Surgical clip, clip applicator and method therefor

Abstract

The surgical clip includes a U or a V shaped body having clip legs extending from its apex and terminal ends having a lateral span extending outboard from the clip. The terminal ends are shaped as triangles, ovals, a T, oblong or a wide end hexagonal shape. Sometimes, the terminal ends define outboard directed hooks. The clip's inboard surface may have gripping grooves. A clip applicator includes clip carrying jaws pivotally coupled and forming a mouth. Keyways capture clip ends. If the clip is hooked, the jaws define complementary latch openings. A system for closing the clip jaws may be linked scissor-like members, cam actuators and followers or cam follower surfaces. The clip applier may include tactile response indicators for the user to indicate partial or full jaw closure and full open-clip release positions.

1 . A surgical clip comprising a substantially U or a V shaped body defined by clip legs extending from an apex and respective terminal ends on corresponding clip legs, said clip legs lying in a clip defined plane and each said terminal end having a lateral span extending outboard from said clip plane.  
   
   
       2 . A surgical clip as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each said terminal end has a lateral end shape of a triangle, an oval, T-shape, an oblong, and wide end hexagonal shape.  
   
   
       3 . A surgical clip as claimed in  claim 2  wherein each respective said clip leg includes a inboard surface with a longitudinal center channel and at least one X-shaped channel, a vertex of said X-shaped channel being coextensive with said longitudinal center channel.  
   
   
       4 . A surgical clip as claimed in  claim 3  including a plurality of X-shaped channel formed on said inboard clip leg surfaces.  
   
   
       5 . A surgical clip comprising a substantially U or a V shaped body defining an apex and having two terminal ends opposite said apex, said body having a length and a lateral width, each said terminal end having a lateral width which is larger than said body width.  
   
   
       6 . A surgical clip as claimed in  claim 5  wherein each said terminal end has a lateral end shape of a triangle, an oval, T-shape, an oblong, and wide end hexagonal shape.  
   
   
       7 . A surgical clip as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said body includes clip legs extending from said apex to said terminal ends, said clip legs having an inboard surface with a longitudinal center channel and at least one X-shaped channel, a vertex of said X-shaped channel being coextensive with said longitudinal center channel.  
   
   
       8 . A surgical clip comprising a substantially U or a V shaped body having an apex and two terminal ends opposite said apex, said body having a substantially uniform lateral span and each said terminal end having a lateral span larger than said body lateral span.  
   
   
       9 . A surgical clip as claimed in  claim 8  wherein each said terminal end has a lateral end shape of a triangle, an oval, a T-shape, an oblong, and wide end hexagonal shape.  
   
   
       10 . A surgical clip as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said body includes clip legs extending from said apex to said terminal ends, said clip legs having an inboard surface with a longitudinal center channel and at least one X-shaped channel, a vertex of said X-shaped channel being coextensive with said longitudinal center channel.  
   
   
       11 . A surgical clip comprising a substantially U or a V shaped body defined by clip legs extending from an apex and respective terminal ends on corresponding clip legs, each terminal end including a outboard hook, said clip legs, terminal ends and outboard hooks lying in a singular, clip defined plane.  
   
   
       12 . A surgical clip as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said V-shape or U-shape clip body define, with said clip legs, a wide clip mouth, each said hook defines a hook mouth disposed on opposing sides of said clip mouth and begin being open opposite said clip mouth.  
   
   
       13 . A surgical clip as claimed in  claim 12  wherein each said hook mouth is smaller than said clip mouth.  
   
   
       14 . A surgical clip as claimed in  claim 11  wherein each respective said clip leg includes a inboard surface with a longitudinal center channel and at least one X-shaped channel, a vertex of said X-shaped channel being coextensive with said longitudinal center channel.  
   
   
       15 . A surgical clip as claimed in  claim 14  including a plurality of X-shaped channel formed on said inboard clip leg surfaces.  
   
   
       16 . A surgical instrument for applying at least one surgical clip onto a blood vessel or other organic body, said clip having a substantially U or a V shaped body defined by clip legs each having a respective terminal clip end, said clip legs lying in a clip defined plane and each said terminal clip end having a lateral span extending outboard from said clip plane, the surgical clip applying instrument comprising: 
 a first and a second clip carrying jaw pivotally coupled together and forming a clip jaw mouth therebetween, each jaw having a distal end and a proximal end;    said distal end of each said jaw having an open ended channel formed as a keyway thereon, each said keyway sized to capture a respective terminal clip end therein and a respective terminal clip end adapted to act as a key for a corresponding keyway when said clip is retained in said clip jaw mouth;    means for closing said first and second clip carrying jaw onto each other.    
   
   
       17 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 16  wherein each said keyway is open at said distal end of said corresponding jaw and each said keyway forms, in conjunction with the respective terminal clip end, a loose tongue and groove lock on opposing lateral sides of said keyway.  
   
   
       18 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said first and second clip jaws form respective anvil surfaces in said clip mouth adapted to crush said clip legs therebetween during attachment to said blood vessel or other organic body, said anvil surfaces proximally disposed with respect to said keyways.  
   
   
       19 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 16  wherein each said keyway has a corresponding roof and a floor, said clip jaws and said corresponding keyways operate in a full open position, a partially closed, instrument insertion position, a fully closed position and a post deposition clip release position, in said partially closed, instrument insertion position, said corresponding floor of said respective keyway adapted to compress said respective terminal clip end, in said post deposition release position, said corresponding floor and roof of said respective keyway adapted to be spaced apart from said terminal clip ends thereby enabling proximal withdrawal of said clip jaws from the deposited clip.  
   
   
       20 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 19  including tactile response indicators for said partially closed, instrument insertion position, fully closed position and post deposition clip release position.  
   
   
       21 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 20  wherein said tactile response indicators are disposed on one of said clip jaws, a segment of said clip jaws proximal to a pivotal axis between said first and second clip jaw, and a proximally disposed handle, said handle being part of said means for closing.  
   
   
       22 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the instrument is elongated, said clip jaws being distally located on said elongated instrument, said means for closing including a user compressible handle at a proximal end of said instrument, said handle coupled to means for transferring compressive force from said handle to said clip jaws such that said clip jaws close said clip jaw mouth.  
   
   
       23 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 22  wherein each said keyway has a corresponding roof and a floor, said clip jaws and said corresponding keyways operate in a full open position, a partially closed, instrument insertion position, a fully closed position and a post deposition clip release position, in said partially closed, instrument insertion position, said corresponding floor of said respective keyway adapted to compress said respective terminal clip end, in said post deposition release position, said corresponding floor and roof of said respective keyway adapted to be spaced apart from said terminal clip ends thereby enabling proximal withdrawal of said clip jaws from the deposited clip.  
   
   
       24 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 23  including tactile response indicators for said partially closed, instrument insertion position, fully closed position and post deposition clip release position.  
   
   
       25 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 24  wherein said tactile response indicators are disposed on one of said clip jaws, a segment of said clip jaws proximal to a pivotal axis between said first and second clip jaw, and said proximally disposed handle.  
   
   
       26 . A surgical instrument for applying at least one surgical clip onto a blood vessel or other organic body, said clip having a substantially U or a V shaped body defined by clip legs extending from an apex and respective terminal ends on corresponding clip legs, each terminal end including a outboard clip end hook, said clip legs, terminal ends and outboard clip end hooks lying in a singular, clip defined plane, the surgical clip applying instrument comprising: 
 a first and a second clip carrying jaw pivotally coupled together and forming a clip jaw mouth therebetween, each jaw having a distal end and a proximal end;    said distal end of each said jaw having a corresponding latch opening for a respective clip end hook when said clip is retained in said clip jaw mouth;    means for closing said first and second clip carrying jaw onto each other.    
   
   
       27 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 26  wherein each said latch is defined by a cavity open at said corresponding distal end of said respective jaw.  
   
   
       28 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 27  wherein first and second clip jaws form respective anvil surfaces in said clip mouth adapted to crush said clip legs therebetween during attachment to said blood vessel or other organic body, said anvil surfaces proximally disposed with respect to said latch cavities.  
   
   
       29 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 26  wherein said clip end hooks have a hook mouth span, wherein each said latch cavity has a latch bar intermediate said latch cavity and said clip mouth, said latch bar having a depth less than said corresponding hook end mouth span.  
   
   
       30 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 29  wherein said clip jaws and said corresponding latch cavities and latch bars operate in a full open position, a partially closed, instrument insertion position, a fully closed position and a post deposition clip release position, in said partially closed, instrument insertion position, said clip jaws adapted to compress said clip legs, and in said post deposition release position, said corresponding latch bars of said respective latch cavities adapted to be spaced intermediate said respective clip end hook mouths, thereby enabling proximal withdrawal of said clip jaws from the deposited clip.  
   
   
       31 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 30  including tactile response indicators for said partially closed, instrument insertion position, fully closed position and post deposition clip release position.  
   
   
       32 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 31  wherein said tactile response indicators are disposed on one of said clip jaws, a segment of said clip jaws proximal to a pivotal axis between said first and second clip jaw, and a proximally disposed handle, said handle being part of said means for closing.  
   
