Repeating multi-clip applier

• US 6,423,079 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2000
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph W. Blake III
• Original Assignee: Joseph W. Blake III
• Inventors: Blake, Joseph W III
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US09/521,444
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 606/242, 606/243
• US Class Current: 606/143
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable

Abstract

A repeating multi-clip applier for surgery with scissor-type or pistol grip operating handles, and a clip feeding and applying mechanism actuated by linear reciprocating movement generated by the handles. A unitary linear actuating rod and clip supply channel together with clip feed mechanisms reciprocate rearward-to-forward as the handles move for applying a clip in surgery and for advancing clips into the applying jaws.

Claims

1. A repeating surgical clip applier comprising a handle having means for providing linear reciprocating motion of rearward and forward strokes, a clip applicator affixed to the handle in position to receive the reciprocating motion, the clip applicator having a stationary housing including a base and cover, the housing base being an elongate channel having an open end, clip applying jaws mounted at the open end of the base, the jaws being adapted to close in applying a clip and to open for receiving a clip, actuator means supported by the housing base for receiving rearward and forward strokes from the handle, the actuator means for closing and opening the jaws, a clip channel for supplying a line of clips, the clip channel being affixed to the actuator means for reciprocating motion therewith, means for urging a line of clips through the supply channel, means for capturing the lead clip from the supply channel in response to motion of the actuator means and supply channel, and means for moving the lead clip into the applicator jaws.

2. A repeating surgical clip applier as defined in claim 1 in which a compression spring is the means for urging a line of clips through the supply channel.

3. A repeating surgical clip applier as defined in claim 1 in which a compression spring and indexing means are the means for urging a line of clips through the supply channel.

4. A repeating multi-clip applier as defined in claim 1 in which the means for moving the lead clip into the applicator jaws is a pusher plate integral with the clip channel.

5. A disposable surgical clip cartridge for use with manual operating means which provides the cartridge with linear reciprocating motion defined by a rearward to forward excursion, the cartridge comprising a housing including a cover and base, the base being an elongate open ended channel and adapted for connection at one of its ends to the manual operating means, clip applying jaws fitted to and extending from the other end of the base, the cover mounted to the base and together with the base defining stationary means for enclosing a clip actuating mechanism, a clip actuating means located within the housing and including means for receiving reciprocating motion from the manual operating means, a clip supply channel for carrying a line of clips for application in surgery, the clip supply channel linked to the means for receiving reciprocating motion, means for advancing the line of clips along the supply channel, means for separating a clip from the line of clips for each rearward to forward excursion of the means receiving reciprocating motion, means to move a clip into the jaws for each rearward to forward excursion of the means receiving reciprocating motion, means for closing the jaws to apply a clip and means to reopen the jaws for each rearward to forward excursion of the means receiving reciprocating motion.

6. A disposable surgical clip cartridge as defined in claim 5 in which a compression spring is the means for urging a line of clips through the supply channel.

7. A disposable surgical clip cartridge as defined in claim 5 in which a compression spring and indexing means are the means for urging a line of clips through the supply channel.

8. A repeating surgical clip applier comprising a handle having means for providing linear reciprocating motion of rearward and forward strokes, a clip applicator affixed to the handle in position to receive the reciprocating motion, the clip applicator having a stationary housing including a base and cover, the housing base being an elongate channel having an open end, clip applying jaws mounted at the open end of the base, the jaws being adapted to close in applying a clip and to open for receiving a clip, actuator means supported by the housing base for receiving rearward and forward strokes from the handle, the actuator means for closing and opening the jaws, a clip channel for supplying a line of clips, the clip channel being affixed to the actuator means for reciprocating motion therewith, means for indexing line of clips advance through the supply channel in response to rearward and forward motion of the actuator means and supply channel, means for capturing the lead clip from the supply channel in response to motion of the actuator means and supply channel, and means for moving the lead clip into the applicator jaws.

