Abstract:
An endoscopic surgical clip for occluding vessels has a jaw comprised of a pair of arms that are connected to each other and are biased together by a spring section. The arms are elongate linear cantilevered beams extending beyond the end of the spring section. Compressing a portion of the spring section opens the arms. When the pressure is released, the bias of the spring section returns the arms to the first position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from and the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application Serial Nos. 60/374,624 and 60/374,673 each filed on Apr. 22, 2002, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    1. Technical Field  
           [0003]    The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for occluding vessels. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to endoscopic surgical clips and methods for using endoscopic surgical clips during surgical procedures.  
           [0004]    2. Background of Related Art  
           [0005]    During surgical procedures, the temporary or permanent occlusion of vessels is necessary to prevent the leakage of blood through incisions made at the surgical site. A wide variety of surgical ligating device configurations and techniques exist for accomplishing temporary and permanent occlusions. These include, for example, tubular, rod, and wire devices typically biased to a closed position. Ligating clips are configured for application directly by the hand of a surgeon, by remotely operated devices in open surgery, and/or by specialized instruments for minimally invasive surgical procedures.  
           [0006]    Ligating clips used in minimally invasive surgery are frequently constrained in their configuration by their requirement to be fed in series into an instrument configured for remotely applying clips. The requirement for compatibility with the applying instrument often constrains the configuration of the clip. An example of such a clip is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,373 to Stefanchik et al. Stefanchik et al. relates to a sterile clip for ligating a vessel and a device for placing the sterile clip on the vessel.  
           [0007]    Conventional ligating clips are generally formed from a ductile material that can adequately close on a vessel and remain in the as applied closed disposition. However, conventional clips, once applied, may at times be unable to respond to changes in thickness of the vessel wall due to swelling or inflammation, or to shrinkage when swelling or inflammation subsides. Thus, conventional ligating clips may traumatize the vessel or may allow some flow.  
           [0008]    A need exists for a simplified ligating clip that can apply a range of compressive forces, can be readily applied directly by a surgeon, or can be applied remotely by a hand-held instrument during minimally invasive surgical procedures. A need further exists for a ligating clip that can respond to changes in vessel thickness after the ligating clip is applied to the vessel.  
           [0009]    It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a surgical ligating clip that can apply a range of compressive forces to occlude a vessel.  
           [0010]    It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a surgical ligating clip that can respond to changes in vessel thickness after it is applied.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0011]    This invention is directed to a surgical clip for occluding a vessel and that includes a jaw having first and second arms defining a longitudinal axis. Each arm includes a proximal end and a distal end, and an inner face and an outer face. A spring section biases the arms into a normal first position and communicates with the proximal ends of the jaw section. The inner face of the first arm abuts at least a portion of the inner face of the second arm and the spring section including at least one arcuate wall that defines at least arcuate loop. The inner face of the first arm can abut the inner face of the second arm substantially along the longitudinal axis. Each arm may include a socket disposed at the distal end of each arm. The inner faces of the first and second arms can be knurled, can have a sinusoidal pattern, or one where the sinusoidal pattern of the first arm is complementary to the sinusoidal pattern of the second arm. The spring section can be formed from a unitary continuous wall that forms the at least one arcuate loop and the at least one arcuate loop can be a bulbous loop having a closed loop end portion facing away from the jaw with an opposed end formed of converging first and second wall portions. One wall portion can communicate with the proximal end of the first arm and the other wall portion can communicate with the proximal end of the second arm. The inner face of the first arm can include a substantially convex portion directed toward the second arm, and the inner face of the second arm can include a juxtaposed substantially convex portion directed toward the first arm, where each of the convex portions are engaged with one another along the longitudinal axis of the arms. Alternately, the inner face of the first arm can include a substantially convex portion and the inner face of the second arm can include a complimentary substantially convex portion, where each of the convex portions can be engaged with one another along the longitudinal axis of the arms.  
