U.S. patent application number 17/712292 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-21 for ligation clip with improved hinge.
The applicant listed for this patent is Covidien LP. Invention is credited to Saumya Banerjee, Jacob C. Baril, Eric Brown, Matthew A. Dinino, Gregory R. Morck, Roy J. Pilletere, Justin Thomas.
Application Number | 20220225996 17/712292 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220225996 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thomas; Justin ; et
al. |
July 21, 2022 |
LIGATION CLIP WITH IMPROVED HINGE
Abstract
A ligation clip includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a hinge.
The first jaw has a body having an inner surface defining a first
clamping surface and an outer surface. The second jaw has a body
having an inner surface defining a second clamping surface and an
outer surface. The hinge is integrally formed with the first and
second jaws and includes an inner hinge portion and an outer hinge
portion. The inner hinge portion has an inner surface that is
contiguous with the first and second clamping surfaces of the first
and second jaws, and an outer surface. The inner surface of the
inner hinge portion is defined by a plurality of curved sections.
The hinge is configured to facilitate pivotal movement of the first
jaw in relation to the second jaw between an open position and a
clamped position.
Inventors: |
Thomas; Justin; (New Haven,
CT) ; Brown; Eric; (Madison, CT) ; Baril;
Jacob C.; (Norwalk, CT) ; Morck; Gregory R.;
(Haddam, CT) ; Pilletere; Roy J.; (Middletown,
CT) ; Banerjee; Saumya; (Collinsville, CT) ;
Dinino; Matthew A.; (Newington, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Covidien LP |
Mansfield |
MA |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/712292 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16432984 |
Jun 6, 2019 |
11317923 |
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17712292 |
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62717958 |
Aug 13, 2018 |
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International
Class: |
A61B 17/122 20060101
A61B017/122 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A ligation clip comprising: a first jaw defining a first
clamping surface; a second jaw defining a second clamping surface;
and a hinge integrally formed with the first and second jaws and
including an inner hinge portion having an inner surface and an
outer surface, the inner surface being contiguous with the first
and second clamping surfaces of the first and second jaws, the
hinge being configured to facilitate pivotal movement of the first
jaw in relation to the second jaw between an open position and a
clamped position; wherein the inner surface of the inner hinge
portion defines a concave section and two convex sections, and
wherein the outer surface of the inner hinge portion defines a
central convex section and two concave sections, the central convex
section of the outer surface being aligned with the concave section
of the inner surface and each of the two concave sections of the
outer surface being aligned with a respective one of the two convex
sections of the inner surface.
22. The ligation clip of claim 21, wherein the inner hinge portion
has a thickness that is uniform between the two convex
sections.
23. The ligation clip of claim 21, wherein the hinge includes an
outer hinge portion contiguous with an outer surface of the first
jaw and an outer surface of the second jaw.
24. The ligation clip of claim 23, wherein the outer hinge portion
includes an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface
of the outer hinge portion and the outer surface of the inner hinge
portion defining a cavity in the hinge.
25. The ligation clip of claim 24, wherein the outer surface of the
outer hinge portion includes a central convex section that is
bounded by two concave sections.
26. The ligation clip of claim 21, wherein the first jaw includes a
longitudinal rib having a tissue engaging surface that is
positioned in opposition to the second clamping surface of the
second jaw when the ligation clip is in the clamped position.
27. The ligation clip of claim 26, wherein the second jaw has a
first row of protrusions supported on one side of the second
clamping surface and a second row of protrusions supported on an
opposite side of the second clamping surface, each of the
protrusions of the first and second rows of protrusions having an
inner side wall in opposition to the longitudinal rib when the
ligation clip is in the clamped position.
28. The ligation clip of claim 27, wherein the inner side wall of
each of the protrusions of the first and second rows of protrusions
is angled towards the second clamping surface.
29. The ligation clip of claim 28, wherein the first row of
protrusions is laterally spaced from the second row of protrusions
to define a channel that extends longitudinally between the first
and second rows of protrusions, the channel being positioned to
receive the longitudinal rib when the ligation clip is in the
clamped position.
30. The ligation clip of claim 27, wherein the protrusions in the
first row of protrusions are longitudinally aligned and spaced from
each other and the protrusions in the second row of protrusions are
longitudinally aligned and spaced from each other.
31. The ligation clip of claim 30, wherein each of the protrusions
in the first row of protrusions is longitudinally offset from the
protrusions in the second row of protrusions such that the
protrusions in the first and second rows of protrusions are
alternatingly positioned on opposite sides of the second clamping
surface along at least a portion of the length of the second
clamping surface.
32. The ligation clip of claim 21, wherein the first jaw includes a
first locking element and the second jaw includes a second locking
element, the first locking element being movable into engagement
with the second locking element to retain the ligation clip in the
clamped position.
33. The ligation clip of claim 32, wherein the first locking
element includes a hooked portion that extends downwardly and
proximally from the first clamping surface and the second locking
element is configured to engage the hooked portion.
34. The ligation clip of claim 33, wherein the second locking
element defines a cam surface that engages the hooked portion to
bias the hooked portion outwardly of the second locking element
such that the hooked portion resiliently returns to an unbiased
state after passing over the second locking element to position the
hooked portion in contact with the engagement surface.
35. The ligation clip of claim 34, wherein the second jaw includes
a spring arm that is positioned to engage and be deflected by the
first locking element as the ligation clip is moved from the open
position to the clamped position, the spring arm being positioned
to urge the first and second locking elements to a latched
position.
36. The ligation clip of claim 21, wherein the ligation clip is
formed of a polymeric material.
37. The ligation clip of claim 21, wherein the second jaw includes
a distal portion, the distal portion including spaced teeth that
are configured to engage tissue.
38. The ligation clip of claim 37, wherein each of the spaced teeth
has an apex that is configured to grip and stretch tissue as the
ligation clip is moved to the clamped position.
39. The ligation clip of claim 21, wherein the concave section of
the inner surface is bounded by the two convex sections of the
inner surface.
40. The ligation clip of claim 21, wherein the convex section of
the outer surface is bounded by the two concave sections of the
outer surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 16/432,984, filed on Jun. 6, 2019, which
claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/717,958 filed Aug. 13, 2018, the entire
disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Description
[0002] The present disclosure is directed to ligation clips for
sealing body vessels and, more particularly, to ligation clips that
have first and second legs joined together by a hinge.
2. Background of Related Art
[0003] Ligation clips are well known in the surgical arts and are
commonly used during surgical procedures to ligate tissue, e.g., a
body vessel. Ligation clips include first and second jaws that are
coupled to each other by a hinge, e.g., a living hinge. Typically,
the hinge is formed from inner and outer hinge portions and extends
between proximal ends of the first and second jaws such that the
ligation clip can pivot between open and clamped positions. Since
the ligation clip has first and second jaws that can pivot between
the open and clamped positions, the ligation clip can be compressed
to facilitate passage through a small diameter cannula,
subsequently opened to allow the ligation clip to be positioned
about tissue, and clamped to ligate the tissue.
[0004] When known ligation clips are repeatedly moved between the
open and clamped positions, stress or strain in the hinge of the
ligation clip may cause the ligation clip to crack or fracture. It
is important that the hinge be configured to facilitate repeated
movement of the ligation clip between the open and clamped
positions to allow the clip to remain structurally sound during
insertion of the ligation clip through a trocar and placement about
tissue.
[0005] A continuing need exists in the art for a ligation clip with
an improved hinge that allows for repeated movement of the ligation
clip between open and clamped positions while reducing the
likelihood that the hinge will fracture.
SUMMARY
[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a
ligation clip including a first jaw, a second jaw, and a hinge. The
first jaw includes a body having an inner surface defining a first
clamping surface, and an outer surface. The second jaw includes a
body having an inner surface defining a second clamping surface,
and an outer surface. The hinge is integrally formed with the first
and second jaws and includes an inner hinge portion and an outer
hinge portion. The inner hinge portion has an inner surface that is
contiguous with the first and second clamping surfaces of the first
and second jaws, and an outer surface. The hinge is configured to
facilitate pivotal movement of the first jaw in relation to the
second jaw between an open position and a clamped position. The
inner surface of the inner hinge portion is defined by a plurality
of curved sections.
[0007] In embodiments, the plurality of curved sections includes a
concave section and two convex sections.
