SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER
The present application relates to surgical clip appliers having a plurality of clips for applying the clips to body tissues and vessels during surgical procedures and their methods of use and specifically to a reusable counter mechanism for use with a surgical clip applier. The surgical clip applier includes a housing, at least one handle pivotably connected to the housing, a channel assembly extending distally from the housing, a plurality of clips loaded in the channel assembly, a drive channel translatably supported in the housing and the channel assembly and being translatable upon actuation of the at least one handle, and a reusable counter mechanism removably insertable into a counter slot extending into the housing and engagable with the drive channel. The counter mechanism is configured display indicia corresponding to a quantity of clips and to update the indicia upon translation of the drive channel.
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The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/561,994, filed on Nov. 21, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND1. Technical Field
The present application relates to surgical clip appliers having a plurality of clips for applying the clips to body tissues and vessels during surgical procedures and their methods of use. More specifically the present application relates to a reusable counter mechanism for use with a surgical clip applier.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Surgical clip appliers are known in the art and have increased in popularity among surgeons by offering an alternative to conventional suturing of body tissues and vessels. Typical instruments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,226 to Green et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,668 to Burbank, III et al. These instruments generally provide a plurality of clips which are stored in the instrument and which are fed sequentially to the jaw mechanism at the distal end of the instrument upon opening and closing of the handles at the proximal end of the instrument. As the handles are closed, the jaws close to deform a clip positioned between the jaw members, and as the jaws are opened to release the deformed clip, a new clip is fed from the series to a position between the jaws. This process is repeated until all the clips in the series of clips have been used.
A need exists for a user of the clip applier to know how many clips remain in the clip applier, how many clips have been fired and/or when a final clip of the plurality of clips has been fired.
SUMMARYThe present application relates to surgical clip appliers having a plurality of clips for applying the clips to body tissues and vessels during surgical procedures and their methods of use. More specifically the present application relates to a reusable counter mechanism for use with a surgical clip applier.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical clip applier includes a housing, at least one handle pivotably connected to the housing, a channel assembly extending distally from the housing, a plurality of clips loaded in the channel assembly, a drive channel translatably supported in the housing and the channel assembly and being translatable upon actuation of the at least one handle, and a reusable counter mechanism removably insertable into a counter slot extending into the housing and engagable with the drive channel. The counter mechanism is configured to display indicia corresponding to a quantity of clips and to change the indicia upon translation of the drive channel.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the counter mechanism is a digital counter.
The drive channel may include a nub and the counter mechanism may include a contact. The nub is configured to engage the contact during translation of the drive channel to cause the contact to complete a circuit with the counter mechanism. The counter mechanism may includes a battery and the battery may be rechargeable.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the counter mechanism is an analog counter. The counter mechanism may include a counter dial rotatably supported in the housing and including the indicia thereon and a counter clutch operatively connected to the counter dial such that rotation of the counter clutch in a first direction results in rotation of the counter dial in a first direction, and rotation of the counter clutch in a second direction results in no rotation of the counter dial. The drive channel may define an angled slot therein, and the counter clutch may include a clutch pin extending from a surface thereof and slidably engagable with the angled slot of the drive channel when the counter mechanism is inserted into the counter slot of the housing. Translation of the drive channel causes the clutch pin to be caromed by the angled slot to rotate the counter clutch in the first and second directions respectively.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the counter mechanism is securable in the counter slot by a snap-fit mechanism.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of preparing a surgical clip applier for a surgical procedure includes the steps of: determining when a reusable counter mechanism is necessary for the surgical procedure; inserting the counter mechanism into a counter slot of the clip applier to engage a drive bar of the clip applier when the counter mechanism is determined to be necessary; performing the surgical procedure; and removing the counter mechanism from the counter slot of clip applier after the surgical procedure is complete.