SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a surgical instrument having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Utility model DE 20 2007 001 604 U1 discloses a laparoscopic forceps with a scissor-like handle having two rod-shaped grip sections that are movable relative to each other for actuating the forceps, namely pivotable relative to each other like the hand or finger levers of scissors. The grip sections have finger rings at their free ends in which interchangeable elastic rings are arranged for adaptation to the individual needs of a surgeon.

[0003] Patent application US 2010 / 0 268 268 A1 discloses a surgical instrument with a fixed handle and a finger ring that can be moved along a straight sliding guide toward and away from the handle to operate the surgical instrument. The sliding guide is secured against displacement by a locking mechanism that can be temporarily released by a button located on the side of the finger ring opposite the fixed handle, and permanently released by a finger lever located outside the finger ring that can be rotated 90°.

[0004] Patent application EP 0 543 107 A2 discloses a surgical instrument with a scissor handle for its operation, which protrudes laterally from the surgical instrument like a pistol grip, and with a locking device for securing the surgical instrument in an actuated position, which can be locked with a finger lever arranged in the manner of a pistol trigger.

[0005] For various surgical procedures, it is an advantage if the clamping force of a surgical forceps is known or limited.

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to propose a surgical instrument that has a kind of pressure point. The pressure point is a fixed or definable actuation force of the surgical instrument. Reaching the fixed or definable actuation force of the surgical instrument according to the invention should be perceptible by touch.

[0007] The surgical instrument according to the invention has two handles, for example rod-shaped ones, which are movable relative to each other for actuating the surgical instrument. In particular, the distance between the handles can be reduced for actuating the surgical instrument. Both handles can be movable, or one handle can be fixed and the other movable.

[0008] One of the two handles, which for its unambiguous identification and to distinguish it from the other handle, will hereinafter be referred to as the second handle, has two finger rests on the side facing away from the other handle, hereinafter referred to as the first. The finger rests are elements designed to support one or more fingers of the hand holding the surgical instrument by its handles for the purpose of manipulating the instrument. To operate the surgical instrument, an actuating force is applied towards the first handle to one of the two finger rests. The first finger rest transmits the actuating force to the second handle in such a way that the second handle is subjected to the actuating force in the direction of the first handle.

[0009] The first finger rest is elastic in the direction of actuation, meaning it is movable in the direction of the first handle. It is arranged on the side of the second handle facing away from the first handle such that the first finger rest moves along the second handle in the direction of the first handle when the actuating force is applied to it in that direction. The movement, that is, the distance the first finger rest travels relative to the second handle when the actuating force is applied, depends on the magnitude of the actuating force. The relationship between distance and force can be proportional or inversely proportional.The greater the actuating force that acts on the first finger rest in the direction of actuation, i.e. in the direction of the first handle, the greater the movement of the first finger rest on the second handle or in relation to the second handle on which both finger rests are arranged.

[0010] The second finger rest is preferably rigidly arranged on the side of the second handle facing away from the first handle. The second finger rest is offset towards the first handle, i.e., in the direction of actuation relative to the first finger rest, when the first finger rest is unloaded, i.e., not subjected to the actuation force and therefore undeformed. By applying the actuation force to the first finger rest in the direction of actuation, the first finger rest on the second handle can be moved relative to the second finger rest until the sides or surfaces of the two finger rests facing away from the first handle are flush."Flush" means that the sides or surfaces of the two finger rests facing away from the first handle, or at least areas close to or adjacent to each other, are located in the same plane or in a common, for example curved, surface, or are equidistant from the first handle. The position of the first finger rest flush with the second finger rest corresponds to the pressure point of the surgical instrument according to the invention. The invention does not preclude the possibility that the first finger rest can be moved beyond the position flush with the second finger rest, i.e., beyond the pressure point.

[0011] Viewed in the direction of actuation, the second finger rest is located within the first finger rest, for example, in an opening or hole in the first finger rest, or directly adjacent to or in line with the first finger rest on the side of the second handle facing away from the first handle. The second finger rest is positioned relative to the first finger rest such that when a finger of the hand holding the surgical instrument by its two handles is placed on the first finger rest and the actuation force is applied, the finger rests against the second finger rest when it has moved the first finger rest, which is elastically mounted on the second handle, sufficiently in the direction of actuation to ensure that the first finger rest is flush with the second finger rest.This "come into contact" of the finger, which applies the actuating force to the first finger rest in the direction of actuation, is perceived haptically as a "pressure point" on the second finger rest. A specific actuating force (level) is associated with this pressure point; namely, the actuating force necessary to move the first finger rest elastically into a position flush with the second finger rest.

