Ligation clip applier with clip retaining end effector
A ligation clip applier includes first and second jaw members and an elongated shaft assembly secured thereto. The elongated shaft assembly includes a tube supporting clips therein and a tab assembly supported within the tube and including angled tabs engaged with the clips for moving the clips through the tube in response to movement of the tab assembly relative to the tube. The tab assembly is positionable to load a distal-most clip into the end effector when the tab assembly moves relative to the tube. The tube is selectively engageable with an outer surface of the first and second jaw members to clamp the distal-most clip between the first and second jaw members.
1 . A ligation clip applier, comprising:
an end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member; and
an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis and configured to support a plurality of clips, the elongated shaft assembly secured to the first jaw member and the second jaw member, the elongated shaft assembly including:
an outer tube and an inner tube supported within the outer tube, the outer tube movable relative to the inner tube to move the first jaw member and the second jaw member relative to one another; and
a stationary tab assembly and a movable tab assembly supported within the inner tube and configured to engage the plurality of clips, the movable tab assembly being axially movable relative to the stationary tab assembly to move the plurality of clips relative to the end effector, the movable tab assembly including:
a flexible finger assembly supported on a distal end portion of the movable tab assembly and positionable in a first position to load a first clip of the plurality of clips into the end effector when the movable tab assembly is advanced distally to a second position, the flexible finger assembly being pivotable relative to a second clip of the plurality of clips when the movable tab assembly is retracted proximally from the second position to the first position,
wherein the flexible finger assembly further comprises an angled base extending inwardly towards the longitudinal axis with respect to the movable tab assembly, a central linear digit extending distally from the angled base, and at least two transverse digits extending from the angled base in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
2 . The ligation clip applier of claim 1 , wherein the first jaw member includes a first jaw and mounting legs extending proximally from the first jaw, the mounting legs coupled to a jaw retainer secured to the inner tube.
3 . The ligation clip applier of claim 2 , wherein the first jaw includes an inner surface defining a clip slot configured to support one clip of the plurality of clips at a time.
4 . The ligation clip applier of claim 3 , wherein the first jaw includes an outer surface having a proximal closing surface and a distal clamping mound being engageable with the outer tube.
5 . The ligation clip applier of claim 4 , wherein the outer tube includes a distal finger being engageable with the proximal closing surface to move the first jaw member from an open position to a closed position for supporting the one clip between the first jaw member and the second jaw member in an unclamped position.
6 . The ligation clip applier of claim 5 , wherein the distal finger is engageable with the distal clamping mound to move the first jaw member from the closed position to a clamping position for clamping a first leg and a second leg of the one clip together into a clamped position.
7 . The ligation clip applier of claim 1 , further comprising a lateral stability arm extending from the elongated shaft assembly and configured to engage a proximal end portion of the one clip.
8 . The ligation clip applier of claim 1 , wherein the movable tab assembly includes an elongated bar defining a plurality of interconnected tab sections, each tab section including a first tab that is angled inwardly toward the plurality of clips.
9 . The ligation clip applier of claim 8 , wherein each tab section further includes a second tab that is angled inwardly toward the plurality of clips and an elongated rib being disposed between the first and second tabs.
10 . The ligation clip applier of claim 1 , wherein the flexible finger assembly is configured to selectively load the second clip into the end effector when retracted back to the first position.
11 . A surgical device, comprising:
an end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member; and
an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis and configured to support a plurality of clips, the elongated shaft assembly secured to the end effector, the elongated shaft assembly including:
a tube movable relative to the end effector, the tube being engageable with the first jaw member and the second jaw member to clamp a first clip between the first jaw member and the second jaw member; and
a movable tab assembly supported within the tube and including:
a movable elongated bar defining a plurality of tab pairs configured to engage the plurality of clips, wherein each tab pair of the plurality of tab pairs extends from the movable elongated bar and includes a first tab and a second tab; and
a flexible finger assembly supported on a distal end portion of the movable elongated bar, the flexible finger assembly having an angled base extending inwardly towards the longitudinal axis with respect to the movable tab assembly, a central linear digit extending distally from the angled base, and at least two transverse digits extending from the angled base in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
wherein the movable tab assembly is axially movable relative to the longitudinal axis to move the plurality of clips relative to the end effector, and wherein the flexible finger assembly of the movable tab assembly is positionable in a first position to load the first clip of the plurality of clips into the end effector when the movable tab assembly is advanced distally to a second position.
12 . The surgical device of claim 11 , wherein the first jaw member includes a first jaw and mounting legs extending proximally from the first jaw, the mounting legs coupled to a jaw retainer supported within the tube.
13 . The surgical device of claim 12 , wherein the first jaw includes an inner surface defining a clip slot configured to support the first clip of the plurality of clips.
14 . The surgical device of claim 13 , wherein the first jaw includes an outer surface having a proximal closing surface and a distal clamping mound engageable with the tube.
15 . The surgical device of claim 14 , wherein the tube includes a distal finger engageable with the proximal closing surface to move the first jaw member from an open position to a closed position for supporting the first clip between the first jaw member and the second jaw member in an unclamped position.
16 . The surgical device of claim 15 , wherein the distal finger is engageable with the distal clamping mound to move the first jaw member from the closed position to a clamping position for clamping a first leg and a second leg of the first clip together into a clamped position.
17 . The surgical device of claim 11 , wherein the first jaw member and the second jaw member face each other in a first direction, wherein the longitudinal axis extends perpendicular to the first direction, and wherein the first tab and the second tab are aligned with one another in the first direction.
18 . A surgical device, comprising:
a plurality of clips, each clip including a hook and a catch configured to interlock with one another;
a first jaw member;
a second jaw member; and
an elongated shaft assembly secured to the first jaw member and the second jaw member and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated shaft assembly including:
a tube supporting the plurality of clips therein, the tube being selectively engageable with an outer surface of the first jaw member and the second jaw member to clamp a distal-most clip between the first jaw member and the second jaw member such that the hook and the catch of the distal-most clip interlock with one another; and
a tab assembly supported within the tube and including:
a movable elongated bar defining a plurality of angled tab pairs configured to engage with the plurality of clips for moving the plurality of clips through the tube in response to movement of the tab assembly relative to the tube, wherein each angled tab pair of the plurality of angled tab pairs extends from the movable elongated bar and includes a first angled tab and a second angled tab; and
a flexible finger assembly supported on a distal end portion of the movable elongated bar, the flexible finger assembly having an angled base extending inwardly towards the longitudinal axis with respect to the movable tab assembly, a central linear digit extending distally from the angled base, and at least two transverse digits extending from the angled base in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;
wherein the tab assembly is positionable to load the distal-most clip of the plurality of clips into the end effector when the tab assembly moves relative to the tube.
19 . The surgical device of claim 18 , wherein the second jaw member is positioned vertically above the first jaw member and wherein the first angled tab and the second angled tab are aligned with one another vertically.
20 . The surgical device of claim 18 , wherein the flexible finger assembly of the tab assembly is positionable in a first position to load the distal-most clip of the plurality of clips into the end effector when the tab assembly is advanced distally to a second position.