Patent US5269792A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5269792A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical clip
Assignee: Covidien AG
•
Filing: 1992-10-07
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Granted: 1993-12-14
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Expires: 2012-10-07
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a surgical clip for use in conjunction with a clip applier. The clip may be closed in a curved shape, has improved gripping capabilities, and maximizes the gripping surface relative to clip size. The clip preferably includes a longitudinal channel through the gripping surfaces of the clip legs, the channel having at least one sidewall inclined to form an undercut, such that the channel is wider at its floor than at its opening in the gripping surface. The clip further may have one leg longer than the other such that the clip may be closed in a curved shape with the legs parallel and the tips of the legs substantially even. The clip may also have one or more inverse arcuate portions on at least one of its legs to improve the tightness of clip closure.
Inventors
- 👤 Tim Kovac
- 👤 Terrance Kloeckl
- 👤 Jay Daulton
- 👤 Peter F. Costa
- 👤 William A. Holmes
- 👤 Richard J. Saunders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/128; A61B17/122; A61B17/1285; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B2017/2929
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A surgical clip for use in a clip applier, the clip comprising: a first leg and a second leg connected at an apex and having distal ends separated by a gap so as to generally form a V-shape; and means disposed on a gripping surface of said first and second legs for gripping tissue, said means for gripping comprising at least a first recess having a pair of sidewalls extending from a floor of the recess to the gripping surface, at least one of said sidewalls being undercut such that a portion of the sidewall overlies the floor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A surgical clip for use in a clip applier, the clip comprising: a first leg and a second leg connected at an apex and having distal ends separated by a gap so as to generally form a V-shape; and means disposed on a gripping surface of said first and second legs for gripping tissue, said means for gripping comprising at least a first recess having a pair of sidewalls extending from a floor of the recess to the gripping surface, at least one of said sidewalls being undercut such that a portion of the sidewall overlies the floor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The surgical clip according to claim 1 wherein the recess comprises a longitudinal channel on each leg extending from a point near the apex to a point near the distal end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical clip according to claim 1 wherein the recess comprises a transverse groove, the means for gripping further comprising a plurality of such transverse grooves on the gripping surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The surgical clip according to claim 1 wherein the recess comprises a channel having a floor and an opening opposite the floor, the sidewalls extending from the floor to the opening and being inclined such that the floor is wider than the opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The surgical clip according to claim 4 wherein the floor is concave.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The surgical clip according to claim 1 wherein the recess comprises a pair of inclined channels intersecting at a point near the gripping surface, the recess sidewalls comprising sidewalls of the inclined channels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The surgical clip according to claim 6 wherein the inclined channels intersect to form an opening at the gripping surface that is wider than each channel alone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical clip according to claim 7 wherein the recess has a triangular base disposed between the inclined channels, an apex of the triangular base being disposed below the opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The surgical clip according to claim 1 wherein the first leg has a first curvature and the second leg has a second curvature when the clip is open, said first and second curvatures selected such that the gripping surfaces of each leg are at least partially concave.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The surgical clip according to claim 1 wherein the clip is configured for closure with the first and second legs substantially parallel and in a third curvature, the first leg being longer than the second leg by a first distance selected such that the distal ends of the clip are even when the clip is closed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The surgical clip according to claim 9 wherein at least one of the first and second legs has a distal portion having an inverse curvature such that the gripping surface on said distal portion is convex.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A surgical clip for use with a clip applier having a curved anvil for closing the clip in a curved shape, the clip comprising: a first leg and a second leg connected at an apex and having distal ends separated by a gap so as to generally form a V-shape, wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg by a first distance when the clip is in an open configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
A surgical clip for use with a clip applier having a curved anvil for closing the clip in a curved shape, the clip comprising: a first leg and a second leg connected at an apex and having distal ends separated by a gap so as to generally form a V-shape, wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg by a first distance when the clip is in an open configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
The surgical clip according to claim 12 further comprising means disposed on a gripping surface of said first and second legs for gripping tissue, said means for gripping comprising at least a first recess on the gripping surface of each leg.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The surgical clip according to claim 13 wherein the recess has a pair of sidewalls extending from a floor of the recess to the gripping surface, at least a first of the sidewalls being undercut such that a portion of the sidewall overlies the floor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The surgical clip according to claim 14 wherein the recess comprises a longitudinal channel extending from a point near the apex to a point near the distal end of each leg.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical clip according to claim 14 further comprising a plurality of recesses on the gripping surface, the recesses comprising transverse grooves.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The surgical clip according to claim 12 wherein the first leg has a first curvature and the second leg has a second curvature when the clip is open, said first and second curvatures selected such that the gripping surfaces of each leg are at least partially concave.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical clip according to claim 17 wherein at least one of the first and second legs has a distal portion having a curvature different than the curvature of a proximal portion of the leg.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The surgical clip according to claim 18 wherein the curvature of the distal portion is selected such that the gripping surface in the distal portion is convex.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical clip according to claim 13 wherein a region of the gripping surface near the apex of the clip is substantially free of surface features.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The surgical clip according to claim 14 wherein the recess comprises a channel having a floor and an opening opposite the floor, the sidewalls extending from the floor to the opening and being inclined such that the floor is wider than the opening.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The surgical clip according to claim 21 wherein the floor is concave.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The surgical clip according to claim 14 wherein the recess comprises a pair of inclined channels intersecting at a point near the gripping surface, the recess sidewalls comprising sidewalls of the inclined channels.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The surgical clip according to claim 23 wherein the inclined channels intersect to form an opening at the gripping surface that is wider than each channel alone.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical clip according to claim 24 wherein the recess has a triangular base disposed between the inclined channels, an apex of the triangular base being disposed below the opening.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The surgical clip according to claim 12 wherein the distal end of the second leg is beveled at an acute angle relative to an axis perpendicular to the gripping surface at the distal end.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
148 words
A surgical clip for use with a clip applier having a curved anvil for closing the clip in a curved shape, the clip comprising: a first leg and a second leg connected at an apex and having distal ends separated by a gap so as to generally form a V-shape, wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg by a first distance when the clip is in an open configuration; and means disposed on a gripping surface of said first and second legs for gripping tissue, said means for gripping comprising a channel extending longitudinally on the gripping surface to a point near the distal end of each leg, the channel having a pair of sidewalls extending from a floor of the recess to the gripping surface, at least a first of the sidewalls being undercut such that a portion of the sidewall overlies the floor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
148 words
A surgical clip for use with a clip applier having a curved anvil for closing the clip in a curved shape, the clip comprising: a first leg and a second leg connected at an apex and having distal ends separated by a gap so as to generally form a V-shape, wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg by a first distance when the clip is in an open configuration; and means disposed on a gripping surface of said first and second legs for gripping tissue, said means for gripping comprising a channel extending longitudinally on the gripping surface to a point near the distal end of each leg, the channel having a pair of sidewalls extending from a floor of the recess to the gripping surface, at least a first of the sidewalls being undercut such that a portion of the sidewall overlies the floor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The surgical clip according to claim 27 wherein the means for gripping further comprises a plurality of transverse grooves on the gripping surface, the grooves intersecting the channel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A surgical clip as in claim 28 wherein the transverse grooves are disposed at oblique angles on each side of the longitudinal channel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
A surgical clip as in claim 29 wherein the grooves from a V-pattern in the transverse plane with the V's opening toward the distal end of each leg.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
A surgical clip as in claim 29 wherein the grooves form a V-pattern with the V's in each leg opening toward the apex.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
A surgical clip as in claim 29 wherein the grooves form a V-pattern with the V's in one leg open toward the apex and the V's in the other leg open toward the distal end of the leg.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
The surgical clip according to claim 27 wherein the first leg has a first curvature and the second leg has a second curvature when the clip is open, said first and second curvatures selected such that the gripping surfaces of each leg are at least partially concave.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
The surgical clip according to claim 33 wherein at least one of the first and second legs has a distal portion having a curvature selected such that the gripping surface in the distal portion is convex.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical clip according to claim 13 wherein the means for gripping comprises a plurality of slots drilled through the thickness of the clip.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical clip according to claim 12 wherein the distal ends of the legs are substantially even in a closed configuration.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical clip according to claim 27 wherein the distal ends of the legs are substantially even in a closed configuration.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
108 words
A surgical clip for use in a clip applier, the clip comprising: a first leg and a second leg connected at an apex and having distal ends separated by a gap so as to generally form a V-shape; means disposed on a gripping surface of said first and second legs for gripping tissue, said means for gripping comprising at least a first recess having a pair of sidewalls extending from a floor with an opening opposite the floor, at least a first of the sidewalls being undercut such that the distance between the sidewalls at the floor is greater than the distance between the sidewalls at the opening.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
108 words
A surgical clip for use in a clip applier, the clip comprising: a first leg and a second leg connected at an apex and having distal ends separated by a gap so as to generally form a V-shape; means disposed on a gripping surface of said first and second legs for gripping tissue, said means for gripping comprising at least a first recess having a pair of sidewalls extending from a floor with an opening opposite the floor, at least a first of the sidewalls being undercut such that the distance between the sidewalls at the floor is greater than the distance between the sidewalls at the opening.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The surgical clip according to claim 38 wherein the recess comprises a longitudinal channel on each leg extending from a point near the apex to a point near the distal end.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical clip according to claim 38 wherein the recess comprises a transverse groove, the means for gripping further comprising a plurality of such transverse grooves on the gripping surface.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
47 words
The surgical clip according to claim 38 wherein the first leg has a first curvature and the second leg has a second curvature when the clip is open, said first and second curvatures selected such that the gripping surfaces of each leg are at least partially concave.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
56 words
The surgical clip according to claim 38 wherein the clip is configured for closure with the first and second legs substantially parallel and in a third curvature, the first leg being longer than the second leg by a first distance selected such that the distal ends of the clip are even when the clip is closed.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical clip according to claim 41 wherein at least one of the first and second legs has a distal portion having an inverse curvature such that the gripping surface on said distal portion convex.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
89 words
