Surgical clip closure apparatus with safety stop
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical clip closure apparatus comprising:
- a shaft;
an anvil attached to the shaft and configured to receive a surgical clip, the anvil having a first forming surface;
a hammer slidably coupled to the shaft and having a second forming surface generally parallel to the first forming surface, the hammer being movable between an open position and a closed position such that the second forming surface is closest to the first forming surface in the closed position;
means, operably coupled to the hammer, for moving the hammer; and
means on the hammer for limiting movement of the hammer toward the anvil when a clip is absent therefrom, whereby the first forming surface is separated from the second forming surface by a gap in the closed position.
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Abstract
According to the present invention, apparatus are provided for applying surgical clips to body tissue with a safety stop for preventing tissue damage resulting from closure of the clip closing mechanism when a clip is not present therein. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; means for closing clips having a pair of forming surfaces, and means for limiting closure of the closing means when a clip is absent therefrom such that a gap separates the forming surfaces in the closed position.
406 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A surgical clip closure apparatus comprising:
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a shaft; an anvil attached to the shaft and configured to receive a surgical clip, the anvil having a first forming surface; a hammer slidably coupled to the shaft and having a second forming surface generally parallel to the first forming surface, the hammer being movable between an open position and a closed position such that the second forming surface is closest to the first forming surface in the closed position; means, operably coupled to the hammer, for moving the hammer; and means on the hammer for limiting movement of the hammer toward the anvil when a clip is absent therefrom, whereby the first forming surface is separated from the second forming surface by a gap in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A surgical clip closure apparatus comprising:
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a shaft; means at the distal end of the shaft for closing a clip around a tissue structure, the closing means having a pair of forming surfaces movable between a closed and an open position, the forming surfaces being closest together in the closed position; and means on at least one of the forming surfaces for limiting the closure of the closing means such that a gap is disposed between the forming surfaces in the closed position to prevent damage to the tissue structure when the clip is absent therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification