Surgical applicator

• US 5,843,097 A
• Filed: 01/29/1997
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aesculap AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Aesculap AG (B. Braun Holding GmbH & Co. KG)
• Inventors: Morales, Pedro, Mayenberger, Rupert
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael Powell
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, THUY D
• Application Number:
  US08/792,682
• Time in Patent Office: 671 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/142, 606/143, 606/144, 227/901, 227/902
• US Class Current: 606/143
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery

Abstract

In a surgical applicator for U-shaped clips comprising a handle, a tubular shaft adjoining the handle, a forceps-type applicator tool at the free end of the tubular shaft and a clip magazine in the tubular shaft, a closing mechanism arranged in the tubular shaft for the applicator tool, the closing mechanism being actuatable from the handle, and an advancing mechanism arranged in the tubular shaft for the clips, the advancing mechanism likewise being actuatable from the handle and pushing the clips forwards in a path of advance leading into the applicator tool, in order to prevent unintentional pushing-back of the clips in the applicator before the final application, it is proposed that a restraining nose project resiliently between the forceps-type legs of the applicator tool and into the path of advance of the clips, the restraining nose being resiliently displaced by the forwardmost clip out of the path of advance thereof when the forwardmost clip is pushed past into the applying position, and the restraining nose resiliently returning into the path of advance and resting against the rear side of the clip upon arrival of the clip in the applying position.

Claims

1. A surgical applicator for generally U-shaped clips, comprising:

a tubular shaft with a control end and an opposing free end;

a handle disposed at said control end;

a forceps-type applicator tool at said free end;

a clip magazine in said tubular shaft;

a closing mechanism arranged in said tubular shaft for said applicator tool, said closing mechanism being actuatable from said handle;

an advancing mechanism for clips carried by said clip magazine in said tubular shaft, said advancing mechanism being actuatable from said handle and pushing said clips forward in a path of advance leading into said applicator tool; and

a restraining nose projecting resiliently between forceps-type legs of said applicator tool and into said path of advance of said clips;

wherein;

said restraining nose is resiliently displaced by a forwardmost clip out of the path of advance thereof when said forwardmost clip is pushed past the restraining nose into an applying position;

said restraining nose resiliently returns into said path of advance and rests against a rear side of said clip upon arrival of said clip into said applying positions;

said restraining nose is resiliently carried by said clip magazine; and

said restraining nose is integrally formed on an outer wall of said clip magazine which also forms an outer wall of said tubular shaft.

2. An applicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said restraining nose has slide surfaces or edges at the sides thereof, against which slide surfaces or edges of said forceps-type legs rest during a closing motion of said applicator tool and thereby resiliently displace said restraining nose out of said path of advance of said clip.

3. An applicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said restraining nose is resiliently carried at a front end of said tubular shaft.

4. An applicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said restraining nose is joined to said outer wall of said clip magazine via an elastically deformable region, the material of which is weakened.

5. An applicator as defined in claim 1, wherein said restraining nose consists of plastic.

6. A surgical applicator as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said closing mechanism is a push-pull mechanism.

7. A surgical applicator as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said restraining nose is substantially immovable in a direction of said path of advance.

8. A surgical clip applicator, comprising:

an elongated shaft with opposing forceps legs mounted at a front end thereof for swivel movement about a swivel axis, control handle means mounted at an opposing rear end of said shaft, and a first push-pull control member extending through said shaft to allow said control handle means to actuate said forceps legs;

said shaft having an opening which extends over a front portion thereof for receiving a clip magazine;

said clip magazine comprising a holder for holding clips, and a cover for covering said clips and said opening of said shaft;

said holder being longitudinally displaceable in said shaft;

a second push-pull control member extending through said shaft to allow said control handle means to longitudinally displace said holder to pushing a forwardmost clip of said holder forward in a path of advance leading into said forceps legs;

said forceps legs comprising slide surfaces for receiving said forwardmost clip in an applying position; and

a restraining nose projecting resiliently from said cover between said forceps legs and into said path of advance such that;

said restraining nose is resiliently displaced by said forwardmost clip out of the path of advance when said forwardmost clip is pushed past the restraining nose into said applying position; and

upon arrival of said clip into said applying position, said restraining nose resiliently returns into said path of advance and rests against a rear side of said forwardmost clip, and said forceps jaws are adapted to be actuated by said control handle means to crimp the forwardmost clip.

9. An applicator as defined in of claim 8, wherein:

said control handle means allow independent operation of said first and second push-pull members.

10. An applicator as defined in claim 8, wherein:

said clip magazine is adapted to be received by said opening via a snap connection.

11. An applicator as defined in claim 8, wherein:

said holder comprises first and second spring tongues projecting therefrom;

said second push-pull member comprises a push pull rod coupled to a driver; and

said driver has front and rear contact surfaces for engaging said first and second spring tongues, respectively, to allow said control handle means to longitudinally displace said holder within said shaft.

12. An applicator as defined in claim 8, wherein:

said restraining nose is substantially immovable in a direction of said path of advance.