Method of applying a surgical ligation clip

• US 5,593,414 A
• Filed: 03/17/1995
• Issued: 01/14/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc. (Hoya Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Apollo Camera, LLC
• Inventors: Shipp, John I., Crothall, George, Reichel, Donald R., Lathrop, Robert L. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US08/407,038
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 606/157, 606/158, 606/142, 606/120
• US Class Current: 606/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1227 Spring clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion

Abstract

A surgical ligation clip is preformed from a continuous piece of metal wire to assume a shape having a reduced cross-sectional area. A clamping arm of the clip is alternately moveable from a clamped to an unclamped position above a vessel support member. A tension coil joins the vessel support member to the clamping arm and provides the hemostatic clamping force from the clip to the targeted blood vessel.

Claims

1. A method of achieving hemostasis of a blood vessel during surgery comprising the steps of:

a. placing a pre-formed surgical ligation clip having a clamping arm, a torsion coil, and a vessel support member through a 5 millimeter or smaller endoscopic trocar port into a surgical field proximate said vessel, said vessel support member comprising a first arm joined to a substantially parallel second arm by a 180 degree bend section, said first arm and said second arm extending in a substantially continuous linear fashion from said torsion coil to said 180 degree bend section, said clamping arm extending in a substantially continuous linear fashion from said torsion coil and horizontally aligned with an opening between said first and second arms of said vessel support member, said clamping arm being in a closed position such that said clamping arm, said vessel support member, and said torsion coil are in substantial longitudinal alignment, and such that said clamping arm and said vessel support member are aligned substantially within the diameter of said torsion coil, to provide a minimum cross-sectional area of said clip while in said closed position during insertion of said clip into the surgical field;

b. bending said clamping arm away from said vessel support member by applying a force directly onto said clamping arm which pushes said clamping arm outwardly with respect to said vessel support member while biasing said torsion coil, thereby placing said clamping arm in an open position;

c. placing said clip around said vessel, whereby said vessel is positioned between said clamping arm and said vessel support member; and

d. releasing the force being applied on said clamping arm, thereby placing said vessel under compression between said clamping arm and said vessel support member.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the diameter of said torsion coil is less than 5 mm.

3. A method of achieving hemostasis of a fluid duct in conjunction with and as a part of an endoscopic surgical procedure comprising the steps of:

a. endoscopically placing a pre-formed surgical ligation clip having a clamping arm, a duct support member and means connecting said arm and said support member and biasing them into clamping juxtaposition into a surgical field proximate said duct by passing said clip through a 5 millimeter or smaller open channel of an endoscopic trocar;

b. compressing said duct to create a reduced diameter prior to placing said clip around said duct;

c. bending said clamping arm away from said duct support member, thereby placing said clamping arm in an open position;

d. placing said clip around the reduced diameter duct whereby said duct is positioned between said clamping arm and said support member; and

e. releasing said clamping arm, thereby placing said duct under compression between said clamping arm and said support member.

4. A method of achieving hemostasis of a blood vessel during and as a part of an endoscopic surgical procedure comprising the steps of:

a. placing a pre-formed surgical ligation clip having a clamping arm, a vessel support member and means connecting said clamping arm and said vessel support member and biasing them toward each other through the channel of an endoscopic trocar having a cross-sectional diameter of 5 millimeters or less into a surgical field proximate said vessel;

b. shaping said vessel at a clamping point on said vessel where said clip is to be applied prior to placing said clip around said vessel whereby the shape of said vessel at said clamping point is altered so that said clip, when opened, can fit about said vessel;

c. placing said clip about said vessel at said clamping point, whereby said vessel is positioned between said clamping arm and said vessel support member; and

d. compressing said clamping arm into clamping engagement with said vessel support member via said biasing means thereby placing said vessel under compression between said clamping arm and said vessel support member.