           [0012]    This invention is further directed to a surgical clip for occluding a vessel that includes a jaw having first and second elongated cantilevered beams that define a longitudinal axis, where each beam has a proximal end and a distal end. A spring section communicates with the proximal end of the beams for biasing the beams into a normal first position wherein the inner face of the first beam abuts at least a portion of the inner face of the second beam. The spring section includes first and second exterior arcuate members. The first exterior arcuate member is in communication with the proximal portion of the first beam and the second exterior arcuate member is in communication with the proximal portion of the second beam and the first and second exterior arcuate members form a third arcuate member therebetween. The first and second beams can includes an inner face and an outer face, where the inner face of the first beam can abut the inner face of the second beam substantially along the longitudinal axis. The first and second exterior arcuate members may include respective first and second loops, where the first and second loops each may have an opening facing the proximal ends of the first and second beams. The first and second exterior loops may form a third arcuate member in the form of a third loop, where the third loop can be located interior of the first and second loops and may have an opening that faces substantially 180° away from the first and second openings. The first, second, and third loops can be spaced apart from one another and can be transversely aligned. The first, second, and third loops may be flattened and may have substantially parallel sidewalls. The first, second, and third loops, and the jaw can be a continuous band of material.  
           [0013]    This invention is also directed to a surgical clip for occluding a vessel including a jaw having first and second arms that define a longitudinal axis. Each arm has a proximal end and a distal end, and an inner face and an outer face. A spring section communicates with the proximal ends of the arms for biasing the arms into a normal first position wherein the inner face of the first arm abuts at least a portion of the inner face of the second arm. The spring section is U-shaped and formed of a unitary continuous wall that forms multiple contiguous bends, including first and second exterior U-shaped loops each having a convex exterior surface facing away from the jaw, and a third interior loop disposed between and extending from the first and second loops. The third interior loop includes an exterior concave surface facing the jaws, and the exterior walls of the first and second exterior loops extend into the first and second proximal end portions of the arms of the jaw. The first, second, and third loops can be formed by substantially U-shaped walls and may be spaced apart from each other. The portions of the substantially U-shaped walls can be substantially parallel to each other. The substantially U-shaped walls of the first, second, and third loops may be transversely aligned. The substantially parallel portions of the first and second exterior loops can communicate with a transitional wall portion, which can have an inward bend that extends toward and can engage the third interior loop. The first and second loops can be configured such that when the proximal end portions of the arms are opened against their bias, the first and second loops may move toward each other.  
           [0014]    The presently disclosed endoscopic surgical clip, together with attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures below.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed endoscopic surgical clip are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an endoscopic surgical clip in a first position in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the endoscopic surgical clip in a first position in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the endoscopic surgical clip in a first position in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 is a distal end view of the endoscopic surgical clip of FIG. 1 in a second position;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 is a distal end view of the endoscopic surgical clip of FIG. 1 in the first position with the endoscopic surgical clip occluding a vessel;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an endoscopic surgical clip in a second position in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5 is an end view of the endoscopic surgical clip of FIG. 4 in the first position with the endoscopic surgical clip positioned about a vessel;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 6 is an end perspective view with portions broken away of a first embodiment of the arms of the endoscopic surgical clip in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 7 is an end perspective view with portions broken away of a second embodiment of the arms of the endoscopic surgical clip in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 8 is an end perspective view with portions broken away of a third embodiment of the arms of the endoscopic surgical clip showing the tips of the arms in accordance with the present disclosure;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 9 is an end perspective view with portions broken away of a fourth embodiment of the arms of the endoscopic surgical clip showing the tips of the arms in accordance with the present disclosure; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 10 is a perspective view with portions broken away of a fifth embodiment of the arms of the endoscopic surgical clip in the second position showing a knurled gripping surface in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]    Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed endoscopic surgical clip will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals and characters designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to that portion of the clip, or component thereof which is further from the user while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the clip or component thereof which is closer to the user.  
         [0029]    Referring now in specific detail to the drawings, and initially to FIGS.  1 - 3 , an endoscopic surgical, or ligating clip  10  is shown constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Ligating clip  10  includes a spring section  20  and a jaw  60 . Jaw  60  includes a pair of beams, here shown as a first arm  30  and a second arm  40  each having a central longitudinal axis-X. An axis-Y is positioned through the center of spring section  20  and is substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis-X. An axis-Z is positioned substantially perpendicular to and intersecting with, axes X and Y.  
         [0030]    Spring section  20  has a nonlinear modified tubular-shaped loop  24  defining hole  25  substantially concentric with an axis-W and parallel with longitudinal axis-X. Bulbous loop  24  has a tubular wall  26  including an opposing pair of converging tapered arcuate portions  29  that transition or communicate into the proximal portions of arms  30  and  40 . Tapered arcuate portions  29  have concave inner surfaces facing radially inward toward axis-W and exterior surfaces facing approximately radially outward from axis-W, the approximate center of loop  24 . Axis-Y preferably is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes X and W. Spring section  20  is configured to provide a bias for urging arms  30  and  40  into direct contact defining a first, or closed, position. Loop  24  includes a first edge  21  (not shown in FIG. 1) and opposed second edge  23 . When spring section  20  is viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis-X (See FIGS. 1 and 2), spring section  20  has a generally teardrop shape with a rounded bend of the teardrop defining a bulbous arcuate portion  27 .  
         [0031]    Arms  30  and  40  preferably are elongated and plate-like, extending substantially parallel with longitudinal axis-X and perpendicular to axis-Y. Although shown in FIGS.  1 - 3  as having flat surfaces, the surfaces and shapes of arms  30 ,  40  can any suitable shape and configuration. Arms  30  and  40  each have cantilevered distal end portions or tips  32  and  42 , and proximal second end portions  34  and  44 , connected to spring section  20 . First end portions  32  and  42  preferably have straight angled ends having first edges  31  and  41 , respectively, and generally parallel with axis-Y. However, first end portions  32 ,  42  can have other suitably shaped ends, e.g., see FIG. 1A or  1 B. Second end portions  34  and  44  also have straight angled ends having edges  33  and  43 , respectively. Second end portions  34  and  44 , and edges  33  and  43  preferably are contiguous with edge  23  of loop  24 . First end portions  32  and  42  are cantilevered to extend distally beyond edge  21  (FIGS. 2, 3) and substantially along longitudinal axis-X. Edges  35  and  45  are connected with edge  21  of tubular wall  26  and opposed by edges  37  and  47 . Arm  30  has an outer face  36  and an inner face  38 . Arm  40  similarly has an outer face  46  and an inner face  48 .  
         [0032]    Similar to the previous embodiment, arms  30  and  40  preferably are elongated and plate-like extending substantially parallel with longitudinal axis-X and perpendicular to axis-Y. Arms  30  and  40  each have cantilevered distal end portions or tips  32  and  42 , and proximal second end portions  34  and  44 , connected to spring section  20 . First end portions  32  and  42  preferably have straight angled ends having first edges  31  and  41 , respectively, which are generally parallel with axis-Y. Second end portions  34  and  44  also have straight angled ends that include edges  33  and  43 , respectively. Second end portions  34  and  44 , and edges  33  and  43  are contiguous with edge  23  of loop  24 . First end portions  32  and  42  are cantilevered to extend distally beyond edge  21  and substantially along longitudinal axis-X. Edges  35  and  45  are connected with edge  21  of tubular wall  26  and opposed by edges  37  and  47 . Arm  30  has an outer face  36  and an inner face  38 . Arm  40  similarly has an outer face  46  and an inner face  48 .  
         [0033]    Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 1A, ligating clip  10 ′ includes spring section  20  and jaw  60  as in the embodiment hereinabove disclosed. A pair of elongated beams, or arms,  30 ′ and  40 ′ are included that communicate with and extend distally from jaw  60 . Each arm  30 ′,  40 ′ includes respective inner faces  38 ′,  48 ′ that are each convex and engaged along axis-X where convex inner face  38 ′ is adapted to complementarily engage convex inner face  48 ′ for occluding a vessel. When ligating clip  10 ′ is biased by spring section  20  in a normal first position, inner faces  38 ′ and  48 ′ are in contact with each other at least along longitudinal axis-X for occluding a vessel. Arms  30 ′ and  40 ′ further include outer faces  36 ′ and  46 ′ that are generally concave and complementary to inner faces  38 ′ and  48 ′.  
