US5725537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of performing a vessel anastomosis using a surgical clip applier
Assignee: LeMaitre Vascular Inc
•
Filing: 1996-09-13
•
Granted: 1998-03-10
•
Expires: 2016-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A surgical clip applier comprising a housing, a pair of handles pivotally connected to opposite sides of the housing, and a jaw blade assembly fixedly connected to the housing. The jaw blade assembly includes a pair of jaws for receiving and deforming a clip therebetween and a clip carrier for supplying a series of clips to the jaws. A channel assembly is slidably mounted with respect to the housing and envelops the jaw blade assembly for camming the jaws closed upon closing of the handles. The clips may be fed to the jaws by a spring biased feed bar which operates upon closing of the handles, or may be urged by pusher bar which provides a biasing force to the clips to be retained by the jaws. The instrument may be used in conventional surgical procedures, or may be adapted for endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical procedures requiring the application of microsurgical clips.
Inventors
- 👤 David T. Green
- 👤 Henry Bolanos
- 👤 Kenneth E. Toso
- 👤 Daniel E. Alesi
- 👤 Robert J. Geiste
- 👤 Frank C. Maffei
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/128; A61B17/1285; A61B17/08; A61B17/083; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/2909; A61B17/11; A61B2017/1107; A61B2017/2912; A61B2017/2913; A61B2017/2916; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B2017/2929; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S227/00; Y10S227/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for endoscopically performing anastomosis procedures in vascular surgery comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a trocar assembly through a body wall to a position adjacent to respective sections of first and second vessel portions; (b) everting the respective sections of the first and second vessel portions and positioning the sections in adjacent relation to each other; (c) providing a clip applying instrument including a handle assembly, an endoscopic body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a pair of jaws supported adjacent to a distal end of the endoscopic body portion, and a series of clips; (d) inserting the endoscopic body portion through the trocar assembly to a position adjacent to the respective sections of the first and second vessel portions; (e) positioning the jaws about a portion of the everted sections of the vessel portions; (f) actuating the handle assembly to close the jaws and crimp a clip positioned therebetween; (g) releasing the handle assembly to open the jaws and release the crimped clip; (h) positioning the jaws of the instrument about an unclipped portion of the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions; and (i) repeating steps (f) to (h) to apply a plurality of clips to the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for endoscopically performing anastomosis procedures in vascular surgery comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a trocar assembly through a body wall to a position adjacent to respective sections of first and second vessel portions; (b) everting the respective sections of the first and second vessel portions and positioning the sections in adjacent relation to each other; (c) providing a clip applying instrument including a handle assembly, an endoscopic body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a pair of jaws supported adjacent to a distal end of the endoscopic body portion, and a series of clips; (d) inserting the endoscopic body portion through the trocar assembly to a position adjacent to the respective sections of the first and second vessel portions; (e) positioning the jaws about a portion of the everted sections of the vessel portions; (f) actuating the handle assembly to close the jaws and crimp a clip positioned therebetween; (g) releasing the handle assembly to open the jaws and release the crimped clip; (h) positioning the jaws of the instrument about an unclipped portion of the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions; and (i) repeating steps (f) to (h) to apply a plurality of clips to the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of positioning the jaws includes rotating the jaws about an axis defined by the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic body portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the handle assembly includes a pair of handle members, each handle member having a proximal end pivotally mounted to the clip applying instrument, and wherein the step of actuating the handle assembly includes pivoting the handle members towards each other in a tweezer-like manner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (h) is performed while the endoscopic body portion remains inserted through the trocar assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein the series of clips is supported within the endoscopic body portion and the step of releasing the handle assembly to open the jaws and release a clip allows the foremost clip of the series of clips to be positioned between the jaws.