   
       33 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 26  wherein the instrument is elongated, said clip jaws being distally located on said elongated instrument, said means for closing including a user compressible handle at a proximal end of said instrument, said handle coupled to means for transferring compressive force from said handle to said clip jaws such that said clip jaws close said clip jaw mouth.  
   
   
       34 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 33 ,wherein each said latch is defined by a cavity open at said corresponding distal end of said respective jaw, wherein said clip end books have a hook mouth span, and wherein each said latch cavity has a latch bar intermediate said latch cavity and said clip mouth, said latch bar having a depth less than said corresponding hook end mouth span.  
   
   
       35 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 34  wherein said clip jaws and said corresponding latch cavities and latch bars operate in a full open position, a partially closed, instrument insertion position, a fully closed position and a post deposition clip release position, in said partially closed, instrument insertion position, said clip jaws adapted to compress said clip legs, and in said post deposition release position, said corresponding latch bars of said respective latch cavities adapted to be spaced intermediate said respective clip end hook mouths, thereby enabling proximal withdrawal of said clip jaws from the deposited clip.  
   
   
       36 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 35  including tactile response indicators for said partially closed, instrument insertion position, fully closed position and post deposition clip release position.  
   
   
       37 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 36  wherein said tactile response indicators are disposed on one of said clip jaws, a segment of said clip jaws proximal to a pivotal axis between said first and second clip jaw, and said proximally disposed handle.  
   
   
       38 . A clip applying surgical instrument for clipping a blood vessel or other organic body, comprising: 
 a surgical clip having a U or a V shaped body defined by clip legs each having a respective terminal clip end, said clip legs lying in a clip defined plane and each said terminal clip end having a lateral span extending outboard from said clip plane;    a first and a second clip carrying jaw pivotally coupled together and forming a clip jaw mouth therebetween, each jaw having a distal end and a proximal end;    said distal end of each said jaw having an open ended channel formed as a keyway thereon, each said keyway sized to capture a respective terminal clip end therein and a respective terminal clip end adapted to act as a key for a corresponding keyway when said clip is retained in said clip jaw mouth;    means for closing said first and second clip carrying jaw onto each other.    
   
   
       39 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 38  wherein each said keyway is open at said distal end of said corresponding jaw and each said keyway forms, in conjunction with the respective terminal clip end, a loose tongue and groove lock on opposing lateral sides of said keyway.  
   
   
       40 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 39  wherein said first and second clip jaws form respective anvil surfaces in said clip mouth adapted to crush said clip legs therebetween during attachment to said blood vessel or other organic body, said anvil surfaces proximally disposed with respect to said keyways.  
   
   
       41 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 38  wherein each said keyway has a corresponding roof and a floor, said clip jaws and said corresponding keyways operate in a full open position, a partially closed, instrument insertion position, a fully closed position and a post deposition clip release position, in said partially closed, instrument insertion position, said corresponding floor of said respective keyway adapted to compress said respective terminal clip end, in said post deposition release position, said corresponding floor and roof of said respective keyway adapted to be spaced apart from said terminal clip ends thereby enabling proximal withdrawal of said clip jaws from the deposited clip.  
   
   
       42 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 41  including tactile response indicators for said partially closed, instrument insertion position, fully closed position and post deposition clip release position.  
   
   
       43 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 42  wherein said tactile response indicators are disposed on one of said clip jaws, a segment of said clip jaws proximal to a pivotal axis between said first and second clip jaw, and a proximally disposed handle, said handle being part of said means for closing.  
   
   
       44 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 38  wherein the instrument is elongated, said clip jaws being distally located on said elongated instrument, said means for closing including a user compressible handle at a proximal end of said instrument, said handle coupled to means for transferring compressive force from said handle to said clip jaws such that said clip jaws close said clip jaw mouth.  
   
   
       45 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 44  wherein each said keyway has a corresponding roof and a floor, said clip jaws and said corresponding keyways operate in a full open position, a partially closed, instrument insertion position, a fully closed position and a post deposition clip release position, in said partially closed, instrument insertion position, said corresponding floor of said respective keyway adapted to compress said respective terminal clip end, in said post deposition release position, said corresponding floor and roof of said respective keyway adapted to be spaced apart from said terminal-clip ends thereby enabling proximal withdrawal of said clip jaws from the deposited clip.  
   
   
       46 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 45  including tactile response indicators for said partially closed, instrument insertion position, fully closed position and post deposition clip release position.  
   
   
       47 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 46  wherein said tactile response indicators are disposed on one of said clip jaws, a segment of said clip jaws-proximal to a pivotal axis between said first and second clip jaw, and said proximally disposed handle.  
   
