Endoscopic clip applier with threaded clip

• US 7,331,968 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2004
• Issued: 02/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Smith, Kevin W., Arp, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): TRUONG, KEVIN THAO
• Application Number:
  US10/867,411
• Publication Number:
  US 20050277952A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/142, 606/144, 606/151, 606/157, 606/143
• US Class Current: 606/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/03 Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53478 with magazine supply

Abstract

A flexible endoscopic clip applier includes a flexible coil with a manual actuator coupled to one end and a jaw assembly coupled to the other end. A store of clips is arranged adjacent to the jaw assembly and a clip pusher is arranged adjacent to the store of clips. The actuator includes a lever for opening and closing the jaws, a knob for rotating the jaw assembly, and a crank for dispensing clips. The knob and the lever are coupled to a single control member which extends through the coil to a joiner where it is joined to a pair of pull wires coupled to the jaws. The crank is coupled to a second control member which is threaded along a distal portion. The threaded portion engages a threaded member near the pusher and is coupled to the pusher such that rotation of the threaded control member by the crank causes the pusher to be moved distally.

Claims

1. An endoscopic clip applier, comprising:

a tube having a proximal end and a distal end;

a control member having a proximal end and a distal end and extending through said tube, said control member being threaded along at least a portion thereof;

an actuator coupled to said proximal end of said tube;

at least one clip, said clip having a deformable tine and a threaded portion, said threaded portion being threadably coupled to the threaded portion of said control member, wherein

rotation of said actuator causes rotation of said control member and translation of said at least one clip.

2. The clip applier according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one clip includes a plurality of clips arranged one behind the other, each being threadably coupled to said control member.

3. The clip applier according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one clip has two deformable tines.

4. The clip applier according to claim 3, wherein:

said threaded portion of said clip lies between said two deformable tines.