Abstract: A cartridge for ligating clips includes compartments formed of partitions lying in spaced parallel planes and a stringer spanning between the partitions. The legs of a clip are joined at a hinge which is seated over the stringer. The stringer comprises a substantially cylindrical body and a depending narrow support flange. Opposed faces of adjacent partitions include areas of reduced thickness spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit limited pivotal movement of the clip about the stringer. An abutment edge of the partition face provides a stop which is engaged by bosses at the ends of the clip legs to limit pivotal movement of the clip legs and prevent ribs of the clip from engaging the stringer.

Abstract: A surgical appliance includes an elongate barrel having effector jaws mounted to a carrier secured to the distal end of the barrel. A handle includes a grip for opening and closing the effector jaws, a knob for articulating the carrier, a knob for rotating the barrel and a safety mechanism for automatically preventing inadvertent actuation of the grip. Each jaw pivots about a pin and is actuated by a rod which is engaged by the grip. A lever is pivotally mounted to the handle and includes a latch which blocks movement of the grip unless the lever is pivoted in a proximal direction against a spring bias. When the lever is released, the latch automatically returns to the blocking position. A toggle arm fixed to a cam shaft can be rotated such that a cam moves the latch to the disengaged position for repeated grip actuation.

Abstract: A cartridge for ligating clips includes compartments formed of partitions lying in spaced parallel planes and a stringer spanning between the partitions. The legs of a clip are joined at a hinge which is seated over the stringer. The stringer comprises a substantially cylindrical body and a depending narrow support flange. Opposed faces of adjacent partitions include areas of reduced thickness spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit limited pivotal movement of the clip about the stringer. An abutment edge of the partition face provides a stop which is engaged by bosses at the ends of the clip legs to limit pivotal movement of the clip legs and prevent ribs of the clip from engaging the stringer.

Abstract: A linear cutter stapler includes an anvil jaw and a staple cartridge jaw. A post which projects from the anvil toward the staple cartridge includes a rounded crown dimensioned to self-seat in the cartridge. An abutment stop of the post abuts the cartridge to fix the spacing between the anvil and the cartridge when the jaws are closed. Alignment flanges, which project from the sides of the anvil, are received in notches formed in the sides of the cartridge jaw to stabilize the closed jaws. Both the post and the alignment flanges assure registration of staple shaping depressions formed in the anvil with the staples carried in the cartridge.

Abstract: A retainer for a ligating clip cartridge includes a peripheral skirt nested within the cartridge. The retainer includes a planar peripheral top margin surface extending from the skirt. A plurality of spaced rectilinear upwardly arched boundary leaves project from opposite sides of the top margin surface. The distal ends of the boundary leaves include a pair of spaced, downwardly inclined integral distensions. When positioned within a cartridge loaded with clips, the distensions are registered with and spaced above bosses which extend transversely from each clip leg. Should the clips tend to prolapse within the cartridge; the bosses engage a keeper notch formed at the juncture between the upwardly arched boundary leaves and the downwardly inclined distensions to maintain the clips in position suitable for dispensing.

Abstract: A surgical appliance includes an elongate barrel having effector jaws mounted to a carrier secured to the distal end of the barrel. A handle includes a grip for opening and closing the effector jaws, a knob for articulating the carrier, a knob for rotating the barrel and a safety mechanism for automatically preventing inadvertent actuation of the grip. Each jaw pivots about a pin and is actuated by a rod which is engaged by the grip. A lever is pivotally mounted to the handle and includes a latch which blocks movement of the grip unless the lever is pivoted in a proximal direction against a spring bias. When the lever is released, the latch automatically returns to the blocking position. A toggle arm fixed to a cam shaft can be rotated such that a cam moves the latch to the disengaged position for repeated grip actuation.

Abstract: A one piece molded polymeric ligating clip comprises a pair of curved legs having a unitary hinge at a proximal end and a latch at a distal end. The inner face of each leg includes two rows of transverse ribs, with the rows separated from one another along a longitudinal center line of each leg. The ribs of one row are staggered with respect to the ribs of the other row of the same leg as well as ribs of the corresponding rows on the other leg. Each rib includes a sloped flexible tapered sharp pointed prong which projects away from the inner face of the respective leg and toward the longitudinal center of the leg. The sharp pointed prongs impale the vessel wall when the clip is closed around a vessel or duct.

Abstract: A retainer for a ligating clip cartridge includes a peripheral skirt nested within the cartridge. The retainer includes a planar peripheral top margin surface extending from the skirt. A plurality of spaced rectilinear upwardly arched boundary leaves project from opposite sides of the top margin surface. The distal ends of the boundary leaves include a pair of spaced, downwardly inclined integral distensions. When positioned within a cartridge loaded with clips, the distensions are registered with and spaced above bosses which extend transversely from each clip leg. Should the clips tend to prolapse within the cartridge; the bosses engage a keeper notch formed at the juncture between the upwardly arched boundary leaves and the downwardly inclined distensions to maintain the clips in position suitable for dispensing.

Abstract: A linear cutter stapler includes an anvil jaw and a staple cartridge jaw. A post which projects from the anvil toward the staple cartridge includes a rounded crown dimensioned to self-seat in the cartridge. An abutment stop of the post abuts the cartridge to fix the spacing between the anvil and the cartridge when the jaws are closed. Alignment flanges, which project from the sides of the anvil, are received in notches formed in the sides of the cartridge jaw to stabilize the closed jaws. Both the post and the alignment flanges assure registration of staple shaping depressions formed in the anvil with the staples carried in the cartridge.

Abstract: A one piece molded polymeric ligating clip comprises a pair of curved legs having a unitary hinge at a proximal end and a latch at a distal end. The inner face of each leg includes two rows of transverse ribs, with the rows separated from one another along a longitudinal center line of each leg. The ribs of one row are staggered with respect to the ribs of the other row of the same leg as well as ribs of the corresponding rows on the other leg. Each rib includes a sloped flexible tapered sharp pointed prong which projects away from the inner face of the respective leg and toward the longitudinal center of the leg. The sharp pointed prongs impale the vessel wall when the clip is closed around a vessel or duct.