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for performing anastomosis procedures in vascular surgery comprising the steps of: (a) everting respective sections of first and second vessel portions; (b) positioning the everted sections in adjacent relation with respect to each other; (c) providing a clip applying instrument including a pair of jaws, a series of clips, each clip having a pair of inwardly directed legs, and a handle assembly operably associated with the jaws to close the jaws upon actuation of the handle assembly; (d) positioning the jaws of the instrument over a first portion of the everted sections of the vessel portions; (e) actuating the handle assembly to close the jaws and crimp a clip positioned therebetween such that ends of the legs are approximated about the everted sections of the vessel portions to non-invasively join the vessel portions; (f) releasing the handle assembly to open the jaws and release the crimped clip; (g) positioning the jaws of the instrument over an unclipped portion of the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions; and (h) repeating steps (e) to (g) to apply a plurality of clips to the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for performing anastomosis procedures in vascular surgery comprising the steps of: (a) everting respective sections of first and second vessel portions; (b) positioning the everted sections in adjacent relation with respect to each other; (c) providing a clip applying instrument including a pair of jaws, a series of clips, each clip having a pair of inwardly directed legs, and a handle assembly operably associated with the jaws to close the jaws upon actuation of the handle assembly; (d) positioning the jaws of the instrument over a first portion of the everted sections of the vessel portions; (e) actuating the handle assembly to close the jaws and crimp a clip positioned therebetween such that ends of the legs are approximated about the everted sections of the vessel portions to non-invasively join the vessel portions; (f) releasing the handle assembly to open the jaws and release the crimped clip; (g) positioning the jaws of the instrument over an unclipped portion of the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions; and (h) repeating steps (e) to (g) to apply a plurality of clips to the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the step of positioning the jaws includes rotating the jaws about a longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the handle assembly includes a pair of handles, each handle being pivotally mounted at a proximal end to the clip applying instrument, and wherein the step of actuating the handle assembly includes pivoting the handles towards each other in a tweezer-like manner.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for performing anastomosis procedures in vascular surgery comprising the steps of: (a) everting respective sections of first and second vessel portions; (b) positioning the everted sections in adjacent relation with respect to each other; (c) providing a clip applying instrument including a jaw assembly having a pair of jaws, a series of clips, and a handle assembly having a pair of handle members, each handle member being pivotably connected at its proximal end to the instrument; (d) positioning the jaws of the instrument about a first portion of the everted sections of the vessel portions; (e) pivoting each of the handle members inwardly towards each other in a tweezer-like manner to close the jaws and crimp a clip positioned therebetween; (f) releasing the handle members to allow the jaws to open and release the crimped clip; (g) positioning the jaws of the instrument about an unclipped portion of the everted sections; and (h) repeating steps (e) to (g) to apply a plurality of clips to the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
177 words
A method for performing anastomosis procedures in vascular surgery comprising the steps of: (a) everting respective sections of first and second vessel portions; (b) positioning the everted sections in adjacent relation with respect to each other; (c) providing a clip applying instrument including a jaw assembly having a pair of jaws, a series of clips, and a handle assembly having a pair of handle members, each handle member being pivotably connected at its proximal end to the instrument; (d) positioning the jaws of the instrument about a first portion of the everted sections of the vessel portions; (e) pivoting each of the handle members inwardly towards each other in a tweezer-like manner to close the jaws and crimp a clip positioned therebetween; (f) releasing the handle members to allow the jaws to open and release the crimped clip; (g) positioning the jaws of the instrument about an unclipped portion of the everted sections; and (h) repeating steps (e) to (g) to apply a plurality of clips to the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the step of positioning the jaws of the instrument includes rotating the jaws about a longitudinal axis of the instrument.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
236 words
