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An instrument for performing thoracic surgical procedures including an instrument body, a tool assembly, and an actuating mechanism. The instrument body has a proximal end spaced along a longitudinal axis from a distal end. The tool assembly has two cooperating tool members operably connected to the

An instrument for performing thoracic surgical procedures including an instrument body, a tool assembly, and an actuating mechanism. The instrument body has a proximal end spaced along a longitudinal axis from a distal end. The tool assembly has two cooperating tool members operably connected to the distal end of the instrument body for insertion into the body cavity. Each of the tool members can include a cam slot. Furthermore, each of the tool members are rotatable between an open and a closed position about a rotation axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The actuating mechanism is carried by the instrument body and provides a high torque on the tool members. The actuating mechanism can include first and second oppositely facing bosses, oriented parallel to the rotation axis, and an actuating element. Each one of the bosses is offset from the plane defined by the longitudinal axis of the instrument body and the rotation axis of the tool members and engages a respective one of the cam slots in a camming relationship. The actuating element is operable for motion relative to the instrument body such that movement of the actuating element relative to the instrument body causes the bosses to effect cooperative movement of the tool members. In an alternative embodiment, the bosses are positioned on the tool members and the cam slots are formed on the actuating mechanism.

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[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An instrument for performing thoracic surgical procedures comprisingan instrument body having a proximal end spaced along a longitudinal axis from a distal end,a tool assembly including two cooperating tool members operably connected to said distal end of said instrument

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An instrument for performing thoracic surgical procedures comprisingan instrument body having a proximal end spaced along a longitudinal axis from a distal end,a tool assembly including two cooperating tool members operably connected to said distal end of said instrument body for insertion into the body cavity, each of said tool members having a cam slot formed therein and being rotatable between an open position and a closed position about a rotation axis perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, andan actuating mechanism carried by said instrument body for providing a high torque on said tool members, said actuating mechanism including first and second oppositely facing bosses oriented parallel to said rotation axis and an actuating element, each one of said bosses being offset from the plane defined by said longitudinal axis and said rotation axis and engaging a respective one of said cam slots in a camming relationship, said actuating element being operable for motion relative to said instrument body, whereby movement of said actuating element relative to said instrument body causes said bosses to travel within said cam slots to effect cooperative movement of said tool members.