Aneurysm Clip

Abstract

A one-piece aneurysm clip formed from an elongated spring metal ribbon having a central helical portion, diverging first connecting portions extending from the helical portion, and converging second connecting portions extending from the first connecting portions. The axis of the helical portion extends transversely of a major crosswise axis of the ribbon. The jaws are turned 90 degrees from the plane of the helical portion and are arranged to engage flatwise, spring action of the helical portion urging the jaws to engaged position.

Description

This invention relates to surgical clips for clamping aneurysms and the like.

An object of this invention is to provide an aneurysm clip which is of minimum size and simple construction.

A further object of this invention is to provide a one-piece spring operated aneurysm clip.

Briefly, this invention provides a one-piece aneurysm clip which is formed of a single length or ribbon of flat spring metal having a major crosswise axis and a shorter minor crosswise axis. A central portion of the clip is helically bent about an axis parallel to the minor crosswise axis of the strip. End portions are turned at right angles to the helically bent portion to form cooperating clamping jaws which are linked to the helical portion by connecting portions.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains from the following detailed description and the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an aneurysm clip constructed in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the aneurysm clip shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in section taken on an enlarged scale on the line 3--3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the aneurysm clip shown in FIGS. 1-4 inclusive in open position, a fragmentary portion of a clip applying tool being shown in association therewith;

FIG. 5 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows 5--5 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a flat ribbon from which the clip is formed.

In the following detailed description and the drawing, like reference characters indicate like parts.

In FIGS. 1-4 inclusive is shown an aneurysm clip 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. The clip 10 is formed from a single elongated strip or ribbon of spring metal 11 (FIG. 5). A central portion of the ribbon is helically wound as indicated at 12 (FIG. 1). The axis of the helically wound portion 12 extends transversely of a major crosswise axis A--A (FIG. 5) of the ribbon and parallel to a minor crosswise axis B--B of the ribbon. From the helical portion 12 (FIG. 1) extend diverging connecting portions 13 and 14. From outer ends of the diverging connecting portions 13 and 14 extend converging connecting portions 16 and 17, respectively. At free ends of the converging portions 16 and 17 are clamping jaw portions 18 and 19, respectively. The clamping jaw portions 18 and 19 are turned 90.degree. from the plane of the helically wound portion and the connecting portions to form flatwise engaging jaws which engage face-to-face and are urged to engaged position by the spring action of the helical portion.

The clip can be opened by means of an appropriate surgical tool 21 (FIG. 4) having jaws 22 and 23 which can engage the clip at the junctures between diverging and converging portions. The surgical tool 21 can be generally similar in construction and operation to that shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 2,876,778. The jaws 22 and 23 are constructed to grip the clip to open the clip to the position shown in FIG. 4. The open clip can be positioned to close an aneurysm and can then be released to operate to seal off the aneurysm.

The clip construction illustrated in the drawings and described above is subject to structural modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by letters patent is:

1. A one-piece aneurysm clip having an elongated flat ribbon body having major and minor crosswise axes and including a central helical portion joining diverging first connecting portions extending from the helical portion, converging second connecting portions extending from the first connecting portions with the major crosswise axes of said helical, first and second connecting portions being substantially parallel to a first plane and said plane extending transversely of the axis of said helical portion, and jaws extending from the converging second connecting portions, the jaws being arranged so each of the flat faces thereof parallel to the major crosswise axes of the said jaw portions are engageable flatwise and lie in a plane which is not parallel to said first plane, spring action of the helical portion urging the jaws to engaged position.

2. A one-piece aneurysm clip as in claim 1 wherein the jaw portions are turned 90.degree. from the helical portion.