         [0034]    Alternatively, as seen in FIG. 1B, ligating clip  10 ″ includes spring section  20  and jaw  60  as in the embodiment hereinabove disclosed. A pair of elongated beams, or arms,  30 ″ and  40 ″ are included that communicate and extend distally from jaw  60 . Each arm  30 ″,  40 ″ includes respective inner faces  38 ″,  48 ″ that are convex and engaged along axis-X, where the convex inner faces  38 ″ and  48 ″ are juxtaposed to face one another. When ligating clip  10 ″ is biased by spring section  20  in a normal first position, inner faces  38 ″ and  48 ″ are in contact with each other along longitudinal axis-X for occluding a vessel. Arms  30 ″ and  40 ″ further include outer faces  36 ″ and  46 ″ that are generally concave and complementary to inner faces  38 ″ and  48 ″.  
         [0035]    Ligating clip  10  has a first position wherein inner faces  38  and  48  are generally parallel and in substantial direct contact as a result of the bias of spring section  20 . The amount of bias applied by spring section  20  can be varied depending upon the needs of the application by varying factors such as the material of loop  24 , for example. In the second position, arms  30  and  40  of jaw  60  are forced open against the bias of spring section  20 . Arms  30  and  40  are separated and flexibly pivot about arcuate portion  27 . Arms  30  and  40  can remain generally parallel to longitudinal axis-X in the second position in this preferred embodiment, but the relationship of arms  30  and  40  can also vary in the second position such that, for example, first end portions  32  and  42  may be distanced less than or greater than second end portions  34  and  44  are distanced.  
         [0036]    Ligating clips  10  can also include mechanical devices or features to assist the application of ligating clips  10  during minimally invasive surgery such as a pair of sockets or holes  80  on the outer edges  33  and  43 , for example, in parallel with longitudinal axis-X. Sockets  80  can provide the ability for remotely spreading arms  30  and  40  in opposing directions of axis-Z and are configured to extend a suitable distance to ensure proper flexing and application of arms  30  and  40 . Alternately, by way of example, instead of or with sockets  80 , one could employ slots formed in edges  37  and  47  for the manipulation of arms  30  and  40 , respectively or in combination with slots or holes defined in the distal edges of arms  30 ,  40  parallel with longitudinal axis-X.  
         [0037]    Ligating clip  10  can be fabricated of a suitable medical grade metal, composite, or plastic material such that spring section  20  provides a flexing type movement and a bias to arms  30  and  40 . The bias also provides sufficient rigidity to jaw  60  for securely clipping or occluding a vessel  70  in the first position (see FIG. 3). Spring section  20  can also be fabricated as layers of materials. For example, spring section  20  can have a metal base and a plastic coating on inner faces  38  and  48  for grip enhancement or minimizing trauma to the tissue portion being clipped. In one preferred embodiment, jaw  60  and spring section  20  are monolithically formed as one continuous element.  
         [0038]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, ligating clip  10  is shown being employed on vessel  70 .  
         [0039]    Ligating clip  10  is typically applied by positioning the longitudinal axis-X of arms  30  and  40  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of vessel  70 , which is generally parallel to axis-Y. Arms  30  and  40  are preferably configured to remain aligned with the longitudinal axis-X and with axis Y during application, but can vary in their angular relationship relative to each other and longitudinal axis-X. Preferably, arms  30  and  40  are configured to remain generally linear and not excessively bend or distort their alignment during operational use.  
         [0040]    In addition, depending upon the strength of the bias in jaw  60  and the thickness of vessel  70  upon which ligating clip  10  is employed, arms  30  and  40  may be separated to accommodate the thickness of the compressed tissue portion of vessel  70  after application. It is recognized, however, depending upon the material(s) of construction of jaws  60 , strength of the bias in spring section  20 , location of vessel  70  relative to spring section  20 , and the thickness of vessel  70  upon which jaw  60  is employed, a portion or portions of arms,  30  and  40  may be at least partially in direct contact with each other after being applied on vessel  70 .  
         [0041]    Ligating clip  10  is shown in operation in FIG. 2 during the application of forces against or overcoming the bias of spring section  20  and during the positioning of vessel  70  between arms  30  and  40  (See FIG. 3). Loop  24  of clip  10  applies sufficient bias to jaw  60  such that arms  30 ,  40  collapse vessel  70  and terminate flow therethrough. The amount of bias and area of application of arms  30  and  40  can make the application of ligating clip  10  temporary or permanent.  
