediate portion of the first cable segment having a freedom of movement within the first duct, the intermediate portion of the second cable segment having a freedom of movement within the second duct, the first and second ducts oriented within the first phalanx so that the intermediate portions of the first and second cable segments cross one another within the interior of the first phalanx, the first and second cable segments linking the pivotal movement of the second phalanx to the pivotal movement of the first phalanx.