Endoscopic biopsy forceps

Claim 1

A biopsy forceps device which is insertable through an endoscope into a body cavity for the separation of tissue therefrom; said forceps device comprising a flexible tubular sheath; a housing member secured to one end of said sheath and having a slot extending therethrough; a wire extending coaxially within said sheath for telescoping movement relative thereof; a movable member slidably supported in the slot of said housing member and being fastened to said wire; a pair of forceps levers each having a shank portion said shank portions having opposite ends and an operating jaw extending from one end of said shank portion; means at the opposite end of each said shank portion of each said lever for articulating said forceps levers to said movable member, a cam track consisting of a slot formed in each shank portion intermediate the ends thereof; and a single stationary pivot means extending through said slot in each said lever shank portion and being fixedly connected to said housing member, each of said cam tracks having opposite surfaces of said shank slot movably guided along said stationary pivot means whereby axial displacement of said movable member relative to said housing member responsive to axial movement of said wire in said sheath causes said slots to move in camming surface contact along said stationary pivot means and to pivot said forceps levers into respective opening and clamping movements of the clamping jaws on said forceps levers.