         [0042]    Referring now to FIG. 4, ligating clip  110 , in another preferred embodiment, has a jaw  160  and a complex shaped spring section  120  including an overall loop  124  having multiple contiguous loops or bends. Jaw  160  and loop  124  define orthogonal axes X, Y, and Z. Loop  124  defines a hole  125  aligned with an axis-W and parallel to axis-X. Loop  124  includes a complex shaped spring having multiple contiguous U-shaped bends having a first edge  121  opposing a second edge  123 . Loop  124  has a pair of exterior first bend portions  127 A and  127 C positioned on either side of or below and above a centrally or interiorly positioned second bend portion  127 B. Portions  127 A and  127 C have convex bends facing away from axis-W such that their walls leading to the convex bends run in a direction generally parallel with axis-Y. Their walls also are generally parallel to axis-W. Portion  127 B has a bend in the vicinity of axis-W that is aligned or parallel with axis-Y and has a concave face oriented in the direction of the convex faces of portions  127 A and  127 C. Loop  124  has outer tubular wall generally designated  126  having two ends connected respectively to arm  30  and arm  40  of jaw  160 .  
         [0043]    When viewed in a cross-section taken along axis Y and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis-X (see FIG. 5), bends  127 A,  127 B, and  127 C define a generally wishbone shape having the function of providing spring section  120  with approximately three times the bias to jaw  160  than the bias applied by spring section  20  to jaw  60 .  
         [0044]    Similar to the previous embodiment, arms  30  and  40  preferably are elongated and plate-like extending substantially parallel with longitudinal axis-X and perpendicular to axis-Y. Arms  30  and  40  each have cantilevered distal end portions or tips  32  and  42 , and proximal second end portions  34  and  44 , connected to spring section  120 . First end portions  32  and  42  preferably have straight angled ends having first edges  31  and  41 , respectively, which are generally parallel with axis-Y. Second end portions  34  and  44  also have straight angled ends that include edges  33  and  43 , respectively. Second end portions  34  and  44 , and edges  33  and  43  are contiguous with edge  23  of loop  124 . First end portions  32  and  42  are cantilevered to extend distally beyond edge  121  and substantially along longitudinal axis-X. Edges  35  and  45  are connected with edge  121  of tubular wall  126  and opposed by edges  37  and  47 . Arm  30  has an outer face  36  and an inner face  38 . Arm  40  similarly has an outer face  46  and an inner face  48 .  
         [0045]    Ligating clip  110  can also include mechanical devices or features to assist the application of ligating clip  110  during minimally invasive surgery such as a pair of sockets or holes  80  near the outer edges  33  and  43 , for example, in parallel with longitudinal axis-X. Sockets  80  can provide the ability for remotely spreading arms  30  and  40  in opposing directions of axis-Z and are configured to extend a suitable distance to ensure proper flexing and application of arms  30  and  40 . Alternately, by way of example, instead of or with sockets  80 , one could employ slots formed in edges  37  and  47  for the manipulation of arms  30  and  40 , respectively or in combination with slots or holes defined in distal edges of arms  30  and  40  parallel with longitudinal axis-X.  
         [0046]    Ligating clip  110  in the second position, as shown in FIG. 5, has arms  30  and  40  flexing about portion  127 B in opposing directions as shown by arrows-D generally along axis-Z as a result of the application of forces-A. The spreading of arms  30  and  40  against the bias provided by spring section  120  moves arms  30  and  40  into an open or spread position, thereby enabling the positioning of a tissue portion, such as vessel  70  between opened arms  30  and  40  of jaw  160 . Loop  124  is configured to support the opening of jaws  160  by a manual or mechanically assisted application of forces-A in the direction of the arrows, i.e., on bends  127 A and  127 C. The application of forces-A yields bending at points A′ and flexing at point B which moves arms  30  and  40  in the directions of arrows-D, i.e., from the first position to a second position. The movement of arms  30  and  40  from the first position to the second position is against the bias of loop  124  as shown by arrows-C. U-shaped bends  127 A and  127 C have sufficient rigidity to retain their general U-shaped configuration and flex with respect to bend  127 B causing arms  30  and  40  to pivot open in the direction of arrows-D. The second position is defined by arms  30  and  40  no longer being in direct contact and being displaced sufficiently for the positioning of a vessel  70  therein. Releasing forces-A causes jaw  160  to return to the first position as a result of the bias of loop  124  on arms  30  and  40  in the direction of arrows-C.  
