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Publication Number
US-10226252-B2
Publication Date
2019-03-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A surgical clip includes three double-armed clip parts that are mounted to be rotatable about an axis of rotation and each comprise one operating arm and one clamping arm, wherein a middle clip part is arranged such that its operating arm is arranged between the operating arms of the two outer clip parts and its clamping arm is arranged between the clamping arms of the two outer clip parts, as well as a spring that pretensions the two outer clip parts into a closed clip position in which the clamping arms of the three clip parts abut one another.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a surgical clip comprising two outer double-armed clip parts and a double-armed middle clip part, all mounted to be rotatable about an axis of rotation. Each outer clip part comprises one operating arm and one clamping arm, and the middle clip part comprises a clamping arm arranged between the clamping arms of the two outer clip parts and an operating arm arranged between the operating arms of the two outer clip parts.
The operating arm of the middle clip part is configured to be opened in relation to either of the operating arms of the two outer clip parts by applying forceps. Forceps engaging on a respective side of the operating arm of the middle clip part associated with the operating arm of either outer clip part opens the clamping arm of the middle clip part in relation to the corresponding clamping arm of the outer clip part, and spring pretensioning biases the two outer clip parts into a closed clip position in which the clamping arms of the two outer clip parts and the middle clip part abut one another.
The described clip concept enables opening one clamping arm relative to a selected outer clamping arm so that, by spreading the middle and one outer operating arms with forceps, sequential clamping of two vessels can be performed without releasing the first vessel. The middle clamping arm simultaneously clamps the vessels in the described arrangement.
Multiple mechanical embodiments are disclosed, including pivot bearing structures with bearing shaft and bearing sleeve options, a plug-rotation lock configuration, alternative spring attachment configurations, and alternative clamping arm geometries. Method embodiments are also described for connecting two vessels, including vessel end-to-end connection using outer ring turning and a middle ring, and vessel wall-to-vessel end or vessel-to-vessel-wall connection using fork piercing.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim includes 4 inventive aspects. Dependent claims further refine clamping arm geometry and mechanical rotation and assembly details.
Three-part rotatable double-armed clip geometry
The surgical clip comprises two outer double-armed clip parts and a double-armed middle clip part, where all parts are mounted to be rotatable about an axis of rotation, with each outer clip part having one operating arm and one clamping arm and the middle clip part having a clamping arm arranged between the outer clamping arms and an operating arm arranged between the outer operating arms.
Forceps-driven selective opening of the middle operating arm
The operating arm of the double-armed middle clip part is configured to be opened in relation to either of the operating arms of the two outer clip parts by applying forceps engaging on a respective side of the operating arm of the middle clip part associated with the operating arm of either outer clip part, thereby opening the clamping arm of the middle clip part in relation to the corresponding clamping arm of the two outer clip parts.
Spring pretensioning into a closed clip position by clamping arm abutment
The surgical clip includes spring pretensioning that biases the two outer clip parts into a closed clip position in which the clamping arms of the two outer clip parts and the middle clip part abut one another.
Ring clamping arms forming a through-hole
The clamping arms include rings that abut in the closed position so that the ring openings together form a through-hole.
Bearing shaft and bearing sleeve with bearing openings for rotation
One clip part includes a bearing shaft or bearing sleeve between its clamping and operating arms, and the other clip parts include bearing openings arranged on the bearing sleeve so the clip parts can rotate about the axis of rotation.
Leg spring with winding body accommodated in a bearing sleeve
The spring is configured as a leg spring with a winding body at least partially accommodated in a bearing sleeve.
Spring attachment by welding
Two spring ends are connected to two outer clip parts by welding.
Two-part clamping arms with a clamping arm interface
The clamping arms are configured in two parts with a clamping arm base and a clamping arm end, where the clamping arm base comprises an interface for fixing the clamping arm end.
Across the independent claim and refinements, the clip is defined by a three-part rotatable arrangement where forceps can open the middle operating arm relative to either outer operating arm, spring pretensioning biases the assembly into a closed position where all three clamping arms abut, and dependent embodiments specify mechanical and geometric details such as through-hole ring geometry, bearing shaft and sleeve structures, a leg spring in a bearing sleeve, and welded spring ends.
Stated Advantages
Enables sequential clamping of two vessels without releasing the first.
Allows the middle clamping arm to clamp the vessels simultaneously in the described arrangement.
Documented Applications
Sequential clamping of two vessels using the disclosed surgical clip arrangement and forceps opening of the operating arms.
Connecting two vessels end-to-end using outer ring turning and a middle ring.
Connecting vessels with vessel wall-to-vessel end or vessel-to-vessel-wall connection using fork piercing.
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