Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a steerable instrument for endoscopic and/or invasive type applications, the instrument including an elongated tubular body having a proximal end part, a distal end part and an intermediate part between proximal and distal end parts, the proximal end part having at least one actuation proximal zone. The distal end part has at least one flexible distal zone, and the elongated tubular body is configured such that a movement of an actuation proximal zone is transferred to a corresponding flexible distal zone for a corresponding movement thereof. The elongated tubular body includes an inner, outer, and intermediate cylindrical elements having longitudinal elements between the inner and outer cylindrical elements. Inner, outer and intermediate cylindrical elements are coupled so movement of an actuation proximal zone is transferred by the longitudinal elements of one of the intermediate cylindrical elements to a corresponding flexible distal zone.

A surgical instrument includes a housing, an energizable member, and a deployment mechanism. The energizable member is movable relative to the housing between a storage position and a deployed position. The deployment mechanism includes a first actuator member movable relative to the housing from a first un-actuated position to a first actuated position to move the energizable member from the storage position to the deployed position and a second actuator member movable relative to the housing from a second un-actuated position to a second actuated position to move the energizable member from the deployed position to the storage position. Movement of the first actuator member from the first un-actuated position to the first actuated position effects movement of the second actuator member from the second actuated position to the second un-actuated position and vice versa.

A surgical instrument includes a housing, an energizable member, and a deployment mechanism. The energizable member is movable relative to the housing between a storage position and a deployed position. The deployment mechanism includes a first actuator member movable relative to the housing from a first un-actuated position to a first actuated position to move the energizable member from the storage position to the deployed position and a second actuator member movable relative to the housing from a second un-actuated position to a second actuated position to move the energizable member from the deployed position to the storage position. Movement of the first actuator member from the first un-actuated position to the first actuated position effects movement of the second actuator member from the second actuated position to the second un-actuated position and vice versa.

A rotatable jaw device for use with an endoscope and method of using a rotatable jaw device. The device includes a fork, and two jaws pivotally mounted to the fork. The jaws are movable between a predetermined closed position and a predetermined open position. At least one jaw has at least one protrusion on a surface of the jaw. The at least one protrusion prohibits movement of the two jaws in the opening direction beyond the predetermined open position. One jaw may have an elongated center void defined by twin jaw extensions, and the other jaw may rotate within the elongated center void when the two jaws move toward the predetermined closed position.

A rotatable jaw device for use with an endoscope and method of using a rotatable jaw device. The device includes a fork, and two jaws pivotally mounted to the fork. The jaws are movable between a predetermined closed position and a predetermined open position. At least one jaw has at least one protrusion on a surface of the jaw. The at least one protrusion prohibits movement of the two jaws in the opening direction beyond the predetermined open position. One jaw may have an elongated center void defined by twin jaw extensions, and the other jaw may rotate within the elongated center void when the two jaws move toward the predetermined closed position.

An actuation mechanism for actuating an electrosurgical end effector includes a housing and a shaft assembly extending distally from the housing. The shaft assembly includes an elongate collar, a shaft extending through the elongate collar, and a longitudinal bar axially movable relative to the shaft. The elongate collar has an internal threadform extending along a length thereof. The longitudinal bar includes a proximal end having an extension engaged to the internal threadform of the elongate collar and a distal end configured to be coupled to a knife blade of an electrosurgical end effector. Rotation of the elongate collar axially moves the longitudinal bar relative to the elongate collar to move the knife blade.

A treatment instrument includes a rotating body and a housing. The rotating body includes a connecting portion including: a supported portion having a cylindrical outer peripheral surface, and an engaged portion that is adjacent to the supported surface. The housing includes a supporting portion that is configured to support the supported portion of the rotating body, the supporting portion being rotatable around a predetermined rotation axis; and an engaging portion that is configured to generate a frictional force larger than a frictional force between the supporting portion and the supported portion by coming into contact with the engaged portion.

A surgical instrument that includes first and second jaws that are movably coupled together to move between an open and a closed position. The first jaw includes a first proximal end, a first distal tip, and a first jaw midpoint between the first proximal end and the first distal tip. The second jaw includes a second proximal end and a second distal tip. The first jaw includes a first alignment feature that is distal to the first jaw midpoint and is configured to engage a corresponding portion of the second jaw when the first and second jaws are moved to the closed position to align the first distal tip with the second distal tip.

A surgical instrument that includes first and second jaws that are movably coupled together to move between an open and a closed position. The first jaw includes a first proximal end, a first distal tip, and a first jaw midpoint between the first proximal end and the first distal tip. The second jaw includes a second proximal end and a second distal tip. The first jaw includes a first alignment feature that is distal to the first jaw midpoint and is configured to engage a corresponding portion of the second jaw when the first and second jaws are moved to the closed position to align the first distal tip with the second distal tip.

A microsurgical instrument having one or more distance indication members is provided. In a particular embodiment, the microsurgical instrument comprises a microsurgical tool and a first distance indication member coupled to, and extending beyond a distal end of, the microsurgical tool. A distal portion of the first distance indication member may be configured to deflect when in contact with a tissue surface, without causing damage to the tissue surface, to give a visual indication that the distal end of the microsurgical tool is in proximity to the tissue surface. The distal portion of the distance indication member can be further configured to return to a non-deflected configuration when no longer in contact with the tissue surface.