#$%^&*AU2011250820B220131114.pdf#####BILATERAL FOOT JAWS Abstract A surgical instrument (10) comprising: a drive rod assembly (11) including an elongated hollow shaft portion (12) having a proximal end (12a) and a distal end (12b) and a central shaft (14) slidably disposed in and axially aligned with the hollow shaft portion (12) a handle assembly (18) coupled to the hollow shaft portion (12) and the central shaft (14) of the drive rod assembly (11), the handle assembly (18) configured to actuate the drive rod assembly (11) a pair of opposing jaw members (110, 120) each operatively associated with the distal end (12b) of the hollow shaft portion (12) and each being pivotally connected to the central shaft (14) by a pivot pin (119), wherein each jaw member (110, 120) includes ajaw housing defining a tissue contacting surface, the jaw housing (112) includes a flange (114) extending proximally therefrom through which a pivot pin (119) extends and a flexible cam arm (118) extending from the flange (114), the flexible cam arms (118) configured to pivot the jaw members (110, 120) about the pivot pin (119) relative to one another between a first position wherein the jaw members (110, 120) are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another and a second position wherein the jaw members are approximated towards one another, wherein both flexible cam arms (118) are cammed by the hollow shaft portion (12) to move the jaws members (110, 120) between the first and second positions and each jaw member (110, 120) being operable upon connection to a source of electrical energy to conduct energy between said members (110, 120) in use.
