Clip applicator

• US 6,273,898 B1
• Filed: 05/17/2000
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1997
• 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: Weisshaupt, Dieter, Mayenberger, Rupert, Kienzle, Karl-Ernst
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US09/573,357
• Time in Patent Office: 454 Days
• Field of Search: 606/142, 606/143, 227/175-180
• US Class Current: 606/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/128 for applying or removing clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles

Abstract

In a clip applicator having a handle, a magazine mountable on the handle and containing a number of clips, and a movable actuating grip on the handle, which is in direct or indirect engagement with a clip advancing device in the magazine when the magazine is mounted on the handle, to ensure that the coupling between the actuating grip on the handle and the clip advancing device in the magazine is in any event successful when mounting the magazine, it is proposed that a locking device be arranged on the handle for locking when in a lock position the actuating grip in an engagement position in which the engagement with the clip advancing device is able to be made upon mounting the magazine and for releasing the actuating grip when in a release position.

Claims

1. Clip applicator having a handle, a magazine mountable on said handle and containing a number of clips, and a movable actuating grip on said handle, said actuating grip being in direct or indirect engagement with a clip advancing device in said magazine when said magazine is mounted on said handle, characterized in that a locking device (28, 34) is arranged on said handle (1), and in a lock position said locking device locks said actuating grip (3) in an engagement position in which the engagement with said clip advancing device (16) is able to be made when mounting said magazine (4), and in a release position said locking device releases said actuating grip (3).

2. Clip applicator as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said actuating grip (3) is displaced into said engagement position by an elastic force.

3. Clip applicator as defined in claim 2, characterized in that said elastic force is generated by a spiral spring (22) clamped between actuating grip (3) and handle (1).

4. Clip applicator as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said locking device (28, 34) is actuatable by said mounted magazine (4) such that it is permanently located in release position.

5. Clip applicator as defined in claim 4, characterized in that said locking device (28, 34) is movable from the lock position to the release position against the action of an elastic force (29).

6. Clip applicator as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said locking device comprises a locking body (28) which under the action of a spring (29) is pressed against said actuating grip (3) or a part displaceable by said actuating grip, and in the engagement position of said actuating grip moves into a recess (34) of said actuating grip or behind an edge of said actuating grip.

7. Clip applicator as defined in claim 6, characterized in that in its lock position, said locking body (28) projects into the path of movement of said magazine (4) upon mounting on said handle (1), and in that said magazine (4) comprises a contact surface (35) which places itself against said locking body (28) when mounting said magazine (4) and thereby displaces said locking body into the release position.

8. Clip applicator as defined in claim 7, characterized in that said locking body is in the form of a stepped piston (28) displaceable in a longitudinal direction, and a thicker portion (27) of said stepped piston dips into said recess (34) of said actuating grip (3) in the engagement position of said actuating grip (3), whereas a thinner portion (31) then protrudes from a grip (2).

9. Clip applicator as defined in claim 8, characterized in that said thinner portion (31) of said stepped piston (28) extends through a longitudinal slot (32) of said actuating grip (3).

10. Clip applicator as defined in claim 8, characterized in that said thicker portion (27) of said stepped piston (28) is mounted and guided in a housing (26) accommodating a compression spring (29) which rests with its end face against said stepped piston (28).

11. Clip applicator as defined in claim 10, characterized in that said housing (26) is releasably held on said grip (2).

12. Clip applicator as defined in claim 11, characterized in that said housing (26) is screwed into said grip (2).