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes the step of removing a plug from the counter slot of the clip applier prior to the step of inserting the counter mechanism.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes the step of resetting the counter mechanism to an initial state prior to the step of inserting the counter mechanism.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the step of determining when a counter mechanism is necessary includes choosing between one of a digital counter, an analog counter, and no counter.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the step of inserting the counter mechanism includes inserting the counter mechanism into the counter slot until the counter mechanism is secured in the counter slot by a snap-fit mechanism and the step of removing the counter mechanism includes releasing the snap-fit mechanism.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of preparing a surgical clip applier for a surgical procedure includes the steps of: making a determination, by a surgeon, in the operating room, when a reusable counter mechanism is necessary for the surgical procedure; inserting the counter mechanism into a counter slot of the clip applier to engage a drive bar of the clip applier when the surgeon determines that the counter mechanism is necessary; performing the surgical procedure; and removing the counter mechanism from the counter slot of clip applier after the surgical procedure is complete.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes the step of removing a plug from the counter slot of the clip applier prior to the step of inserting the counter mechanism.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes the step of resetting the counter mechanism to an initial state prior to the step of inserting the counter mechanism. The step of resetting the counter may occur in the operating room.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the step of making a determination by a surgeon includes the surgeon choosing between one of a digital counter, an analog counter, and no counter.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, the step of inserting the counter mechanism includes inserting the counter mechanism into the counter slot until the counter mechanism is secured in the counter slot by a snap-fit mechanism and the step of removing the counter mechanism includes releasing the snap-fit mechanism.
Although described separately, the above aspects may be combinable with any other aspect of the present disclosure.
The present clip applier will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the following drawings, in which:
Embodiments of surgical clip appliers in accordance with the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical structural elements. As shown in the drawings and described throughout the following description, as is traditional when referring to relative positioning on a surgical instrument, the term “proximal” refers to the end of the apparatus which is closer to the user and the term “distal” refers to the end of the apparatus which is further away from the user.
Referring now to
As seen in
As seen in
Channel assembly 108 includes a channel or cartridge cover 130 and an outer or lower channel 132 each having a proximal end retained in housing assembly 102, between upper and lower housing halves 104a, 104b.
As seen in
Clip applier 100 also includes a ratchet rack member 141 slidably disposed in lower housing half 104b. Rack member 141 is pinned to drive pin 124 such that translation of drive pin 124 relative to housing 104 results in concomitant translation of rack member 141. Rack member 141 includes ratchet teeth 141a formed along an edge thereof and are configured and adapted to engage with a ratchet pawl 142 supported in housing 104. Rack member 141 and pawl 142 define a ratchet mechanism 144.
In use, as drive channel 140 is moved axially by drive pin 124, rack member 141 is also moved. Rack teeth 141a of rack member 141 has a length which allows pawl 142 to reverse and advance back over rack member 141 when rack member 141 changes between proximal and distal movement as drive channel 140 reaches a proximal-most or distal-most position.
Pawl 142 is pivotally connected to lower housing half 104b by a pawl pin at a location wherein pawl 142 is in substantial operative engagement with rack member 141. Pawl 142 is engageable with rack member 141 to restrict longitudinal movement of rack member 141 and, in turn, drive channel 140. Ratchet mechanism 144 further includes a pawl spring 145 configured and positioned to bias pawl 142 into operative association with rack member 141. Pawl spring 145 functions to maintain the teeth of pawl 142 in engagement with the teeth 141a of rack member 141, as well as to maintain pawl 142 in a rotated or canted position.
Reference may be made to U.S. patent application No. 12/540,475 filed on Aug. 13, 2009, entitled “Surgical Clip Applier;” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/539,006, filed on Aug. 11, 2009, entitled “Surgical Clip Applier and Method of Assembly;” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/939,296, filed on Nov. 4, 2010 , entitled “Surgical Clip Applier”, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/943,045, filed on Nov. 10, 2010 , entitled “Surgical Clip Applier”, the entire contents of each of which being incorporated herein by reference, for a detailed discussion of the structure, operation, and method of assembly of various components surgical clip applier 100.
