Surgical clip applier instrument adapter jaws

• US 4,616,651 A
• Filed: 08/22/1985
• Issued: 10/14/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Golden, Donald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Macey, H.
• Application Number:
  US06/768,532
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 128/303 R, 128/321, 128/322, 128/325, 128/346, 128/337, 128/311, 128/326, 227/DIG. 1, 227/143, 72/410, 72/481, 81/421, 81/422, 81/423, 81/424, 81/418, 29/243.56
• US Class Current: 606/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/128 for applying or removing clamps or clips

Abstract

An adapter assembly is provided for a medical instrument designed to apply a first ligating clip which has a first exterior configuration. The adapter assembly is provided with an adapter member associated with each jaw of the instrument to accommodate a second ligating clip having a second exterior configuration different than that of the first clip. Each adapter member has structure for engaging a portion of one of the jaws and structure is provided for attaching the adapter assembly to at least one of the jaws in a fixed orientation with each adapter member extending beyond the tip of the jaws. Each adapter member includes a clip applying portion having a configuration adapted to cooperate with the other adapter member to receive, hold, and apply the second clip.

Claims

1. In a medical instrument for applying a first type of ligating clip wherein said first type of clip has an extension configuration adapted to be engaged by said instrument and wherein said instrument includes two pivotally connected actuating members, each having on one end a handle and on the other end a jaw for receiving, holding, and applying said first type of clip, each of said jaws defining a channel disposed in confronting relationship with the channel of the other jaw and extending rearwardly from the tip of the jaw, each said jaw including a side wall defining each side wall of the jaw channel, each jaw having a partially cylindrical recess extending across the width of the jaw channel to each jaw side wall, a bore defined through each said jaw side wall in registry with said partially cylindrical recess, the improvement comprising:

an adapter assembly provided with a first and second adapter member associated with each said jaw, respectively, to accommodate a second type of ligating clip having an extension configuration different than that of said first type of clip;

said first member being releasably secured to the channel in one of said jaws and said second member being releasably secured to the channel in the other of said jaws;

each said adapter member being inserted in one of said channels; and

each adapter member including a clip applying means disposed on the portion of the adapter member extending beyond the tip of each jaw member, said applying means being in facing relationship and adapted to receive, hold and apply said second type of clip.

2. The improvement in accordance with claim 1 further characterized in that said first and second adapter members of the adapter assembly are joined in a V-shape configuration with the joined portion of the V adjacent the cylindrical recesses.

3. The improvement in accordance with claim 2 wherein the adapter assembly is spring steel.