Endoscopic clip applier

• US 9,532,787 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2013
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Zammataro, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): RODJOM, KATHERINE MARIE
• Application Number:
  US13/865,412
• Publication Number:
  US 20130325040A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,356 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/10 for applying or removing wound clamps, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068; Wound clamp magazines containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00, B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery

Abstract

An endoscopic surgical clip applier is provided, wherein a distal end of the surgical clip applier is introduced to a target surgical site through a cannula having a fixed diameter lumen. The surgical clip applier comprises an endoscopic portion supported by and extending from a handle assembly, and a pair of jaws supported at a distal end of an outer tube, wherein the pair of jaws are movable between a fully open condition and approximated conditions. When the pair of jaws are in the fully open condition the pair of jaws extend radially beyond an outer diameter of the outer tube to a dimension greater than the fixed diameter of the lumen of the cannula; and when the pair of jaws are in at least one approximated condition the pair of jaws have a transverse dimension permitting passage through the lumen of the cannula.

Claims

1. An endoscopic surgical clip applier for application of surgical clips to body tissue, wherein a distal end of the surgical clip applier is introduced to a target surgical site through a cannula having a fixed diameter lumen, the surgical clip applier comprising:

a handle assembly including a trigger actuatable to actuate the surgical clip applier;

an endoscopic portion supported by and extending from the handle assembly, the endoscopic portion including;

an outer tube having a diameter dimensioned for passage through the lumen of the cannula;

a pair of jaws supported at a distal end of the outer tube, wherein the pair of jaws are movable between a fully open condition and approximated conditions,

wherein when the pair of jaws are in the fully open condition the pair of jaws extend radially beyond an outer diameter of the outer tube to a dimension greater than the fixed diameter of the lumen of the cannula; and

when the pair of jaws are in at least one approximated condition the pair of jaws have a transverse dimension permitting passage through the lumen of the cannula;

a wedge plate slidably disposed within the endoscopic portion, the wedge plate defining a nose at a distal end thereof, wherein the wedge plate is movable between;

a distal-most position wherein the nose is interposed between the pair of jaws to maintain the pair of jaws in the fully open condition; and

at least one proximal position wherein the nose is at least partially withdrawn from between the pair of jaws to permit the pair of jaws to be placed in the at least one approximated condition; and

a release mechanism connected to the wedge plate, the release mechanism including an inner tube slidably disposed within the outer tube, the inner tube including a distal end coupled to the wedge plate, wherein an actuation of the release mechanism withdraws the nose of the wedge plate from between the pair of jaws; and

wherein an actuation of the trigger withdraws the nose from between the pair of jaws.

2. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein the release mechanism includes a biasing member for urging the wedge plate to the distal-most position.

3. The surgical clip applier according to claim 2, wherein the biasing member is connected to at least the wedge plate.

4. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the inner tube extends into the handle assembly, and wherein at least one release pin extends from the proximal end of the inner tube through a respective slot defined in the handle assembly.

5. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein the wedge plate is in the distal-most position when the trigger is in an un-actuated condition.

6. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein the wedge plate is in the distal-most position when the trigger and the release mechanism are both in an un-actuate condition.

7. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein the wedge plate is at least partially withdrawn when the trigger is at least partially actuated.

8. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein the withdrawal of the wedge plate by the trigger is independent of the withdrawal of the wedge plate by the release mechanism.

9. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, further comprising at least one surgical clip loaded therein.

10. The surgical clip applier according to claim 9, further comprising a clip pusher configured to individually distally advance a surgical clip to the pair of jaws while the pair of jaws are in the open condition.

11. The surgical clip applier according to claim 10, further comprising a jaw closure member positioned adjacent the pair of jaws to move the pair of jaws to an approximated position upon an actuation of the trigger.

12. An endoscopic surgical clip applier for application of surgical clips to body tissue, wherein a distal end of the surgical clip applier is introduced to a target surgical site through a cannula having a fixed diameter lumen, the surgical clip applier comprising:

a handle assembly including a trigger, the trigger being actuatable to actuate the surgical clip applier;

an endoscopic portion supported by and extending from the handle assembly, the endoscopic portion includes;

an outer tube having a diameter dimensioned for passage through the lumen of the cannula;

a pair of jaws supported at a distal end of the outer tube, wherein the pair of jaws are movable between a fully open condition and approximated conditions,

wherein when the pair of jaws are in the fully open condition the pair of jaws extend radially beyond an outer diameter of the outer tube to a dimension greater than the fixed diameter of the lumen of the cannula; and

when the pair of jaws are in at least one approximated condition the pair of jaws have a transverse dimension at least less than the fixed diameter of the lumen of the cannula;

a wedge plate slidably disposed within at least the endoscopic portion, the wedge plate defining a distal end, wherein the wedge plate is movable between;

a distal-most position wherein the distal end of the wedge plate is interposed between the pair of jaws to maintain the pair of jaws in the fully open condition; and

at least one proximal position wherein the distal end of the wedge plate is at least partially withdrawn from between the pair of jaws to permit the pair of jaws to be placed in at least a partially approximated condition; and

a release mechanism connected to the wedge plate, the release mechanism including an inner tube slidably disposed within the outer tube, the inner tube including a distal end coupled to the wedge plate, wherein an actuation of the release mechanism withdraws the distal end of the wedge plate from between the pair of jaws; and

wherein an actuation of the trigger withdraws the distal end of the wedge plate from between the pair of jaws.

13. The surgical clip applier according to claim 12, wherein the release mechanism includes a biasing member for urging the wedge plate to the distal-most position.

14. The surgical clip applier according to claim 13, wherein the biasing member is connected to at least the wedge plate.

15. The surgical clip applier according to claim 12, wherein a proximal end of the inner tube extends into the handle assembly, and wherein at least one release pin extends from the proximal end of the inner tube through a respective slot defined in the handle assembly.

16. The surgical clip applier according to claim 12, wherein the wedge plate is in the distal-most position when the trigger is in an un-actuated condition.

17. The surgical clip applier according to claim 12, wherein the wedge plate is in the distal-most position when the trigger and the release mechanism are both in an un-actuate condition.

18. The surgical clip applier according to claim 12, wherein the wedge plate is at least partially withdrawn when the trigger is at least partially actuated.