Apparatus and method for applying hemostatic scalp clips

• US 4,821,721 A
• Filed: 06/04/1987
• Issued: 04/18/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas J. Fogarty
• Original Assignee: Thomas J. Fogarty
• Inventors: Goldman, Robert K., Chin, Albert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US07/058,263
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• Field of Search: 128/325, 128/326, 128/337, 128/334 R, 128/346, 227/DIG. 1, 72/410, 29/243.56
• US Class Current: 606/143
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/083 Clips, e.g. resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1227 Spring clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/128 for applying or removing clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53783 Clip applier

Abstract

Apparatus and method for hemostatically clipping an incision edge with clips having jaws normally biased together. A plurality of the clips are contained in a magazine and selectively discharged from the magazine through a tunnel which spreads the jaws of the clips prior to discharge. In operation the spread jaws of the clips are engaged around the incision edge and, upon being discharged from the apparatus, retract to grip the edge.

Claims

1. A combination of jaw-type clips and an apparatus for dispensing the clips for use in achieving hemostasis along an incision edge, which comprises:

(a) clips having upper and lower surfaces which intersect at one edge to form opposed jaws and diverge from said edge to a rearward section which joins said surfaces and biases said jaws together, said clips having external protrusions formed on said upper and lower surfaces adjacent said rearward section

(b) an elongated magazine for holding at least two of said clips,

(c) a guide tunnel disposed in intersecting communication with the magazine, said tunnel having an open distal end and tapered surfaces on the interior thereof converging from the magazine toward the distal end of the tunnel to engage the protrusions on a clip moved through the tunnel toward the open distal end thereof to force the jaws of the clip apart;

(d) an elongated bar extensible through the magazine and tunnel for engagement with a clip held within the magazine to move the clip from the magazine and through the tunnel;

(e) bar forwarding means to selectively advance the bar into engagement with a clip held within the magazine and force said clip through the tunnel for ejection from the distal end thereof in an open condition; and

,

(f) means for conveying said clips through said magazine to the intersection of the magazine and tunnel.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said bar forwarding means is selectively operable to permit said bar to be retracted for reloading of the magazine.

3. The combination of claim 1 further comprising diaphragm means between the magazine and tunnel to hold a clip within the magazine in alignment with the bar until the bar is advanced to push the clip into the tunnel.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the guide tunnel is releasable from the magazine to open the magazine for the loading of clips thereto.

5. An improved method for hemostatically closing an incision in a flesh member, said method comprising:

providing a guide tunnel having an open distal end and tapered internal cam surfaces which converge to said distal end;

spanning the incision with the open distal end of the guide tunnel;

directing a clip having a normally engaged spring biased jaws through the tunnel to engage protrusions on the jaws with the cam surfaces to force the jaws apart as the clips pass through the tunnel toward the open distal end thereof; and

discharging said clip from the distal end of the tunnel to release the jaws for closure and engage the flesh member to either side of the incision between the jaws.

6. The improved method of claim 5 wherein said clip is contained in an elongated magazine communicating with said tunnel, and the clip is directed through the tunnel by forceably pushing the clip from the magazine and into and through the tunnel with a plunger.

7. The improved method of claim 5 wherein said incision is closed by successively repeating the improved method steps, whereby a plurality of said clips engages the flesh member on either side of the incision.