CLIP CARTRIDGE
A cartridge may include a pair of side walls separated by a compartment, the compartment being configured to receive a surgical clip, and a base member supporting the pair of side walls. The pair of side walls may extend at an acute angle relative to a vertical axis of the base member to hold the surgical clip at the acute angle. The acute angle may be greater than 10° and/or about 20-30°. The cartridge may also include a pedestal extending between the pair of side walls and configured to support the surgical clip, where the pedestal is disposed at the acute angle. The cartridge may further include a retainer configured to retain the surgical clip in the compartment, the retainer including a pair of fingers configured to contact the surgical clip, where the pair of fingers are oriented at the acute angle.
1 . A cartridge comprising:
a pair of side walls separated by a compartment, the compartment being configured to receive a surgical clip; and
a base member supporting the pair of side walls,
wherein the pair of side walls extend at an acute angle relative to a vertical axis of the base member, such that the cartridge retains the surgical clip at the acute angle.
2 . The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the pair of side walls are substantially parallel.
3 . The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the acute angle is greater than 10°.
4 . The cartridge of claim 3 , wherein the acute angle is about 20-30°.
5 . The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the side walls has a surface inclined at a surface angle toward the compartment, the surface angle being acute relative to a vertical axis of the at least one of the side walls.
6 . The cartridge of claim 5 , wherein the surface angle is about 5-45° relative to a vertical axis of the at least one of the side walls.
7 . The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises a pair of longitudinal walls extending on opposing sides of the compartment.
8 . A kit comprising:
the cartridge of claim 1 ;
a surgical clip loaded in the cartridge; and
a clip applier.
9 . A method of loading a surgical clip into a clip applier, the method comprising:
providing a cartridge comprising:
a pair of side walls separated by a compartment, the compartment including a surgical clip received therein; and
a base member supporting the pair of side walls, wherein the pair of side walls extend at an acute angle relative to a vertical axis of the base member such that the cartridge retains the surgical clip at the acute angle;
inserting a portion of the clip applier into the compartment of the cartridge at the acute angle; and
engaging the surgical clip with the portion of the clip applier.