9. An applicator for surgical clips comprising a handle and an applicator mechanism, the handle providing rearward and forward linear motion to the applicator, the applicator mechanism having jaws for applying clips in surgery, a clip supply channel, a clip advancing mechanism for step by step movement of the clips through the supply channel in response to rearward and forward movement provided by the handle, means for applying a staple in surgery in response to rearward movement, and means for loading a clip into the jaws in response to forward movement.

10. A disposable surgical clip cartridge for use with manual operating means which provides the cartridge with linear reciprocating motion defined by a rearward to forward excursion, the cartridge comprising a housing including a cover and base, the base being an elongate open ended channel and adapted for connection at one of its ends to the manual operating means, clip applying jaws fitted to and extending from the other end of the base, the cover mounted to the base and together with the base defining stationary means for enclosing a clip actuating mechanism, the cover having first clip indexing means, a clip actuating means located within the housing and including means for receiving reciprocating motion from the manual operating means, a clip supply channel for carrying a line of clips for application in surgery, the clip supply channel linked to the means for receiving reciprocating motion, the supply channel having second clip indexing means, means cooperating with the clip supply channel and with the first and second clip indexing means to advance the line of clips one step along the supply channel for each rearward to forward excursion of the means receiving reciprocating motion, means for separating a clip from the line of clips for each rearward to forward excursion of the means receiving reciprocating motion, means to move a clip into the jaws for each rearward to forward excursion of the means receiving reciprocating motion, means for closing the jaws to apply a clip and means to reopen the jaws for each rearward to forward excursion of the means receiving reciprocating motion.

11. A surgical clip applicator comprising manual operating means to provide reciprocating motion defined by a linear rearward to forward excursion for each cycle of the manual means, a stationary housing including a cover and base, the base being an elongate open ended channel connected at one of its ends to the manual operating means, clip applying jaws fitted to and extending from the other end of the base, the cover mounted to the base and together with the base defining stationary means for enclosing a clip actuating mechanism, the cover having first clip indexing means, a clip actuating means located within the housing and including an actuating rod for receiving reciprocating motion from the manual operating means, a clip supply channel for carrying a line of clips for application in surgery, the clip supply channel linked to the actuating rod for movement through rearward to forward excursion, the supply channel having second clip indexing means, the clip supply channel having a movable clip stop, means cooperating with the clip supply channel, with the first and second clip indexing means, and with the clip stop to advance the line of clips one step along the supply channel for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod, means for separating a clip from the line of clips for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod, means to move a clip into the jaws for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod, and means for closing the jaws to apply a clip and to reopen the jaws for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod.

12. A surgical clip applicator comprising manual operating means to provide reciprocating motion defined by a linear rearward to forward excursion for each cycle of the manual means, a stationary housing including a cover and base, the base being an elongate open ended channel connected at one of its ends to the manual operating means, clip applying jaws fitted to and extending from the other end of the base, the cover mounted to the base and together with the base defining stationary means for enclosing a clip actuating mechanism, the cover having a ratchet tooth surface forming part of clip indexing means, a clip actuating means located within the housing and including an actuating rod for receiving reciprocating motion from the manual operating means, a clip supply channel for carrying a line of clips for application in surgery, the clip supply channel linked to the actuating rod for movement through rearward to forward excursion, the supply channel having a series of openings forming part of clip indexing means, the clip supply channel having a movable clip stop, a staple advancing mechanism positioned in the clip supply channel having upper and lower pawls cooperating respectively with the cover ratchet tooth surface and the supply channel series of openings and cooperating with the clip stop to advance the line of clips one step along the supply channel for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod, means for separating a clip from the line of clips for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod, means to move a clip into the jaws for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod, and means for closing the jaws to apply a clip and to reopen the jaws for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod.

13. A surgical clip applicator comprising manual operating means to provide reciprocating motion defined by a linear rearward to forward excursion for each cycle of the manual means, a stationary housing including a cover and base, the base being an elongate open ended channel connected at one of its ends to the manual operating means, clip applying jaws fitted to and extending from the other end of the base, the cover mounted to the base and together with the base defining stationary means for enclosing a clip actuating mechanism, the cover having first clip indexing means, a clip actuating means located within the housing and including an actuating rod for receiving reciprocating motion from the manual operating means, a clip supply channel for carrying a line of clips for application in surgery, the clip supply channel linked to the actuating rod for movement through rearward to forward excursion, the supply channel having second clip indexing means, means cooperating with the clip supply channel and with the first and second clip indexing means to advance the line of clips one step along the supply channel for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod, a capture spring affixed to the cover for separating a clip from the line of clips for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod, a pusher plate integral with the supply channel to move a clip into the jaws for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod, and cam means forming part of the actuating rod for closing the jaws to apply a clip and to reopen the jaws for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod.