[0008] In some embodiments, the concave section is bounded by the
two convex sections.
[0009] In certain embodiments, the outer surface of the inner hinge
includes a central convex section that is bounded by two concave
sections.
[0010] In embodiments, the inner hinge portion has a thickness that
is uniform between the two convex sections.
[0011] In some embodiments, the outer hinge portion includes an
inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of
the outer hinge portion and the outer surface of the inner hinge
portion define a cavity in the hinge.
[0012] In certain embodiments, the outer surface of the outer hinge
portion includes a central concave section that is bounded by two
convex sections.
[0013] In embodiments, the first jaw includes a longitudinal rib
having a tissue engaging surface that is positioned in opposition
to the second clamping surface of the second jaw when the ligation
clip is in the clamped position.
[0014] In some embodiments, the second jaw has a first row of
protrusions supported on one side of the second clamping surface
and a second row of protrusions supported on an opposite side of
the second clamping surface, wherein each of the protrusions of the
first and second rows of protrusions has an inner side wall in
opposition to a side wall of the longitudinal rib when the ligation
clip is in the clamped position.
[0015] In certain embodiments, the inner side wall of each of the
protrusions of the first and second rows of protrusions is angled
towards the second clamping surface.
[0016] In embodiments, the first row of protrusions is laterally
spaced from the second row of protrusions to define a channel that
extends longitudinally between the first and second rows of
protrusions, wherein the channel is positioned and configured to
receive the longitudinal rib when the ligation clip is in the
clamped position.
[0017] In some embodiments, the protrusions in the first row of
protrusions are longitudinally aligned and spaced from each other
and the protrusions in the second row of protrusions are
longitudinally aligned and spaced from each other.
[0018] In certain embodiments, each of the protrusions in the first
row of protrusions is longitudinally offset from the protrusions in
the second row of protrusions such that the protrusions in the
first and second rows of protrusions are alternatingly positioned
on opposite sides of the second clamping surface along at least a
portion of the length of the second clamping surface.
[0019] In embodiments, the first jaw includes a first locking
element and the second jaw includes a second locking element,
wherein the first locking element is movable into engagement with
the second locking element to retain the ligation clip in the
clamped position.
[0020] In some embodiments, the first locking element includes a
hooked portion that extends downwardly and proximally from the
first tissue clamping surface and the second locking element is
configured to engage the hooked portion.
[0021] In certain embodiments, the second locking element defines a
cam surface that engages the hooked portion to bias the hooked
portion outwardly of the second locking element such that the
hooked portion resiliently returns to an unbiased state after
passing over the second locking element to position the hooked
portion in contact with the engagement surface.
[0022] In embodiments, the ligation clip is formed of a polymeric
material.
[0023] In some embodiments, the second jaw includes a distal
portion including spaced teeth that are configured to engage
tissue.
[0024] In certain embodiments, each of the spaced teeth has an apex
that is configured to grip and stretch tissue as the ligation clip
is moved to the clamped position.
[0025] In embodiments, the second jaw includes a spring arm that is
positioned to engage and be deflected by the first locking element
as the ligation clip is moved from the open position to the clamped
position to urge the first and second locking elements to a latched
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Various exemplary embodiments of the presently disclosed
ligation clip are described herein below with reference to the
drawings, wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view from a distal end of an
exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed ligation clip in an
open position;
[0028] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 1
[0029] FIG. 3 is side view of the ligation clip shown in FIG. 1 in
the open position;
[0030] FIG. 4 is side view of the ligation clip shown in FIG. 3 in
the clamped position;
[0031] FIG. 4A is a top view of the ligation clip shown in FIG. 4
in the clamped position;
[0032] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 3;
[0033] FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of a hinge of a Prior Art
ligation clip; and
[0034] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0035] The presently disclosed ligation clip will now be described
in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference
numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of
the several views. It is to be understood that the disclosed
embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be
embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions
are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present
disclosure in unnecessary detail. Specific structural and
functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0036] In this description, the term "proximal" is used generally
to refer to that portion of the device that is closer to a
clinician, while the term "distal" is used generally to refer to
that portion of the device that is farther from the clinician. In
addition, the term "clinician" is used generally to refer to
medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support
personnel.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1-4A, an exemplary embodiment of the
presently disclosed ligation clip is shown generally as ligation
clip 10. The ligation clip 10 includes a first jaw 12, a second jaw
14, and a hinge 16 coupling the first jaw 12 to the second jaw 14.
The first jaw 12 is pivotable in relation to the second jaw 14
about the hinge 16 to move the ligation clip 10 between an open
position (FIG. 1) and a clamped position (FIG. 4). In the clamped
position, the first and second jaws 12, 14 define a longitudinal
axis "X" (FIG. 4A). In embodiments, the first and second jaws 12,
14 are curved along the longitudinal axis (FIG. 4) although other
jaw configurations are envisioned. In embodiments, the hinge 16 is
a living hinge that is integrally formed with proximal portions of
the first and second jaws 12, 14.
[0038] The first jaw 12 has a body 12a having a proximal portion
18, a distal portion 20, and a clamping surface 22. The second jaw
14 has a body 14a having a proximal portion 24, a distal portion
26, and a clamping surface 28. The proximal portions 18, 24 of the
first and second jaws 12, 14, respectively, are coupled to the
hinge 16 such that the ligation clip 10 can pivot between the open
position (FIG. 1) and the clamped position (FIG. 4). The distal
portion 20 of the first jaw 12 includes a first locking element 30
and spaced bosses 32. The first locking element 30 includes a
hooked portion 30a that extends downwardly and proximally from the
tissue clamping surface 22 to define a portion of a latching
mechanism 34 (FIG. 4) that is configured to retain the ligation
clip 10 in the clamped position as described in further detail
below.
[0039] Each of the spaced bosses 32 of the first jaw 12 extends
outwardly of the body 12a. In embodiments, the spaced bosses 32 are
integrally formed as a single transverse member 36 (FIG. 1) that is
supported on the distal portion 20 of the first jaw 12. The
transverse member 36 can be cylindrical although other
configurations are envisioned. The bosses 32 extend outwardly from
the body 12a of the first jaw 12 and are positioned and configured
to be received within slots (not shown) formed in jaws of a clip
applicator (not shown) to retain the ligation clip 10 on the clip
applicator.
[0040] The second jaw 14 includes a body 14a. The distal portion 26
of the body 14a of the second jaw 14 includes a second locking
element 40, spaced bosses 42, and spaced teeth 44. The spaced teeth
44 are configured to engage and/or penetrate tissue. In
embodiments, each of the teeth 44 has an apex or pointed end 44a
that grips and stretches tissue as the ligation clip 10 is moved
from the open position (FIG. 1) towards the clamped position (FIG.
4) to improve the ligating characteristics of the ligation clip 10.
The second locking element 40 defines a cam surface 48 (FIG. 1)
that is configured to receive and guide the first locking element
30 into locking engagement with the second locking element 40 when
the ligation clip 10 is moved to the clamped position (FIG. 4) to
secure the ligation clip 10 in the clamped position. In particular,
the cam surface 48 is configured to deflect the first locking
element 30 outwardly in a distal direction as the first locking
element 30 passes over the cam surface 48 such that when the first
locking element 30 moves past the cam surface 48, the first locking
element 30 resiliently moves into engagement with the second
locking element 40.
[0041] The bosses 42 of the second jaw 14 are similar to the bosses
32 of the first jaw 12. More specifically, each of the spaced
bosses 42 extends outwardly of the body 14a of the second jaw 14
and is positioned to be received within slots (not shown) formed in
jaws of a clip applicator (not shown) to retain the ligation clip
10 on the clip applicator.
[0042] The second jaw 14 includes a spring arm 56 that is
positioned to engage the first locking element 30 when the ligation
element 10 is moved to the clamped position to retain the first
locking element 30 and the second locking element 40 in the latched
position (FIG. 4). The spring arm 56 is positioned to engage and be
deflected by the first locking element 30 to create a compressive
force within the spring arm 56 that presses against the second
locking element 40.
[0043] In embodiments, each of the first and second clamping
surfaces 22, 28 of the first and second jaws 12, 14, respectively,
can include tissue retaining structure that is configured to
prevent the ligation clip 10 from sliding along tissue while the
ligation clip 10 is in the clamped position about the tissue. In
embodiments, the clamping surface 22 of the first jaw 12 may
include a longitudinal rib 60 that extends along all or a portion
of the length of the clamping surface 22. In embodiments, the
second clamping surface 28 of the second jaw 14 may also include a
series of first protrusions 62 that are positioned along one side
of the clamping surface 28 of the second jaw 14 and a series of
second protrusions 64 that are formed along an opposite side of the
second clamping surface 28 of the second jaw 14. In some
embodiments, the first protrusions 62 are spaced from the second
protrusions 64 to define an unobstructed channel that receives the
longitudinal rib 60 when the ligation clip 10 is in the clamped
position. In embodiments, the protrusions 62, 64 have an angled
outer wall 70 (FIG. 2), a flat top wall 72, and an inner wall
having a vertical portion 74, and a tapered portion 76. In certain
embodiments, the first protrusions 62 are axially offset from the
second protrusions 64 such that the first and second protrusions
62, 64 are alternatingly positioned along the longitudinal length
of the second clamping surface 28.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 5-6, the hinge 16 includes an inner hinge
portion 80 and an outer hinge portion 82. The inner hinge portion
80 includes an inner surface 84 that is contiguous with the first
and second clamping surfaces 22, 28 of the first and second jaws
12, 14, respectively, and an outer surface 86. The outer hinge
portion 82 includes an inner surface 88 and an outer surface 90.
The outer surface 86 of the inner hinge portion 80 and the inner
surface 88 of the outer hinge portion 82 define a cavity 92 within
the hinge 16. The outer surface 90 of the outer hinge portion 82 is
contiguous with outer surfaces 96, 98 of the first and second jaws
12, 14 of the ligation clip 10.
[0045] In the open position of the ligation clip 10 (FIG. 5), the
outer surface 86 of the inner hinge portion 80 includes a plurality
of different curved sections. More specifically, the outer surface
86 of the inner hinge portion 80 includes a central convex section
100 that is bounded by concave sections 102. Similarly, the inner
surface 84 of the inner hinge portion 80 includes a plurality of
curved sections including a central concave section 104 that is
bounded by convex sections 106. In embodiments, the convex sections
106 are contiguous with the clamping surfaces 22, 28 of the first
and second jaws 12, 14 of the ligation clip 10. In some
embodiments, the inner hinge portion 80 has a substantially uniform
thickness between the concave sections 102 and the convex sections
106 of the inner hinge portion 80.
[0046] In the open position of the ligation clip 10, the outer
surface 90 of the outer hinge portion 82 also defines a convex
section 110 that is bounded by less pronounced concave sections
112. In contrast, the inner surface 88 of the outer hinge portion
82 defines a single arcuate surface.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 5A, in contrast to the hinge 16 of the
presently disclosed ligation clip 10, the hinge 216 of known
ligation clips 200 includes an inner hinge portion 280 that has
inner and outer surfaces 284, 286 that define a single arc or
curved surface. The hinge 216 also includes an outer hinge portion
282 that has inner and outer surfaces 288, 290 that define a single
arc or curved surface.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 6, when the ligation clip 10 is moved to
the clamped position, the configuration of the inner hinge 80 and
to a lesser extent, the outer hinge portion 82, reduces the stress
or strain in the hinge 16 as the ligation clip 10 is moved between
the open and clamped position as compared to the stress or strain
in known ligation clips, e.g., clip 200. As such, the ligation clip
10 is more capable of repeated movement between the open position
and the clamped positions without fracturing and/or comprising the
structural integrity of the ligation clip 10.
[0049] In embodiments, the surgical ligation clip 10 may be made,
in whole or in part, of a resilient bioabsorbable and/or
biocompatible polymeric material. Examples of suitable
bioabsorbable and/or biocompatible polymers include acetal
polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyoxymethylene,
polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polypropylene, and polyethylene or
other thermoplastic materials having similar properties that can be
injection-molded. The clip may also be made of a polymer material
or materials in combination with radiolucent metal alloys.
Alternately, other materials may be used to form the clip 10
including biocompatible metals, plastics and composites.
[0050] Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices
and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. It is
envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described
in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with
the elements and features of another without departing from the
scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art
will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure
based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the
disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown
and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.
* * * * *