Patent ID: 7101383

Claim:
A laparoscopic instrument comprising: (a) a housing including a first axial bore, a first actuator rod disposed for axial movement within the first axial bore, and an actuator connected to said first actuator rod; (b) an elongated body having a diameter less than 5 mm connected to said housing comprising a second axial bore and a second actuator rod connected to said first actuator rod and disposed for axial movement within the second axial bore; and (c) an operative tip comprising first and second jaws connected to said elongated body for movement between an open position and a closed position in response to axial movement of said second actuator rod, each jaw comprising a pivot portion and a shaft portion and having a respective roller mounted on said jaw for free rotational movement and each roller having a first end and a second end; and (d) a respective pair of thrust washers disposed on each shaft portion comprising a proximal thrust washer disposed on the first end of the roller and a distal thrust washer disposed on the second end of the roller and a respective cap fitting securing the roller on the shaft portion through the distal thrust washer; wherein said pivot portion has an opening for receipt of a rotatable pin pivotally mounting said first and second jaws, wherein rotation of said pin causes said first and second jaws to move between the open position and the closed position.