Abstract: An instrument for minimally invasive surgery includes a shank attachable to a handle, the shank extending lengthwise along a shank axis between a handle end and a tip end; and a tip joined to the tip end of the shank, the tip comprising a slender, elongate body extending between a proximal end adjacent the tip and of the shank and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The tip includes a jaw member adjacent the distal end, the jaw member movable between open and closed positions. The tip includes an outer surface that converges, at least when the jaw member is in the closed position, to a sharp point opposite the tip end of the shank to facilitate penetration through tissue. The tip has a tip length extending between the proximal end and the point, the tip including a compound curve segment along at least a portion of the tip length. The instrument further includes an actuator coupled to the jaw member and extending lengthwise of the instrument to the handle end of the shank.