Abstract: A miniature articulated tip instrument for surgical and like uses, comprising: a thumb housing with an elongated fixed jaw assembly mounted thereto and extending therefrom. A movable jaw actuator member is slidably mounted in a groove formed in the said fixed jaw assembly, the proximal end of the actuator member being seated in a finger housing which is mounted to and spring biased from the thumb housing. A movable jaw defining at least one arcuate projection extending therefrom for pivotal engagement with the actuator member is additionally provided with a second arcuate projection and a concnetric cutout on its opposite side from the second arcuate projection to engage the fixed jaw member and provide a pivot point. The actuator member drives the movable jaw member in a pivoting motion within a throughgoing slot formed in the fixed jaw member within a range of movement with respect to the fixed jaw assembly between extended and retracted positions for effecting selective user controlled working movement.

Abstract: A miniature articulating tip for an endoscopic instrument comprising a jaw with a curved slot through which two pivot lugs pass and are anchored in or integral to a fixed outer tip. The two pivot lugs guide the jaw over a path defined by the curved slot and provide stops at the ends of the curve.