Clip applicator and spreadable clips for use therein

Abstract

Abstract An applicator (1) for the manual application of spreadable surgical clips (12) which comprises a clip magazine (2) which releasably retains a plurality of spreadable clips (12) and forms a guideway for the clips, e.g., it may optionally include a pair of spaced-apart, parallel rail members (7, 8) extending through the magazine to slidably carry the clips. A spreader at the discharge end (3) of the clip magazine, e.g., a pair of optionally bifurcated, wedge-shaped ramps (9, 10), serves to receive and spread apart the clips for ejection of the spread-apart clips from the applicator. Spreadable surgical clips (12, 12' and 20) are also provided. The clips may have a front-to-rear taper to clear the discharge end of the applicator. The clips may have front connecting means (15) and rear connecting means (16) to disengageably connect the clips in a train of clips within the applicator. Generally, the clips may comprise a tubular body having a front-to-rear taper and a longitudinally extending clamping slit along the length of the body, to define opposing leg portions.

Inventors

• 👤 Wilson H. Tucker

Bibliographic Details