Spring clip and method for assembling same
First Claim
1. A surgical clip comprising:
- a first molded portion having a first jaw, a first finger tab, and a first guide slot extending generally longitudinally with respect to the first molded portion and a first hinge area integrally formed therewith and extending transverse to the first jaw and the first finger tab, the first hinge area comprising at least one first spring retainer rib;
a second molded portion coupled to the first molded portion such that a portion of the first molded portion and a portion of the second molded portion define a housing therebetween, and the second molded portion having a second jaw, a second finger tab, and a second guide slot extending generally longitudinally with respect to the second molded portion and a second hinge area integrally formed therewith and extending transverse to the second jaw and the second finger tab, the second hinge area comprising at least one second spring retainer rib; and
a tension spring formed of a wire and comprising a central coil, a first spring extension extending from the central coil, and a second spring extension extending from the central coil opposite the first spring extension, the tension spring positioned such that at least a portion of the central coil is housed within the housing and held in place within the housing by the first and second spring retainer ribs acting on an outer surface of the central coil, at least a portion of the first spring extension extends through the first guide slot, and at least a portion of the second spring extension extends through the second guide slot;
wherein the second molded portion is identical to the first molded portion.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical clip assembly is provided having two molded components and a tension spring. In one aspect, the spring clip includes a first molded portion having a first jaw and a first finger tab, a second molded portion coupled to the first molded portion and having a second jaw and a second finger tab, and a tension spring coupled to both the first and second molded portions. The first and second molded portions may be identical components. The tension spring is wound at least one turn forming a central coil and two extensions, and each of the molded portions is formed with a hinge area. Each of the hinge areas includes a hinge stud and a hinge cavity. The hinge areas align and snap-fit with one another to form the clip assembly. The extensions of the tension spring may be mounted into guide slots or ribs of the molded portions.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A surgical clip comprising:
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a first molded portion having a first jaw, a first finger tab, and a first guide slot extending generally longitudinally with respect to the first molded portion and a first hinge area integrally formed therewith and extending transverse to the first jaw and the first finger tab, the first hinge area comprising at least one first spring retainer rib; a second molded portion coupled to the first molded portion such that a portion of the first molded portion and a portion of the second molded portion define a housing therebetween, and the second molded portion having a second jaw, a second finger tab, and a second guide slot extending generally longitudinally with respect to the second molded portion and a second hinge area integrally formed therewith and extending transverse to the second jaw and the second finger tab, the second hinge area comprising at least one second spring retainer rib; and a tension spring formed of a wire and comprising a central coil, a first spring extension extending from the central coil, and a second spring extension extending from the central coil opposite the first spring extension, the tension spring positioned such that at least a portion of the central coil is housed within the housing and held in place within the housing by the first and second spring retainer ribs acting on an outer surface of the central coil, at least a portion of the first spring extension extends through the first guide slot, and at least a portion of the second spring extension extends through the second guide slot; wherein the second molded portion is identical to the first molded portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of forming a surgical clip, comprising:
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winding a single wire around a support member or mandrel at least one turn forming a central coil, a first extension and a second extension of a tension spring; providing a first molded portion having a first jaw, a first finger tab and a first hinge area, and a second molded portion having a second jaw, a second finger tab and a second hinge area, wherein the first hinge area includes a first hinge stud, a first hinge cavity, and a first spring retainer rib and the second hinge area includes a second hinge stud, a second hinge cavity, and a second spring retainer rib, and the second molded portion being identical to the first molded portion; aligning the first hinge area with the second hinge area and fitting the first hinge stud into the second hinge cavity and the second hinge stud into the first hinge cavity; and positioning the tension spring between the first hinge area and the second hinge area such that the central coil is externally held by the first spring retainer rib and the second spring retainer rib. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification