Surgical instrument with snag free box hinge

摘要

A surgical instrument includes a pair of elongated members joined together by a box hinge. The box hinge is formed of a slot in the first member and a hinge portion in the second member. The hinge portion of the second member is generally the same width as that of the second member on either side of the box hinge. The width of the first elongated member is larger than the width of the second elongated member at either end of the box hinge portion. The first and second box hinge portions have pivot points that mate to allow the hinge to open and close. The pivot points may be corresponding protrusions and depressions of any preferred shape. The unique construction of the box hinge creates a snag-free surface that allows for the use of the instrument for tasks such as suturing without the suturing thread snagging on the instrument.