Indicating system for clip applying device

• US 20070191868A1
• Filed: 08/25/2005
• Published: 08/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microline PENTAX, Inc. (Hoya Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microline PENTAX, Inc. (Hoya Corporation)
• Inventors: Theroux, Marc, Manetakis, Emmanuel
• Application Number:
  US11/210,828
• Publication Number:
  US 20070191868A1
• 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
• 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
• 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 indicating system for a clip applying device. The system has an indicator operatively connected to a trigger, wherein the indicator provides a signal when the trigger is moved to a position to operate jaws of the device to partially crimp the clip.

Claims

1. An indicating system for a clip applying device, the clip applying device having a squeezable trigger, a barrel having a plurality of serially-installed clips therein, and a pair of jaws operatively connected to the trigger and configured to crimp a clip of the plurality of serially-installed clips, the system comprising an indicator operatively connected to the trigger, wherein:

said indicator provides a first signal when said trigger is moved to a first position to operate the jaws to partially crimp the clip; and

said indicator provides a second signal when said trigger is moved to a second position to operate the jaws to generally fully crimp the clip.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first signal and the second signal are each visual signals.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first signal and the second signal are each audible signals.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first signal and the second signal are each tactile signals.

5. The system according to claim 2, wherein said indicator provides a third visual signal when the trigger is at an unsqueezed position.

6. The system according to claim 2, further comprising a window located in the clip applying device, wherein:

said indicator includes a first region on which the first signal is displayed, and a second region on which the second signal is displayed;

when the trigger is moved to the first position, said first region is moved within said window; and

when the trigger is moved to the second position, said second region is moved within said window.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein:

the clip applying device further includes a bearing disposed about the barrel and operatively connected to the trigger, the bearing being slidable along a bearing path generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the barrel; and

the bearing allows for movement of the indicator along an indicator shaft when the trigger is squeezed.

8. The system according to claim 7, further comprising a trip switch pivotably disposed within the clip applying device, the trip switch having a first end and a second end, wherein:

said indicator is urged to move in along the indicator shaft in a first direction by an indicator spring;

said first end of said trip switch engages and prevent the indicator from moving in the first direction to move said first region within said window, when the trigger is moved to the first position; and

said bearing engages said second end of said trip switch to pivot and remove said trip switch from engagement with the indicator, to move said second region within said window, when the trigger is moved from the first position to the second position.

9. The system according to claim 3, wherein said indicator comprises:

a first ratchet connected to the trigger;

a first pawl sequentially engageable with a first tooth and a second tooth of said first ratchet, wherein;

said first signal is emitted when the trigger is moved to the first position such that said first pawl engages said first tooth, and

the second signal is emitted when the trigger is moved to the second position such that said first pawl engages said second tooth.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein said indicator further comprises:

a second ratchet connected to the trigger;

a second pawl sequentially engageable with said second ratchet such that a third audible signal is emitted, when the trigger is moved from an unsqueezed position to the first position.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein said indicator further comprises:

a first spring configured to urge said first pawl to engage said first ratchet; and

a second spring configured to urge said second pawl to engage said second ratchet, said first and second springs having different spring forces such that said third audible signal is different from at least one of the first or the second audible signals.

12. The system according to claim 4, wherein said indicator comprises:

a first ratchet connected to the trigger;

a first pawl sequentially engageable with a first tooth and a second tooth of said first ratchet, wherein;

the first signal is produced when the trigger is moved to the first position such that said first pawl engages said first tooth, and

the second signal is produced when the trigger is moved to the second position such that said first pawl engages said second tooth.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said indicator further comprises:

a second ratchet connected to the trigger;

a second pawl engageable with said second ratchet such that a third tactile signal is emitted, when the trigger is moved from an unsqueezed position to the first position.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said indicator further comprises:

a first spring configured to urge said first pawl to engage said first ratchet; and

a second spring configured to urge said second pawl to engage said second ratchet, said first and second springs having different spring forces such that said third tactile signal is different from at least one of said first or said second tactile signals.

15. An indicating system for a clip applying device, the clip applying device having a squeezable trigger, a barrel having a plurality of serially-installed clips therein, and a pair of jaws operatively connected to the trigger and configured to crimp a clip of the plurality of serially-installed clips, the system comprising an indicator operatively connected to the trigger, wherein said indicator provides a signal when the trigger is moved to a first position to operate the jaws to partially crimp the clip.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the signal is a visual signal.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the signal is an audible signal.

18. The system according to claim 15, wherein the signal is a tactile signal.

19. A medical instrument comprising:

a squeezable trigger;

a barrel configured to house a plurality of serially-installed clips therein;

a pair of jaws operatively connected to said trigger and configured to crimp a clip of the plurality of serially-installed clips; and

an indicator operatively connected to said trigger, wherein said indicator provides a signal when said trigger is moved to a first position to operate said jaws to partially crimp the clip.

20. The instrument according to claim 19, wherein the signal is a visual signal.

21. The instrument according to claim 19, wherein the signal is an audible signal.

22. The instrument according to claim 19, wherein the signal is a tactile signal.

23. The instrument according to claim 20, further comprising:

a window; and

a region on which the signal is displayed when said trigger is moved to the first position, said region is moved within said window.

24. The instrument according to claim 21, further comprising:

a ratchet connected to said trigger; and

a pawl engageable with a tooth of said ratchet, wherein said signal is emitted when said trigger is moved to said first position such that said pawl engages said tooth.

25. The instrument according to claim 22, further comprising:

a ratchet connected to said trigger; and

a pawl engageable with a tooth of said ratchet, wherein the signal is produced when said trigger is moved to the first position such that said pawl engages said tooth.

26. A method for indicating when a clip of a clip applying device is partially crimped, the clip applying device having a squeezable trigger, a barrel having a plurality of serially-installed clips therein, a pair of jaws operatively connected to the trigger and configured to crimp a clip of the plurality of serially-installed clips, and an indicator operatively connected to the trigger, the method comprising:

squeezing the trigger to a first position; and

moving the indicator to provide a signal when the jaws have partially crimped the clip.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the signal is a visual signal.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the signal is an audible signal.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the signal is a tactile signal.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein:

the device further includes a window; and

said squeezing further comprises moving a region of the indicator within the window.

31. The method according to claim 28, wherein:

the device further includes a ratchet connected to the trigger, and a pawl; and

said squeezing further comprises engaging the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet to emit the signal.

32. The method according to claim 29, wherein:

the device further includes a ratchet connected to the trigger, and a pawl; and

said squeezing further comprises engaging the pawl with a tooth of the ratchet to produce the signal.