IP Library Granted Patent US 8,636,754
Granted Patent B2
US 8,636,754 · App. 12/944,430 · Granted Jan 28, 2014

Clip applicator

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,636,754
App. No.
12/944,430
Granted
Jan 28, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A clamp assembly comprising: (a) a clamping device biased toward a closed position; (b) a first retainer bar removably coupled to the clamping device; (c) a second retainer bar removably coupled to the clamping device, where the first retainer bar and the second retainer bar are oriented in parallel to one another.

Claims (41)

1. A clamp assembly comprising:

a clamping device biased toward a closed position;

a first retainer bar removably coupled to the clamping device;

a second retainer bar removably coupled to the clamping device; and,

wherein the first retainer bar and the second retainer bar are oriented in parallel to one another; and, wherein at least one of the first retainer bar and the second retainer bar is removably coupled to the clamping device using a suture; and,

wherein the first retainer bar and the second retainer bar each include an engagement feature to facilitate grasping by a grasping device.

2. The clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first retainer bar includes a projection extending therefrom, the projection including a crucifix.

3. The clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second retainer bar includes a projection extending therefrom, the projection including a first segment extending perpendicularly from the second retainer bar, and a second segment including a hook mounted to the first segment.

4. The clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the first retainer bar includes a first projection adapted to he gripped by manual endoscopic graspers, where the first projection is directed away from the clamp; and,

the second retainer bar includes a second projection adapted tube gripped by manual endoscopic graspers, where the second projection is directed away from the clamp.

5. The clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the first retainer bar includes a first projection adapted to be gripped by robotically driven endoscopic graspers, where the first projection is directed away from the clamp; and,

the second retainer bar includes a second projection adapted to be gripped by robotically driven endoscopic graspers, where the second projection is directed away from the clamp.

6. The clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein

the first retainer bar is removably coupled to the clamping device using a first suture; and,

the second retainer bar is removably coupled to the clamping device using a second suture.

7. A clamp assembly comprising:

a clamp including at least first and second elongate clamping portions biased toward one another;

a first retainer bar including a first line removably coupling the first retainer bar to the first elongate clamping portion; and,

a second retainer bar including a second line removably coupling the second retainer bar to the second elongate clamping portion;

wherein the first retainer bar is coupled to the second retainer bar.

8. The clamp assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first retainer bar includes a projection extending therefrom, the projection including a crucifix.

9. The clamp assembly of claim 7 , wherein the second retainer bar includes a projection extending therefrom, the projection including a first segment extending perpendicularly from the second retainer bar, and a second segment including a hook mounted to the first segment.

10. The clamp assembly of claim 7 , wherein the second retainer bar includes a projection extending therefrom, the projection including a hook.

11. The clamp assembly of claim 7 , wherein:

the first retainer bar includes a first through hole;

the second retainer bar includes a second through hole; and,

the third line is concurrently received within the first through hole and the second through hole.

12. The clamp assembly of claim 11 , further comprising an extraction tab coupled to the third line.

13. The clamp assembly of claim 7 , wherein at least one of the first line, the second line, and the third line comprises a suture.

14. A method of fabricating a clamp comprising:

mounting a first retainer bar to a first elongate clamping portion of a clamp, the clamp also including a second elongate clamping potion, where the first and second elongate clamping portions are biased toward one another;

mounting a second retainer bar to the second elongate clamping portion of the clamp; and,

wherein the first and second elongate clamping portions each include proximal and distal longitudinal ends;

wherein the proximal longitudinal ends are coupled to a first spring; and,

wherein the distal longitudinal ends arc coupled to a second spring.

15. A clamp assembly comprising:

a clamping device biased toward a closed position;

a first retainer bar removably coupled to the clamping device;

a second retainer bar removably coupled to the clamping device; and, wherein the first retainer bar and the second retainer bar are oriented in parallel to one another; and, wherein at least one of the first retainer bar and the second retainer bar is removably coupled to the clamping device using a suture.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2024
From: SILICON VALLEY BANK, A DIVISION OF FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
To: ATRICURE, INC.; ATRICURE, LLC; ENDOSCOPIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; NCONTACT SURGICAL, LLC; SENTREHEART LLC
Reel/Frame 066256/0797 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2024
From: ATRICURE, INC.; ATRICURE, LLC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 066267/0896 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2018
From: ATRICURE, INC.; ATRICURE, LLC; ENDOSCOPIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; NCONTACT SURGICAL, LLC
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 047951/0496 →
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED JOINT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 25, 2016
From: ATRICURE, INC.; ATRICURE, LLC; ENDOSCOPIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; NCONTACT SURGICAL, LLC
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 038520/0062 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2014
From: ATRICURE, INC.; ATRICURE, LLC; ENDOSCOPIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 032812/0032 →