Abstract: A remotely controlled, powered applier for attaching aneurism clips has a fixed jaw and a movable jaw at the end of an extension having two parallel rods. Longitudinal motion of a movable rod causes the jaws to open or close. The proximal ends of the rods are connected to an actuator having a radially symmetrical housing. Within the actuator, a movable rod is attached to a rotary to linear motion converter driven by a small, reversible, electric motor. Footswitches control the speed and direction of the motor and the action of the jaws. The rotary to linear converter is an internally threaded sleeve rotated by the motor and engaging a thread on the proximal end of the movable rod.