Apparatus and methods for deploying a clip to occlude an anatomical structure

• US 9,393,023 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2009
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atricure, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Atricure, Inc.
• Inventors: Privitera, Salvatore, Okorocha, Livyn O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Gergory
• Application Number:
  US12/352,937
• Publication Number:
  US 20100179570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,744 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/142
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for deploying a clip to occlude an anatomical structure including a clip holder assembly that is an interface between the clip and a deployment device.

Claims

1. A clip holder assembly for use in deploying a clip adapted to occlude an anatomical structure comprising:

a first clip holder;

a second clip holder;

at least one suture connecting the first clip holder to a first beam of the clip;

at least one suture connecting the second clip holder to a second beam of the clip;

wherein the first clip holder and the second clip holder are adapted to dismount from a clip deployment tool after deployment of the clip; and

wherein each of the first and second clip holders includes a body having a channel portion adapted to receive the respective beam of the clip.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second clip holders includes at least one upstanding member adapted to engage the deployment device.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the upstanding members includes a reinforcing rib extending a substantial portion of a length of the respective clip holder.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the upstanding members has a length and each of the clip holders has a length and the length of each upstanding member is less than the length of each clip holder.

5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the upstanding members is configured to have a broadened base that extends along sides of the respective clip holder.

6. The assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second clip holders includes at least three upstanding members adapted to engage the deployment device.

7. The assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of the upstanding members on either the first clip holder or the second clip holder includes a biasing finger adapted to engage the deployment device.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the upstanding members on at least one of the first or the second clip holders includes a biasing finger adapted to engage the deployment device.

9. The assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the upstanding members on either the first clip holder or the second clip holder is adapted to slidably receive a shaft of the deployment device.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the shaft of the deployment device is cylindrical.

11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the shaft of the deployment device is not cylindrical.

12. A method of deploying a clip for occluding an anatomical structure comprising:

locating adjacent an anatomical structure a deployment device mounted to a clip holder, wherein a clip for occluding the anatomical structure includes a pair of relatively parallel, linear beams connected to the clip holder by at least one suture;

manipulating the deployment device to open the clip, where manipulation of the deployment device does not change the orientation of the clip holder with respect to the deployment device;

moving the clip into position adjacent the anatomical structure to be occluded;

manipulating the deployment device to allow the clip to occlude the anatomical structure; and

,

cutting the at least one suture to release the clip from the clip holder.

13. The method of deploying a clip of claim 12, further installing a clip and clip holder assembly on the shafts of the deployment device prior to locating the clip and clip holder assembly adjacent the anatomical structure.

14. A method of preparing an occlusion clip for deployment within an anatomical structure, the method comprising:

mounting a clip holder to an occlusion clip using at least one suture to form a clip holder assembly; and

,

mounting, after forming the clip holder assembly, the clip holder assembly to a deployment tool;

wherein the deployment tool is operative to reposition the occlusion clip between a closed position and an open position.

15. A method of deploying a clip for occluding an anatomical structure comprising:

connecting a first clip holder to an occlusion clip using a first suture, the occlusion clip comprising a pair of relatively parallel, linear beams;

connecting a second clip holder to the occlusion clip using a second suture;

mounting a deployment device to the first and second clip holders;

manipulating the deployment device to open the occlusion clip;

moving the occlusion clip into position adjacent an anatomical structure to be occluded;

manipulating the deployment device to allow the occlusion clip to occlude the anatomical structure;

removing the deployment device; and

,

cutting the first and second sutures to release the clip from the first and second clip holders.