14. A surgical clip applicator comprising a scissors-type handle for an inward and outward manual cycle to provide a linear rearward to forward excursion for each cycle, a stationary housing including a cover and base, the base being an elongate open ended channel connected at one of its ends to the handle, clip applying jaws fitted to and extending from the other end of the base, the cover mounted to the base and together with the base defining stationary means for enclosing a clip actuating mechanism, the cover having an inner surface with ratchet teeth having a pitch sufficient to index a clip one clip length along the actuating mechanism, clip actuating means located within the housing and including an actuating rod connected to the handle for receiving rearward and forward motion from the handle, a clip supply channel for carrying a line of clips for application in surgery, a movable clip stop spring formed integral with the supply channel for stopping the first of the line of clips, the clip supply channel attached to the actuating rod for movement through rearward to forward excursion, the supply channel having indexing openings with the same pitch as the ratchet teeth, clip advancing means fitted into the supply channel and having a spring head in engagement with the last of the line of clips, the clip advancing means further having a ratchet head with pawls in engagement with the cover ratchet teeth and the supply channel indexing openings, the clip advancing means cooperating with the cover ratchet teeth and the clip supply channel indexing openings, and with the clip stop spring to advance the line of clips one step along the supply channel for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod, a capture spring mounted on the housing cover for separating a the first clip from the line of clips for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod, a pusher plate integral with the supply channel for moving a clip into the jaws for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod, cam means on the actuating rod for closing the jaws to apply a clip and to reopen the jaws for each rearward to forward excursion of the actuating rod.

15. A disposable surgical clip cartridge for use with manual operating means which provides the cartridge with linear reciprocating motion defined by a rearward to forward excursion, the cartridge comprising a stationary housing including a base and cover, the housing base being an elongate channel having an open end, clip applying jaws mounted at the open end of the base, the jaws being adapted to close in applying a clip and to open for receiving a clip, actuator means supported by the housing base for receiving rearward and forward strokes from the manual operating means, the actuator means for closing and opening the jaws, a clip channel for supplying a line of clips, the clip channel being affixed to the actuator means for reciprocating motion therewith, means for urging a line of clips through the supply channel, means for capturing the lead clip from the supply channel in response to motion of the actuator means and supply channel, and means for moving the lead clip into the applicator jaws.

16. A repeating surgical clip applicator comprising clip applicator jaws, means for generating reciprocal motion, a supply channel for holding a contiguous line of surgical clips being connected to said reciprocal motion generating means, biasing means for applying a force on the line of clips held in the supply channel, said biasing means being adapted to yield as the supply channel undergoes reciprocal motion, the supply channel having an integral clip stop spring cooperating with said biasing means to maintain the line of clips in contiguous condition as the supply channel undergoes reciprocal motion, means for releasing the clip stop spring and means for separating a lead clip from the contiguous line as the supply channel undergoes reciprocal motion, and the supply channel having an integral pusher plate for advancing a separated clip into the applicator jaws as the supply channel undergoes reciprocal motion.

17. A disposable surgical clip cartridge for use with manual operating means which provides linear reciprocating motion defined by a rearward to forward excursion, the cartridge comprising a stationary housing affixed to the manual operating means, an applicator mechanism located within the housing, the applicator mechanism having jaws for applying clips in surgery, a clip supply channel having a line of clips, the clip supply channel linked to the manual operating means for linear rearward to forward motion, means for urging the clips through the supply channel, means for applying a clip in surgery in response to rearward movement, means for separating a clip from the line on rearward movement of the clip supply channel, and means for loading a clip into the jaws in response to forward movement of the clip supply channel.