Clip detent spring for repeating multi-clip applier

• US 6,849,079 B1
• Filed: 12/10/2002
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph W. Blake III
• Original Assignee: Joseph W. Blake III
• Inventors: Lisk, Kenneth J, Blake, Joseph W III
• Primary Examiner(s): Reip, David O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pantuck, Bradford C
• Application Number:
  US10/315,970
• Time in Patent Office: 784 Days
• Field of Search: 606/143, 267/163, 267/158, 267/159, 267/160
• US Class Current: 606/143
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/128 for applying or removing clamps or clips

Abstract

A clip detent spring forming part of a mechanism for inserting clips into the jaws of a clip applying instrument performs the tasks of engaging and separating a first in line clip from a line of clips carried by the mechanism, and the task of positioning the clip for insertion into the instrument jaws.

Claims

1. In a mechanism for inserting clips into the jaws of a clip applying instrument, each clip having a shoulder, the mechanism having a stationary upper housing and a stationary clip plate, a clip supply magazine positioned between the upper housing and the clip plate, the magazine adapted to receive a line of clips and to move in rearward and forward motions, the magazine further having an integral base plate with clip stopping spring and a forward pusher plate, the improvement which comprises:

a clip detent spring in the form of a leaf spring tang having a normally downward spring force affixed to the upper housing, the clip detent spring having spaced depending panels with substantially identical peripheral edges terminating in notches forwardly directed along the line of clips for engaging the shoulder of a clip to separate a clip from the line of clips as the clip magazine and line of clips undergo rearward motion and for moving the clip downward so that on forward motion of the clip magazine the pusher plate moves the lead clip into the instrument jaws.

2. In a mechanism for inserting clips into the jaws of a clip applying instrument, each clip having a shoulder, the mechanism having a stationary upper housing and a stationary clip plate, a clip supply magazine positioned between the upper housing and the clip plate, the magazine adapted to receive a line of clips and to move in rearward and forward motions, the magazine further having an integral base plate with clip stopping spring and a forward pusher plate, the improvement which comprises:

a clip detent spring in the form of a leaf spring tang having a normally downward spring force affixed at one end to the upper housing and extending along the line of clips, the clip detent spring having spaced depending;

panels extending from the spring tang downwardly toward the line of clips, the panels having substantially identical peripheral edges extending in the direction of the line of clips and terminating in notches forwardly directed along the line of clips for engaging the shoulder of a clip to separate a clip from the line of clips as the clip magazine and line of clips undergo rearward motion and for moving the clip downward so that on forward motion of the clip magazine the pusher plate moves the lead clip into the instrument jaws.