Multiple clip applier apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A surgical clip applier, comprising:
- a cartridge defining a disposable discrete subassembly adapted to be removably coupled to a reusable handle assembly, the cartridge comprising;
a housing defining a longitudinal axis;
a drive pin protruding from the housing transversely to the longitudinal axis, the drive pin movable along the longitudinal axisa train of clips disposed in a plane;
a single clip removed from the train of clips and disposed in a staging position;
a pair of jaws sized and configured to receive the single clip from the staging position, the pair of jaws longitudinally fixed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing;
a clip advancer movable in the plane of the train of clips, the clip advancer biasing the train of clips in a first direction; and
a jaw loader moveable outside the plane of the train of clips for advancing the single clip from the staging position into the jaws, the jaw loader operatively coupled to the drive pin;
wherein,the jaw loader is movable independently of the clip advancer; and
the staging position is removed from the plane of the train of clips and removed from the pair of jaws.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical clip applier includes a train of clips disposed in a plane with a single clip removed from the train of clips and disposed in a staging position. A pair of jaws are adapted to receive the single clip from the staging position by operation of a jaw loader moveable outside the plane of the train of clips. In an associate method, a handle assembly is provided which is moveable in an open stroke and a closed stroke. A source of surgical clips are provided along with a pair of jaws which are adapted to receive one of the clips as the handle assembly is moved in an open stroke, the jaws are open to receive the clip. Following the opening of the jaws, a jaw loader is extended to a position between the jaws to move the clip into the jaws. The handle assembly is moveable in a closed stroke during which the jaws are closed to crimp the clip. Prior to this closing of the jaws, the jaw loader is retracted from the position between the jaws leaving the clip in the jaws.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A surgical clip applier, comprising:
-
a cartridge defining a disposable discrete subassembly adapted to be removably coupled to a reusable handle assembly, the cartridge comprising; a housing defining a longitudinal axis; a drive pin protruding from the housing transversely to the longitudinal axis, the drive pin movable along the longitudinal axis a train of clips disposed in a plane; a single clip removed from the train of clips and disposed in a staging position; a pair of jaws sized and configured to receive the single clip from the staging position, the pair of jaws longitudinally fixed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing; a clip advancer movable in the plane of the train of clips, the clip advancer biasing the train of clips in a first direction; and a jaw loader moveable outside the plane of the train of clips for advancing the single clip from the staging position into the jaws, the jaw loader operatively coupled to the drive pin;
wherein,the jaw loader is movable independently of the clip advancer; and the staging position is removed from the plane of the train of clips and removed from the pair of jaws. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification