Clip ejector for endoscopic clip applier

• US 20050049616A1
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Kortenbach, Juergen A., Sixto, Robert Jr., Smith, Kevin W., Bales, Thomas O., Rivera, Carlos, Arp, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,357,806 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/143
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/03 Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53478 with magazine supply

Abstract

A flexible endoscopic clip applier includes a flexible coil with a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other end. A store of clips is arranged adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher is arranged adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for opening and closing the jaws, a knob for rotating the jaw assembly, and a crank for dispensing clips. The knob and the lever are coupled to a single control member which extends through the coil to a joiner where it is joined to a pair of pull wires coupled to the jaws. The crank is coupled to a second control member which is threaded along a distal portion. The threaded portion engages a threaded member near the pusher and is coupled to the pusher such that rotation of the threaded control member by the crank causes the pusher to be moved distally.

Claims

1. An endoscopic clip applier, comprising:

a flexible coil having a proximal end and a distal end;

a pair of jaws coupled to the distal end of said flexible coil;

a manual actuator coupled to said proximal end of said flexible coil;

at least one clip stored proximal of said jaws;

a clip dispenser located at said clip for pushing said clip into said jaws;

at least one control member coupled to said manual actuator, said jaws, and said clip dispenser such that said manual actuator is operable to open and close said jaws and dispense a clip, wherein

at least a distal portion of said flexible coil is pre-loaded so that when said jaws are closed, said pre-loaded portion is compressed and when said jaws are opened, said pre-loaded portion springs distally.

2. The clip applier according to claim 1, wherein:

said flexible coil comprises a proximal coil and a distal coil which are joined to each other, at least a portion of said distal coil being pre-loaded.

3. The clip applier according to claim 2, wherein:

substantially all of said distal coil is pre-loaded.

4. The clip applier according to claim 2, wherein:

all of said distal coil is pre-loaded.

5. The clip applier according to claim 1, wherein:

said pre-load portion exhibits increased rigidity when it is compressed.

6. An endoscopic clip applier, comprising:

a flexible coil having a proximal end and a distal end;

a pair of jaws coupled to the distal end of said flexible coil;

a manual actuator coupled to said proximal end of said flexible coil;

at least one clip stored proximal of said jaws;

a clip dispenser located at said clip which pushes said clip into said jaws;

at least one control member coupled to said manual actuator, said jaws, and said clip dispenser such that said manual actuator is operable to open and close said jaws and dispense a clip; and

means for moving said jaws distally away from said clip after said clip is pushed into said jaws and said jaws are opened.

7. The clip applier according to claim 6, wherein:

said jaws are coupled to said distal end of said flexible coil via slots in said jaws, wherein

said means for moving said jaws includes said slots.

8. The clip applier according to claim 6, wherein:

said means for moving said jaws includes a pre-loaded portion of said flexible coil which is compressed when said jaws are closed and springs distally when said jaws are opened.

9. A method for dispensing an endoscopic clip, comprising:

delivering an instrument through the lumen of an endoscope, the instrument including a flexible coil, a pair of jaws coupled to the distal end of the coil, and a clip pusher which pushes a clip into the jaws when the jaws are closed;

closing the jaws with sufficient force that at least a distal portion of the flexible coil is compressed and thereby stiffened;

pushing a clip into the closed jaws while the distal portion of the coil is stiffened.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein:

the jaws have anvils and the step of pushing includes pushing the clip against the anvils.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein:

at least a portion of the coil is preloaded.