Abstract: A fingertip-actuated surgical clip applier includes a first body and a second body substantially structurally identical to the first body. The first body includes a main section and a first jaw extending in a distal direction from the main section. The main section includes a hinge region and a first longitudinal wall extending between the first jaw and the hinge region. The first longitudinal wall includes a first outside surface adapted for contacting a first fingertip. The second body includes a second jaw and a second longitudinal wall. The second longitudinal wall includes a second outside surface adapted for contacting a second fingertip. The second body is inverted in relation to the first body and is pivotably connected to the hinge region. The first and second jaws are pivotable toward each other to a closed position and away from each other to an open position.

Abstract: A surgical clip applying apparatus comprises an actuator device, a ratchet mechanism, a locking mechanism, and a clip driving device. The actuator device comprises an interior and a cam mechanism disposed therein. The cam mechanism comprises an axial cam surface. The locking mechanism is movable by the actuator device within the interior in a distal direction and in a proximal direction. While moving in the distal direction, the locking mechanism contacts the axial cam surface, thereby causing the locking mechanism to engage the ratchet mechanism to limit movement of the locking mechanism in the proximal direction. Continued movement of the locking mechanism in the distal direction causes the locking mechanism to move off the axial cam surface, thereby enabling the locking mechanism to bypass the ratchet mechanism during a return stroke.

Abstract: A hand tool rotatable about an axis and having a handle and a bit in alignment along the axis. A plurality of inserts are available for individual placement between the handle and the bit for controlling torque transmitted by the tool. The insert can provide for limited or unlimited torque, in accord with the construction of the individual insert. The insert is replaceable relative to the tool.

Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver and method of making same wherein there is a handle and there is a ratchet gear and pawls inside the handle. An adjuster is inside the handle and is movable by a tool extending into the handle for positioning the adjuster relative to the gear and thereby eliminating play between the gear and the handle. Ball bearings are interposed between the handle and the gear and the bearings rotatably support the gear and transmit the anti-play forces that act on the gear.

Abstract: A tool holder for a tool with a recess having detent disposed therein for holding the tool axially, and having a sleeve telescoped over a collet which has flexible fingers and with the sleeve and the fingers having camming surfaces for effecting clamping onto the tool. The axial locations of the recess and the detent and the camming surfaces are such that they are all in an engaged position when the sleeve is in one position along the axis. The sleeve and the collet have chamfers interengagable upon telescopic movement between the sleeve and the collet for flexing the fingers to thereby have the collet slide into the sleeve.

Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver having a base assembly including a handle and an insert, and having a can rotatable on the base assembly, and there is pawl mechanism which is controlled by the cap. There is an intervening member in the form of a detent to serve as a stop for restricting the axial movement of the cap relative to the base assembly, so the cap cannot be removed from the base assembly until the detent is released. The detent, or other parts of the screwdriver, can serve as a rotation stop for the can which has selective positions for setting the ratcheting position of the screwdriver.

Abstract: An endoscopic apparatus includes a pair of jaws pivotably connected to each other and movable between an open position and a closed position. The jaws have respective opposing gripper portions. Each gripper portion has a distal end, a proximal end, and an inside surface extending between the distal and proximal ends. At the closed position, the inside surfaces define a jaw gap therebetween. At least a portion of the jaw gap increases in distance along a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end. An actuating mechanism communicates with the jaws for moving the jaws between the open and closed position. In a surgical procedure in which a clip such as a hemostatic clip has been latched around a blood vessel or other tissue, the apparatus can be used to compress the clip and consequently unlatch the clip, thereby releasing the clip from the vessel. Thereafter, the apparatus can be rotated.

Abstract: An instrument for applying a tie (12) to two items (10, 110), and a method of making same. The instrument is arranged for pulling separated bones or other items together and securing them together by twisting a tie onto them. The instrument can be made of plastic and it need not include any threaded parts. It can have two handles (21, 22) with a tie gripper (24) and a tie guide (26) on respective ones of the handles which can be squeezed together for pulling on a tie to draw separated items together. The handles rotate together, and there can be a crank (27) for effecting the rotation and thereby twist the tie onto the items.

