Endoscopic clip applying apparatus with improved aperture for clip release and related method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for applying surgical clips, comprising:
- (a) a jaw assembly comprising first and second opposing jaw members, each jaw member including;
a first and a second opposing leg member connected by a bridge member at a proximal end of the first and second opposing leg members, a first and a second opposing arm member connected to a distal end of the first and second opposing leg members, each leg member having an outer cam surface;
wherein the first and second jaw members define a variable jaw aperture therebetween for receiving a clip, the first and second jaw members pivotable for varying a width of the jaw aperture; and
(b) a jaw opening member comprising a distal portion generally adjacent to the first and second jaw members, the distal portion movable into engagement with the first and second jaw members for increasing the width of the jaw aperture,wherein the first and second jaw members are pivotable about respective first and second pivot points and comprise respective first and second end members, the first and second end members are disposed opposite to the jaw aperture relative to the first and second pivot points, and the distal portion is movable into engagement with the first and second end members for increasing the width of the jaw aperture,and further wherein the first and second end members comprise respective first andsecond reduced-width sections and first and second increased-width sections, the distalportion is axially movable relative to the jaw assembly between a first position and asecond position, the distal portion at the first position engages the increased-widthsections for increasing the width of the jaw aperture, and the distal portion at thesecond position is adjacent to the reduced-width sections in non-operatively contacting relation therewith so as not to affect the width of the jaw aperture.
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Abstract
An apparatus for applying surgical clips includes a jaw assembly and a jaw opening member. The jaw assembly includes first and second opposing pivotable jaw members that define a variable-width jaw aperture therebetween for receiving a clip. The jaw opening member is movable into engagement with the first and second jaw members for increasing the width of the jaw aperture, thereby improving the release of a clip from the jaw assembly.
150 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An apparatus for applying surgical clips, comprising:
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(a) a jaw assembly comprising first and second opposing jaw members, each jaw member including;
a first and a second opposing leg member connected by a bridge member at a proximal end of the first and second opposing leg members, a first and a second opposing arm member connected to a distal end of the first and second opposing leg members, each leg member having an outer cam surface;
wherein the first and second jaw members define a variable jaw aperture therebetween for receiving a clip, the first and second jaw members pivotable for varying a width of the jaw aperture; and(b) a jaw opening member comprising a distal portion generally adjacent to the first and second jaw members, the distal portion movable into engagement with the first and second jaw members for increasing the width of the jaw aperture, wherein the first and second jaw members are pivotable about respective first and second pivot points and comprise respective first and second end members, the first and second end members are disposed opposite to the jaw aperture relative to the first and second pivot points, and the distal portion is movable into engagement with the first and second end members for increasing the width of the jaw aperture, and further wherein the first and second end members comprise respective first and second reduced-width sections and first and second increased-width sections, the distal portion is axially movable relative to the jaw assembly between a first position and a second position, the distal portion at the first position engages the increased-width sections for increasing the width of the jaw aperture, and the distal portion at the second position is adjacent to the reduced-width sections in non-operatively contacting relation therewith so as not to affect the width of the jaw aperture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for applying surgical clips, comprising:
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(a) a jaw assembly comprising first and second opposing jaw members, each jaw member including;
a first and a second opposing leg member connected by a bridge member at a proximal end of the first and a second opposing leg members, each leg member having an outer cam surface;
wherein the first and second jaw members define a variable jaw aperture therebetween for receiving a clip, the first and second jaw members pivotable about respective first and second pivot points and comprising respective first and second outer surfaces;(b) an elongate member movable into contact with the first and second outer surfaces for pivotably decreasing a width of the jaw aperture; and (c) a jaw opening member comprising first and second arms respectively engageable with the first and second outer surfaces for pivotably increasing the width of the jaw aperture, wherein the first and second jaw members comprise respective first and second end members disposed opposite to the jaw aperture relative to the first and second pivot points, and the first and second arms are movable into engagement with the respective first and second outer surfaces at the first and second end members for increasing the width of the jaw aperture, wherein the first and second end members comprise respective first and second reduced-width sections and first and second increased-width sections, the first and second arms are axially movable relative to the jaw assembly between a first position and a second position, the first and second arms at the first position respectively engage the first and second outer surfaces at the increased-width sections for increasing the width of the jaw aperture, and the first and second arms at the second position are spaced away from the first and second outer surfaces at the reduced-width sections so as not to affect the width of the jaw aperture. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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20. The apparatus according to 19 wherein the first and second jaw members form a ridge generally axially between the first and second pivot points and the first and second end members, and the first and second arms are abuttable against the ridge for limiting movement of the jaw opening member in an axial direction toward the jaw assembly.
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24. An apparatus for applying surgical clips, comprising:
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(a) a jaw assembly comprising first and second opposing jaw members, each jaw member including;
a first and a second opposing leg member connected by a bridge member at a proximal end of the first and second opposing leg members, a first and a second opposing arm member connected to a distal end of the first and second opposing leg members, each leg member having an outer cam surface;
wherein the first and second jaw members define a variable jaw aperture therebetween for receiving a clip, the first and second jaw members pivotable for varying a width of the jaw aperture; and(b) a feeding device axially movable toward the jaw aperture for feeding a clip therein; and (c) a jaw opening member engageable with the feeding device for movement therewith and movable into engagement with the first and second jaw members for increasing the width of the jaw aperture; wherein the first and second jaw members are pivotable about respective first and second pivot points and comprise respective first and second end members, the first and second end members are disposed opposite to the jaw aperture relative to the first and second pivot points, and the jaw opening member is movable into engagement with the first and second end members for increasing the width of the jaw aperture, and further wherein the first and second end members comprise respective first and second reduced-width sections and first and second increased-width sections, the distal portion is axially movable relative to the jaw assembly between a first position and a second position, the jaw opening member at the first position engages the increased width sections for increasing the width of the jaw aperture, and the jaw opening member at the second position is adjacent to the reduced-width sections in non-operatively contacting relation therewith so as not to affect the width of the jaw aperture. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification