Suction punch

Claim 2

A miniature articulated tip tool assembly comprising: (a) an elongated housing defining a channel therein and having at a distal end thereof a pivotal mounting for at least one jaw member; (b) an elongated drive member positioned within said channel terminating substantially at its distal end with at least one linking means; (c) a first jaw member (i) mounted for rotation on said pivotal mounting; (ii) engaging said drive member linking means for rotating said jaw member reciprocally towards or away from a second jaw member; and (iii) provided with a fluid channel axially therethrough; (d) said second jaw member (i) attached to said elongated housing; and (ii) provided with a fluid channel axially therethrough; such that when said first jaw member is rotated toward said second jaw member into axial alignment with said second jaw member, each of said fluid channels are axially aligned and a sealed path is provided through the fluid channels of said jaw members to the distal tip of said tool assembly.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drive member linking means includes a distal end surface that engages a bearing surface on said first jaw to transmit distally-directed pushing force.

Claim 4

The miniature articulated tip tool assembly of claim 1 in which said first and second jaw members are shaped to engage in said axially aligned position to provide a cutting action in the process of rotating to said axially aligned position.

Claim 5

The miniature articulated tip tool assembly of claim 1 wherein said drive member is provided with a fluid channel axially therethrough which forms part of the sealed path when said first jaw is rotated towards said second jaw into axial alignment with said second jaw.

Claim 6

A miniature articulated tip tool assembly comprising: (a) an elongated housing defining a channel therein and having at a distal end thereof a pivotal mounting for at least one jaw member; (b) an elongated drive member positioned within said channel terminating substantially at its distal end with at least one linking means; (c) a first jaw member (i) mounted for rotation on said pivotal mounting; (ii) engaging said drive member linking means for rotating said jaw member reciprocally towards or away from a second jaw member; (iii) engaging said second jaw member when rotated towards said second jaw member along a sharp edge provided on said first jaw member; and (iv) provided with a fluid channel axially therethrough; (d) said second jaw member (i) attached to said elongated housing; and (ii) provided with a fluid channel axially therethrough; such that when said first jaw member is rotated towards said second jaw member into axial alignment with said second jaw member, a cutting action is provided at said sharp edge provided on said first jaw member and a sealed path is provided through the fluid channels of said jaw members to the distal tip of said tool assembly.

Claim 7

A miniature articulated tip tool assembly comprising: (a) an elongated housing defining a channel therein and having at a distal end thereof a pivotal mounting for at least one jaw member; (b) an elongated drive member positioned within said channel terminating substantially at its distal end with at least one linking means; (c) a first jaw member (i) mounted for rotation on said pivotal mounting; (ii) engaging said drive member linking means for rotating said jaw member reciprocally towards or away from a second jaw member; (iii) engaging said second jaw member when rotated towards said second jaw member along a sharp edge provided on said first jaw member; and (iv) provided with a fluid channel axially therethrough; (d) said second jaw member (i) attached to said elongated housing; and (ii) provided with a fluid channel axially therethrough; such that when said first jaw member is rotated towards said second jaw member into axial alignment with said second jaw member, a cutting action is provided at said sharp edge provided on said first jaw member and a sealed path is provided through the fluid channels of said jaw members to the distal tip of said tool assembly.

Claim 8

The miniature articulated tool assembly of claim 5 in which said first jaw is rotated towards said second jaw by a pushing action of said drive member engaging said first jaw at its distal end.

Claim 9

The miniature articulated tool assembly of claim 5 wherein said second jaw forms a loop attached at its ends to said elongated member and said first jaw fits in close engagement within said loop when said first jaw is rotated towards said second jaw into axial alignment with said second jaw.

Claim 10

The miniature articulated tool assembly of claim 7 in which said first jaw is rotated towards said second jaw by a pushing action of said drive member engaging said first jaw at its distal end.

Claim 11

The miniature articulated tool assembly of claim 7 wherein said loop is "U"-shaped.

Claim 12

The miniature articulated tool assembly of claim 9 in which said first jaw is rotated towards said second jaw by a pushing action of said drive member engaging said first jaw at its distal end.

Claim 13

The miniature articulated tip tool assembly of claim 5 wherein said drive member is provided with a fluid channel axially therethrough which forms part of the sealed path when said first jaw is rotated towards said second jaw into axial alignment with said second jaw.

Claim 14

The miniature articulated tool assembly of claim 11 in which said first jaw is rotated towards said second jaw by a pushing action of said drive member engaging said first jaw at its distal end.

Claim 15

The miniature articulated tool assembly of claim 12 wherein said second jaw forms a loop attached at its ends to said elongated member and said first jaw fits in close engagement within said loop when said first jaw is rotated towards said second jaw into axial alignment with said second jaw.

Claim 16

The miniature articulated tool assembly of claim 13 wherein said loop is "U"-shaped.