In accordance with the present disclosure, clip applier 100 is configured to receive a counter mechanism 190 in counter slot 104c. Counter mechanism 190 may be a mechanical or analog counter 200, as seen in
Referring now to
With continued reference to
As seen in
As seen in FIGS. 3 and 6-9, drive channel 140 defines an angled slot 140a formed therein at a location so as to slidably receive clutch pin 206d extending from body portion 206a of counter clutch 206. Angled slot 140a of drive channel 140 extends in a direction away from a longitudinal axis of clip applier 100 from a proximal to a distal direction. Rack member 141 is disposed in housing 104 such that clutch pin 206d of counter clutch 206 rides along or contacts a side edge 141b thereof.
Referring now to
As seen in
For a more detailed discussion of a similar mechanical counter, please refer to commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/943,045, mentioned above. For a more detailed discussion of a similar digital counter, please refer to commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/540,475 and 12/539,006, mentioned above.
Turning now to
Mechanical counter 200, digital counter 300 and surgical clip applier 100 may each be re-usable or disposable.
If the surgeon chooses mechanical counter 200, the surgeon resets mechanical counter 200 to an initial state, for example, with the indicia 202d visible in window 204a displaying the number of clips “C” loaded into the clip applier, displaying the numeral “0” if mechanical counter 200 will increment during use, or displaying the total number of clips “C” to be used in the surgical operation or the total number of clips “C” available, if mechanical counter 200 will decrement during use.
For example, the surgeon may reset the mechanical counter 200 by actuating the clutch pin 206d of the counter clutch 206 until the desired number is visible through window 204a. As seen in
The surgeon then inserts mechanical counter 200 into counter slot 104c such that clutch pin 206d is inserted into angled slot 140a, as seen in
As seen in
As seen in
As dial 202 is rotated in the direction of arrow “C1,” as seen in
As seen in
As dial 202 is further rotated in the direction of arrow “C1,” as seen in
Turning now to
With dial 202 being held or maintained in this rotational orientation, the new indicia 202b of numeral “21” if decrementing from numeral “22”, or numeral “1” if incrementing from the numeral “0”, is maintained in view in window 204a.
When drive channel 140 has been moved back to the fully proximal position, resilient fingers 206b, 206c of counter clutch 206 are re-set in engagement with adjacent uni-directional teeth 202e of dial 202. Additionally, as dial 202 is further rotated in the direction of arrow “C1,” resilient finger 208a of latch member 208 moves into engagement in a groove 202f′ adjacent to groove 202f formed around the outer periphery of counter dial 202.
The surgeon may continue to actuate handles 106 until the final clip “C” is fired with the indicia 202b visible through window 204a either incrementing or decrementing to inform the surgeon of the number of clips “C” that have been used or the number of clips “C” remaining to be used or. Once the final clip “C” has been fired, a lockout mechanism (not shown) may be used to prevent further actuation of handles 106, prevent jaw assembly 110 from closing, and prevent clip applier 100 from being fired. A suitable lockout mechanism can be found, for example, in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/540,475, 12/539,006, and 12/943,045, mentioned above.
If the surgeon chooses digital counter 300, the surgeon resets digital counter 300 to an initial state, for example, with the display 302 displaying the number of clips “C” loaded into the clip applier, displaying the numeral “0”, or the number of clips “C” to be used in the surgical operation.
The surgeon then inserts digital counter 300 into counter slot 104c such that contact 308 is axially aligned with nub 140e of drive bar 140, as seen in
After the surgical procedure is complete, counter mechanism 190 may be removed from clip applier 100 and sanitized/stored for re-use. For example, energy source 306 of digital counter 300 may be replaced or be recharged and digital counter 300 may be inserted into a docking or recharging station (not shown) for recharging.
It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present disclosure. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances. The embodiments described with reference to the attached drawing figures are presented only to demonstrate certain examples of the disclosure. Other elements, steps, methods and techniques that are insubstantially different from those described above and/or in the appended claims are also intended to be within the scope of the disclosure.