A surgical clip for use with a clip applier having a curved anvil for closing the clip in a curved shape, the clip comprising: a first leg and a second leg connected at an apex and having distal ends separated by a gap so as to generally form a V-shape, wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg by a first distance selected such that the distal ends of the clip are even when the clip is closed with the legs substantially parallel in the curved shape.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
89 words
A surgical clip for use with a clip applier having a curved anvil for closing the clip in a curved shape, the clip comprising: a first leg and a second leg connected at an apex and having distal ends separated by a gap so as to generally form a V-shape, wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg by a first distance selected such that the distal ends of the clip are even when the clip is closed with the legs substantially parallel in the curved shape.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
41 words
The surgical clip according to claim 44 further comprising means disposed on a gripping surface of said first and second legs for gripping tissue, said means for gripping comprising at least a first recess on the gripping surface of each leg.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
55 words
The surgical clip according to claim 45 wherein the recess has a pair of sidewalls extending from a floor with an opening opposite the floor, at least a first of the sidewalls being undercut such that the distance between the sidewalls at the floor is greater than the distance between the sidewalls at the opening.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
The surgical clip according to claim 46 wherein the recess comprises a longitudinal channel extending from a point near the apex to a point near the distal end of each leg.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical clip according to claim 46 further comprising a plurality of recesses on the gripping surface, the recesses comprising a plurality of transverse grooves on the gripping surface.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
47 words
The surgical clip according to claim 44 wherein the first leg has a first curvature and the second leg has a second curvature when the clip is open, said first and second curvatures selected such that the gripping surfaces of each leg are at least partially concave.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical clip according to claim 49 wherein at least one of the first and second legs has a distal portion having a curvature different than the curvature of a proximal portion of the leg.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
27 words
The surgical clip according to claim 50 wherein the curvature of the distal portion is selected such that the gripping surface in the distal portion is convex.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical clip according to claim 45 wherein a region of the gripping surface near the apex of the clip is substantially free of surface features.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
42 words
The surgical clip according to claim 45 wherein the recess has a pair of sidewalls extending from a floor with an opening opposite the floor, the sidewalls being inclined such that the channel is wider at the opening than at the floor.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
12 words
The surgical clip according to claim 46 wherein the floor is concave.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
34 words
The surgical clip according to claim 44 wherein the distal end of the second leg is beveled at an acute angle relative to an axis perpendicular to the gripping surface at the distal end.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
175 words
A surgical clip for use with a clip applier having a curved anvil for closing the clip in a curved shape, the clip comprising: a first leg and a second leg connected at an apex and having distal ends separated by a gap so as to generally form a V-shape, wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg by a first distance selected such that the distal ends of the clip are even when the clip is closed with the legs substantially parallel in the curved shape; and means disposed on a gripping surface of said first and second legs for gripping tissue, said means for gripping comprising a channel extending longitudinally on the gripping surface to a point near the distal end of each leg, the channel having a pair of sidewalls extending from a floor with an opening opposite the floor, at least a first of the sidewalls being undercut such that the distance between the sidewalls at the floor is greater than the distance between the sidewalls at the opening.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
175 words
A surgical clip for use with a clip applier having a curved anvil for closing the clip in a curved shape, the clip comprising: a first leg and a second leg connected at an apex and having distal ends separated by a gap so as to generally form a V-shape, wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg by a first distance selected such that the distal ends of the clip are even when the clip is closed with the legs substantially parallel in the curved shape; and means disposed on a gripping surface of said first and second legs for gripping tissue, said means for gripping comprising a channel extending longitudinally on the gripping surface to a point near the distal end of each leg, the channel having a pair of sidewalls extending from a floor with an opening opposite the floor, at least a first of the sidewalls being undercut such that the distance between the sidewalls at the floor is greater than the distance between the sidewalls at the opening.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
28 words
The surgical clip according to claim 56 wherein the means for gripping further comprises a plurality of transverse grooves on the gripping surface, the grooves intersecting the channel.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
A surgical clip as in claim 57 wherein the transverse grooves are disposed at oblique angles on each side of the longitudinal channel.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
28 words
A surgical clip as in claim 58 wherein the grooves from a V-pattern in the transverse plane with the V's opening toward the distal end of each leg.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
23 words
A surgical clip as in claim 58 wherein the grooves form a V-pattern with the V's in each leg opening toward the apex.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
38 words
A surgical clip as in claim 58 wherein the grooves form a V-pattern with the V's in one leg open toward the apex and the V's in the other leg open toward the distal end of the leg.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
47 words
The surgical clip according to claim 56 wherein the first leg has a first curvature and the second leg has a second curvature when the clip is open, said first and second curvatures selected such that the gripping surfaces of each leg are at least partially concave.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
36 words
The surgical clip according to claim 62 wherein at least one of the first and second legs has a distal portion having a curvature selected such that the gripping surface in the distal portion is convex.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
25 words
The surgical clip according to claim 56 wherein the means for gripping further comprises a plurality of slots drilled through the thickness of the clip.
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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) | 1996-12-13 | 1997-06-14 | 1997-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-13 | 2001-06-14 | 2001-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-13 | 2005-06-14 | 2005-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |