to various user interfaces and power sources and are conducive to the performance of minimally invasive surgical procedures the articulation rod 20 extends substantially the length of the housing 12 along its longitudinal axis x the articulation rod 20 is pivotally connected to a jaw 50 such a pivotal connection may be accomplished through the use of a hinge 52 attached intermediate the articulation rod 20 and the jaw 50 the jaw 50 pivotally communicates with the housing 12 at the distal end 16 thereof through the use of a rack 60 in this way motion of the articulation rod 20 results in rotation of the jaw 50 the rack 60 provides a pivot about which the jaw 50 rotates the actuation rod 30 provides for actuation of the jaw 50 the actuation rod has a pin 36 disposed at the distal end 34 thereof the pin 36 seats in a rack channel 72 disposed in a rack driver 70 the rack driver is pivotally attached to the housing 12 via a pin 74 or the like the housing has two longitudinal apertures 18 19 formed therethrough at the distal end 16 thereof to provide for lateral movement of the rack driver 70 which shall be described in detail hereinbelow longitudinal motion of the actuation rod 30 moves the pin 36 in the rack channel 72 which translates the longitudinal.