US3687138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Repeating ligature gun
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-08-17
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Granted: 1972-08-29
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Expires: 1990-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A preformed ligature comprises a loop, loop forming closure and an extension which may be pulled to close the loop about a bleeder. One preformed ligature according to the invention is formed of a continuous loop of gut or synthetic suture material tied into a slip knot to form the closure and the extension is the second loop thus formed therein which may be pulled by means of a hook. Another preformed dual loop ligature is formed of a continuous loop of suture material and a narrow enveloping closure. The loop preferably has a ratchet-like surface and the closure a cooperating pawl-like surface to provide a ligature loop that may only slip one way. Repeating ligature guns for applying a plurality of such preformed ligatures comprise a tubular cartridge on which a plurality of the ligatures are preformed; the cartridge comprising a helical loop engaged track for advancing the ligatures toward the end thereof. During a surgical procedure, successive cartridges may be mounted on the instrument provided by the invention. The instrument comprises clamping jaws coaxial with the mounted cartridge for pulling a clamped bleeder into the end of the tubular cartridge and means for rotating the cartridge one revolution to advance a ligature off the end of its helical track. The cartridge preferably comprises a bar about which the second loops of the preferred forms of preformed ligatures are formed for preventing rotation of the ligatures as they are advanced by the helical track and for pushing against the slip knot or closure when the ligature is being tightened. A trigger on the ligature gun controls closure of the jaws and withdrawing of the bleeder into the end of the cartridge while rotating the cartridge one revolution by means of a cam mechanism to release a ligature. The cam track may be part of the cartridge or part of the instrument. The instrument is provided with a hook for engaging the second loop of the pretied ligature and for pulling the same to tighten the ligature about a bleeder. The hook may be actuated by the first trigger or by a second hook trigger. In one embodiment of the invention, a cutter is provided for cutting the extended loop of the pretied ligature.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert K Jarvik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/12009; A61B17/12013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A unitary repeating ligature gun comprising: A. a ligature carrier adapted to carry a plurality of ligatures each comprising an elongated piece of material formed into a closed loop and an extended portion which when pulled reduces the size of the loop, said carrier being hollow at at least one end thereof and having a plurality of ligatures surrounding the carrier adjacent said hollow end, the ligature closest to said hollow end being the foremost; B. grasping means for grasping the material to be ligated; C. grasping actuator means for causing said grasping means to grasp material to be ligated and to position the same axially within the hollow end of said carrier; D. means for pulling the extended portion of the foremost ligature to constrict the loop portion thereof about the material to be ligated; E. mounting means to which said ligature carrier, said grasping means, said grasping actuator means, and said pulling means are mounted; and, F. further means mounted on said mounting means and operatively associated with said ligature carrier, said grasping actuator means, and said pulling means, and for causing said grasping means first to grasp the material to be ligated, second to position the same within the hollow end of said carrier, third to release said foremost ligature, fourth to pull the extended portion of the ligature to ligate the material to be ligated, and to advance the next foremost ligature to the foremost position on said carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
A unitary repeating ligature gun comprising: A. a ligature carrier adapted to carry a plurality of ligatures each comprising an elongated piece of material formed into a closed loop and an extended portion which when pulled reduces the size of the loop, said carrier being hollow at at least one end thereof and having a plurality of ligatures surrounding the carrier adjacent said hollow end, the ligature closest to said hollow end being the foremost; B. grasping means for grasping the material to be ligated; C. grasping actuator means for causing said grasping means to grasp material to be ligated and to position the same axially within the hollow end of said carrier; D. means for pulling the extended portion of the foremost ligature to constrict the loop portion thereof about the material to be ligated; E. mounting means to which said ligature carrier, said grasping means, said grasping actuator means, and said pulling means are mounted; and, F. further means mounted on said mounting means and operatively associated with said ligature carrier, said grasping actuator means, and said pulling means, and for causing said grasping means first to grasp the material to be ligated, second to position the same within the hollow end of said carrier, third to release said foremost ligature, fourth to pull the extended portion of the ligature to ligate the material to be ligated, and to advance the next foremost ligature to the foremost position on said carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
148 words
A ligating instrument comprising: A. grasping means for grasping material to be ligated; B. a hollow ligature carrier adapted to carry a plurality of ligatures axially aligned about the hollow portion of said ligature carrier; C. means for causing said grasping means to grasp material to be ligated; D. means for reciprocating said grasping means axially with respect to said carrier to position the foremost of said ligatures while still on said hollow ligature carrier about the material to be ligated while the material is grasped by said grasping means; E. means for advancing said ligatures on said carrier one at a time for each reciprocation of said carrier means and actuation of said grasping means; and F. means for causing the foremost of said ligatures to engage and ligate said material to be ligated for each reciprocation of said carrier means with respect to said grasping means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
148 words
A ligating instrument comprising: A. grasping means for grasping material to be ligated; B. a hollow ligature carrier adapted to carry a plurality of ligatures axially aligned about the hollow portion of said ligature carrier; C. means for causing said grasping means to grasp material to be ligated; D. means for reciprocating said grasping means axially with respect to said carrier to position the foremost of said ligatures while still on said hollow ligature carrier about the material to be ligated while the material is grasped by said grasping means; E. means for advancing said ligatures on said carrier one at a time for each reciprocation of said carrier means and actuation of said grasping means; and F. means for causing the foremost of said ligatures to engage and ligate said material to be ligated for each reciprocation of said carrier means with respect to said grasping means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A ligating instrument as defined in claim 2 wherein said advancing means comprises an exterior helical track on said ligature carrier and means for rotating said carrier one revolution for each said reciprocation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A ligating instrument as defined in claim 3 wherein said ligature carrier is removable from said ligating instrument.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A ligating instrument as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for rotating said ligature carrier comprises a helical cam track and a reciprocating cam actuator, said cam actuator being reciprocated simultaneously with actuation of said grasping means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A ligating instrument as defined in claim 2 wherein said grasping means extends through and is mounted for axial motion within said ligature carrier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A Ligating instrument as defined in claim 6 and trigger means for actuating said means for causing, said reciprocating means, said advancing means, and said last-named means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A unitary ligature gun as defined in claim 1 wherein the ligatures each comprise a first and a second loop having at least one common loop forming portion, each of said first loops being mounted about said ligature carrier, and: G. a rod spaced from and extending parallel to said carrier means about which each of of said second loops are engaged.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A unitary ligature gun as defined in claim 8 wherein said ligature carrier comprises an exterior helical track, and: H. means for rotating said carrier one revolution each time said grasping means positions material within the hollow end of said carrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
A unitary ligature gun as defined in claim 8 and: H. hook means for engaging the second of said loops of the foremost ligature which is about said rod after the first loop thereof has been disengaged from said helical track, said hook means being adapted to pull said second loop to tighten said first loop of said ligature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A unitary ligature gun as defined in claim 10 wherein the ligatures each comprise closure means medial thereof; and said hook means and said rod are formed such that said closure means is maintained in engagement with said rod as the ligature is tightened.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
193 words
A repeating ligating instrument comprising: A. jaws for grasping material to be ligated; B. actuator means to which said grasping jaws are mounted; C. mounting means for mounting a hollow ligature carrier about said actuator means; D. a hollow ligature carrier for mounting to said mounting means, said carrier adapted to carry a plurality of ligatures which when said carrier is mounted to said mounting means are aligned axially about said actuator means; E. ligature presentation means for causing said ligature carrier to present at least one of said ligatures at a time for ligation; F. manually operable means mounted to said mounting means and operatively associated with said actuator means and said ligature presentation means for: a. first causing said jaws to close and grasp material to be ligated, b. second for reciprocating said jaws with respect to said carrier while the jaws are grasping material to be ligated, c. third for fastening at least one of said ligatures to the material to be ligated, and d. for causing said ligature presentation means to present at least another ligature for ligation before said jaws are again reciprocated with respect to said carrier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
193 words
A repeating ligating instrument comprising: A. jaws for grasping material to be ligated; B. actuator means to which said grasping jaws are mounted; C. mounting means for mounting a hollow ligature carrier about said actuator means; D. a hollow ligature carrier for mounting to said mounting means, said carrier adapted to carry a plurality of ligatures which when said carrier is mounted to said mounting means are aligned axially about said actuator means; E. ligature presentation means for causing said ligature carrier to present at least one of said ligatures at a time for ligation; F. manually operable means mounted to said mounting means and operatively associated with said actuator means and said ligature presentation means for: a. first causing said jaws to close and grasp material to be ligated, b. second for reciprocating said jaws with respect to said carrier while the jaws are grasping material to be ligated, c. third for fastening at least one of said ligatures to the material to be ligated, and d. for causing said ligature presentation means to present at least another ligature for ligation before said jaws are again reciprocated with respect to said carrier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |