Tissue spreading vascular clips with locking mechanism and non-slip clamping surfaces

Abstract

A surgical clip includes a pair of opposed arms joined at one end by an integrally formed flexible hinge. A male head element near the free end of one arm is configured to spread tissue when the male head element is urged towards a head mating element near the end of the opposite arm. The clamping side of an arm may include a protruding feature, such as a wedge shape elongated ridge, while the clamping side of the opposite arm includes a corresponding trough or aperture that receives the protruding feature. Clamping surfaces may include non-slip protrusions, such as ribs, ridges, cones or pins. An applicator holding feature, such as a boss, near the hinge prevents the clip from yawing and becoming askew during application. Rectangular alignment features are provided on the distal ends of the arms to maintain clip alignment during application.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical clip comprising
 a hinge;   a pair of opposed arms comprising
 a first arm with a proximal end and a distal end, the first arm having a clamping side comprising a longitudinally-oriented triangle-shaped step-like wedge clamping feature, and a rectangular alignment guide on the distal end, and 
 a second arm with a proximal end and a distal end, the second arm having a clamping side comprising a longitudinally-oriented V-shaped trough with a plurality of step-down clamping features that conform to the shape of the wedge, and a rectangular alignment guide on the distal end, 
 such that the proximal end of each arm is attached to the hinge; 
   a head lock comprising
 a tissue penetrating male head element near the free end one arm, and 
 a head mating element near the free end of the opposite arm, such that the head mating element is configured to engage a portion of the male head element, the head mating element comprising a pair of spaced apart tapered pillars, the pair of pillars configured to keep tissue in-place, under tension, while the male head element enters tissue as the head mating element engages the male head element; and. 
   
     
     
         2 .- 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The surgical clip of  claim 1  wherein
 the longitudinally-oriented V-shaped trough comprises a bottom window. 
 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The surgical clip of  claim 1  wherein
 the male head element further comprises a tissue spreading head. 
 
     
     
         7 .- 20 . (canceled)