[0012] An advantage of the invention is that the pressure point is perceived haptically when the surgical instrument is operated: the finger, which applies an actuating force in the direction of actuation to the first finger rest on the second handle of the surgical instrument, feels when the first finger rest, initially offset against the direction of actuation relative to the second finger rest, reaches a position flush with the second finger rest. A surgeon, or more generally a person using the surgical instrument according to the invention, thus receives feedback that the actuating force corresponding to the flush position of the two finger rests, i.e., the pressure point, has been reached. This enables the surgical instrument to be operated with the actuating force corresponding to the pressure point and limits the actuating force to that corresponding to the pressure point.

[0013] It should be noted that the movement of the first finger rest relative to the second handle is different from the movement the two handles move towards each other when the surgical instrument is operated. The first finger rest moves together with the second handle relative to the first handle, and additionally, the first finger rest moves elastically relative to the second handle, to which it is elastically attached, due to the application of the operating force. The movement of the first finger rest relative to the second handle is preferably shorter and, in particular, only a fraction of the movement of the second handle relative to the first handle.The offset of the two finger rests in the direction of actuation is, for example, 1 mm or less, or up to 2 mm, or up to 3 mm.

[0014] The surgical instrument according to the invention can have a spring element, for example a helical compression spring, a helical extension spring or a leaf spring, which holds the first finger support elastically or resiliently on the second handle in the direction of actuation.

[0015] One embodiment of the invention provides for the first finger rest to be formed integrally with the second handle and to be elastically movable in the direction of actuation, particularly due to its shape, on or in relation to the second handle. In this embodiment, the first finger rest is specifically designed as a flexible spring, for example, as an elastically bendable spring rod or as a type of leaf spring. The integral and elastic design of the first finger rest allows for the cost-effective manufacture of the second handle, for example, from a metal suitable for surgical instruments, by means of laser cutting.

[0016] A further development of the invention provides that the first finger rest is designed as an elastically bendable spring tongue, which at one end merges integrally into the second handle, or as an elastically bendable spring clip, which at both ends merges integrally into the second handle. The spring tongue has a free end which can be brought into a position flush with the second finger rest by elastically bending the spring tongue in the direction of actuation.

[0017] One embodiment of the invention provides for the first finger rest to be designed as a spring tongue that is elastically bendable in the direction of actuation and that merges integrally into the second handle at one end. The other end of the spring tongue is elastically movable in the direction of movement by means of elastic bending. In this embodiment of the invention, the second finger rest is arranged as an extension of the spring tongue and / or laterally adjacent to the movable end of the spring tongue. Viewed in the direction of actuation, the two finger rests are either not separated or only slightly separated, such that they are in contact with each other or have only a small gap between them when flush. Viewed in the direction of actuation, the second finger rest can, for example, also enclose the movable end of the first finger rest in an L-shape or a U-shape.

[0018] One embodiment of the invention provides a lateral guide for the first finger rest, which movably guides the first finger rest in the direction of actuation along the second handle. The lateral guide prevents or at least limits movement of the first finger rest transverse to the direction of actuation, for example, through the elasticity of the first finger rest.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention, the two finger rests are arranged within a finger ring. The finger ring is a ring that is preferably rigidly attached to the second handle and through which one or more fingers can be grasped to operate the surgical instrument. In particular, the finger ring is an integral part of the handle.

[0020] The first handle, or only the first handle, may have a finger ring.

[0021] One embodiment of the invention provides a handle with two finger rings for gripping with, for example, an index finger and a middle finger, ring finger, or little finger of the same hand. It is also possible, for example, to have a finger ring on one of the handles for a thumb and one or more further finger rings on the same handle and / or on the other handle for one or more other fingers of the same hand.

[0022] The surgical instrument according to the invention is, in particular, a surgical forceps, clamp, scissors, or the like. It has, in particular, a shaft with two shaft sections that are slidable relative to each other in a longitudinal direction. These sections are arranged side by side, preferably abutting each other, or within each other, i.e., as a core within a tube as a sheath. At least one of the two shaft sections is drive-connected to one of the two handles such that, when the two handles are moved relative to each other, the two shaft sections are displaced relative to each other. One shaft section is, for example, pivotally connected to one handle via an intermediate element that is pivotally connected to both the handle and the shaft section. The other handle can also be pivotally or otherwise connected to the other shaft section, or the other handle can be rigidly attached to the other shaft section.

