US5464416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ligating clip
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 1992-11-10
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Granted: 1995-11-07
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Expires: 2012-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A surgical fastener is provided which is adapted to be secured in a closed position about body tissue by a fastener-applying instrument. The surgical fastener comprises first and second leg members, each having distal and proximal ends. A resilient hinge connects the first and second leg members at their proximal ends. A latch mechanism is associated with the distal ends of the first and second leg members for locking the first and second leg members in a closed position about the body tissue. Lateral extensions are provided on the first and second leg members for engaging with the fastener-applying instrument to allow the instrument to move the first and second leg members toward one another until the latch mechanism locks the first and second leg members in a closed position about the body tissue. The first leg member and its associated lateral extensions and the second leg member and its associated lateral extensions may each define a substantially T-shaped, trapezoidal or bell-shaped cross section.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark G. Steckel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:59
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/122; A61B17/128; A61B17/1285
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A surgical fastener adapted to be secured in a closed position about body tissue by a fastener-applying instrument comprising: first and second leg members each having distal and proximal ends and an inner tissue engaging surface and an opposing outer surface; resilient hinge means for connecting said first and second leg members at their proximal ends; and engagement means, positioned laterally on at least one of said first and second leg members between said inner and outer surfaces of said one leg member without extending beyond said opposing outer surface of said one leg member, for engaging with said fastener-applying instrument to allow said instrument to move said first and second leg members toward one another until said first and second leg members are in a closed position about said body tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A surgical fastener adapted to be secured in a closed position about body tissue by a fastener-applying instrument comprising: first and second leg members each having distal and proximal ends and an inner tissue engaging surface and an opposing outer surface; resilient hinge means for connecting said first and second leg members at their proximal ends; and engagement means, positioned laterally on at least one of said first and second leg members between said inner and outer surfaces of said one leg member without extending beyond said opposing outer surface of said one leg member, for engaging with said fastener-applying instrument to allow said instrument to move said first and second leg members toward one another until said first and second leg members are in a closed position about said body tissue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein said engagement means is positioned laterally on both said first and second leg members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein said engagement means comprises first and second lateral extensions integrally formed with said first leg member and third and fourth lateral extensions integrally formed with said second leg member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first and second lateral extensions extend from opposing lateral faces of said first leg member and said third and fourth lateral extensions extend from opposing lateral faces of said second leg member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 4, wherein said first leg member and its associated lateral extensions and said second leg member and its associated lateral extensions each define a substantially T-shaped cross section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first leg member and its associated lateral extensions and said second leg member and its associated lateral extensions, each define a substantially trapezoidal cross section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 3, wherein said first leg member and its associated lateral extensions and said second leg member and its associated lateral extensions each define a substantially bell-shaped cross section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second leg members and said resilient hinge means are made from a polymeric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second leg members and said resilient hinge means are made from an absorbable polymeric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
175 words
A combination comprising a clip-applying instrument and a ligating clip adapted to be secured in a closed position about body tissue by said clip-applying instrument, said ligating clip comprising: first and second leg members each having distal and proximal ends and an inner tissue engaging surface and an opposing outer surface; resilient hinge means for connecting said first and second leg members at their proximal ends; latch means associated with the distal ends of said first and second leg members for locking said first and second leg members in a closed position about said body tissue; and engagement means, positioned laterally on at least one of said first and second leg members between said inner and outer surfaces of said one leg member without extending beyond said opposing outer surface of said one leg member, for engaging with said clip-applying instrument to allow said instrument to move said first and second leg members toward one another until said latch means locks said first and second leg members in a closed position about said body tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
175 words
A combination comprising a clip-applying instrument and a ligating clip adapted to be secured in a closed position about body tissue by said clip-applying instrument, said ligating clip comprising: first and second leg members each having distal and proximal ends and an inner tissue engaging surface and an opposing outer surface; resilient hinge means for connecting said first and second leg members at their proximal ends; latch means associated with the distal ends of said first and second leg members for locking said first and second leg members in a closed position about said body tissue; and engagement means, positioned laterally on at least one of said first and second leg members between said inner and outer surfaces of said one leg member without extending beyond said opposing outer surface of said one leg member, for engaging with said clip-applying instrument to allow said instrument to move said first and second leg members toward one another until said latch means locks said first and second leg members in a closed position about said body tissue.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination as set forth in claim 10, wherein said engagement means is positioned laterally on both said first and second leg members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination as set forth in claim 10, wherein said engagement means comprises first and second lateral extensions integrally formed with said first leg member and third and fourth lateral extensions integrally formed with said second leg member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination as set forth in claim 12, wherein said first and second lateral extensions extend from opposing lateral faces of said first leg member and said third and fourth lateral extensions extend from opposing lateral faces of said second leg member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first leg member and its associated lateral extensions and said second leg member and its associated lateral extensions each define a substantially T-shaped cross section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as set forth in claim 12, wherein said first leg member and its associated lateral extensions and said second leg member and its associated lateral extensions each define a substantially trapezoidal cross section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as set forth in claim 12, wherein said first leg member and its associated lateral extensions and said second leg member and its associated lateral extensions each define a substantially bell-shaped cross section.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first and second leg members, said resilient hinge means and said latch means are made from a polymeric material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first and second leg members, said resilient hinge means and said latch means are made from an absorbable polymeric material.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for securing a ligating clip in a closed position about body tissue, wherein said ligating clip comprises first and second leg members having distal and proximal ends and an inner tissue engaging surface and an opposing outer surface, hinge means for connecting said first and second leg members at their proximal ends, latch means associated with the distal ends of said first and second leg members for locking said first and second leg members in a closed position, and engagement means, positioned laterally on at least one of said first and second leg members between said inner and outer surfaces of said one leg member without extending beyond said opposing outer surface of said one leg member, for engaging with a fastener-applying instrument, said method comprising the steps of: engaging said laterally positioned engagement means with said fastener-applying instrument; positioning said clip such that said leg members extend on opposite sides of said body tissue; and employing said fastener-applying instrument to move said first and second leg members toward one another until said latch means locks said first and second leg members in a closed position with said body tissue engaged therebetween.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
194 words
A method for securing a ligating clip in a closed position about body tissue, wherein said ligating clip comprises first and second leg members having distal and proximal ends and an inner tissue engaging surface and an opposing outer surface, hinge means for connecting said first and second leg members at their proximal ends, latch means associated with the distal ends of said first and second leg members for locking said first and second leg members in a closed position, and engagement means, positioned laterally on at least one of said first and second leg members between said inner and outer surfaces of said one leg member without extending beyond said opposing outer surface of said one leg member, for engaging with a fastener-applying instrument, said method comprising the steps of: engaging said laterally positioned engagement means with said fastener-applying instrument; positioning said clip such that said leg members extend on opposite sides of said body tissue; and employing said fastener-applying instrument to move said first and second leg members toward one another until said latch means locks said first and second leg members in a closed position with said body tissue engaged therebetween.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method for securing a ligating clip in a closed position about body tissue as set forth in claim 19, further comprising the step of passing said clip through the passageway of a cannula prior to performing the step of positioning said clip such that said leg members extend on opposite sides of said body tissue.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method for securing a ligating clip in a closed position about body tissue as set forth in claim 19, wherein said fastener-applying instrument moves said first and second leg members toward one another by applying a closing force to said engagement means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method for securing a ligating clip in a closed position about body tissue as set forth in claim 19, wherein said fastener-applying instrument moves said first and second leg members toward one another by applying a closing force to respective outer surfaces of said first and second leg members.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
165 words
A surgical fastener adapted to be secured in a closed position about body tissue by a fastener-applying instrument comprising: first and second leg members each having distal and proximal ends and an inner tissue engaging surface and an opposing outer surface; resilient hinge means for connecting said first and second leg members at their proximal ends; latch means associated with the distal ends of said first and second leg members for locking said first and second leg members in a closed position about said body tissue; and engagement means, positioned laterally on at least one of said first and second leg members between said inner and outer surfaces of said one leg member without extending beyond said opposing outer surface of said one leg member, for engaging with said fastener-applying instrument to allow said instrument to move said first and second leg members toward one another until said latch means locks said first and second leg members in a closed position about said body tissue.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
165 words
A surgical fastener adapted to be secured in a closed position about body tissue by a fastener-applying instrument comprising: first and second leg members each having distal and proximal ends and an inner tissue engaging surface and an opposing outer surface; resilient hinge means for connecting said first and second leg members at their proximal ends; latch means associated with the distal ends of said first and second leg members for locking said first and second leg members in a closed position about said body tissue; and engagement means, positioned laterally on at least one of said first and second leg members between said inner and outer surfaces of said one leg member without extending beyond said opposing outer surface of said one leg member, for engaging with said fastener-applying instrument to allow said instrument to move said first and second leg members toward one another until said latch means locks said first and second leg members in a closed position about said body tissue.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 23, wherein said engagement means is positioned laterally on both said first and second leg members.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 23, wherein said engagement means comprises first and second lateral extensions integrally formed with said first leg member and third and fourth lateral extensions integrally formed with said second leg member.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
43 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 25, wherein said first and second lateral extensions extend from opposing lateral faces of said first leg member and said third and fourth lateral extensions extend from opposing lateral faces of said second leg member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 26, wherein said first leg member and its associated lateral extensions and said second leg member and its associated lateral extensions each define a substantially T-shaped cross section.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 25, wherein said first leg member and its associated lateral extensions and said second leg member and its associated lateral extensions each define a substantially trapezoidal cross section.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 25, wherein said first leg member and its associated lateral extensions and said second leg member and its associated lateral extensions each define a substantially bell-shaped cross section.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 23, wherein said first and second leg members, said resilient hinge means and said latch means are made from a polymeric material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
A surgical fastener as set forth in claim 23, wherein said first and second leg members, said resilient hinge means and said latch means are made from an absorbable polymeric material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-11-06 | 1999-05-08 | 1999-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-11-06 | 2003-05-08 | 2003-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-11-06 | 2007-05-08 | 2007-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |