A surgical forceps (10) particularly useful in least invasive surgery includes an elongate probe formed of an outer tubular member (12) and an inner member (18) movable in the outer probe member, stationary and movable jaws (24,26) coupled with the distal ends, respectively, of the outer and inner probe members, and a handle (150) squeezable to move the movable jaw relative to the stationary jaw to rearwardly or forwardly cut tissue or to grasp tissue. A force diverting mechanism (166,172) is responsive to the force applied to the handle exceeding a predetermined force to provide the surgeon with an indication of the excessive force and protects the jaw components at the distal end of the surgical forceps. A suction passage is formed in the forceps for aspirating cut tissue and assisting the positioning of tissue between the jaws, and suction can be produced continuously or controlled via the handle. The handle includes locking and latching mechanisms (184,178) to hold the jaws in a closed position.
Surgical forceps