Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument includes a handgrip and an articulated lever. A shank is attached to the handgrip at its closer end, and tissue acting actuators are installed at the further end of the shank. A string moves the actuators. A further end of the string is connected to the actuators, and a closer end is connected to the lever. The movement of the lever is coupled with movement of the actuators. The instrument has an integrated latching mechanism, which includes a toothed bar and a latch, holding the actuators in the operating position, and a locking and releasing mechanism equipped with a switching lever for holding and disengaging the latching mechanism. The switching lever is rotatably mounted on the handgrip and has a pushback element which, in the release position of the switching lever, disengages the latching mechanism move the toothed bar away from the latch.

Abstract: A handle of a device such as an endoscopic surgical appliance is provided with a grip for actuation of an effector mechanism positioned at a distal end. A grip force attenuator within the handle absorbs excessive force after the grip force required to fully actuate the effector mechanism has been reached. The handle includes a first spring which deflects in response to hand grip force up to a predetermined level for actuation of the effector mechanism and a second spring which deflects in response to hand grip force which exceeds the predetermined level without applying such excess force to the first spring.

Abstract: A handle of a device such as an endoscopic surgical appliance is provided with a grip for actuation of an effector mechanism positioned at a distal end. A grip force attenuator within the handle absorbs excessive force after the grip force required to fully actuate the effector mechanism has been reached. The handle includes a first spring which deflects in response to hand grip force up to a predetermined level for actuation of the effector mechanism and a second spring which deflects in response to hand grip force which exceeds the predetermined level without applying such excess force to the first spring.

Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument includes a handgrip and an articulated lever. A shank is attached to the handgrip at its closer end, and tissue acting actuators are installed at the further end of the shank. A string moves the actuators. A further end of the string is connected to the actuators, and a closer end is connected to the lever. The movement of the lever is coupled with movement of the actuators. The instrument has an integrated latching mechanism, which includes a toothed bar and a latch, holding the actuators in the operating position, and a locking and releasing mechanism equipped with a switching lever for holding and disengaging the latching mechanism. The switching lever is rotatably mounted on the handgrip and has a pushback element which, in the release position of the switching lever, disengages the latching mechanism move the toothed bar away from the latch.