Patent ID: 8465502
Filing Date: 2013-06-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
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 pair of jaws supported on and extending from a distal end of the channel assembly, wherein the pair of jaws are adapted to accommodate a clip therein and operable to effect formation of a clip in response to movement of said handles; a clip carrier disposed within said channel assembly and defining a channel and a plurality of windows therein; a plurality of clips slidably disposed within said channel of said clip carrier; a clip pusher bar reciprocally positioned within at least one of said housing and said channel assembly, said pusher bar having a first end operatively connected to at least one of said handles and a second end defining a pusher, said pusher bar being movable towards said jaws as said handles are approximated in a first direction by an initial amount in order to move a distal-most clip between said jaws, and said pusher bar being configured and adapted to move towards said housing as said handles are approximated an additional amount in said first direction to move said pusher behind a distal-most clip in said plurality of clips; a wedge plate reciprocally disposed within said channel assembly, wherein a distal end of the wedge plate is selectively positionable between the pair of jaws to maintain the pair of jaws spaced apart, said wedge plate being operatively connected to said at least one handle and including a plurality of apertures formed along a length thereof; and a clip follower slidably disposed within said channel of said clip carrier and disposed proximally of said plurality of clips, said clip follower being configured and adapted for selective engagement with said windows of said clip carrier and said apertures of said wedge plate, wherein said clip follower is configured and adapted to urge said plurality of clips, in a distal direction relative to said clip carrier, upon reciprocal movement of said wedge plate.