Claims
1. A surgical clip applier, comprising:
- a housing;
- at least one handle pivotably connected to the housing;
- a channel assembly extending distally from the housing;
- a plurality of clips loaded in the channel assembly;
- a drive channel translatably supported in the housing and the channel assembly, the drive channel being translatable upon actuation of the at least one handle; and
- a reusable counter mechanism removably insertable into a counter slot extending into the housing and engagable with the drive channel, the counter mechanism configured to display indicia corresponding to a quantity of clips and to change the indicia upon translation of the drive channel.
2. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein the counter mechanism is a digital counter.
3. The surgical clip applier according to claim 2, wherein the drive channel includes a nub and the counter mechanism includes a contact, the nub being configured to engage the contact during translation of the drive channel to cause the contact to complete a circuit with the counter mechanism.
4. The surgical clip applier according to claim 2, wherein the counter mechanism includes a battery.
5. The surgical clip applier according to claim 4, wherein the battery is rechargeable.
6. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein the counter mechanism is an analog counter.
7. The surgical clip applier according to claim 6, wherein the counter mechanism includes:
- a counter dial rotatably supported in the housing, wherein the counter dial includes the indicia thereon; and
- a counter clutch operatively connected to the counter dial such that rotation of the counter clutch in a first direction results in rotation of the counter dial in a first direction, and rotation of the counter clutch in a second direction results in no rotation of the counter dial.
8. The surgical clip applier according to claim 7, wherein the drive channel defines an angled slot therein, and wherein the counter clutch includes a clutch pin extending from a surface thereof and slidably engagable with the angled slot of the drive channel when the counter mechanism is inserted into the counter slot of the housing, wherein translation of the drive channel causes the clutch pin to be cammed by the angled slot to rotate the counter clutch in the first and second directions respectively.
9. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein the counter mechanism is securable in the counter slot by a snap-fit mechanism.
10. A method of preparing a surgical clip applier for a surgical procedure, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining when a reusable counter mechanism is necessary for the surgical procedure;
- inserting the counter mechanism into a counter slot of the clip applier to engage a drive bar of the clip applier when the counter mechanism is determined to be necessary;
- performing the surgical procedure; and
- removing the counter mechanism from the counter slot of clip applier after the surgical procedure is complete.
11. The method according to claim 10, the method further including the step of removing a plug from the counter slot of the clip applier prior to the step of inserting the counter mechanism.
12. The method according to claim 10, further including the step of resetting the counter mechanism to an initial state prior to the step of inserting the counter mechanism.
13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of determining when a counter mechanism is necessary includes choosing between one of a digital counter, an analog counter, and no counter.
14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of inserting the counter mechanism includes inserting the counter mechanism into the counter slot until the counter mechanism is secured in the counter slot by a snap-fit mechanism and the step of removing the counter mechanism includes releasing the snap-fit mechanism.
15. A method of preparing a surgical clip applier for a surgical procedure, the method comprising the steps of:
- making a determination, by a surgeon, in the operating room, when a reusable counter mechanism is necessary for the surgical procedure;
- inserting the counter mechanism into a counter slot of the clip applier to engage a drive bar of the clip applier when the surgeon determines that the counter mechanism is necessary;
- performing the surgical procedure; and
- removing the counter mechanism from the counter slot of clip applier after the surgical procedure is complete.
16. The method according to claim 15, the method further including the step of removing a plug from the counter slot of the clip applier prior to the step of inserting the counter mechanism.
17. The method according to claim 15, further including, the step of resetting the counter mechanism to an initial state prior to the step of inserting the counter mechanism.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the step of resetting the counter occurs in the operating room.
19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of making a determination by a surgeon includes the surgeon choosing between one of a digital counter, an analog counter, and no counter.
20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of inserting the counter mechanism includes inserting the counter mechanism into the counter slot until the counter mechanism is secured in the counter slot by a snap-fit mechanism and the step of removing the counter mechanism includes releasing the snap-fit mechanism.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 1, 2012
Publication Date: May 23, 2013
Applicant: COVIDIEN LP (Mansfield, MA)
Inventor: COVIDIEN LP (Mansfield, MA)
Application Number: 13/666,317
International Classification: A61B 17/10 (20060101);