Easy loading hemostatic clip and cartridge

• US 5,908,430 A
• Filed: 03/20/1997
• Issued: 06/01/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Weck Closure Systems Llc (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Weck Closure Systems Llc (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Inventors: Appleby, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US08/821,780
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 206/338-341, 206/438, 227/902, 606/157, 606/158
• US Class Current: 606/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206
• 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

Abstract

The present invention provides a cartridge that retains clips in their slots and also facilitates removal of the clips by a clip applier. The slots are provided with at least one and preferably two retaining members that protrude from and preferably run substantially parallel to the slot-defining walls. The retaining members interfere with the clip to an extent sufficient to retain the clip in the slot while permitting relative movement between the clip and the saddle. In a preferred embodiment, the legs of the clip are flared to further facilitate engagement between the clip legs and the grooves of the applier jaws.

Claims

1. A hemostatic clip application system for dispensing and applying preformed, generally V-shaped hemostatic clips to a blood vessel, said system comprising:

at least one clip comprising a pair of legs having first and second regions and a connecting portion extending therebetween and connecting said first regions of said legs;

a cartridge body base having a longitudinal axis;

a cartridge body comprising a plurality of substantially parallel walls extending upwardly from said base and substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis, said walls being spaced apart and having first and second substantially parallel, opposed wall faces defining slots to retain said clip, said slots including a saddle extending between said faces for mounting said clip within said slot and being adapted to permit relative movement of said clip with respect to said saddle, said saddle being configured and dimensioned to closely conform to an inner peripheral edge of said clip adjacent said first regions and said connecting portion thereof;

at least one retaining member protruding from said faces defining said slot, said retaining member interfering with said clip at a pinch point located on an apex thereof to an extent sufficient to hold said clip in said slot while permitting relative movement between said clip and said saddle, said clip being disposed on said saddle such that the clearance between said lower regions of said clip legs and said walls of said slots is of a predetermined dimension; and

a clip applier for application of said clip about said blood vessel, said clip applier including a pair of opposed, articulating jaws formed thereon, said jaws having a pair of opposed grooves formed therein to grasp and withdraw said clip from said slots within said cartridge body, said jaws being configured to be insertable between said wall faces defining said slots to withdraw said clip without contacting said wall faces thereby eliminating any interference between said jaws and said wall faces to facilitate removal of said clip.

2. The clip application system of claim 1 wherein said second regions of said clip legs are flared.

3. The clip application system of claim 2 wherein said cartridge body is a unitary molded cartridge body.

4. The clip application system of claim 2 wherein said cartridge body comprises a low durometer material.

5. The clip application system of claim 4 wherein said extent of interference between said retaining member and said clip is between about 0.0051-0.025 cm (0.002-0.010").

6. The clip application system of claim 5 wherein said saddle has an outer surface and said clip legs have an inner surface that is separated from said outer surface of said saddle by a total clearance of at least about 0.05 cm (0.010").

7. The clip application system of claim 4 wherein said saddle has an outer surface and said clip legs have an inner surface that is separated from said outer surface of said saddle by a total clearance of at least about 0.05 cm (0.010").

8. The clip application system of claim 4 wherein said material has exceptional characteristics for adherence to adhesive tape.

9. The clip application system of claim 2 wherein said extent of interference between said retaining member and said clip is between about 0.0051-0.025 cm (0.002-0.010").

10. The clip application system of claim 9 wherein said saddle has an outer surface and said clip legs have an inner surface that is separated from said outer surface of said saddle by a total clearance of at least about 0.05 cm (0.010").

11. The clip application system of claim 2 wherein said saddle has an outer surface and said clip legs have an inner surface that is separated from said outer surface of said saddle by a total clearance of at least about 0.05 cm (0.010).

12. The clip application system of claim 1 wherein said cartridge body is a unitary molded cartridge body.

13. The clip application system of claim 12 wherein said cartridge body comprises a low durometer material.

14. The clip application system of claim 13 wherein said material has exceptional characteristics for adherence to adhesive tape.

15. The clip application system of claim 1 wherein said cartridge body comprises a low durometer material.

16. The clip application system of claim 15 wherein said material has exceptional characteristics for adherence to adhesive tape.

17. The clip application system of claim 15 wherein said extent of interference between said retaining member and said clip is between about 0.0051-0.025 cm (0.002-0.010").

18. The clip application system of claim 17 wherein said saddle has an outer surface and said clip legs have an inner surface that is separated from said outer surface of said saddle by a total clearance of at least about 0.05 cm (0.010").

19. The clip application system of claim 15 wherein said saddle has an outer surface and said clip legs have an inner surface that is separated from said outer surface of said saddle by a total clearance of at least about 0.05 cm (0.010").

20. The clip application system of claim 1 wherein said extent of interference between said retaining member and said clip is between,/about 0.0051-0.025 cm (0.002-0.010").

21. The clip application system of claim 20 wherein said saddle has an outer surface and said clip legs have an inner surface that is separated from said outer surface of said saddle by a total clearance of at least about 0.05 cm (0.010").

22. The clip application system of claim 1 wherein said saddle has an outer surface and said clip legs have an inner surface that is separated from said outer surface of said saddle by a total clearance of at least about 0.05 cm (0.010").

23. An improved clip application system for holding and dispensing pre-formed, generally V-shaped hemostatic clips, said clip application system being of the type including at least one clip comprising a pair of legs having first and second regions and a connecting portion extending therebetween and connecting said first regions of said legs, a cartridge body base having a longitudinal axis, a cartridge body including a plurality of substantially parallel walls extending upwardly from said base and substantially transverse to said longitudinal axis, said walls being spaced apart and having first and second substantially parallel, opposed wall faces defining slots therebetween to retain said clips therein, said improvements comprising:

saddle means interposed between said opposed wall faces within said slots, said saddle means being adapted to receive said clips in sliding engagement thereon, said saddle means being configured and dimensioned to closely conform to an inner peripheral edge of said clips adjacent said first regions and said connection portion such that said clips are secured in functional relation to said saddle while permitting relative movement between said clip and said saddle means to facilitate withdrawal thereof by a clip applier; and

at least one retaining member protruding from said faces defining said slot, said retaining member interfering with said clip at a pinch point located on said connection portion to an extent sufficient to hold said clip in said slot while permitting relative movement between said clip and said saddle, said clip being disposed on said saddle such that the clearance between said lower regions of said clip legs and said opposed wall faces of said slot is of a sufficient dimension to permit said clip applier to be filly inserted into said slot without touching said faces of said slot.