Abstract:
The present invention relates to a clip applier for clipping and dividing blood vessels, including: a handle; a first jaw unit; and a second jaw unit. The clip applier of the present invention can bring up two ligating clips at the same time with the first jaw unit and the second jaw unit, whereas the two clamping positions of the blood vessel can be clamped with the ligating clips simultaneously by the clip applier of the present invention in a single step, and thus the operating steps can be simplified, and the time involved with the surgical operation can be shortened.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a clip applier and, more particularly, to a clip applier for clamping one or more ligating clips simultaneously. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     During a surgical operation, a temporary ligating of the blood vessels is usually applied to prevent bleeding of blood vessels, and some tools for such operations have been developed to assist the ligation of the blood vessels. Commonly, for example, a clip applier is used first to pick up a ligating clip, and then blood vessels are ligated by the ligating clip upon the ligating clip being clipped/deformed by the clip applier. 
     Reference with  FIG. 1 , a conventional clip applier  10  for clamping ligating clips is shown, which comprises: a first clip unit  10   a  having a first handle  11   a  at one end and a first jaw unit  12   a  at another end; and a second clip unit  10   b  having a second handle lib at one end and a second jaw unit  12   b  at another end. Hence, the ligating clip  21  packed on the clip cartridge  30  can be brought up from the clip cartridge  30  by the first jaw unit  12   a  and the second jaw unit  12   b  of the clip applier  10 . 
     Though the clip applier described above is advantageous in its simple structure and is easily manufactured, when applied to the surgical operations, the clip applier described above cannot be easily handled. In detail, when using the clip applier for clipping blood vessels, two ends of the blood vessel should be clipped sequently by using the clip applier with the ligating clips (in which the ligating clips should be brought up from the clip cartridge and then two positions arranged at the two sides of the cutting position of the blood vessel are clipped with those ligating clips). Then, a cutting tool such as a surgical blade is used to cut the blood vessel at the appropriate location. However, considering the above method, a lengthy operating time is involved due to the complex steps for the clipping and cutting of the blood vessels, which is restricted with those inconvenient tools. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a clip applier for clamping ligating clips, which can bring up two ligating clips at the same time and clamp the two clamping positions of the blood vessel with the ligating clips simultaneously in a single step, and thus the operating steps can be simplified, and the time involved with the surgical operation can be shortened. 
     In order to obtain the above object, the present invention provides a clip applier for clamping ligating clips, including: a handle unit; a first jaw unit including a first end having a first upper clipping portion and a first lower clipping portion, there being a first interval between the first upper clipping portion and the first lower clipping portion; and a second jaw unit including a second end having a second upper clipping portion and a second lower clipping portion, there being a second interval between the second upper clipping portion and the second lower clipping portion, wherein the first upper clipping portion corresponds to the second upper clipping portion so as to clamp a first ligating clip by operating the handle unit, and the first lower clipping portion corresponds to the second lower clipping portion so as to clamp a second ligating clip by operating the handle unit. 
     Therefore, one or more ligating clips can be clamped simultaneously at a single step because the first jaw unit and the second jaw unit of the clip applier of the present invention independently has one or more clipping portions (i.e. the first jaw unit has a first upper clipping portion and a first lower clipping portion, the second jaw unit has a second upper clipping portion and a second lower clipping portion). Correspondingly, two clamping positions beside the cutting position of the blood vessel can be clamped with the ligating clips simultaneously at a single step. 
     Preferably, the clip applier for clamping ligating clips of the present invention may further comprise a cutting unit and an advancing unit, wherein the cutting unit connects to the advancing unit and the cutting unit is moved by the operation of the advancing unit, one end of the cutting unit locates between the first jaw unit and the second jaw unit, and the advancing unit enables the cutting unit to move toward the ends of the first jaw unit and the second jaw unit. Herein, the structure of the advancing unit is not specially limited, as long as it can be moved enabling the cutting unit to be moved toward the ends of the first jaw unit and the second jaw unit. 
     After the two clamping positions have been clamped, the advancing unit is moved and enables the cutting unit to move toward the cutting position of the blood vessel to cut the blood vessel at the cutting position. Therefore, an extra step of taking the cutting unit can be eliminated, the cutting steps at the surgical operation can be simplified, and the operation time can be shortened. 
