DRIVE SHAFT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

1 . A drive shaft for a bipolar surgical instrument, the drive shaft comprising:

an elongate body defining a first axis, and having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the elongate body comprising:

a first curved portion defining a first open channel extending along a portion of the length of the elongate body and a first planar portion; and

a second curved portion separate from the first portion, the second portion defining a second open channel extending along a portion of the length of the elongate body and a second planar portion,

wherein both the first and second portions are aligned with one another and extend parallel to the first axis, and wherein the first portion is spaced apart from the second portion so as to define a recessed blade track therebetween, the recessed blade track extending parallel to the first axis.

2 . A drive shaft as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first and second open channels comprise tube-like channels.

3 . A drive shaft as claimed in claim 1 , further provided with a spacer portion located between the first and second portions.

4 . A drive shaft as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the first and second portions are welded to the spacer portion.

5 . A drive shaft as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the first and second portions and the spacer portion are formed integrally with one another.

6 . A drive shaft as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second portions defines a blade engagement surface for engagement with a blade of a surgical instrument.

7 . A drive shaft as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first and second open channels are located adjacent the proximal end portion of the elongate body.

8 . A drive shaft as claimed in claim 1 , the elongate body further comprising a cam slot adjacent the distal end portion configured for engagement with first and second jaws of a surgical instrument.

9 . (canceled)

10 . A bipolar surgical instrument as claimed in claim 9 , further comprising a blade actuator operable to move the blade between a retracted position and a deployed position, in which the blade moves within the recessed blade track.

11 . A bipolar surgical instrument as claimed in claim 10 , wherein wires extend through respective first and second open channels.

12 . A bipolar surgical instrument comprising:

a body;

an elongate shaft attached to the body, the elongate shaft extending to a distal end;

first and second opposed jaws located at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the first jaw being movable with respect to the second jaw between an open position in which the first and second jaws are spaced apart from one another, and a closed position in which the first and second jaws are adjacent one another, the first and second jaws defining respective inner surfaces;

the drive shaft according to claim 1 , wherein the drive shaft is connected with at least the first jaw, the drive shaft being movable with respect to the body and the elongate shaft between a first position in which the jaws are in the open position, and a second position in which the jaws are in the closed position;

an actuation grip movably mounted on the body, and arranged to operate the drive shaft, the actuation grip having a released position in which the drive shaft is in the first position, and an engaged position in which the recessed blade track is in the second position; and

the blade extending through the recessed blade track in the drive shaft to the first and second jaws,

and wherein each of the first and second opposed jaws defines a respective blade track which extends from the proximal end towards the distal end of the jaw concerned.