Importance

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Abstract

A ratchet assembly for a medical instrument having a handle and a trigger member for operating the medical instrument, the trigger member being movable relative to the handle between a first position and a second position and being biased by a biasing member toward the first position, the ratchet assembly comprising a rack disposed in the handle, an engagement member for engaging the rack, slidably disposed in the handle relative to the rack and connected to the trigger member so that displacement of the trigger member slides the engagement member relative to the rack, the engagement member being biased into engagement with the rack so that, as the trigger is displaced from the first position to the second position, the engagement member engages the rack in a plurality of positions so as to hold the trigger member at a desired point between the first position and the second position against the biasing member, and a cam member, arranged in the handle, for disengaging the engagement member from the rack when the trigger member is displaced to the second position, and for reengaging the engagement member with the rack when the trigger member is returned to the first position from the second position.

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First Claim