     According to the present invention, the cutting unit may preferably comprise a first cutting component and a first connecting component, wherein the first cutting component connects with the first connecting component, and the first connecting component connects with the advancing unit. The cutting component may preferably be a blade or a billhook. 
     According to the present invention, the cutting unit may preferably further comprise a second cutting component and a second connecting component, the second cutting component connects with the second connecting component, and the first connecting component and the second connecting component are pivotally connected. 
     According to the present invention, the cutting unit further comprises a second flexible element locating between the first connecting component and the second connecting component. Hence, after an applied strength ceases, the second flexible element may provide a returning force enabling the first connecting component and the second connecting component to return to its original position (before the application of the strength). The second flexible element is not specially limited, as long as it can provide a returning force. For example, the second flexible element may be a spring or a leaf spring. 
     According to the present invention, the handle unit may have a first handle and a second handle, the first jaw unit and the first handle may integrally form a first clip unit, the second jaw unit and the second handle may integrally form a second clip unit, and the first clip unit and the second clip unit may be pivotally connected. Herein, the first clip unit or the second clip unit may have a groove for receiving the advancing unit and enabling the advancing unit to move in the groove; or the clip applier may further comprise a fixing part locating on the first clip unit or on the second clip unit, wherein the fixing part has a channel cavity, and the advancing unit passes through the channel cavity to enable the advancing unit to move therein and ensures the advancing unit moves linearly. 
     According to the present invention, the clip applier for clamping ligating clips may further comprise an elastic element received in the groove, wherein the two ends of the elastic element connect with the advancing unit and the edge of the groove respectively; or the elastic element may wrap around the advancing unit, and two ends of the elastic element connect with the advancing unit and the fixing part respectively. Therefore, after an applied strength ceases, the elastic element may provide a returning force enabling the advancing unit to return to its original position (i.e., before the application of the strength). 
     According to the present invention, the clip applier for clamping ligating clips may further comprise a first flexible element locating between the first clip unit and the second clip unit. Therefore, after an applied strength ceases, the first flexible element may provide a returning force enabling the first clip unit and the second clip unit to return to its original position (i.e., before the application of the clamping force). Herein, the first flexible element is not specially limited, as long as it can provide a returning force, for example, the first flexible element may be a spring or a leaf spring. 
     According to the present invention, the first jaw unit may further comprise a first elongation part, the second jaw unit may further comprise a second elongation part, the first elongation part connects to the first end, and the second elongation part connects to the second end. The first elongation part connects to the first end with a first angle, and the second elongation part connects to the second end with a second angle, in which, the first angle and the second angle may independently be 90 to 180 degrees. Preferably, the first angle and the second angle are the same. Therefore, the first jaw unit and the second jaw unit may be both formed in a straight shape or an angled shape as needed. When a blood vessel locates in a deeper position during the surgical operation, the first jaw unit and the second jaw unit with an angled shape may be selectively used for clamping the vessel. Therefore, during the clamping step, the blood vessel can be easily clamped and cut with the end extended from the first elongation part of the jaw unit having an angled shape. 