[0023] At one end, the shaft of the surgical instrument has, for example, jaws of a clamp or forceps, or blades, or a blade and anvil of scissors. The jaws, blades, or the like are pivoted by sliding the two parts of the shaft relative to each other. Both jaws, blades, or the like can be pivotable, or one jaw, blade, or the like can be pivotable and the other is fixed to the shaft of the surgical instrument.

[0024] The two grip pieces can be arranged like a pistol grip, either transversely or diagonally to one side of the shaft, or in extension of the shaft or even directed towards the shaft.

[0025] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1 a surgical instrument according to the invention; Figure 2 an enlargement of a detail of the surgical instrument from Figure 1 according to arrow II in Figure 1 Figure 3 shows the detail from Figure 2 with a surgical instrument in operation; and Figures 4 to 8 show modifications according to the invention. Figure 2 shown detail of the surgical instrument from Figure 1 .

[0026] Basically, identical parts in the figures are assigned the same reference numbers.

[0027] As an embodiment of a surgical instrument 1 according to the invention, the following is shown: Figure 1A surgical forceps 2 with a shaft 3, at one end of which two jaws 4 are pivotably arranged and at the other end of which two handles 5, 6 are arranged. The forceps chosen as an embodiment of the invention are intended for implanting an ossicular prosthesis (not shown) into a human middle ear. Other uses of the surgical forceps 2 and other embodiments of the surgical instrument 1, for example as scissors, are possible according to the invention.

[0028] The shaft 3 is straight and rod-shaped and has two straight, rod-shaped shaft sections 7 which are arranged abutting each other and guided relative to each other in a longitudinal direction of the shaft 3 so as to be slidable relative to each other. By sliding the two shaft sections 7 relative to each other, the two jaws 4 are pivoted relative to each other. Suitable pivoting mechanisms for this purpose are known and are not described here.

[0029] In this exemplary embodiment, the two handles 5, 6 are also straight and rod-shaped, although other shapes are possible. One of the two handles 5, which will be referred to below as the first handle 5, is rigidly attached to an end furthest from the jaws 4 of one of the two shaft sections 7. In this exemplary embodiment, the first handle 5 projects obliquely to one side from the shaft section 7 and thus also from the shaft 3 of the surgical instrument 1 according to the invention, in a pistol-grip-like manner. For example, it is also possible for the handle 5 to project vertically, i.e., radially, from the shaft 3, or to extend the shaft 3 axially, or at an angle, parallel to the shaft 3 (not shown).

[0030] In the exemplary embodiment, the first handle 5 has a first finger ring 8 at an end furthest from the shaft 3. Furthermore, also in the exemplary embodiment, the first handle 5 has a branch 11 projecting forward from the handle 5 at approximately a right angle, i.e., in the direction of the jaws 4, and having a second finger ring 9 at its end. Neither the branch 11 nor the finger rings 8 and 9 are essential to the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the branch 11 is integral with the first handle 5, and the first handle 5 is integral with one shaft part 7.

[0031] One end of a second of the two handle pieces 6 is pivotally connected to the other shaft part 7, wherein the second handle piece 6 - in the exemplary embodiment - is in a non-actuated position, which Figure 1The first handle 5 projects obliquely forward in the same longitudinal plane of the shaft 3 and to the same side as the first handle 5 from the shaft 3 of the surgical instrument 1 according to the invention. The second handle 6 is located in front of the first handle 5, that is, closer to the jaws 4 than the first handle 5, and the second handle 6 can be pivoted in the longitudinal plane of the shaft 3 towards the first handle 5. In general terms, the two handles 5, 6 can be moved towards each other, that is, their distance from each other can be reduced. The movement or pivoting of the second handle 6 towards the first handle 5 is a movement in an actuation direction B of the surgical instrument 1. The second handle 6 is shown with dashed lines. Figure 1 the second handle 6 in an actuated position, that is, moved or pivoted in the direction of actuation towards the first handle 5.

[0032] In the exemplary embodiment, the second handle 6 also has a finger ring 10, which will subsequently be referred to as the third finger ring 10. As mentioned above, the finger rings 8, 9, 10 are not essential for the invention. The finger rings 8, 9, 10 serve to hold and operate the surgical instrument 1: Fingers of one hand of a person using the surgical instrument 1 can be inserted into or through the finger rings 8, 9, 10. For example, to hold the surgical instrument 1, an index finger is inserted through or into the third finger ring 10 at the end of the second handle 6 furthest from the shaft 3, a middle finger of the same hand is inserted through or into the second finger ring 9 at the end of the branch 11 of the first handle 5, and a thumb of the same hand is inserted through or into the first finger ring 8 at the end of the first handle 5 furthest from the shaft 3 (not shown).To operate the surgical instrument 1, the second handle 6 is pivoted in the direction of actuation B, that is, in the direction of the first handle 5. In general terms, the two handles 5 and 6 are brought close together to operate the surgical instrument 1. Surgical instruments 1 according to the invention are also possible which are operated by pivoting their handles 5 and 6 apart (not shown).

[0033] The pivotable second handle 6 is pivotally connected near its pivotable bearing to one shaft section 7 by an intermediate member 12, which in turn is pivotally connected to the other shaft section 7 such that pivoting or generally moving the second handle 6 displaces the other shaft section 7 relative to the first shaft section 7 in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 3. When the second handle 6 is moved in the actuation direction B, the two jaws 4 are thereby moved towards each other, and when moved in the opposite release direction, the two jaws 4 are pivoted apart.

[0034] The surgical instrument 1 according to the invention has a first finger rest 13 on a side of the second handle 6 facing away from the first handle 5 (Figure 2). In the exemplary embodiment, the first finger rest 13 is located in the third finger ring 10 at the end of the second handle 6. The first finger rest 13 is elastically movable on the second handle 6 in the direction of actuation B, i.e., in the direction of the first handle 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the first finger rest 13 has a strip-shaped spring tongue 14, which is arranged on the side of the second handle 6 facing away from the first handle 5 at a small distance of about one or a few millimeters from the second handle 6 and parallel to or at an acute angle to the second handle 6 ( Figure 2One end of the spring tongue 14 merges integrally into the second handle 6. In the exemplary embodiment, the end of the spring tongue 14 near the second handle 6 merges integrally into the third finger ring 10, in which the spring tongue 14 is arranged in the exemplary embodiment. Another, free end of the spring tongue 14, which forms the first finger support 13, is movable by elastic bending of the spring tongue 14 towards the second handle 6 and thus in the direction of movement.

[0035] To actuate the surgical instrument 1 according to the invention, an actuating force F ( Figure 3 ) in the direction of actuation B ( Figures 1 to 3) is exerted on the first finger rest 13, which elastically bends or deforms the first finger rest 13 in the direction of the second handle 6, whereby the first finger rest 13 transmits the actuating force F to the second handle 6, causing the second handle 6 to pivot or move in the actuating direction B and the surgical instrument 1 to be actuated in the manner described above.

[0036] Extending from the spring tongue 14 forming the first finger rest 13, the second handle 6 has a second finger rest 15, which is rigid and also located on the side of the second handle 6 facing away from the first handle 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the second finger rest 15 is also located in the third finger ring 10. In the exemplary embodiment, the second finger rest 15 is designed as a step on the side of the second handle 6 facing away from the first handle 5, which in the exemplary embodiment is located in the third finger ring 10.

[0037] The second finger rest 15 has an offset V in the direction of actuation B, that is, in the exemplary embodiment in the direction of the first handle 5, with respect to the first finger rest 13 or with respect to the spring tongue 14 or the free end of the spring tongue 14, when the spring tongue 14 is unloaded and therefore undeformed. The offset V is, for example, approximately 1 mm.

[0038] When the actuating force F is applied to the first finger rest 13 in the actuating direction B, the first finger rest 13 can be elastically deformed until it is flush with the second finger rest 15, i.e., the free end of the spring tongue 14 is flush with the second finger rest 15. The first finger rest 13 can also be elastically deformed beyond its flush position with the second finger rest 15 in the direction of the first handle 6.

[0039] Viewed in the direction of actuation B, the two finger supports 13, 15 have no distance or a small distance of preferably a few tenths of a millimeter from each other such that there is no or only a small gap between the two finger supports 13, 15 when the first finger support 13 is elastically deformed into the position flush with the second finger support 15.

[0040] The surgical instrument 1 according to the invention is operated with a finger 23 ( Figure 3), for example, an index finger, which is placed on the first finger rest 13 on the side facing away from the first handle 5 and presses against the first finger rest 13 with the actuating force F in the actuating direction B, that is, in the direction of the first handle 5. The actuating force F exerted on the first finger rest 13 deforms – in the exemplary embodiment, bends – the first finger rest 13 elastically in the actuating direction B, that is, in the direction of the second handle 6. If the first finger rest 13 is deformed, moved elastically, or bent until its free end is flush with the second finger rest 13, the finger 23, which presses against the first finger rest 13, abuts the second – in the exemplary embodiment, rigid – finger rest 15, as Figure 3The impact of finger 23 against the second finger rest 15 during operation of the surgical instrument 1 is perceived haptically as a kind of "pressure point". A person using the surgical instrument 1 with finger 23 feels this pressure point when operating the surgical instrument 1 according to the invention.

[0041] A specific actuating force F is assigned to the pressure point, or the flush position of the two finger rests 13, 15, because it requires an elastic bending or deformation of the spring tongue 14 forming the first finger rest 13. This deformation corresponds to the offset V of the two finger rests 13, 15 in the actuating direction B when the spring tongue 14 is undeformed with the surgical instrument 1 not actuated. The elastic deformation or bending of the spring tongue 14 forming the first finger rest 13 up to the pressure point, that is, up to the position flush with the second finger rest 15, requires a corresponding bending force and thus the specific actuating force assigned to the pressure point of the surgical instrument 1.The operation of the surgical instrument 1 can be stopped upon reaching the haptically perceptible pressure point, thereby limiting the actuating force F to the actuating force F associated with the pressure point. Conversely, the surgical instrument 1 can also be actuated up to (at least) the pressure point to ensure that the two jaws 4 clamp together with (at least) a clamping force F corresponding to this actuating force, thus reliably clamping, for example, an ossicular prosthesis (not shown) or another object between the jaws 4 of the surgical instrument 1 – designed in the exemplary embodiment as surgical forceps 2.

[0042] The spring force and thus the actuating force F at the "pressure point" with flush finger rests 13, 15 can be determined by the shape and arrangement of the spring tongue 14 forming the first finger rest 13, in particular by the thickness of the spring tongue 14.

[0043] Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a modification according to the invention of the spring tongue 14 forming the first finger rest 13 and the second finger rest 15: as in Figures 1 and 2 The spring tongue 14, forming the first finger rest 13, is located in Figure 3 also on the side of the second handle 6 facing away from the first handle 5 in the third finger ring 10 and at one end merges seamlessly into the second handle 6 or into the third finger ring 10, which is seamlessly integrated with the second handle 6.

[0044] Unlike Figures 1 to 3 is in Figure 4The second finger rest 15 is not arranged at the free end of the spring tongue 14 forming the first finger rest 13, but the second finger rest 15 is in Figure 4 The pin 16 is designed as a pin located in a central area between the two ends of the spring tongue 14 and projects from the side of the second handle 6 facing away from the first handle 5 in the direction of the spring tongue 14. In the exemplary embodiment, the pin 16 forming the second finger rest 15 is integral with the second handle 6.

[0045] The pin 16 forming the second finger rest 15 projects into a hole as an opening 17 in the spring tongue 14 forming the first finger rest 13, the pin 16 not extending to the side or surface of the spring tongue 14 facing away from the first handle 5 when the spring tongue 14 is undeformed. When the spring tongue 14 is elastically bent towards the second handle 6 to actuate the surgical instrument 1 according to the invention, the side or surface of the spring tongue 14 facing away from the second handle 6 becomes flush with an end face of the pin 16 forming the second finger rest 15 that is furthest from the second handle 6. The position of the spring tongue 14 forming the first finger rest 13 that is flush with the second finger rest 15 is the one described above. Figures 1 and 2 explained the "pressure point", which, as explained, is perceived haptically with the finger when the surgical instrument 1 is operated and to which the specific actuating force F is assigned.

[0046] The pin 16 protruding from the second handle 6 and the hole forming the opening 17 in the spring tongue 14 form a lateral guide 18, which guides the spring tongue 14 forming the first finger rest 13 in the direction of actuation B and supports it against movement perpendicular to the direction of actuation B.

[0047] In contrast to the above-explained Figure 5 is the first finger rest 13 in the in Figure 5 In the illustrated modification of the surgical instrument 1 according to the invention, it is not designed as a spring tongue free at one end, but rather as a spring clip 19 – curved in the exemplary embodiment – ​​which merges integrally at both ends into the second handle 6 and the third finger ring 10, respectively. Furthermore, in Figure 5 the finger rests 13, 15 are shaped in the same way as in Figure 4 and the explanations regarding Figure 4 to explain the Figure 5 referred to.

[0048] The in Figure 6 , 7 and 8The illustrated, inventive modifications of the finger rests 13, 15 have a strip-shaped plate 20 as the first finger rest 13, which is arranged on the side of the second handle 6 facing away from the first handle 5 – in the exemplary embodiments in the third finger ring 10. The plate 20 is, like the spring tongue 14, in Figures 1 to 3 and 4 and how the spring clip 19 in Figure 6 and 8 with a pen 16 and in Figure 7 with two pins 16, which protrude from the side of the second handle 6 facing away from the first handle 5 and act as side guides 18 each engage in a hole as opening 17 in the plate 20 in the actuation direction B of the second handle 6 movably guided on the second handle 6.

[0049] In Figure 6 two helical compression springs 21 and in Figure 7a helical compression spring 22 elastically engages the plate 20, which forms the first finger rest 13, with the second handle 6 and moves into Figure 7 Two coil springs 22 hold the plate 20 elastically towards the second handle 6 on the third finger ring 10.

[0050] How to Figure 3 As explained, the pin 16 forming the second finger rest 15 does not extend to the side or surface of the plate 20 forming the first finger rest 13 facing away from the first handle 5 when the springs 21, 22 are undeformed. When the plate 20 is pressed against the spring force of the springs 21, 22 in the actuation direction B towards the second handle 6 to actuate the surgical instrument 1 according to the invention, the plate 20 comes into a position flush with the end face of the pin 16, which is perceptible as a pressure point with the finger 23, which presses the plate 20 with the actuation force F in the actuation direction B.

[0051] In addition, the following will be explained to clarify the Figures 5 to 8 the explanations of Figures 1 to 4 referred to.

[0052] The spring tongue 14, the spring bracket 19, the helical compression spring 21 and the helical extension spring 22 can generally also be understood as spring elements that hold the first finger support 13 elastically movable towards the first handle 5 on the second handle 6.

Claims

1. Surgical instrument, comprising a first handle piece (5) and comprising a second handle piece (6) which is movable with respect to the first handle piece (5) in order to actuate the surgical instrument (1), the second handle piece (6) having a first finger rest (13) on a side remote from the first handle piece (5), which first finger rest is elastically movable with respect to the second handle piece (6) in the direction of the first handle piece (5), characterized in that the second handle piece (6) has a second finger rest (15) on its side remote from the first handle piece (5), which second finger rest, when the first finger rest (13) is not subject to load, is offset with respect to the first finger rest (13) in the direction of the first handle piece (5) and with which second finger rest the first finger rest (13) becomes or is flush when the first finger rest (13) is subjected to an actuating force (F) in the direction of the first handle piece (5) and thereby moves or is moved elastically with respect to the second handle piece (6).

2. Surgical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the surgical instrument (1) comprises a spring element (14; 19; 21; 22) which holds the first finger rest (13) on the second handle piece (6) so as to be elastically movable in the direction of the first handle piece (5).

3. Surgical instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the first finger rest (13) is integral with the second handle piece (6) and is elastically deformable in the direction of the first handle piece (5).

4. Surgical instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that the first finger rest (13) comprises an elastically bendable spring tongue (14) which merges integrally into the second handle piece (6) at one end, or a spring clip (19) which merges integrally into the second handle piece (6) at two ends.

5. Surgical instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that the first finger rest (13) comprises the elastically bendable spring tongue (14) and in that the second finger rest (15) is arranged in the extension of the spring tongue (14) at a movable end of the spring tongue (14) on the second handle piece (6) in such a way that the spring tongue (14) can be bent elastically in the direction of the first handle piece (5) into a position flush with the second finger rest (15).

6. Surgical instrument according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second finger rest (15) is arranged in an opening (17), at an edge or at an end of the first finger rest (13).

7. Surgical instrument according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second handle piece (6) comprises a lateral guide (18) for the first finger rest (13), which guides the first finger rest (13) in the direction of movement of the second handle piece (6) with respect to the first handle piece (5).

8. Surgical instrument according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the finger rests (13, 15) are arranged in a finger ring (10).

9. Surgical instrument according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a handle piece (5) comprises two finger rings (8, 9).