Apparatus alignment device

• US 20070049951A1
• Filed: 08/25/2005
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microline PENTAX, Inc. (Hoya Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microline PENTAX, Inc. (Hoya Corporation)
• Inventors: Menn, Pavel
• Application Number:
  US11/210,885
• Publication Number:
  US 20070049951A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1222 Packages or dispensers therefor clip magazines incorporated in a clip-applying instrument A61B17/128; for surgical articles A61B50/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/128 for applying or removing clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 Pistol grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument

Abstract

An alignment device for an apparatus. The apparatus is configured to selectively receive a first implement having a first width and a second implement having a second width, the first and second widths extending in a transverse direction generally orthogonal to an insertion axis direction of the first and second implements, the device comprising a pair of generally parallel spaced-apart elongated rails defining at least two channels, the at least two channels comprising a first channel having a first channel width, and a second channel having a second channel width, the first and second channel widths being different, the first channel being configured to centrally hold the first implement in the transverse direction, and the second channel being configured centrally hold the second implement in the transverse direction.

Claims

1. An alignment device for an apparatus, the apparatus configured to selectively receive a first implement having a first width and a second implement having a second width, the first and second widths extending in a transverse direction generally orthogonal to an insertion axis direction of the first and second implements, the device comprising a pair of generally parallel spaced-apart elongated rails defining at least two channels, said at least two channels comprising a first channel having a first channel width, and a second channel having a second channel width, said first and second channel widths being different, said first channel being configured to centrally hold the first implement in the transverse direction, and said second channel being configured centrally hold the second implement in the transverse direction.

2. The alignment device according to claim 1, further comprising a transition area between said first and second channels, said transition area configured to guide the insertion of the first implement into said first channel, said transition area being further configured to block insertion of the second implement into said first channel.

3. The alignment device according to claim 1, further comprising a tapered distal end configured to be inserted into a body cavity.

4. The alignment device according to claim 1, further comprising a generally semi-cylindrically-shaped outer surface.

5. The alignment device according to claim 1, wherein said second channel is located proximally of the first channel.

6. The alignment device according to claim 1, wherein:

the first implement is a first cartridge type containing a plurality of crimpable clips of a first size; and

the second implement is a second cartridge type containing a plurality of crimpable clips of a second size, the first size being different from the second size.

7. The alignment device according to claim 6, further comprising a cavity configured to accept the insertion and retraction of a clip-engaging feeder, the feeder configured to retrieve and load a clip of the plurality of crimpable clips of the first size and the second size.

8. The alignment device according to claim 6, further comprising a ramp portion configured to inclinedly slide a clip of the plurality of crimpable clips of the first size and the second size toward a pair of clip-crimping jaws.

9. The alignment device according to claim 6, wherein:

the apparatus includes an elongated channel configured to selectively receive the first implement and the second implement;

said elongated rails further define a third channel therebetween configured securely and centrally hold an elongated channel member in the transverse direction, the elongated channel member selectively housing the first implement and the second implement and further housing controls for at least one of a clip-engaging feeder or clip-crimping jaws.

10. The alignment device according to claim 9, wherein said second channel is located proximally of the first channel, and said third channel is located proximally of said second channel.

11. A method for aligning, in an apparatus, a first implement having a first width and a second implement having a second width, the first and second widths extending in a transverse direction generally orthogonal to an insertion axis direction of the first and second implements, the method comprising selectively inserting in the apparatus, in the insertion axis direction:

the first implement between a pair of elongated rails of the apparatus that define a first channel therebetween such that the first implement is securely and centrally held in the transverse direction; and

the second implement between the pair of elongated rails that further define a second channel therebetween such that the second implement is securely and centrally held in the transverse direction.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus further includes a transition area between the first and second channels, the method further comprising selectively:

guiding, via the transition area, said insertion of the first implement into the first channel; and

blocking insertion of the second implement into the first channel.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus further has a tapered distal end, the method further comprising inserting at least the tapered end into a body cavity.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein the second channel is located proximally of the first channel.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein:

the first implement is a first cartridge type containing a plurality of crimpable clips of a first size; and

the second implement is a second cartridge type containing a plurality of crimpable clips of a second size, the first size being different from the second size.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus further includes a cavity, the method further comprising insertion and retracting of a clip-engaging feeder.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising inclinedly sliding, along a ramp portion, a clip of the plurality of crimpable clips of the first size and the second size toward a pair of clip-crimping jaws.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus includes an elongated channel configured to selectively receive the first implement and the second implement, the method further comprising securely and centrally holding an elongated channel member in the transverse direction between a third channel defined by the elongated rails.

19. An alignment device for an apparatus configured to selectively receive a first implement having a first width and a second implement having a second width, the first width being less than the second width, the first and second widths extending in a transverse direction generally orthogonal to an insertion axis direction of the first and second implements, the device comprising:

a body; and

a pair of elongated rails, each elongated rail of said pair of elongated rails extending in the insertion axis direction and along opposite sides of said body,

wherein said pair of elongated rails each comprises;

a first rail portion defining a first channel therebetween configured to securely hold said first implement in the transverse direction, such that said first implement is centered in the transverse direction with respect to the apparatus; and

a second rail portion defining a second channel therebetween, a width of the first channel being less than a width of the channel, said second channel, said second channel configured to securely hold said second implement in the transverse direction, such that said first implement is centered in the transverse direction with respect to the apparatus.

20. The alignment device according to claim 19, wherein said each elongated rail comprises a transition area between said first rail portion and said second rail portion and configured to guide the insertion of the first implement into the first channel, said transition area being further configured to block insertion of the second implement into said first channel.

21. A medical clip applying device for crimping a clip onto tissue, comprising:

a body assembly having a handle and a squeezable trigger;

a tube having a first end extending into said body assembly;

a pair of jaws arranged on a second end of said tube, said jaws actuable by squeezing action of said trigger, said second end of said tube and said pair of jaws configured to be inserted into a body cavity; and

an alignment device arranged on said second end of said tube and configured to be inserted into the body cavity;

a loading port in communication with said tube;

wherein said tube is configured to selectively receive, through said loading port;

a) a first implement having a first width;

or

b) a second implement having a second width, the first and second widths extending in a transverse direction generally orthogonal to an insertion axis direction of the first and second implements; and

wherein said alignment device comprises a pair of elongated rails defining a first channel therebetween configured to securely and centrally hold the first implement in the transverse direction, said pair of elongated rails further defining a second channel therebetween configured to securely and centrally hold the second implement in the transverse direction.