         [0047]    In operation, ligating clip  110  is initially in the first position and preferably biased by spring section  120  to the first position wherein arms  30  and  40  are in direct contact and parallel to longitudinal axis-X. Spring section  120  is configured for arcuate portion  127 B to act as a single area of flexure urging jaws  160  to the first position to occlude vessel  70 . Arms  30  and  40  are preferably biased to the first, or closed, position by spring section  120 . Spring section  120  can include multiple areas of flexures, as in arcuate portions  127 A,  17 B, and  127 C of spring section  120  configured, for providing additional bias urging jaws  160  to the first position.  
         [0048]    Ligating clip  110  can be fabricated of a suitable medical grade metal, composite, or plastic material such that spring section  120  provides a flexing type movement and a bias to arms  30  and  40  of jaw  160  as well as sufficient rigidity in bends  127 A,  127 B, and  127 C and jaw  160  to securely occlude or constrict vessel  70  in the first position. Spring section  120  can be fabricated as layers of materials. For example, spring section  120  can have a metal base and a plastic coating on inner faces  38  and  48  for grip enhancement or minimizing trauma to the tissue portion being clipped. In one preferred embodiment, jaw  160  and spring section  120  are fabricated as one continuous element.  
         [0049]    Still referring to FIG. 5, ligating clip  110  is shown being employed on vessel  70 . Ligating clip  110  is typically applied by positioning the longitudinal axis-X of arms  30  and  40  perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of vessel  70 , which is generally parallel to axis-Y. Arms  30  and  40  are preferably configured to remain aligned with the longitudinal axis-X and with axis-Y (see FIG. 4) during application, but can vary in their angular relationship relative to each other and longitudinal axis-X. Preferably, arms  30  and  40  are configured to remain generally linear and not excessively bend or distort their alignment during operational use.  
         [0050]    In addition, depending upon the strength of the bias in jaw  160  and the thickness of vessel  70  upon which ligating clip  110  is employed, arms  30  and  40  may be separated to accommodate the thickness of the compressed tissue portion or in direct contact with vessel  70  after application. It is recognized, however, depending upon the material(s) of construction of jaws  160 , strength of the bias in spring section  120 , location of vessel  70  relative to spring section  120 , and the thickness of vessel  70  upon which jaw  160  is employed, a portion or portions of arms  30  and  40  may be at least partially in direct contact with each other after being applied on vessel  70 .  
         [0051]    Ligating clip  110  is shown in operation during the application of forces in the direction of arrows-A and the positioning of vessel  70  between arms  30  and  40  (See FIG. 5). Loop  124  of clip  110  applies sufficient bias in the direction of arrows-C onto jaw  160  such that arms  30 ,  40  collapse and terminate the flow in vessel  70  positioned therein. The amount of bias and area of application of arms  30  and  40  can make the application of ligating clip  110  temporary or permanent.  
         [0052]    Referring now to FIGS.  6 - 10 , inner faces  38  and  48  of clips  10 ,  110  can include corresponding undulations or arcuate portions that can enhance the application or gripping of inner faces  38  and  48  on a vessel (not shown). The undulations can take the form of a repeating pattern, such as a sinusoidal pattern having amplitudes having any directional orientation and configured for providing a variety of interfaces between arms  30  and  40 . As shown, the interfacing of inner faces  38  and  48  may have a sinusoidal pattern aligned with axes X (FIG. 6) or Y (FIG. 8) that matingly interface to increase the surface area of contact. Alternatively, the repeating pattern may be offset (FIGS. 7 and 9) such that there is a peak-to-peak interface or a variation thereof such as a slope-to-slope interface. Inner faces  38  and  48  can include other geometric patterns such as knurling (FIG. 10) to enhance the gripping of a figure portion. The dimensions of arms  30  and  40  in the direction of axis-Y and axis-X can be varied to enhance the gripping or interfacing area so as to spread the applied clipping load or in the alternative to concentrate the applied forces over an axial length of a vessel. Similarly, tips  32  and  42  can have any geometric shape.  
         [0053]    Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.