Ligator
First Claim
1. An instrument for applying ligating clips to blood vessels, said instrument comprising a first handle terminating at its forward end in a first jaw, a second handle and a second jaw both pivotally mounted on said first handle near said forward end thereof, said first and second handles being manually shiftable between open and closed positions, said first jaw being shiftable by said first handle and said second jaw being shiftable by said second handle between open and closed clip-clamping positions, an elongated magazine within said first handle and extending longitudinally therein, a row of clips located within said magazine together with means constantly urging said row of clips toward said forward end of said magazine, a pusher being mounted within said first handle parallel to and adjacent to said magazine in a pusher track which extends to the forward ends of said first and second jaws, said pusher being shiftable by said first and second handles between a retracted position removed from said jaws when said handles are in their closed positions and an extended clip-locating position between said jaws when said handles are in their open positions, a ramp in said first handle at the forward end of said magazine and leading to said pusher track, said ramp being covered by said pusher when in its extended position and exposed by said pusher when in its retracted position to enable the forwardmost clip of said row to be transferred from said magazine to said pusher track under the influence of said urging means.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A disposable ligator for applying clamping clips to veins, arteries and blood vessels. The ligator comprises a first handle terminating at its forward end in a first jaw and a second jaw and a second handle, both pivotally mounted on the first handle near the forward end thereof. The handles are shiftable between open and closed positions and shift the jaws between open and closed clip-clamping positions. A clip tube containing a plurality of clips and a spring biased feeder shoe to constantly urge the clips forwardly therein is mounted in the first handle. A pusher is mounted in the first handle parallel to the clip tube in a pusher track which extends to the forward ends of the jaws. The pusher is shiftable by the first and second handles between a retracted position when the handles are closed and an extended position to locate a clip in the pusher track at the forward ends of the jaws when the handles are open. The first handle provides a ramp structure leading to the pusher track at the forward end of the clip tube which is covered by the pusher when in its extended position and exposed by the pusher when in its retracted position, thus enabling the forwardmost clip to be transferred to the pusher track in front of the pusher due to the forward urging of the clips in the clip tube, and without the necessity of moving transfer parts.
275 Citations
30 Claims
- 1. An instrument for applying ligating clips to blood vessels, said instrument comprising a first handle terminating at its forward end in a first jaw, a second handle and a second jaw both pivotally mounted on said first handle near said forward end thereof, said first and second handles being manually shiftable between open and closed positions, said first jaw being shiftable by said first handle and said second jaw being shiftable by said second handle between open and closed clip-clamping positions, an elongated magazine within said first handle and extending longitudinally therein, a row of clips located within said magazine together with means constantly urging said row of clips toward said forward end of said magazine, a pusher being mounted within said first handle parallel to and adjacent to said magazine in a pusher track which extends to the forward ends of said first and second jaws, said pusher being shiftable by said first and second handles between a retracted position removed from said jaws when said handles are in their closed positions and an extended clip-locating position between said jaws when said handles are in their open positions, a ramp in said first handle at the forward end of said magazine and leading to said pusher track, said ramp being covered by said pusher when in its extended position and exposed by said pusher when in its retracted position to enable the forwardmost clip of said row to be transferred from said magazine to said pusher track under the influence of said urging means.
- 21. An instrument for applying clamping clips to blood vessels, said instrument comprising a first handle terminating at its forward end in a first jaw, a second handle and a second jaw both coupled to said first handle, said first and second handles being manually shiftable between open and closed positions, said first jaw being shiftable by said first handle and said second jaw being shiftable by said second handle between open and closed clip-clamping positions, an elongated magazine coupled to said first handle, a row of clips located within said magazine, clip feed means mounted within a clip feet track, said clip feet track parallel to and adjacent to said magazine and extending to the forward ends of said first and second jaws, said clip feed means being shiftable by said first and second handles between a retracted position removed from said jaws when said handles are in their closed positions and an extended clip-locating position between said jaws when said handles are in their open positions, passage means connecting said magazine and said clip feed track, and means for transferring each clip from the forward end of said magazine to said clip feed track via said passage means, wherein said transfer means is obstructed when said clip feed means is in its extended position, and is enabled when said clip feed means is in its retracted position to cause the forwardmost clip of said row to be transferred from said magazine to said clip feed track.
Specification