   
       48 . A clip applying surgical instrument for clipping a blood vessel or other organic body, comprising: 
 a surgical clip having a substantially U or a V shaped body defined by clip legs extending from an apex and respective terminal ends on corresponding clip legs, each terminal end including a outboard clip end hook, said clip legs, terminal ends and outboard clip end hooks lying in a singular, clip defined plane;    a first and a second clip carrying jaw pivotally coupled together and forming a clip jaw mouth therebetween, each jaw having a distal end and a proximal end;    said distal end of each said jaw having a corresponding latch opening for a respective clip end hook when said clip is retained in said clip jaw mouth;    means for closing said first and second clip carrying jaw onto each other.    
   
   
       49 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 48  wherein each said latch is defined by a cavity open at said corresponding distal end of said respective jaw.  
   
   
       50 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 49  wherein first and second clip jaws form respective anvil surfaces in said clip mouth adapted to crush said clip legs therebetween during attachment to said blood vessel or other organic body, said anvil surfaces proximally disposed with respect to said latch cavities.  
   
   
       51 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 48  wherein said clip end hooks have a hook mouth span, wherein each said latch cavity has a latch bar intermediate said latch cavity and said clip mouth, said latch bar having a depth less than said corresponding hook end mouth span.  
   
   
       52 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 51  wherein said clip jaws and said corresponding latch cavities and latch bars operate in a full open position, a partially closed, instrument insertion position, a fully closed position and a post deposition clip release position, in said partially closed, instrument insertion position, said clip jaws adapted to compress said clip legs, and in said post deposition release position, said corresponding latch bars of said respective latch cavities adapted to be spaced intermediate said respective clip end hook mouths, thereby enabling proximal withdrawal of said clip jaws from the deposited clip.  
   
   
       53 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 52  including tactile response indicators for said partially closed, instrument insertion position, fully closed position and post deposition clip release position.  
   
   
       54 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 53  wherein said tactile response indicators are disposed on one of said clip jaws, a segment of said clip jaws proximal to a pivotal axis between said first and second clip jaw, and a proximally disposed handle, said handle being part of said means for closing.  
   
   
       55 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 48  wherein the instrument is elongated, said clip jaws being distally located on said elongated instrument, said means for closing including a user compressible handle at a proximal end of said instrument, said handle coupled to means for transferring compressive force from said handle to said clip jaws such that said clip jaws close said clip jaw mouth.  
   
   
       56 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 55  wherein each said latch is defined by a cavity open at said corresponding distal end of said respective jaw, wherein said clip end hooks have a hook mouth span, and wherein each said latch cavity has a latch bar intermediate said latch cavity and said clip mouth, said latch bar having a depth less than said corresponding hook end mouth span.  
   
   
       57 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 56  wherein said clip jaws and said corresponding latch cavities and latch bars operate in a full open position, a partially closed, instrument insertion position, a fully closed position and a post deposition clip release position, in said partially closed, instrument insertion position, said clip jaws adapted to compress said clip legs, and in said post deposition release position, said corresponding latch bars of said respective latch cavities adapted to be spaced intermediate said respective clip end hook mouths, thereby enabling proximal withdrawal of said clip jaws from the deposited clip.  
   
   
       58 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 57  including tactile response indicators for said partially closed, instrument insertion position, fully closed position and post deposition clip release position.  
   
   
       59 . A surgical instrument as claimed in  claim 58  wherein said tactile response indicators are disposed on one of said clip jaws, a segment of said clip jaws proximal to a pivotal axis between said first and second clip jaw, and said proximally disposed handle.  
   
   
       60 . A method of placing a surgical clip onto a blood vessel of other organic body via a clip applier having clip jaws on its distal end which carrying said surgical clip, said clip applier extending through a cannula, the method comprising the steps of: 
 partially closing said surgical clip by compressing said clip jaws prior to insertion into said cannula;    opening said surgical clip after exiting said cannula;    placing said opened surgical clip about said blood vessel or other organic body;    compressing and fully closing said surgical clip by closure of said clip jaws thereby depositing said surgical clip on said blood vessel or other organic body;    partially opening said clip jaws and then proximally withdrawing said clip jaws from the closed surgical clip; and    withdrawing said clip jaws proximally through said cannula.    
   
   
       61 . A method as claimed in  claim 60  wherein said step of partially closing said surgical clip prior to insertion into said cannula places said clip jaws in an instrument insertion position, and the method includes the step of further placing said clip jaws in said instrument insertion position after said step of partially opening said clip jaws and proximally withdrawing said clip jaws but before said step of withdrawing said clip jaws proximally through said cannula