Apparatus for performing an electrosurgical procedure
An endoscopic forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and has a pair of first and second jaw members. One of the first and second jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member from an open position, to a clamping position. One of the first and second jaw members includes one or more cam slots defined therein and configured to receive a cam member that upon movement thereof rotates the movable jaw member from the open position to the clamping position. A resilient member is operably coupled to the jaw member that includes the one or more cam slots. The resilient member is configured to provide a camming force to the cam slot and to bias the first and second jaw members in the clamping position.
1. An endoscopic forceps, comprising:
a housing having at least one shaft that extends therefrom that defines a longitudinal axis therethrough;
a drive assembly operably associated with the housing and including a drive rod;
an end effector assembly operatively connected to a distal end of the at least one shaft and including a pair of first and second jaw members, at least one of the first and second jaw members being movable relative to other jaw member from an open position wherein the first and second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, to a clamping position wherein the first and second jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; and
a resilient member including a flexible upright portion extending from, and integrally formed with, a proximal end of the at least one movable jaw member, the upright portion extending upright relative to the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft and supporting an elongated member having a cam slot with a cam pin housed therein, the resilient member operably coupled to the drive rod of the drive assembly, wherein deflection of the resilient member provides a force that biases the first and second jaw members in the clamping position.
2. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1 , wherein the resilient member and drive rod are configured such that proximal movement of the drive rod causes the movable jaw member to move from the open position to the clamping position.
3. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1 , wherein the upright portion of the resilient member extends from a bottom wall of the proximal end of the at least one movable jaw member.
4. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 3 , wherein the upright portion of the resilient member extends in a generally orthogonal orientation from the bottom wall of the proximal end of the at least one movable jaw member.
5. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1 , wherein the cam pin is configured to translate within the cam slot when the drive rod is translated proximally.
6. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1 , wherein, when the cam pin is translated proximally within the cam slot, a stop that is operably disposed adjacent the cam slot contacts a trailing edge of the cam slot.
7. An endoscopic forceps according to claim 1 , wherein a leading end of a stop is disposed in a generally orthogonal orientation with respect to the cam slot.