     As mentioned above, the clip applier for clamping ligating clips of the present invention can bring up two ligating clips at the same time and clip the two clamping positions of the blood vessel with the ligating clips simultaneously in a single step, and thus the operating steps can be simplified, and the time involved can be shortened. Besides, the clip applier of the present invention further comprises a cutting unit that can move toward the cutting position of the blood vessel along with the advancing unit to cut the blood vessel. Therefore, compared with the traditional clip applier without a cutting unit, the clip applier of the present invention may enable a step of taking the cutting unit to be eliminated, thereby enabling the cutting steps at the surgery operation to be simplified, and enabling the operation time to be shortened. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a traditional clip applier for clamping ligating clips; 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic view of a clip applier for clamping ligating clips of a preferred example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic view showing the combination of the fixing part, the advancing unit, and the elastic element of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2C  is an enlarged schematic view showing the first jaw unit and the second jaw unit of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are schematic views showing the operations of the clip applier of a preferred example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3C  is a schematic view showing a clamped blood vessel cut by the clip applier of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a clip applier for clamping ligating clips of another preferred example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a clip applier for clamping ligating clips of still another preferred example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6A  is a schematic view of a clip applier for clamping ligating clips of still another preferred example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6B  is a schematic view of one part of the clip applier for clamping ligating clips of still another preferred example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a schematic view of a clip applier for clamping ligating clips of still another preferred example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7B  is a schematic view showing a clamped blood vessel cut by the clip applier of still another preferred example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8A  is a schematic view of a clip applier for clamping ligating clips of still another preferred example of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8B  is a schematic view showing the action of the clip applier of still another preferred example of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The specific examples below are to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever. Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, based on the description herein, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. All publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     Example 1 
     With reference to  FIG. 2A , there is shown a clip applier  40  for clamping ligating clips, which comprises: a handle unit  41 ; a first jaw unit  42   a  including a first end  421  and a first elongation part  422 , wherein the first end  421  has a first upper clipping portion  4211  and a first lower clipping portion  4212 ; a second jaw unit  42   b  including a second end  423  and a second elongation part  424 , wherein the second end  423  has a second upper clipping portion  4231  and a second lower clipping portion  4232 ; a cutting unit  43  having a first cutting component  431  and a first connecting component  432 , wherein the first cutting component  431  connects with the first connecting component  432 ; and an advancing unit  44  connecting with the first connecting component  432  of the cutting unit  43 , whereby the cutting unit  43  can be moved by the advancing unit  44 . 
     Herein, the first end  421  connects to the first elongation part  422  with an angle of 180°; and the second end  423  connects to the second elongation part  424  with an angle of 180°. Hence, the first jaw unit  42   a  and the second jaw unit  42   b  are both formed in a straight shape. In the present example, the cutting component  431  is a blade. 
     Referring with  FIG. 2A , in the present example, the handle unit  41  has a first handle  41   a  and a second handle  41   b , in which the first jaw unit  42   a  and the first handle  41   a  are integrally formed as a first clip unit  40   a , the second jaw unit  42   b  and the second handle  41   b  are integrally formed as a second clip unit  40   b , and the first clip unit  40   a  and the second clip unit  40   b  are pivotally connected. Herein, the first clip unit  40   a  and the second clip unit  40   b  are two elongated arms. 
     Referring with  FIG. 2A  (also referring with  FIG. 2B ), the clip applier  40  of the present example comprises a fixing part  45  locating on the second clip unit  40   b , wherein the fixing part  45  has a channel cavity  451  (as shown in  FIG. 2B ), and the advancing unit  44  passes through the channel cavity  451 . Therefore, the channel cavity  451  enables the advancing unit  44  to move therein and ensures the advancing unit  44  moves linearly. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the clip applier  40  also comprises an elastic element  46  wrapping around the advancing unit  44 , wherein the two ends of the elastic element  46  connect with the advancing unit  44  and the fixing part  45  respectively. Therefore, after an applied strength ceases, the elastic element  46  may provide a returning force enabling the advancing unit  44  to return to its original position (i.e., before the application of the strength). 
     Besides, as shown in  FIG. 2A , the clip applier  40  further comprises a first flexible element  47  locating between the first clip unit  40   a  and the second clip unit  40   b  to provide a returning force. Therefore, after an applied strength ceases, the first flexible element  47  may provide a returning force enabling the first clip unit  40   a  and the second clip unit  40   b  to each return to its original position (i.e., before the application of the clamping force). Herein, the first flexible element  47  is a leaf spring. 
     Referring with  FIG. 2C , an enlarged figure comprising the first jaw unit and the second jaw unit is shown. In detail, a first interval H 1  exists between the first upper clipping portion  4211  and the first lower clipping portion  4212 , a second interval H 2  exists between the second upper clipping portion  4231  and the second lower clipping portion  4232 , wherein the first upper clipping portion  4211  corresponds to the second upper clipping portion  4231  so as to clamp a first ligating clip  21  by operating the handle unit  41  (as shown in  FIG. 2A ), and the first lower clipping portion  4212  corresponds to the second lower clipping portion  4232  so as to clamp a second ligating clip  22  by operating the handle unit  41  (as shown in  FIG. 2A ). Referring with  FIG. 2C , the first interval H 1  and the second interval H 2  correspond to the interval H 3  between the slots  31  of the clip cartridge  30 , which means the first interval H 1  and the second interval H 2  are generally the same as the interval H 3 . Therefore, the ligating clips  21 , 22  packed adjacently in the slots  31  can be clamped by the first end  421  of the first jaw unit  42   a  and the second end  423  of the second jaw unit  42   b  simultaneously. Also referring with  FIGS. 2A and 2C , the advancing unit  44  enables one end of the cutting unit  43  (i.e. the first cutting component  431 ) to move between the first interval H 1  and the second interval H 2  and move toward the first end  421  of the first jaw unit  42   a  and the second end  423  of the second jaw unit  42   b.    
