Patent ID: 8579894

Claim:
An electrosurgical tool comprising: a handle assembly comprising: a stationary handle; and an actuation handle movably coupled to the stationary handle; an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle, the elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end defining a central longitudinal axis therebetween; a jaw assembly positioned on the distal end of the elongate shaft, the jaw assembly comprising: a first jaw having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one electrode disposed on the inner surface; and a second jaw having an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one electrode disposed on the inner surface; wherein the jaw assembly is actuatable by movement of the actuation handle from an open configuration in which the inner surface of the first jaw is spaced apart from the inner surface of the second jaw to a closed configuration in which the inner surface of the first jaw is proximate the inner surface of the second jaw; and a force regulation mechanism coupling the handle assembly to the jaw assembly, the force regulation mechanism configured such that in the closed configuration, the jaw assembly delivers a gripping force between the first jaw and the second jaw between a predetermined minimum force and a predetermined maximum force; wherein the force regulation mechanism comprises: a first pivot point coupling the actuation handle to the stationary handle, the first pivot point positioned longitudinally slidable relative to the stationary handle; a second pivot point coupling the actuation handle to the stationary handle, the second pivot point being slidable relative to the stationary handle; and an actuator spring biasing the second pivot point with a predetermined preload, wherein the second pivot point is positioned above the central longitudinal axis and the first pivot point is positioned in line with the longitudinal axis.