A method for endoscopically performing anastomosis procedures in vascular microsurgery comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a trocar assembly through a body wail to a position adjacent to respective sections of first and second vessel portions; (b) everting the respective sections of the first and second vessel portions; (c) positioning the everted sections in adjacent relation with respect to each other; (d) providing a clip applying instrument including a pair of jaws, an endoscopic body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a series of microclips supported in end-to-end relation within the endoscopic body portion, and a handle assembly operably associated with the jaws to close the jaws upon actuation of the handle assembly; (e) inserting the endoscopic body portion through the trocar assembly; (f) positioning the jaws of the instrument over a first portion of the everted sections of the vessel portions; (g) actuating the handle assembly to close the jaws and to crimp a microclip positioned therebetween; (h) releasing the handle assembly to open the jaws and release the crimped microclip and to allow the foremost microclip of the series of microclips to be positioned between the jaws; (i) positioning the jaws of the instrument over an unclipped portion of the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions; and (j) repeating steps (g) to (i) to apply a plurality of microclips to the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
236 words
A method for endoscopically performing anastomosis procedures in vascular microsurgery comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a trocar assembly through a body wail to a position adjacent to respective sections of first and second vessel portions; (b) everting the respective sections of the first and second vessel portions; (c) positioning the everted sections in adjacent relation with respect to each other; (d) providing a clip applying instrument including a pair of jaws, an endoscopic body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, a series of microclips supported in end-to-end relation within the endoscopic body portion, and a handle assembly operably associated with the jaws to close the jaws upon actuation of the handle assembly; (e) inserting the endoscopic body portion through the trocar assembly; (f) positioning the jaws of the instrument over a first portion of the everted sections of the vessel portions; (g) actuating the handle assembly to close the jaws and to crimp a microclip positioned therebetween; (h) releasing the handle assembly to open the jaws and release the crimped microclip and to allow the foremost microclip of the series of microclips to be positioned between the jaws; (i) positioning the jaws of the instrument over an unclipped portion of the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions; and (j) repeating steps (g) to (i) to apply a plurality of microclips to the everted sections of the first and second vessel portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein step (h) is performed while the endoscopic body portion remains inserted through the trocar assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of positioning the jaws of the instrument includes rotating the jaws about an axis defined by the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic body portion.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein the handle assembly includes a pair of handle members, each handle member having a proximal end pivotally mounted to the clip applying instrument, and wherein the step of actuating the handle assembly includes pivoting the handle members towards each other in a tweezer-like manner.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2968041A
Cited
US3232089A
Cited
US3152336A
Cited
US3646801A
Cited
US3777538A
Cited
US3753438A
Cited
US4316468A
Cited
US4452376A
Cited
US4611595A
Cited
US4325376A
Cited
US4152920A
Cited
US4201314A
Cited
US4256251A
Cited
US4242902A
Cited
US4202480A
Cited
US4299224A
Cited
US4296751A
Cited
US4372316A
Cited
US4532925A
Cited
US4480640A
Cited
US4565199A
Cited
US4317535A
Cited
US4452357A
Cited
US4408603A
Cited
US4430997A
Cited
US4462404A
Cited
US4522207A
Cited
US4576166A
Cited
US4662373A
Cited
US4471780A
Cited
US4480641A
Cited
US4478220A
Cited
US4509518A
Cited
US4624254A
Cited
US4425915A
Cited
US4427008A
Cited
US4512345A
Cited
US4674504A
Cited
US4562839A
Cited
US4637395A
Cited
US4549544A
Cited
US4586503A
Cited
US4733664A
Cited
US4929240A
Cited
US4616650A
Cited
US4598711A
Cited
US4572183A
Cited
US5122150A
Cited
US4630608A
Cited
US5047038A
Cited
US4712549A
Cited
WO1988001486A1
Cited
US5211649A
Cited
US4850355A
Cited
US5030226A
Cited
US4983176A
Cited
US5049152A
Cited
EP0406724A1
Cited
US5104395A
Cited
US5084057A
Cited
US5156609A
Cited
EP0469524A1
Cited
US5207692A
Cited
US5171247A
Cited
US5171249A
Cited
EP0507537A1
Cited
US5112343A
Cited
US5246450A
Cited
US5282806A
Cited
US5370658A
Cited
US5409498A
Cited
US5330487A
Cited
WO1994021181A1
Cited
US5431668A
Cited
US5501698A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-03-09 | 2001-09-08 | 2002-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-09 | 2005-09-08 | 2006-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-09 | 2009-09-08 | 2010-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |