Automated-feed surgical clip applier and related methods
First Claim
1. An apparatus for applying surgical clips, comprising:
- (a) an actuator device comprising a stroke section disposed along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus and a cam mechanism, the stroke section comprising a first stage portion and a second stage portion distally adjacent to the first stage portion, and the cam mechanism comprising an axial cam surface disposed in the first stage portion;
(b) a ratchet mechanism comprising a plurality of axially spaced teeth disposed in the first stage portion;
(c) a locking mechanism communicating with the actuator device and axially movable thereby through the stroke section in a distal direction defining a forward stroke and in a reverse, proximal direction defining a return stroke, the locking mechanism adapted for movably contacting the axial cam surface while moving through the first stage portion during the forward stroke; and
(d) a clip driving device adapted for driving a clip in the distal direction in response to actuation by the actuator device during the forward stroke, wherein contact between the locking mechanism and the axial cam surface in the first stage portion moves the locking mechanism into engagement with one of the teeth to restrict proximal movement of the clip driving device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical clip applying apparatus comprises an actuator device, a ratchet mechanism, a locking mechanism, and a clip driving device. The actuator device comprises an interior and a cam mechanism disposed therein. The cam mechanism comprises an axial cam surface. The locking mechanism is movable by the actuator device within the interior in a distal direction and in a proximal direction. While moving in the distal direction, the locking mechanism contacts the axial cam surface, thereby causing the locking mechanism to engage the ratchet mechanism to limit movement of the locking mechanism in the proximal direction. Continued movement of the locking mechanism in the distal direction causes the locking mechanism to move off the axial cam surface, thereby enabling the locking mechanism to bypass the ratchet mechanism during a return stroke.
275 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying surgical clips, comprising:
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(a) an actuator device comprising a stroke section disposed along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus and a cam mechanism, the stroke section comprising a first stage portion and a second stage portion distally adjacent to the first stage portion, and the cam mechanism comprising an axial cam surface disposed in the first stage portion;
(b) a ratchet mechanism comprising a plurality of axially spaced teeth disposed in the first stage portion;
(c) a locking mechanism communicating with the actuator device and axially movable thereby through the stroke section in a distal direction defining a forward stroke and in a reverse, proximal direction defining a return stroke, the locking mechanism adapted for movably contacting the axial cam surface while moving through the first stage portion during the forward stroke; and
(d) a clip driving device adapted for driving a clip in the distal direction in response to actuation by the actuator device during the forward stroke, wherein contact between the locking mechanism and the axial cam surface in the first stage portion moves the locking mechanism into engagement with one of the teeth to restrict proximal movement of the clip driving device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for applying surgical clips, comprising:
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(a) an actuator device comprising an interior, a coupling movable along an internal plane of the interior and alternately in a distal direction and a proximal direction, an inside wall at least partially defining the interior and transversely spaced from the internal plane by a first distance, and a cam mechanism comprising an axial cam surface transversely spaced from the internal plane by a second distance less than the first distance;
(b) a ratchet mechanism disposed in the interior and comprising a plurality of axially spaced teeth;
(c) a locking mechanism attached to the coupling and movable therewith, the locking mechanism comprising an arm and a pawl, the arm adapted for moving into contact with the inside wall and alternately into contact with the axial cam surface, wherein contact between the arm and the axial cam surface biases the pawl into engagement with a tooth of the ratchet mechanism during movement of the coupling through a proximal portion of the interior, and alternate contact between the arm and the inside surface prevents the pawl from engaging the teeth; and
(d) a clip driving device adapted for driving a clip in the distal direction in response to actuation by the actuator device, wherein engagement of the pawl with the teeth restricts movement of the clip driving device in the proximal direction. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for applying surgical clips, comprising:
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(a) an actuator device comprising an interior and a cam mechanism disposed in the interior, the cam mechanism comprising first and second axial cam surfaces;
(b) a ratchet mechanism comprising a plurality of axially spaced teeth disposed in a proximal region of the interior;
(c) a locking mechanism disposed in the interior and movable by the actuator device in a distal direction and alternately in a proximal direction, the locking mechanism comprising a first arm, a second arm, and a pawl, wherein the first arm contacts the first axial cam surface and the second arm contacts the second axial cam surface during movement of the locking mechanism in the distal direction, and the pawl engages a tooth of the ratchet mechanism in response to the first and second arms respectively contacting the first and second axial cam surfaces in the proximal region of the interior; and
(d) a clip driving device adapted for driving a clip in the distal direction in response to actuation by the actuator device, wherein engagement of the pawl with the teeth restricts movement of the clip driving device in the proximal direction. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A method for operating a surgical clip applier, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a clip applier comprising an actuator device, a ratchet mechanism and a locking mechanism, the actuator device comprising a stroke section disposed along a longitudinal axis of the clip applier and a cam mechanism disposed in the stroke section, the ratchet mechanism comprising a plurality of axially spaced teeth disposed in a first stage portion of the stroke section, and the cam mechanism extending from the first stage portion into a distally adjacent second stage portion of the stroke section;
(b) performing a first stage forward stroke of the clip applier by operating the actuator device to cause the locking mechanism to move in a distal direction through the first stage portion and into contact with a first surface of the cam mechanism, whereby the locking mechanism is deflected from an undeflected state into engagement with a tooth of the ratchet mechanism to restrict movement of the locking mechanism in a proximal direction;
(c) performing a second stage forward stroke of the clip applier by operating the actuator device to cause the locking mechanism to move in the distal direction through the second stage portion and out of engagement with the teeth, whereby the locking mechanism eventually moves out of contact with the cam mechanism and returns to the undeflected state; and
(d) performing a return stroke of the clip applier by operating the actuator device to cause the locking mechanism to move in the proximal direction through the stroke section and into contact with a second surface of the cam mechanism, whereby the locking mechanism is retained in the undeflected state to prevent the locking mechanism from re-engaging the teeth. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification