Patent ID: 8623044

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 portion of the shaft, wherein the end effector comprises: a first jaw member defining a first longitudinal slot and comprising a first pulley positioned at a distal portion of the first jaw member; a second jaw member defining a second longitudinal slot, wherein the second jaw member is pivotable towards the first jaw member; a reciprocating member translatable distally and proximally parallel to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the reciprocating member comprises: a transverse member positioned to pass through the first and second longitudinal slots as the reciprocating member translates distally and proximally; at least one flange positioned on a distal portion of the reciprocating member to exert a force tending to close the first and second jaw members when the transverse member passes through the first and second longitudinal slots; and a distal leading edge that defines a blade; and a cable extending distally from the handle through the shaft to the first pulley and proximally from the first pulley to the reciprocating member, such that proximally directed motion of the cable exerts a distally directed force on the reciprocating member.