Multifunctional spring clips and cartridges and applicators therefor
First Claim
1. In combination, an elongate applicator and a multifunctional clip for use in endoscopic and open operative procedures, said applicator comprising a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end carrying forceps including first and second forceps members movable between a closed position and an open position and a handle at said proximal end operable to move said forceps members between said open and closed positions, said clip comprising a body having first and second opposed portions, said first opposed portion including a first outer segment and a first inner segment connected with said first outer segment, said second opposed portion including a second outer segment and a second inner segment connected with said second outer segment, a first grasping surface carried by said first inner segment, a second grasping surface carried by said second inner segment, and a base connecting a proximal end of said first outer segment to a proximal end of said second outer segment, said first inner segment extending from a distal end of said first outer segment in the direction of said base, said second inner segment extending from a distal end of said second outer segment in said direction of said base with said inner segments disposed between said outer segments, said first inner segment having a first outwardly facing surface facing said first outer segment and a first inwardly facing surface facing opposite said first outwardly facing surface, said second inner segment having a second outwardly facing surface facing said second outer segment and a second inwardly facing surface facing said first inwardly facing surface such that said first and second inwardly facing surfaces define said first and second grasping surfaces, respectively, said multifunctional clip being biased to a grasping position wherein said first and second grasping surfaces are urged toward one another, said first and second forceps members engaging said distal ends of said first and second outer segments, respectively, with said forceps members in said closed position, said first and second forceps members being movable, with said forceps members in engagement with said distal ends of said outer segments, from said closed position to said open position to move said clip from said grasping position to a receiving position wherein said first and second grasping surfaces are moved away from one another to receive a structure therebetween and from said open position toward said closed position to permit said clip to move from said receiving position toward said grasping position due to said bias to grasp the structure between said grasping surfaces.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multifunctional spring clip for use in endoscopic and open operative procedures includes a body having opposed portions and a base connecting the opposed portions. Each opposed portion includes an outer segment and an inner segment connected to the outer segment and carrying a grasping surface. The clip is normally disposed in a grasping position wherein the grasping surfaces are biased toward one another, is movable from the grasping position to a receiving position wherein the grasping surfaces are moved away from one another to receive a structure therebetween and is movable from the receiving position toward the grasping position due to the bias to grasp the structure between the grasping surfaces. An applicator for the multifunctional spring clip includes a distal end carrying forceps for engaging the opposed portions of the clip. The forceps engage the clip in the grasping position and are movable from a closed position to an open position to move the clip from the grasping position to the receiving position to receive the structure between the grasping surfaces. The forceps are movable from the open position to the closed position to permit the clip to move from the receiving position toward the grasping position to grip the structure between the grasping surfaces. A cartridge storing a plurality of multifunctional spring clips is insertable in the applicator for selectively releasing one of the clips from the cartridge into engagement with the forceps.
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Citations
27 Claims
- 1. In combination, an elongate applicator and a multifunctional clip for use in endoscopic and open operative procedures, said applicator comprising a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end carrying forceps including first and second forceps members movable between a closed position and an open position and a handle at said proximal end operable to move said forceps members between said open and closed positions, said clip comprising a body having first and second opposed portions, said first opposed portion including a first outer segment and a first inner segment connected with said first outer segment, said second opposed portion including a second outer segment and a second inner segment connected with said second outer segment, a first grasping surface carried by said first inner segment, a second grasping surface carried by said second inner segment, and a base connecting a proximal end of said first outer segment to a proximal end of said second outer segment, said first inner segment extending from a distal end of said first outer segment in the direction of said base, said second inner segment extending from a distal end of said second outer segment in said direction of said base with said inner segments disposed between said outer segments, said first inner segment having a first outwardly facing surface facing said first outer segment and a first inwardly facing surface facing opposite said first outwardly facing surface, said second inner segment having a second outwardly facing surface facing said second outer segment and a second inwardly facing surface facing said first inwardly facing surface such that said first and second inwardly facing surfaces define said first and second grasping surfaces, respectively, said multifunctional clip being biased to a grasping position wherein said first and second grasping surfaces are urged toward one another, said first and second forceps members engaging said distal ends of said first and second outer segments, respectively, with said forceps members in said closed position, said first and second forceps members being movable, with said forceps members in engagement with said distal ends of said outer segments, from said closed position to said open position to move said clip from said grasping position to a receiving position wherein said first and second grasping surfaces are moved away from one another to receive a structure therebetween and from said open position toward said closed position to permit said clip to move from said receiving position toward said grasping position due to said bias to grasp the structure between said grasping surfaces.
- 18. In combination, an elongate applicator and a multifunctional clip for use in endoscopic and open operative procedures, said applicator comprising a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end carrying forceps including first and second forceps members movable between a closed position and an open position and a handle at said proximal end operable to move said forceps members between said open and closed positions, said clip comprising a body having first and second opposed portions and a base connecting said first and second opposed portions with one another, said first opposed portion including a first outer segment extending lengthwise in a distal direction from said base to a distal end and a first inner segment extending lengthwise in a proximal direction from said distal end of said first outer segment, said second opposed portion including a second outer segment extending lengthwise in said distal direction from said base to a distal end and a second inner segment extending lengthwise in said proximal direction from said distal end of said second outer segment such that said first and second inner segments each extend lengthwise between said first and second outer segments with said first and second inner segments in alignment with said first and second outer segments, a first grasping surface carried by said first inner segment and a second grasping surface carried by said second inner segment, said multifunctional clip being biased to a grasping position wherein said first and second grasping surfaces are in contact with one another, said first and second forceps members engaging said distal ends of said first and second outer segments with said forceps members in said closed position, said first and second forceps members being movable, with said forceps members in engagement with said distal ends of said outer segments, from said closed position to said open position to move said clip from said grasping position to a receiving position wherein said first and second grasping surfaces are moved away from one another to receive a structure therebetween and from said open position toward said closed position to permit said clip to move from said receiving position toward said grasping position to grasp the structure between said first and second grasping surfaces.
- 26. In combination, an elongate applicator having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, forceps members at said distal end movable between a closed position and an open position and a clip mounted at said distal end including first and second opposed portions biased toward one another to be disposed in a grasping position, said first and second opposed portions each having a distal end, said forceps members including clip engaging members for engaging said distal ends of said first and second opposed portions, respectively, said clip engaging members being movable from an engaged position wherein said clip engaging members are engaged with said distal ends of said first and second opposed portions, respectively, to a release position wherein said engaging members are disengaged from said distal ends of said first and second opposed portions, said forceps members being movable, with said clip engaging members in said engaged position, from said closed position to said open position to move said clip from said grasping position to a receiving position wherein said first and second opposed portions are moved away from one another to receive a structure therebetween and from said open position to said closed position to permit said clip to move from said receiving position toward said grasping position to grip the structure between said first and second opposed portions, said applicator including a handle at said proximal end for moving said forceps members between said open and closed positions and for moving said clip engaging members from said engaged position to said release position to release said clip from said applicator.
Specification