     Hence, referring with  FIGS. 3A and 3B  (also referring with  FIG. 3C ), when the clip applier is applied for cutting the blood vessel B at the cutting position B 3 , the processing steps are as follow: first, the first upper clipping portion  4211  and the second upper clipping portion  4231  together clamp a first ligating clip (not shown) for clamping the blood vessel B at the clamping position B 1 , and the first lower clipping portion  4212  and the second lower clipping portion  4232  together clamp a second ligating clip (not shown) for clamping the blood vessel B at the clamping position B 2 ; and then, as shown in  FIG. 3B  (also reference with  FIG. 3C ), the advancing unit  44  is moved to compress the elastic element  46  and push the cutting unit  43  to move toward the blood vessel B, and therefore the blood vessel B is cut at the cutting position B 3 . Herein, since the cutting component  431  is set corresponding to the cutting position B 3  locating between the clamping positions B 1  and B 2 , the connecting component  432  has an angled portion to form a drop height D enabling the cutting component  431  to locate corresponding to the cutting position B 3 . 
     Example 2 
     Referring with  FIG. 4 , a clip applier  40  for clamping ligating clips of the present example is shown. Except that the cutting component  431  of the cutting unit  43  is a billhook in the present example, the other features and components are the same as those of example 1. 
     According to the present example, the clip applier  40  may be utilized in the same steps as shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3B . The two clamping positions are clamped in a single step, and then the cutting unit is moved toward the cutting position to cut the blood vessel to complete the cutting process by using the clip applier  40  of the present example. 
     Referring with  FIG. 4 , when the cutting unit  43  moves with the advancing unit  44  toward the cutting position of the blood vessel, the blood vessel may not be cut at the first time due to the elasticity of the blood vessel, and then when the advancing unit  44  moves back to its original position after an applied strength ceases, the blood vessel is cut by the trenchant edge of the cutting component  431  (the billhook) of the cutting unit  43 . 
     Example 3 
     Referring with  FIG. 5 , a clip applier  50  for clamping ligating clips of the present example is shown. Except that the cutting unit  53  comprises a first cutting component  531 , a first connecting component  532 , a second cutting component  533 , and a second connecting component  534 ; the first cutting component  531  connects to the first connecting component  532 ; the second cutting component  533  connects to the second connecting component  534 ; and the first connecting component  532  and the second connecting component  534  are pivotally connected in the present example, the other features and components are the same as those of example 1. Moreover, in the present example, the first cutting component  531  and the first connecting component  532  are integrally formed as an elongated arm, and also the second cutting component  533  and the second connecting component  534  are integrally formed as an elongated arm. 
     Therefore, the clip applier  50  of the present example may be utilized (operated) by the same steps shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3B . The two clamping positions are clamped in a single step, and then the cutting unit is moved toward the cutting position to cut/scissor the blood vessel to complete the cutting process by using the clip applier of the present example. 
     Example 4 
     Referring with  FIG. 6A , a clip applier  60  for clamping ligating clips of the present example is shown. Except that the cutting unit  63  of the present example further comprises a second flexible element  635 , and the performing action of the clip applier  60  of the present example is different from that of examples 1 and 2, the other features and components in the present example are the same as those of example 3. 
     Referring with  FIG. 6A , the cutting unit  63  of the clip applier  60  of the present example comprises a first cutting component  631 , a first connecting component  632 , a second cutting component  633 , and a second connecting component  634 , in which the first cutting component  631  connects with the first connecting component  632 , the second cutting component  633  connects with the second connecting component  634 , and the first connecting component  632  and the second connecting component  634  are pivotally connected. Besides, as shown in  FIG. 6A , the cutting unit  63  further comprises a second flexible element  635  locating between the first connecting component  632  and the second connecting component  634 . Hence, after an applied strength ceases, the second flexible element  635  may provide a returning force enabling the first connecting component  632  and the second connecting component  634  to return to the original position (i.e., before the application of the strength). Herein, the second flexible element  635  is a leaf spring. 
