Ligating clip applicator

Claim 1

2, The jaw tips of Claim 1 wherein each jaw tip further includes a flat, exit portion stepped down below the plane of said U-shaped channel bases and extending from the distal end of each said recess to the distal end of each said jaw tip. 3. The jaw tips of Claim 1 wherein the inwardly facing, upper portion of each side wall of-each said U-shaped channel i-ncludes a Convex, curve" portion extending longitudinally along said U-shaped channel from a point rearward of said recess to the end of each jaw tip to facilitate proper closure of the ligating clip despite misalignment of said jaw tips. c* 15 4. The jaw tips of Claim 1 further including a tapered end portion for each of the upstanding side walls of each te U-shaped channel extending from a point forward of said S' recess to the distal .nd of said jaw tip to facilitate siting of a clip as it engages a vessel to be ligated. Jaw tips for a medical instrument for applying a plurality of ligating clips comprising: a generally U-shaped channel having a first and second 25 side wall and a base, the base of each jaw tip tapering \toward one another when said jaws are in the fully opened position; the distal end of each jaw tip including a recess, a first .11 30 portion of which undercuts said base, the base and the edge of the recess forming a sharp angle to form a stop for preventing a clip from receding from the jaws while it is being closed about a vessel to be ligated; each of said jaw tips including a flat exit portion stepped down below the plane of said channel base and TH 512 A -36- extending from- the distal end of said recess to the distal end of said jaw tip; and,. the inwardly facing upper portion of each side wall of each channel having a convex curved portion extending axially along said channel from a point rearward of said recess to the end of each jaw tip to facilitate proper closure of a ligating clip dispite slight misalignment of said jaw tips. 6. Jaw tips for a medical instrument for applying ligating clips substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. aNC *a a aa** *r* as e Dated this 3rd day of February 1983 ETHICON, INC. By their Patent Attorney GRIFFITH,HASSEL FRAZER ar 8* a S* ta e e a 8 ETH 512 I I iI I A o In fixed Figures 3, 3A and 7, the rack 130 are labeled 134b. forward-most set of fingers Positioned between set longer than the on i" 134b is a transfer finger 200 which is other fingers 134 and is specially configured. As shown in Figure 3A, transfer finger 200 includes a three-faceted surface 530 which tapers in three facets to/transfer clips ETH 512 099 LL 9 9 9 9 99 99 9 99 9 9* 99 99 9 9* 9 99 of forward section 160. Portion 168 ot the bottom eage or sna rack 130 side walls 164 extends generally parallel to ramp 162 from hiouse a ,plur C\a B+ 30 end line 163 to a step 165. r* *u 30C and moving Y: g I. ~P C forward sect Portion 170 of the bottom of side wall 164 extend from moving rack step 165 to the end of forward section 160 generally wall 164 is parallel to the plane defined by rails 144 but is offset step 96 of slightly closer to main handle body 14. As will be explained later in connection with the operation of the ETH, 512 EHH512 0 0 0 S 0* 0. S. S 5 S S 0505 00 0. S 550 5 55 5 SOS S 055 5 0. S 0 0 FIG. i. TOP/N l/ 4 4 ?Vrp//ZZ OFFAr; z oPA?'6z. racK Liu snap 1nsiae sice or moving y wai. z rs .LLU LU house a plurality of clips 11 between the fixed rack 130 and moving rack 120. As shown in Figures 5B and 8, the forward section 160 of rack 130 extends beyond the end of moving rack 120 so that portion 170 of the bottom of side wall 164 is aligned in substantially the same plane as step 96 of channel 8. ETH 512 S 006@ FIG. i. P 7P/A'//O )VAW//ZZ eA/~ 2 2'O/ go o6'f 0/ *0 0 0 0\ S 0 0 forward-most clip lic will be prevented from moving transfer fi backwards by fingers 134b on fixed rack 130. Forward most Rik** 30 pusher 100 clip lc in Figure 9 is now in position ready to be placed recess tips in front of pusher fingers 1.04 when pusher 100 is correspondi withdrawn. explained, will be maj Referring now to Figure 8, the position of the operative 35 that it wil parts of cartridge 12 is shown with ring handles 2 and 4 ETH 512 8TH51 0 00 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 00 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 00 0 0 00 000 0 00 00000 0 0:0 0 000 0 0 000 0 00 0 FIG. 2. transfer finger 200 will transfer clip llc to the plane of release riT pusher 100 directly in front of pusher 100. The V-shaped 30 come out o recess tips 106 of pusher fingers 104 will engage the counter-cl( corresponding V-shape of clip llc so that, as previously drive pushi explained, when pusher 100 moves forward again, the clip correspond will be maintained in its partially opened position so As the \4ian that it will not jam as it is tranferred forward. 35 forward, b back of cl ETH 512 ETH 512 *000 000 0* 00 0. .00. 00. 00.0 e 0. 0. 4: S. 5 0C0 0 0t *C 0 0* 0*50 C 0 *I 0 C0 0 0 *r 0 S S Os 54 S. 0 05 5-0 0@ 0** 0 0 p p.s 0 0 0 S. 0 P 0 p 0 p p 0 ~I 0 0 0 0 5 Op p Op 0 p 0 0 00 p 0 0 0~ Op 0 0* 000* p 4~# app p SO p p FIG. 4A. rack 130 to nose section 6. The interaction of ratchet 30 slot 112 and ratchet pin 122 allows a portion of this long stroke motion to be captured to provide the short stroke ratcheting motion for moving rack 120 for indexing clips through cartridge 12. The interaction of pin 122 and its corresponding slot 129 provide positive stops for providing exactly the right stroke length to permit clips to be advanced through the cartridge in the right BTH 512 ;5 05 S oo e g *0S *0 S FIG. 4A. *0 U ETH 512 0 0 Oem @0 0 SOg* 0 0 S 0 Se 0 eS 5 5 S S *@00S 0 00 5 FIG. 4. -OA 200 C21/26o