Patent ID: 8328822
Filing Date: 2012-12-11
Classification: A61B,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A surgical clip applier, comprising: an elongate shaft; opposed jaws disposed on a distal end of the elongate shaft and movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position; an actuation assembly extending through the elongate shaft and coupled to the opposed jaws such that the actuation assembly is configured to move the opposed jaws between the fully open and fully closed positions; and a pawl and ratchet operatively associated with the actuation assembly, the ratchet having a notch positioned between a plurality of teeth and an end tooth, and the ratchet being pivotally disposed about a fixed pivot point; wherein, when the pawl is engaged with the plurality of teeth the ratchet limits movement of the actuation assembly to a distal direction, and when the pawl is disposed within the notch the ratchet allows the actuation assembly to be selectively moved in both the distal direction and an opposite proximal direction such that the actuation assembly can move the jaws from a partially closed position directly to the fully open position without first being moved to the fully closed position.