High capacity medical clip feeding and dispensing mechanism

• US 5,246,450 A
• Filed: 03/10/1992
• Issued: 09/21/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Technology Holding Company II (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Edward Weck Incorporated
• Inventors: Thornton, Curtis W., Carruthers, Harold G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHMIDT, JEFFREY
• Application Number:
  US07/849,165
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/142, 606/143, 606/151, 227/901
• US Class Current: 606/143
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/128 for applying or removing clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 227/901 Surgical clip appliers

Abstract

The present invention provides a means for applying a substantially constant force to move clips in queue within an applicator, as well as means for more effectively dispensing the endmost clip from a column of abrasive clips within an applicator. The constant force means generally comprises a constant force spring which is movably secured at both ends within a chamber in the applicator such that the pressure exerted between the ends of the constant force spring forces the clips in queue toward the jaws of the applicator. The dispensing means generally comprises a spring that applies sufficient pressure against the endmost clip in a column of abrasive clips to dispense the endmost clip from the column while preventing the next endmost clip from being dispensed until after the endmost clip has been forced into the jaws of the applicator and applied.

Claims

1. An applicator device for storing, dispensing, and applying a plurality of clips in serial fashion, comprising:

a tool housing surrounding a chamber for storing a plurality of clips in column fashion;

jaw means connected to said tool housing for applying said clips;

feeder means for feeding said clips into said jaw means;

dispensing means for selectively dispensing an endmost clip from said column of clips in serial, sequential fashion;

said dispensing means further comprises a spring which further comprises

a first segment adapted to be secured to said tool housing,

a second segment contiguous with said first segment and extending at a first angle away from said first segment,

a third segment contiguous with said second segment and extending away from said first segment in the same direction as said second segment but at a second angle that is smaller than said first angle,

a fourth segment contiguous with said third segment comprising a cam; and

a constant force spring having two ends movably contained within said tool housing, one end of said spring being in mechanical communication with said column and the other end of said spring being in mechanical communication with said feeder means, whereby a substantially constant force is applied to said column to move said column within said chamber.

2. A method for moving a column of clips within a chamber in an applicator comprising:

temporarily supporting said column of clips in said chamber with a feeder;

moving said endmost clip toward jaws for applying said clips using a constant force spring having two ends movably contained within said chamber, one end of said spring being in mechanical communication with said column and the other end of said spring being in mechanical communication with said feeder, whereby a substantially constant force is applied to said column to move said column within said chamber;

applying pressure against said endmost clip to position said endmost clip between said feeder and said jaws using a spring comprising a first segment adapted to be secured to a tool housing, a second segment contiguous with said first segment and extending at a first angle away from said first segment, a third segment continuous with said second segment and extending away from said first segment in the same direction as said second segment but at a second angle that is smaller than said first angle, and a fourth segment, comprising a cam, contiguous with said third segment;

retracting said feeder from said endmost clip in said column whereby said support is withdrawn from said endmost clip; and

dispensing said endmost clip.