     Referring with  FIG. 6B , the second clip unit  60   b  has a groove  601  for receiving the advancing unit  64  and enabling the advancing unit  64  to move in the groove, the advancing unit  64  connects with the first connecting component  632  and the second connecting component  634  to enable the cutting unit  63  to be pushed toward the first end  621  of the first jaw unit  62   a  and the second end  623  of the second jaw unit  62   b  by the advancing unit  64 . Also, as shown in  FIG. 6B , an elastic element  66  is received in the groove  601 , in which one end of the elastic element  66  connects to the advancing unit  64  and the other end connects to the edge of the groove  601 , and therefore the elastic element  66  may provide a returning force enabling the advancing unit  64  to return to its original position (i.e., before the application of the strength). 
     Therefore, the clip applier of the present example may be utilized (operated) using the same steps shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3B . The two clamping positions are clamped in a single step, and then the cutting unit is moved toward the cutting position to cut/scissor the blood vessel to complete the cutting process by using the clip applier of the present example. 
     Example 5 
     Referring with  FIG. 7A , a clip applier  40  for clamping ligating clips of the present example is shown. Except that the first end  421  of the first jaw unit  42   a  connects to the first elongation part  422  with a first angle θ 1 , and the second end  423  of the second jaw unit  42   b  connects to the second elongation part  424  with a second angle θ 2  (also referring with  FIG. 7B ), the other features and components in the present example are the same as those of example 1. Herein, the first jaw unit  42   a  and the second jaw unit  42   b  are formed in an angled shape, and the first angle θ 1  and the second angle θ 2  are both about 125°. However, the first angle θ 1  and the second angle θ 2  are not limited thereto, and may be any angle ranged from 90° to 180°. 
     The clip applier of the present example may be utilized (operated) with the same steps of example 1. Also referring with  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the cutting unit  43  locates on the first clip unit  40   a  and the second clip unit  40   b , and the first end  421  and the second end  423  incline from the first clip unit  40   a  and the second clip unit  40   b . The first connecting component  432  of the cutting unit  43  is angled to enable the first cutting component  431  to locate at a position corresponding to the cutting position of the blood vessel B. Herein, the shape of the first connecting component  432 , or the angle of the angled first connecting component  432  of the cutting unit  43  is determined depending on the first angle θ 1  and the second angle θ 2 . 
     Example 6 
     Referring with  FIG. 8A , a clip applier  40  for clamping ligating clips of the present example is shown. Except that the elastic element is eliminated in the present example; the first end  421  of the first jaw unit  42   a  connects to the first elongation part  422  with a first angle θ 1 ; and the second end  423  of the second jaw unit  42   b  connects to the second elongation part  424  with a second angle θ 2  (also referring with  FIG. 8B ), the other features and components of the clip applier  40  in the present example are the same as those of example 2. Herein, the first jaw unit  42   a  and the second jaw unit  42   b  are formed in an angled shape, and the first angle θ 1  and the second angle θ 2  are both about 125°. However, the first angle θ 1  and the second angle θ 2  are not limited thereto and may be any angle ranged from 90° to 180°. 
     The clip applier of the present example may be utilized (operated) with the same steps of example 2. Also referring with  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the cutting unit  43  locates on the first clip unit  40   a  and the second clip unit  40   b , and the first end  421  and the second end  423  are angled lowered from the first clip unit  40   a  and the second clip unit  40   b . The first connecting component  432  of the cutting unit  43  is angled to enable the first cutting component  431  to locate at a position corresponding to the cutting position of the blood vessel B. Herein, the shape of the first connecting component  432 , or the angle of the angled first connecting component  432  of the cutting unit  43  is determined depending on the first angle θ 1  and the second angle θ 2 . 
     In the present example, the angled direction of the first end  421  and the second end  423  is each different from the angled directions of those in example 7, as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 8A . 
     Alternatively, other angled directions or angles (the first angle θ 1  and the second angle θ 2 ) may be selectively used to enhance a better performance of the clip applier for the surgical usage. 
     Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.