Abstract: A screwdriver having a handle and a scale for measuring torque transmitted to a screw and having a beam-type spring for transmitting the screwing torque. The handle and spring have a lost-motion connection therebetween, and there is limit stop in that connection. The handle is sealed against the entry of debris. The method of making the screwdriver is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ratchet screwdriver having a base assembly including a handle and an insert, and having a cap rotatable on the base assembly, and there is pawl mechanism which is controlled by the cap. There is an intervening member in the form of a detent to serve as a stop for restricting the axial movement of the cap relative to the base assembly, so the cap cannot be removed from the base assembly until the detent is released. The detent, or other parts of the screwdriver, can serve as a rotation stop for the cap which has selective positions for setting the ratcheting position of the screwdriver.

Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved leg members joined at their proximal end by a hinge portion and movable from an open position to a closed position for securing and maintaining a desired amount of tension on a suture. A ridge protrudes from a portion of the inner surface of one leg and a groove is formed in a corresponding portion of the inner surface of the other leg. An eyelet extends through the ridge to engage a portion of a suture.

Abstract: A ratcheting driver for rotationally driving a piece and having a handle and pivotal pawls engageable with a driven gear and being capable of ratcheting and driving in both rotational directions. A cap is rotatable relative to said handle and it has a web for pivoting the pawls out of engagement with the gear. Through the selective rotation of the cap, the setting of the pawls is established. A spring positions the pawls in driving positions, and the cap has surfaces which disengage the pawls from the gear upon rotation of the cap. A method of arranging the driver is included.

Abstract: A torque tool handle for releasably holding a driven shank, such as a screwdriver bit. The handle is elongated and has an opening with a sleeve therein carrying a detent and an actuator which is slidable on the sleeve for alternate locking and release of the detent relative to the shank disposed in the sleeve. There can be two handle openings at right angles to each other and with each having a sleeve and an actuator and a detent, so the handle is both an axial and a T-handle driver.

Abstract: A cartridge is provided for retaining surgical clips, and particularly clips used in surgical ligating procedures that have an asymmetrical profile. The cartridge comprises a base having a base longitudinal axis. A plurality of axially spaced walls extend from the base and are transversely disposed in relation to the base axis. The walls define a plurality of axially spaced compartments therebetween. Each wall has a central wall axis that is generally perpendicular to the base axis. The cartridge further comprises a plurality of clip support members. Each clip support member is disposed within a respective compartment and comprises an asymmetrically shaped cross-section in relation to the central wall axis.

Abstract: A sterilization case in which the upper portion of one side of the case functions as a door having a hinge that is positioned horizontally with respect to the height of the case. When the case is closed, the surgical instruments are held securely in position, resting against an internal tray. When the door of the case is opened, the internal tray is raised, thus making the instruments more accessible by elevating them to a position above the top of the open case. The door swings downward to form an angle with the lower portion of the case, acting as a support so that the open case can stand in an upright position. When the door is closed, the internal tray is lowered and the instruments automatically retract into the case. Holes in the front and back covers of the instrument case allow the instruments within the case to be sterilized without removing them from the case.

Abstract: A polymeric, surgical clip having first and second curved leg members joined at their proximal end by a hinge portion and movable from an open position to a closed position for clamping a vessel between curved deposing inner surfaces which are substantially parallel when the clip is closed. The first leg terminates at its distal end in a deflectable hook member defining a crest or cutting edge along at least a portion of the outer surface thereof, and the second leg member terminates in a locking portion complimentary to the hook member such that when the first and second leg members are moved from an open position to a closed position about the hinge means the hook member will deflect about the distal end of the second leg member to lock the clip in a closed position.

Abstract: An endoscopic clip applier is adapted to retain a plurality of polymeric latching clips in an elongate assembly, and includes a jaw assembly for applying a polymeric latching clip. The jaw assembly extends from the distal end of the elongate assembly. A clip feeding member is moveable between a proximal position and a distal position to advance clips in the clip applier and to feed a clip from the distal end of the elongate assembly to the jaw assembly. Additionally, a jaw actuating member is moveable between a proximal position and a distal position, and includes cam surfaces for closing the jaw assembly. The actuator assembly actuates the clip feeding member to advance clips in the clip-containing elongate assembly and into the jaw assembly and subsequently advances the jaw actuating member to close the jaw assembly.

Abstract: A torque tool handle for releasably holding a driven shank, such as a screwdriver bit. The handle is elongated and has an opening with a sleeve therein carrying a detent and an actuator which is slidable on the sleeve for alternate locking and release of the detent relative to the shank disposed in the sleeve. There can be two handle openings at right angles to each other and with each having a sleeve and an actuator and a detent, so the handle is both an axial and a T-handle driver.