Clip feeder mechanism for clip applying device

• US 20070049949A1
• Filed: 08/25/2005
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microline PENTAX, Inc. (Hoya Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microline PENTAX, Inc. (Hoya Corporation)
• Inventors: Manetakis, Emmanuel
• Application Number:
  US11/210,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20070049949A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1222 Packages or dispensers therefor clip magazines incorporated in a clip-applying instrument A61B17/128; for surgical articles A61B50/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/128 for applying or removing clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 Pistol grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument

Abstract

An advancement block for a clip applying device. The advancement block includes a body that proximally slides in the axial direction when a trigger is squeezed, and further distally slides in the axial direction when the trigger is released, and a toggle pivotably connected to the body, the toggle pivoting in a first direction about a pivot axis generally orthogonal to the axial direction and to a first position when the body proximally slides in the axial direction, the toggle further pivoting in a second direction about the pivot axis and to a second position when the body distally slides in the axial direction. When in the second position, the toggle engages and distally moves the ladder member such that the ladder member distally moves the rearmost clip in the axial direction.

Claims

1. An advancement block for a clip applying device, the clip applying device having a squeezable trigger and a barrel configured to accept a cartridge having a ladder member slidable in a generally longitudinal axial direction in relation to the barrel, the ladder member further configured to engage a rearmost clip of a plurality of serially-installed clips, the advancement block comprising:

a body proximally slidable in the axial direction when the trigger is squeezed, and further distally slidable in the axial direction when the trigger is released; and

a toggle pivotably connected to said body, said toggle pivotable in a first direction about a pivot axis generally orthogonal to the axial direction and to a first position when said body proximally slides in the axial direction, said toggle further pivotable in a second direction about the pivot axis and to a second position when said body distally slides in the axial direction, wherein when in said second position, said toggle engages and distally move the ladder member such that the ladder member distally moves the rearmost clip in the axial direction.

2. The advancement block according to claim 1, further comprising a spring engageable with said toggle to bias said toggle in the second direction and to said second position.

3. The advancement block according to claim 2, wherein said spring is a leaf spring.

4. The advancement block according to claim 1, wherein the clip applying device further includes a generally U-shaped elongated channel generally disposed within the barrel, the channel having an aperture in a bottom region thereof, wherein at least a portion of said toggle enters the aperture and engages the ladder member when said body distally slides.

5. The advancement block according to claim 4, wherein when said body proximally slides in the axial direction, said toggle engages an edge of said aperture and pivots to said first position.

6. The advancement block according to claim 1, further comprising a pivot shaft about which said toggle pivots in the first direction and the second direction, said pivot shaft having a one of a generally U or J shaped configuration.

7. The advancement block according to claim 2, wherein said toggle is further pivotable to the first position against the biasing force of said spring.

8. The advancement block according to claim 2, wherein the clip applying device further comprises a generally U-shaped elongated channel generally disposed within the barrel, the channel having an aperture in a bottom region thereof, wherein at least a portion of said toggle enters said aperture and engages the ladder member when said body distally slides, and wherein at least a portion of said toggle engages an edge of said aperture and pivots to said first position against the biasing force of said spring, when said body proximally slides in the axial direction.

9. The advancement block according to claim 1, further comprising a stop engageable with said toggle to stop the pivoting of said toggle in the second direction.

10. The advancement block according to claim 1, wherein said toggle is generally shaped like a right triangle.

17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising stopping, via a stop located on the advancement block, the pivoting of the toggle in the second direction.

11. A method of advancing a clip cartridge ladder member in a clip applying device, the clip applying device having a squeezable trigger, a barrel configured to accept a clip cartridge having the ladder member therein, and an advancement block operably connected to the trigger, the method comprising:

squeezing the trigger to proximally slide the advancement block in a generally longitudinal axial direction in relation to the barrel;

pivoting an advancement block toggle in a first direction about a pivot axis generally orthogonal to the axial direction and to a first position;

releasing the trigger to distally slide the advancement block in the axial direction;

pivoting the toggle in a second direction about the pivot axis and to a second position; and

engaging and distally moving the ladder member such that the ladder member distally moves the rearmost clip in the axial direction.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising biasing the toggle in the second direction and to said second position.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the clip applying device further comprises a generally U-shaped elongated channel generally disposed within the barrel, the channel having an aperture in a bottom region thereof, the method further comprising inserting at least a portion of the toggle in the aperture before said engaging and distally moving the ladder member.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said pivoting the toggle in the first direction includes the toggle engaging an edge of the aperture.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein said pivoting the toggle in the first direction is against the biasing force of the spring.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the clip applying device further comprises a generally U-shaped elongated channel generally disposed within the barrel, the channel having an aperture in a bottom region thereof, wherein said pivoting the toggle in the first direction is against the biasing force of the spring, the method further comprising inserting at least a portion of the toggle in the aperture before said engaging and distally moving the ladder member.

18. A clip applying device comprising:

a squeezable trigger that effects a clip-crimping operation;

a barrel that accepts a cartridge having a ladder member being slidable in a generally longitudinal axial direction in relation to said barrel, the ladder member further being engageable a rearmost clip of a plurality of serially-installed clips;

an advancement block operatively connected to said trigger and being proximally slidable in the axial direction when said trigger is squeezed, and further being distally slidable in the axial direction when said trigger is released; and

a toggle pivotably connected to said advancement block, said toggle being pivotable in a first direction about a pivot axis generally orthogonal to the axial direction and to a first position when said advancement block proximally slides in the axial direction, said toggle being pivotable in a second direction about the pivot axis and to a second position when said advancement block distally slides in the axial direction, wherein when in said second position, said toggle engages and distally moves the ladder member such that the ladder member distally moves the rearmost clip in the axial direction.

19. The device according to claim 18, further comprising a spring affixed to said advancement block and engageable with said toggle to bias said toggle in the second direction and to said second position.

20. The device according to claim 18, further comprising a generally U-shaped elongated channel generally disposed within the barrel, said channel having an aperture in a bottom region thereof, wherein at least a portion of said toggle enters the aperture and engages the ladder member when said body distally slides.