Abstract: A surgical clip has a resilient pad in a recess in one face and a hinged tongue on the other face, which face preferably presents no acute edge. The provision of a pad on only one face is found to produce a surprising improvement in effectiveness of the clip. In addition, the pad may be thicker and may be placed in a recess in one jaw, which can simplify manufacture while reducing the overall size of the clip.

Abstract: A plastics clip for performing sexual sterilization comprises two jaws each having a lining of silicone rubber, hinged to move from an open position to a closed position, in which a Fallopian tube is occluded. A catch mechanism biasses the jaws apart when the clip is open, by means of pressure from a resilient finger on a cam profile attached to the upper jaw. The finger and underside of the cam profile engage when the jaws reach their closed position, and lock the jaws closed. During closure, a resilient tongue formed on the upper jaw and a projection forming a hook on the lower jaw prevent the tube from escaping. Due to the biassing, the clip will spring back open during application if not sufficiently closed to engage the catch mechanism. In conjunction with the biassing, two moulded recesses and the shaping of the clip in a region adjacent the hinge end the clip to be located firmly in an applicator before closure.

Abstract: A surgical clip of plastics material for performing sexual sterilization comprises two jaws hinged to move from an open position to the closed position shown, in which a Fallopian tube is occluded. A catch mechanism engages when the jaws reach their closed position, and locks the jaws closed. The location of the catch mechanism in the vicinity of the hinge ensures that it does not contact the vulnerable mesosalpinx, thus reducing the risk of bleeding. Interdigitated teeth and a curved, springy tongue prevent the tube escaping from the clip as the jaws close. The teeth are rounded and are loosely interdigitated to reduce the risk of damage to the mesosalpinx. A resilient lining on the jaw biasses them apart. The clip will spring back open during application if it has not been closed sufficiently to engage the catch mechanism. The biasing also enables the clip to be located firmly in an applicator before closure.

Abstract: A sexual sterilization device has titanium jaws connected at a pivot and internally lined with resiliently compressible silicone rubber. This lining serves to ensure that the lumen of a Fallopian tube remains occluded even after devitalization of the tube tissue. A stub formed on one jaw beyond the pivot engages the lining of the other jaw so urging the two jaws apart. This enables the device to be held easily in an applicator and permits preparatory opening and closing movements of the jaws to be made so facilitating positioning of the device.