Surgical clip applier ratchet mechanism
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical clip applier, comprising:
- a handle housing having a trigger movable in a first direction from a fully open position to a fully closed position, and a second direction from the fully closed position to the fully open position, the trigger including a partially closed position located between the fully open and closed positions;
an elongate shaft extending from the handle housing and having opposed jaws formed at a distal end thereof, the trigger being effective to move the opposed jaws between an open position and a closed position; and
a ratchet mechanism disposed within the handle housing and having a notch positioned between a series of teeth formed on a trigger insert pivotally disposed within the handle housing, the notch allowing the trigger to be moved in the second direction from the partially closed position directly to the fully open position without first being moved to the fully closed position, wherein the ratchet mechanism includes a pawl rotatably disposed within the handle housing and adapted to engage the series of teeth formed on the ratchet, and wherein the series of teeth comprises a first set of teeth adapted to limit movement of the trigger to the first direction when the trigger is positioned between the fully open position and the partially closed position, and wherein the notch is formed between an end tooth and the first set of teeth and is adapted to allow free movement of the trigger in the first and second directions when the trigger is positioned between the partially closed position and the fully closed position.
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Abstract
A surgical clip applier and methods for applying surgical clips to a vessel, duct, shunt, etc., during a surgical procedure are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical clip applier is provided having a housing with a trigger movably coupled thereto and an elongate shaft extending therefrom with opposed jaws formed on a distal end thereof. The trigger is adapted to advance a clip to position the clip between the jaws, and to move the jaws from an open position to a closed position to crimp the clip positioned therebetween.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A surgical clip applier, comprising:
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a handle housing having a trigger movable in a first direction from a fully open position to a fully closed position, and a second direction from the fully closed position to the fully open position, the trigger including a partially closed position located between the fully open and closed positions; an elongate shaft extending from the handle housing and having opposed jaws formed at a distal end thereof, the trigger being effective to move the opposed jaws between an open position and a closed position; and a ratchet mechanism disposed within the handle housing and having a notch positioned between a series of teeth formed on a trigger insert pivotally disposed within the handle housing, the notch allowing the trigger to be moved in the second direction from the partially closed position directly to the fully open position without first being moved to the fully closed position, wherein the ratchet mechanism includes a pawl rotatably disposed within the handle housing and adapted to engage the series of teeth formed on the ratchet, and wherein the series of teeth comprises a first set of teeth adapted to limit movement of the trigger to the first direction when the trigger is positioned between the fully open position and the partially closed position, and wherein the notch is formed between an end tooth and the first set of teeth and is adapted to allow free movement of the trigger in the first and second directions when the trigger is positioned between the partially closed position and the fully closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A handle assembly, comprising:
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a pawl rotatably disposed within a handle housing; and a trigger insert pivotally disposed within the handle housing and coupled to a trigger, the trigger insert including a first set of teeth adapted to ensure a full range of motion of the trigger from a fully open position to a partially closed position when the first set of teeth are engaged by the pawl, and a notch formed between an end tooth and the first set of teeth and adapted to allow movement of the trigger directly to the fully open position when the notch formed between the end tooth and the first set of teeth is engaged by the pawl, wherein the pawl is adapted to move from the notch past the end tooth to reach a fully closed position. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for applying a surgical clip, comprising:
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moving a trigger coupled to a ratchet mechanism in a first direction from a fully open position over at least one tooth to a partially closed position in which a pawl engages a notch formed in the ratchet mechanism, thereby partially closing a surgical clip positioned between opposed jaws formed on a distal end of a shaft extending from the handle housing; and moving the trigger from the partially closed position directly to the fully open position, in which the partially closed surgical clip positioned between the opposed jaws is released, the pawl pivoting in the notch to allow movement of the trigger from the partially closed position to the fully open position. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification