Source: http://patents.com/us-10004502.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 11:57:43+00:00

Document:
A surgical clip applier is provided including 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 clip carrier; a drive channel translatably supported in the housing and the channel assembly, the drive channel being translated upon actuation of the at least one handle; and a counter mechanism supported in the housing, the counter mechanism including indicia visible through the housing, wherein the indicia corresponds to a quantity of clips loaded in the clip applier, wherein the indicia decrements upon each firing of the clip applier resulting in a reduction in the quantity of clips remaining of the plurality of clips.
3638847 February 1972 Noiles et al.
3675688 July 1972 Bryan et al.
3735762 May 1973 Bryan et al.
4296751 October 1981 Blake, III et al.
4372316 February 1983 Blake, III et al.
4408603 October 1983 Blake, III et al.
4449531 May 1984 Cerwin et al.
4478220 October 1984 Di Giovanni et al.
4480641 November 1984 Failla et al.
4487205 December 1984 Di Giovanni et al.
4491133 January 1985 Menges et al.
4498476 February 1985 Cerwin et al.
4500024 February 1985 DiGiovanni et al.
4509518 April 1985 McGarry et al.
4522207 June 1985 Klieman et al.
4534351 August 1985 Rothfuss et al.
4545377 October 1985 Cerwin et al.
4562839 January 1986 Blake, III et al.
4576165 March 1986 Green et al.
4576166 March 1986 Montgomery et al.
4592498 June 1986 Braun et al.
4611595 September 1986 Klieman et al.
4612932 September 1986 Caspar et al.
4616650 October 1986 Green et al.
4624254 November 1986 McGarry et al.
4637395 January 1987 Caspar et al.
4646740 March 1987 Peters et al.
4647504 March 1987 Kimimura et al.
4658822 April 1987 Kees, Jr.
4660558 April 1987 Kees, Jr.
4662373 May 1987 Montgomery et al.
4674504 June 1987 Klieman et al.
4681107 July 1987 Kees, Jr.
4702247 October 1987 Blake, III et al.
4712549 December 1987 Peters et al.
4733666 March 1988 Mercer, Jr.
4765335 August 1988 Schmidt et al.
4796625 January 1989 Kees, Jr.
4799481 January 1989 Transue et al.
4821721 April 1989 Chin et al.
4834096 May 1989 Oh et al.
4850355 July 1989 Brooks et al.
4856517 August 1989 Collins et al.
4951860 August 1990 Peters et al.
4957500 September 1990 Liang et al.
4966603 October 1990 Focelle et al.
4983176 January 1991 Cushman et al.
4988355 January 1991 Leveen et al.
5030224 July 1991 Wright et al.
5030226 July 1991 Green et al.
5032127 July 1991 Frazee et al.
5035692 July 1991 Lyon et al.
5047038 September 1991 Peters et al.
5049152 September 1991 Simon et al.
5049153 September 1991 Nakao et al.
5053045 October 1991 Schmidt et al.
5059202 October 1991 Liang et al.
5062563 November 1991 Green et al.
5062846 November 1991 Oh et al.
5084057 January 1992 Green et al.
5100416 March 1992 Oh et al.
5100420 March 1992 Green et al.
5104395 April 1992 Thornton et al.
5129885 July 1992 Green et al.
5156608 October 1992 Troidl et al.
5160339 November 1992 Chen et al.
5163945 November 1992 Ortiz et al.
5171247 December 1992 Hughett et al.
5171249 December 1992 Stefanchik et al.
5171251 December 1992 Bregen et al.
5192288 March 1993 Thompson et al.
5197970 March 1993 Green et al.
5199566 April 1993 Ortiz et al.
5207692 May 1993 Kraus et al.
5219353 June 1993 Garvey, III et al.
5246450 September 1993 Thornton et al.
5269792 December 1993 Kovac et al.
5282808 February 1994 Kovac et al.
5282832 February 1994 Toso et al.
5289963 March 1994 McGarry et al.
5290299 March 1994 Fain et al.
5300081 April 1994 Young et al.
5304183 April 1994 Gourlay et al.
5306280 April 1994 Bregen et al.
5312426 May 1994 Segawa et al.
5330442 July 1994 Green et al.
5330487 July 1994 Thornton et al.
5342373 August 1994 Stefanchik et al.
5354304 October 1994 Allen et al.
5354306 October 1994 Garvey et al.
5356064 October 1994 Green et al.
5366458 November 1994 Korthoff et al.
5368600 November 1994 Failla et al.
5381943 January 1995 Allen et al.
5382254 January 1995 McGarry et al.
5382255 January 1995 Castro et al.
5383881 January 1995 Green et al.
5395375 March 1995 Turkel et al.
5395381 March 1995 Green et al.
5403327 April 1995 Thornton et al.
5409498 April 1995 Braddock et al.
5423835 June 1995 Green et al.
5425740 June 1995 Hutchinson, Jr.
5431667 July 1995 Thompson et al.
5431668 July 1995 Burbank, III et al.
5431669 July 1995 Thompson et al.
5439468 August 1995 Schulze et al.
5441509 August 1995 Vidal et al.
5447513 September 1995 Davison et al.
5449365 September 1995 Green et al.
5462555 October 1995 Bolanos et al.
5462558 October 1995 Kolesa et al.
5474566 December 1995 Alesi et al.
5474567 December 1995 Stefanchik et al.
5487499 January 1996 Sorrentino et al.
5487746 January 1996 Yu et al.
5509920 April 1996 Phillips et al.
5514149 May 1996 Green et al.
5527319 June 1996 Green et al.
5527320 June 1996 Carruthers et al.
5547474 August 1996 Kloeckl et al.
5569274 October 1996 Rapacki et al.
5575802 November 1996 McQuilkin et al.
5582615 December 1996 Foshee et al.
5584840 December 1996 Ramsey et al.
5591178 January 1997 Green et al.
5593414 January 1997 Shipp et al.
5601573 February 1997 Fogelberg et al.
5601574 February 1997 Stefanchik et al.
5607436 March 1997 Pratt et al.
5618291 April 1997 Thompson et al.
5618306 April 1997 Roth et al.
5626585 May 1997 Mittelstadt et al.
5626586 May 1997 Pistl et al.
5626587 May 1997 Bishop et al.
5626592 May 1997 Phillips et al.
RE35525 June 1997 Stefanchik et al.
5634930 June 1997 Thornton et al.
5643291 July 1997 Pier et al.
5645551 July 1997 Green et al.
5645553 July 1997 Kolesa et al.
5649937 July 1997 Bito et al.
5653720 August 1997 Johnson et al.
5662662 September 1997 Bishop et al.
5662679 September 1997 Voss et al.
5665097 September 1997 Baker et al.
5681330 October 1997 Hughett et al.
5683405 November 1997 Yacoubian et al.
5695502 December 1997 Pier et al.
5697938 December 1997 Jensen et al.
5700270 December 1997 Peyser et al.
5700271 December 1997 Whitfield et al.
5709706 January 1998 Kienzle et al.
5713911 February 1998 Racenet et al.
5720756 February 1998 Green et al.
5722982 March 1998 Ferreira et al.
5725537 March 1998 Green et al.
5725538 March 1998 Green et al.
5733295 March 1998 Back et al.
5749881 May 1998 Sackier et al.
5755726 May 1998 Pratt et al.
5769857 June 1998 Reztzov et al.
5772673 June 1998 Cuny et al.
5776146 July 1998 Sackier et al.
5779718 July 1998 Green et al.
5779720 July 1998 Walder-Utz et al.
5782844 July 1998 Yoon et al.
5792149 August 1998 Sherts et al.
5792150 August 1998 Pratt et al.
5797922 August 1998 Hessel et al.
5817116 October 1998 Takahashi et al.
5827323 October 1998 Klieman et al.
5833696 November 1998 Whitfield et al.
5833700 November 1998 Fogelberg et al.
5835199 November 1998 Phillips et al.
5843097 December 1998 Mayenberger et al.
5858018 January 1999 Shipp et al.
5868759 February 1999 Peyser et al.
5868761 February 1999 Nicholas et al.
5895394 April 1999 Kienzle et al.
5904693 May 1999 Dicesare et al.
5906625 May 1999 Bito et al.
5913862 June 1999 Ramsey et al.
5918791 July 1999 Sorrentino et al.
5921997 July 1999 Fogelberg et al.
5928251 July 1999 Aranyi et al.
5938667 August 1999 Peyser et al.
5951574 September 1999 Stefanchik et al.
5972003 October 1999 Rousseau et al.
5976159 November 1999 Bolduc et al.
5993465 November 1999 Shipp et al.
6004335 December 1999 Vaitekunas et al.
6017358 January 2000 Yoon et al.
6045560 April 2000 McKean et al.
RE36720 May 2000 Green et al.
6059799 May 2000 Aranyi et al.
6099537 August 2000 Sugai et al.
6139555 October 2000 Hart et al.
6210418 April 2001 Storz et al.
6228097 May 2001 Levinson et al.
6241740 June 2001 Davis et al.
6258105 July 2001 Hart et al.
6261302 July 2001 Voegele et al.
6273898 August 2001 Kienzle et al.
6350269 February 2002 Shipp et al.
6352541 March 2002 Kienzle et al.
6391035 May 2002 Appleby et al.
6428548 August 2002 Durgin et al.
6461363 October 2002 Gadberry et al.
6494886 December 2002 Wilk et al.
6517536 February 2003 Hooven et al.
6527786 March 2003 Davis et al.
6537289 March 2003 Kayan et al.
6551333 April 2003 Kuhns et al.
6562051 May 2003 Bolduc et al.
6569171 May 2003 DeGuillebon et al.
6579304 June 2003 Hart et al.
6599298 July 2003 Forster et al.
6613060 September 2003 Adams et al.
6626916 September 2003 Yeung et al.
6626922 September 2003 Hart et al.
6652538 November 2003 Kayan et al.
6652539 November 2003 Shipp et al.
6656193 December 2003 Grant et al.
6673083 January 2004 Kayan et al.
6676659 January 2004 Hutchins et al.
RE38445 February 2004 Pistl et al.
6695854 February 2004 Kayan et al.
6706057 March 2004 Bidoia et al.
6716226 April 2004 Sixto, Jr. et al.
6743240 June 2004 Smith et al.
6773438 August 2004 Knodel et al.
6773440 August 2004 Gannoe et al.
6776783 August 2004 Frantzen et al.
6793663 September 2004 Kneifel et al.
6793664 September 2004 Mazzocchi et al.
6802848 October 2004 Anderson et al.
6814742 November 2004 Kimura et al.
6818009 November 2004 Hart et al.
6821284 November 2004 Sturtz et al.
6824547 November 2004 Wilson, Jr. et al.
6824548 November 2004 Smith et al.
6835199 December 2004 McGuckin, Jr. et al.
6835200 December 2004 Laufer et al.
6837894 January 2005 Pugsley, Jr. et al.
6840945 January 2005 Manetakis et al.
6843794 January 2005 Sixto, Jr. et al.
6849078 February 2005 Durgin et al.
6849079 February 2005 Blake, III et al.
6896682 May 2005 McClellan et al.
6905503 June 2005 Gifford, III et al.
6911032 June 2005 Jugenheimer et al.
6911033 June 2005 de Guillebon et al.
6913607 July 2005 Ainsworth et al.
6916327 July 2005 Northrup, III et al.
6923818 August 2005 Muramatsu et al.
6942674 September 2005 Belef et al.
6945979 September 2005 Kortenbach et al.
6949107 September 2005 McGuckin, Jr. et al.
6955643 October 2005 Gellman et al.
6959852 November 2005 Shelton, IV et al.
6960221 November 2005 Ho et al.
6964363 November 2005 Wales et al.
6964668 November 2005 Modesitt et al.
6966917 November 2005 Suyker et al.
6966919 November 2005 Sixto, Jr. et al.
6972023 December 2005 Whayne et al.
6972027 December 2005 Fallin et al.
6973770 December 2005 Schnipke et al.
6974466 December 2005 Ahmed et al.
6981505 January 2006 Krause et al.
6991635 January 2006 Takamoto et al.
7108703 September 2006 Danitz et al.
7179265 February 2007 Manetakis et al.
7207997 April 2007 Shipp et al.
7211091 May 2007 Fowler et al.
7214230 May 2007 Brock et al.
7214232 May 2007 Bowman et al.
7223271 May 2007 Muramatsu et al.
7232445 June 2007 Kortenbach et al.
7261724 August 2007 Molitor et al.
7288098 October 2007 Huitema et al.
7297149 November 2007 Vitali et al.
7316696 January 2008 Wilson, Jr. et al.
7326223 February 2008 Wilson, Jr.
7329266 February 2008 Royse et al.
7331968 February 2008 Arp et al.
7338503 March 2008 Rosenberg et al.
7357805 April 2008 Masuda et al.
7552853 June 2009 Mas et al.
7637917 December 2009 Whitfield et al.
7644848 January 2010 Swayze et al.
7686820 March 2010 Huitema et al.
7717926 May 2010 Whitfield et al.
7727248 June 2010 Smith et al.
7731724 June 2010 Huitema et al.
7752853 July 2010 Singh et al.
7753250 July 2010 Clauson et al.
7766207 August 2010 Mather et al.
7819886 October 2010 Whitfield et al.
7887553 February 2011 Lehman et al.
7905890 March 2011 Whitfield et al.
7942885 May 2011 Sixto, Jr. et al.
7952060 May 2011 Watanabe et al.
7963433 June 2011 Whitman et al.
7988027 August 2011 Olson et al.
8011550 September 2011 Aranyi et al.
8011555 September 2011 Tarinelli et al.
8016178 September 2011 Olson et al.
8021375 September 2011 Aldrich et al.
8021378 September 2011 Sixto, Jr. et al.
8038686 October 2011 Huitema et al.
8062310 November 2011 Shibata et al.
8066720 November 2011 Knodel et al.
8066721 November 2011 Kortenbach et al.
8066722 November 2011 Miyagi et al.
8075571 December 2011 Vitali et al.
8083668 December 2011 Durgin et al.
8088061 January 2012 Wells et al.
8091755 January 2012 Kayan et al.
8100926 January 2012 Filshie et al.
8128643 March 2012 Aranyi et al.
8142451 March 2012 Boulnois et al.
8157145 April 2012 Shelton, IV et al.
8157149 April 2012 Olson et al.
8157151 April 2012 Ingmanson et al.
8172859 May 2012 Matsuno et al.
8187290 May 2012 Buckman et al.
8211124 July 2012 Ainsworth et al.
8216255 July 2012 Smith et al.
8216257 July 2012 Huitema et al.
8236012 August 2012 Molitor et al.
8246634 August 2012 Huitema et al.
8262678 September 2012 Matsuoka et al.
8267944 September 2012 Sorrentino et al.
8267945 September 2012 Nguyen et al.
8267946 September 2012 Whitfield et al.
8272554 September 2012 Whitman et al.
8282655 October 2012 Whitfield et al.
8308743 November 2012 Matsuno et al.
8328822 December 2012 Huitema et al.
8348130 January 2013 Shah et al.
8357171 January 2013 Whitfield et al.
8366709 February 2013 Schechter et al.
8371491 February 2013 Huitema et al.
8382773 February 2013 Whitfield et al.
8398655 March 2013 Cheng et al.
8403945 March 2013 Whitfield et al.
8403946 March 2013 Whitfield et al.
8408442 April 2013 Racenet et al.
8409222 April 2013 Whitfield et al.
8409223 April 2013 Sorrentino et al.
8419752 April 2013 Sorrentino et al.
8430892 April 2013 Bindra et al.
8444660 May 2013 Adams et al.
8465460 June 2013 Yodfat et al.
8475473 July 2013 Vandenbroek et al.
8480688 July 2013 Boulnois et al.
8486091 July 2013 Sorrentino et al.
8491608 July 2013 Sorrentino et al.
8496673 July 2013 Nguyen et al.
8506580 August 2013 Zergiebel et al.
8518055 August 2013 Cardinale et al.
8523882 September 2013 Huitema et al.
8529585 September 2013 Jacobs et al.
8529586 September 2013 Rosenberg et al.
8529588 September 2013 Ahlberg et al.
8556920 October 2013 Huitema et al.
8579918 November 2013 Whitfield et al.
8585717 November 2013 Sorrentino et al.
8603109 December 2013 Aranyi et al.
8652151 February 2014 Lehman et al.
8652152 February 2014 Aranyi et al.
8663247 March 2014 Menn et al.
8685048 April 2014 Adams et al.
8690899 April 2014 Kogiso et al.
8708213 April 2014 Shelton, IV et al.
8709027 April 2014 Adams et al.
8715299 May 2014 Menn et al.
8720766 May 2014 Hess et al.
8734469 May 2014 Pribanic et al.
8747423 June 2014 Whitfield et al.
8753356 June 2014 Vitali et al.
8814884 August 2014 Whitfield et al.
8845659 September 2014 Whitfield et al.
8894665 November 2014 Sorrentino et al.
8894666 November 2014 Schulz et al.
8900253 December 2014 Aranyi et al.
8915930 December 2014 Huitema et al.
8920438 December 2014 Aranyi et al.
8961542 February 2015 Whitfield et al.
8968337 March 2015 Whitfield et al.
8968342 March 2015 Wingardner, III et al.
8973804 March 2015 Hess et al.
9011465 April 2015 Whitfield et al.
9089334 July 2015 Sorrentino et al.
9113892 August 2015 Malkowski et al.
9113893 August 2015 Sorrentino et al.
9119629 September 2015 Cardinale et al.
9186136 November 2015 Malkowski et al.
9208429 December 2015 Thornton et al.
9282961 March 2016 Whitman et al.
9326776 May 2016 Gadberry et al.
9358011 June 2016 Sorrentino et al.
9358015 June 2016 Sorrentino et al.
9364216 June 2016 Rockrohr et al.
9364240 June 2016 Whitfield et al.
9393024 July 2016 Whitfield et al.
9398917 July 2016 Whitfield et al.
9414844 August 2016 Zergiebel et al.
9433411 September 2016 Racenet et al.
9439654 September 2016 Sorrentino et al.
9480477 November 2016 Aranyi et al.
9498227 November 2016 Zergiebel et al.
9545254 January 2017 Sorrentino et al.
9687247 June 2017 Aranyi et al.
9717505 August 2017 Whitfield et al.
9737310 August 2017 Whitfield et al.
2002/0040226 April 2002 Laufer et al.
2002/0068947 June 2002 Kuhns et al.
2002/0082618 June 2002 Shipp et al.
2002/0087169 July 2002 Brock et al.
2002/0087170 July 2002 Kuhns et al.
2002/0120279 August 2002 Deguillebon et al.
2002/0128668 September 2002 Manetakis et al.
2002/0177859 November 2002 Monassevitch et al.
2002/0198537 December 2002 Smith et al.
2002/0198538 December 2002 Kortenbach et al.
2002/0198539 December 2002 Sixto et al.
2002/0198540 December 2002 Smith et al.
2002/0198541 December 2002 Smith et al.
2003/0014060 January 2003 Wilson et al.
2003/0040759 February 2003 de Guillebon et al.
2003/0105476 June 2003 Sancoff et al.
2003/0114867 June 2003 Bolduc et al.
2003/0208231 November 2003 Williamson et al.
2004/0010272 January 2004 Manetakis et al.
2004/0044352 March 2004 Fowler et al.
2004/0097972 May 2004 Shipp et al.
2004/0106936 June 2004 Shipp et al.
2004/0153100 August 2004 Ahlberg et al.
2004/0167545 August 2004 Sadler et al.
2004/0176776 September 2004 Zubok et al.
2004/0176783 September 2004 Edoga et al.
2004/0193213 September 2004 Aranyi et al.
2005/0080440 April 2005 Durgin et al.
2005/0090837 April 2005 Sixto et al.
2005/0090838 April 2005 Sixto et al.
2005/0096670 May 2005 Wellman et al.
2005/0096671 May 2005 Wellman et al.
2005/0096672 May 2005 Manetakis et al.
2005/0101975 May 2005 Nguyen et al.
2005/0107809 May 2005 Litscher et al.
2005/0107810 May 2005 Morales et al.
2005/0107811 May 2005 Starksen et al.
2005/0107812 May 2005 Starksen et al.
2005/0107871 May 2005 Realyvasquez et al.
2005/0113847 May 2005 Gadberry et al.
2005/0119671 June 2005 Reydel et al.
2005/0119673 June 2005 Gordon et al.
2005/0125010 June 2005 Smith et al.
2005/0143767 June 2005 Kimura et al.
2005/0149063 July 2005 Young et al.
2005/0149064 July 2005 Peterson et al.
2005/0149068 July 2005 Williams et al.
2005/0149069 July 2005 Bertolero et al.
2005/0175703 August 2005 Hunter et al.
2005/0177176 August 2005 Gerbi et al.
2005/0203547 September 2005 Weller et al.
2005/0203548 September 2005 Weller et al.
2005/0216056 September 2005 Valdevit et al.
2005/0222588 October 2005 Vandenbroek et al.
2005/0222590 October 2005 Gadberry et al.
2005/0228416 October 2005 Burbank et al.
2005/0234478 October 2005 Wixey et al.
2005/0251183 November 2005 Buckman et al.
2005/0256529 November 2005 Yawata et al.
2005/0267495 December 2005 Ginn et al.
2005/0273122 December 2005 Theroux et al.
2005/0277951 December 2005 Smith et al.
2005/0277952 December 2005 Arp et al.
2005/0277953 December 2005 Francese et al.
2005/0277954 December 2005 Smith et al.
2005/0277955 December 2005 Palmer et al.
2005/0277956 December 2005 Francese et al.
2005/0288689 December 2005 Kammerer et al.
2005/0288690 December 2005 Bourque et al.
2006/0004388 January 2006 Whayne et al.
2006/0004390 January 2006 Rosenberg et al.
2006/0009789 January 2006 Gambale et al.
2006/0009790 January 2006 Blake et al.
2006/0009792 January 2006 Baker et al.
2006/0020270 January 2006 Jabba et al.
2006/0020271 January 2006 Stewart et al.
2006/0047305 March 2006 Ortiz et al.
2006/0047306 March 2006 Ortiz et al.
2006/0064117 March 2006 Aranyi et al.
2006/0079115 April 2006 Aranyi et al.
2006/0079913 April 2006 Whitfield et al.
2006/0085015 April 2006 Whitfield et al.
2006/0129170 June 2006 Royce et al.
2006/0135992 June 2006 Bettuchi et al.
2006/0163312 July 2006 Viola et al.
2006/0173470 August 2006 Dray et al.
2006/0178683 August 2006 Shimoji et al.
2006/0184182 August 2006 Aranyi et al.
2006/0195125 August 2006 Sakakine et al.
2006/0200179 September 2006 Barker et al.
2006/0212050 September 2006 D'Agostino et al.
2006/0217749 September 2006 Wilson et al.
2006/0224165 October 2006 Surti et al.
2006/0235437 October 2006 Vitali et al.
2006/0235438 October 2006 Huitema et al.
2006/0235439 October 2006 Molitor et al.
2006/0235440 October 2006 Huitema et al.
2006/0235441 October 2006 Huitema et al.
2006/0235443 October 2006 Huitema et al.
2006/0235444 October 2006 Huitema et al.
2006/0259049 November 2006 Harada et al.
2006/0271072 November 2006 Hummel et al.
2007/0023476 February 2007 Whitman et al.
2007/0023477 February 2007 Whitman et al.
2007/0027458 February 2007 Sixto, Jr. et al.
2007/0034669 February 2007 de la Torre et al.
2007/0038233 February 2007 Martinez et al.
2007/0049947 March 2007 Menn et al.
2007/0049948 March 2007 Menn et al.
2007/0049950 March 2007 Theroux et al.
2007/0049953 March 2007 Shimoji et al.
2007/0073314 March 2007 Gadberry et al.
2007/0093856 April 2007 Whitfield et al.
2007/0112365 May 2007 Hilal et al.
2007/0118155 May 2007 Goldfarb et al.
2007/0118161 May 2007 Kennedy et al.
2007/0118163 May 2007 Boudreaux et al.
2007/0123916 May 2007 Maier et al.
2007/0142848 June 2007 Ainsworth et al.
2007/0142851 June 2007 Sixto et al.
2007/0149988 June 2007 Michler et al.
2007/0149989 June 2007 Santilli et al.
2007/0173866 July 2007 Sorrentino et al.
2007/0175949 August 2007 Shelton et al.
2007/0185504 August 2007 Manetakis et al.
2007/0191868 August 2007 Theroux et al.
2007/0213747 September 2007 Monassevitch et al.
2007/0250080 October 2007 Jones et al.
2007/0265640 November 2007 Kortenbach et al.
2007/0276417 November 2007 Mendes, Jr. et al.
2007/0282355 December 2007 Brown et al.
2007/0288039 December 2007 Aranyi et al.
2007/0293875 December 2007 Soetikno et al.
2008/0004636 January 2008 Walberg et al.
2008/0004637 January 2008 Klassen et al.
2008/0004639 January 2008 Huitema et al.
2008/0015615 January 2008 Molitor et al.
2008/0027465 January 2008 Vitali et al.
2008/0027466 January 2008 Vitali et al.
2008/0045981 February 2008 Margolin et al.
2008/0051808 February 2008 Rivera et al.
2008/0083813 April 2008 Zemlok et al.
2008/0103510 May 2008 Taylor et al.
2008/0147092 June 2008 Rogge et al.
2008/0147093 June 2008 Roskopf et al.
2008/0154287 June 2008 Rosenberg et al.
2008/0167665 July 2008 Arp et al.
2008/0167671 July 2008 Giordano et al.
2008/0228199 September 2008 Cropper et al.
2008/0243145 October 2008 Whitfield et al.
2008/0255413 October 2008 Zemlok et al.
2008/0255589 October 2008 Blakeney et al.
2008/0306492 December 2008 Shibata et al.
2008/0306493 December 2008 Shibata et al.
2008/0312665 December 2008 Shibata et al.
2008/0312670 December 2008 Lutze et al.
2009/0076533 March 2009 Kayan et al.
2009/0088777 April 2009 Miyagi et al.
2009/0088783 April 2009 Kennedy et al.
2009/0182193 July 2009 Whitman et al.
2009/0228024 September 2009 Whitfield et al.
2009/0264904 October 2009 Aldrich et al.
2009/0326558 December 2009 Cui et al.
2010/0057105 March 2010 Sorrentino et al.
2010/0057107 March 2010 Sorrentino et al.
2010/0274262 October 2010 Schulz et al.
2010/0274264 October 2010 Schulz et al.
2011/0054498 March 2011 Monassevitch et al.
2011/0082474 April 2011 Bindra et al.
2011/0087243 April 2011 Nguyen et al.
2011/0112552 May 2011 Lehman et al.
2011/0137323 June 2011 Malkowski et al.
2011/0137324 June 2011 Boudreaux et al.
2011/0144662 June 2011 McLawhorn et al.
2011/0190791 August 2011 Jacobs et al.
2011/0208212 August 2011 Zergiebel et al.
2011/0218553 September 2011 Huitema et al.
2011/0218554 September 2011 Cheng et al.
2011/0218556 September 2011 Nguyen et al.
2011/0224696 September 2011 Huitema et al.
2011/0224700 September 2011 Schmidt et al.
2011/0245847 October 2011 Menn et al.
2011/0245848 October 2011 Rosenberg et al.
2011/0251608 October 2011 Timm et al.
2012/0029534 February 2012 Whitfield et al.
2012/0046671 February 2012 Matsuoka et al.
2012/0048759 March 2012 Disch et al.
2012/0053402 March 2012 Conlon et al.
2012/0059394 March 2012 Brenner et al.
2012/0065647 March 2012 Litscher et al.
2012/0116420 May 2012 Sorrentino et al.
2012/0277765 November 2012 Zammataro et al.
2012/0330326 December 2012 Creston et al.
2013/0110135 May 2013 Whitfield et al.
2013/0165952 June 2013 Whitfield et al.
2013/0172911 July 2013 Rockrohr et al.
2013/0172912 July 2013 Whitfield et al.
2013/0274767 October 2013 Sorrentino et al.
2013/0289583 October 2013 Zergiebel et al.
2013/0296892 November 2013 Sorrentino et al.
2014/0005693 January 2014 Shelton, IV et al.
2014/0052157 February 2014 Whitfield et al.
2014/0058412 February 2014 Aranyi et al.
2014/0194903 July 2014 Malkowski et al.
2014/0296879 October 2014 Menn et al.
2014/0316441 October 2014 Zergiebel et al.
2014/0330291 November 2014 Whitfield et al.
2015/0005790 January 2015 Whitfield et al.
2015/0032131 January 2015 Sorrentino et al.
2015/0045816 February 2015 Aranyi et al.
2015/0066057 March 2015 Rockrohr et al.
2015/0080916 March 2015 Aranyi et al.
2015/0127022 May 2015 Whitfield et al.
2015/0164511 June 2015 Whitfield et al.
2015/0190138 July 2015 Whitfield et al.
2015/0282808 October 2015 Sorrentino et al.
2015/0351771 December 2015 Malkowski et al.
2015/0351772 December 2015 Malkowski et al.
2016/0030045 February 2016 Malkowski et al.
2016/0151071 June 2016 Tokarz et al.
2016/0242789 August 2016 Sorrentino et al.
2016/0256157 September 2016 Rockrohr et al.
2016/0256158 September 2016 Whitfield et al.
2016/0296236 October 2016 Whitfield et al.
2016/0338699 November 2016 Sorrentino et al.
2017/0027581 February 2017 Zergiebel et al.
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 07 25 3905.9, completed Jan. 29, 2008; dated Feb. 7, 2008; (7 Pages). cited by applicant .
International Search Report corresponding to International Application No. PCT-US08-58185, completed Sep. 4, 2008; dated Sep. 9, 2008; (2 Pages). cited by applicant .
International Search Report corresponding to International Application No. PCT-US08-59859, completed Sep. 14, 2008; dated Sep. 18, 2008; (2 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 07 25 3807.7, completed Nov. 7, 2008; dated Nov. 26, 2008; (11 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2049.3, completed Dec. 11, 2009; dated Jan. 12, 2010; (3 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2050.1, completed Dec. 23, 2009; dated Jan. 21, 2010; (3 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2051.9, completed Dec. 21, 2009; dated Jan. 28, 2010; (3 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2052.7, completed Nov. 16, 2009; dated Nov. 24, 2009; (3 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2053.5, completed Nov. 24, 2009; dated Dec. 1, 2009; (3 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2054.3, completed Jan. 7, 2010; dated Jan. 22, 2010; (3 pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 09 25 2056.8, completed Jan. 8, 2010; dated Feb. 5, 2010; (3 pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 10 25 0497.4, completed May 4, 2010; dated May 12, 2010; (6 pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 10 25 2079.8, completed Mar. 8, 2011; dated Mar. 17, 2011; (3 Pages). cited by applicant .
European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 05 81 0218.7, completed Apr. 18, 2011; dated May 20, 2011; (3 Pages). cited by applicant .
European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 05 80 7612.6, completed May 2, 2011; dated May 20, 2011; (3 pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 10 25 1737.2, completed May 9, 2011; dated May 20, 2011; (4 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 11 25 0214.1, completed May 25, 2011; dated Jun. 1, 2011; (3 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 11 00 2681.2, completed May 31, 2011; dated Jun. 10, 2011; (3 Pages). cited by applicant .
European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 05 80 2686.5, completed Jan. 9, 2012; dated Jan. 18, 2012; (3 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 15 1313.9, completed Mar. 20, 2012 and dated Apr. 12, 2012; (5 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 1291.5, completed Apr. 24, 2012 and dated May 4, 2012; (5 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 5891.8, completed Jun. 12, 2012 and dated Jun. 20, 2012; (6 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 2288.0, completed Jun. 4, 2012 and dated Jul. 7, 2012; (6 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 4955.2, completed Aug. 23, 2012 and dated Sep. 4, 2012; (5 pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 11 25 0754.6, completed Oct. 22, 2012 and dated Oct. 31, 2012; (6 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 18 6401.1, completed Nov. 22, 2012 and dated Nov. 30, 2012; (7 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 18 6448.2, completed Nov. 28, 2012 and dated Dec. 10, 2012; (6 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 19 1706.6, completed Dec. 19, 2012 and dated Jan. 8, 2013; (6 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 12 19 8745.7, completed Mar. 19, 2013 and dated Apr. 11, 2013; (8 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 12 15 2989.5, completed Apr. 9, 2013 and dated Apr. 18, 2013; (9 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 08 73 2820.9, completed Jul. 2, 2013 and dated Jul. 9, 2013; (10 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 13 17 2008.8, completed Aug. 14, 2013 and dated Aug. 28, 2013; (8 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 13 16 6382.5, completed Nov. 19, 2013 and dated Nov. 28, 2013; (8 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 11 25 0194.5, completed Nov. 25, 2013 and dated Dec. 3, 2013; (8 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 10 25 1798.4, completed Dec. 12, 2013 and dated Jan. 2, 2014; (9 Pages). cited by applicant .
"Salute II Disposable Fixation Device", Technique Guide--Laparoscopic and Open Inguinal and Ventral Hernia Repair; Davol, A Bard Company, 2006; (7 Pages). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 10 25 2112.7, completed Jul. 29, 2014 and dated Aug. 5, 2014; (8 pp). cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 14 15 1673.2, completed Apr. 25, 2014 and dated May 8, 2014; (8 pp). cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action corresponding to JP 2011-160130 dated Dec. 1, 2014. cited by applicant .
Chinese Office Action corresponding to CN 201210015011.8 dated Jan. 4, 2015. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action corresponding to JP 2011-160126 dated Jan. 9, 2015. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action corresponding to JP 2011-184521 dated Jan. 15, 2015. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to 14 18 2236.1 dated Jan. 20, 2015. cited by applicant .
Chinese Office Action corresponding to CN 201110201736.1 dated Feb. 9, 2015. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to EP 14 16 1540.1 dated Feb. 27, 2015. cited by applicant .
Australian Office Action corresponding to AU 2010226985 dated Mar. 31, 2015. cited by applicant .
Australian Office Action corresponding to AU 2013211526 dated Apr. 6, 2015. cited by applicant .
Australian Office Action corresponding to AU 2011211463 dated Apr. 13, 2015. cited by applicant .
Australian Office Action corresponding to AU 2013254887 dated Apr. 14, 2015. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action corresponding to JP 2013-225272 dated May 1, 2015. cited by applicant .
Chinese First Office Action corresponding to Chinese Appln. No. CN 201410076318.8 dated Jan. 23, 2017. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 16 18 3184.7 dated Jan. 24, 2017. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action corresponding to Japanese Appln. No. JP 2016-097807 dated Feb. 14, 2017. cited by applicant .
European Office Action corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 12 19 3447.5 dated Apr. 4, 2017. cited by applicant .
Chinese First Office Action corresponding to Chinese Appln. No. CN 201410008877.5 dated Apr. 6, 2017. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 17 15 3714.5 dated May 11, 2017. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 17 15 8519.3 dated May 19, 2017. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 17 15 7606.9 dated May 22, 2017. cited by applicant .
European Office Action corresponding to European Appln. No. EP 11 25 0674.6 dated May 23, 2017. cited by applicant .
Canadian Office Action corresponding to Canadian Appln. No. CA 2,743,402 dated May 30, 2017. cited by applicant .
Chinese First Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. CN 201210586826.1 dated Dec. 30, 2015. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. EP 15 19 1313.4 dated Feb. 1, 2016. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. EP 15 18 5362.9 dated Feb. 12, 2016. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. EP 12 19 7813.4 dated Mar. 7, 2016. cited by applicant .
Canadian Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. CA 2,676,465 dated Mar. 8, 2016. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. JP 2014-245081 dated Mar. 18, 2016. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. JP 2015-005629 dated Mar. 18, 2016. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. EP 15 19 3549.1 dated Mar. 22, 2016. cited by applicant .
International Search Report and Written Opinion corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. PCT/CN2015/082199 dated Mar. 31, 2016. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. EP 15 19 7251.0 dated Apr. 8, 2016. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. EP 16 15 0739.7 dated May 17, 2016. cited by applicant .
Canadian Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. CA 2,716,672 dated May 31, 2016. cited by applicant .
Canadian Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. CA 2,717,448 dated May 31, 2016. cited by applicant .
Canadian Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. CA 2,721,951 dated Jun. 1, 2016. cited by applicant .
Partial European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. EP 16 15 0287.7 dated Jun. 16, 2016. cited by applicant .
Chinese Second Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln. No. CN 201210555570.8 dated Jun. 20, 2016. cited by applicant .
International Search Report & Written Opinion corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. PCT/CN2015/091603 dated Jul. 8, 2016. cited by applicant .
Chinese Second Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. CN 201210586814.9 dated Jul. 18, 2016. cited by applicant .
Chinese First Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. CN 201510093591.6 dated Jul. 25, 2016. cited by applicant .
International Search Report & Written Opinion corresponding to Int'l Appin. No. PCT/CN2015/094172 dated Aug. 4, 2016. cited by applicant .
Canadian Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. CA 2,728,538 dated Sep. 6, 2016. cited by applicant .
Chinese Second Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. CN 201210586826.1 dated Sep. 14, 2016. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. EP 16 15 0287.7 dated Oct. 4, 2016. cited by applicant .
Chinese First Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. CN 201510205737.1 dated Nov. 1, 2016. cited by applicant .
European Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. EP 08 73 2820.9 dated Nov. 3, 2016. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. EP 16 18 5465.8 dated Dec. 21, 2016. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. EP 16 18 4652.2 dated Jan. 4, 2017. cited by applicant .
Chinese First Office Action corresponding to Int'l Appln. No. CN 201510419902.3 dated Jan. 4, 2017. cited by applicant .
European Office Action corresponding to EP 12 152 989.5 dated May 4, 2015. cited by applicant .
Australian Office Action corresponding to AU 2009212759 dated May 7, 2015. cited by applicant .
Chinese Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln No. CN 201210212642.9 dated Jun. 3, 2015. cited by applicant .
European Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln No. EP 04 719 757.9 dated Jun. 12, 2015. cited by applicant .
European Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Appln No. EP 13 166 382.5 dated Jun. 19, 2015. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. JP 2010-226908 dated Jun. 26, 2015. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. EP 15 15 5024.1 dated Jul. 17, 2015. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. EP 14 19 2026.4 dated Jul. 17, 2015. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. JP 2011-160126 dated Aug. 10, 2015. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. EP 14 15 0321.9 dated Sep. 23, 2015. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. EP 11 25 0675.3 dated Oct. 7, 2015. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. EP 11 25 0674.6 dated Oct. 7, 2015. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. EP 12 19 3447.5 dated Oct. 19, 2015. cited by applicant .
Canadian Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. CA 2,675,875 dated Oct. 26, 2015. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. JP 2015-005629 dated Oct. 28, 2015. cited by applicant .
Japanese Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. JP 2014-245081 dated Oct. 28, 2015. cited by applicant .
Canadian Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. CA 2,675,921 dated Oct. 30, 2015. cited by applicant .
Chinese Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. CN 201210555570.8 dated Nov. 2, 2015. cited by applicant .
Canadian Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. CA 2,676,309 dated Nov. 3, 2015. cited by applicant .
Canadian Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. CA 2,676,211 dated Nov. 24, 2015. cited by applicant .
Canadian Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. CA 2,676,547 dated Nov. 25, 2015. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. EP 15 17 3809.3 dated Nov. 25, 2015. cited by applicant .
Chinese Office Action corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. CN 201210586814.9 dated Dec. 2, 2015. cited by applicant .
Extended European Search Report corresponding to counterpart Int'l Application No. EP 12 17 2940.4 dated Dec. 14, 2015. cited by applicant.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/939,296 filed Nov. 4, 2010, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/285,006, filed on Dec. 9, 2009, the entire content of which is incorporate herein by reference.
1. A surgical clip applier, comprising: a housing; a drive channel translatably supported in the housing; and a counter mechanism supported in the housing and including: a counter dial rotatably supported in the housing, the counter dial including a first face and an opposing second face, the first face defining indicia visible through the housing and the second face defining a bore therein, the bore including a perimetrical array of uni-directional teeth; a counter clutch engagably nested in the bore defined in second face of the counter dial and operatively coupled to the drive channel, the counter clutch including at least one resilient finger extending tangentially therefrom and configured to rotatably engage the uni-directional teeth of the bore to rotate the counter dial in a single direction relative to the drive channel; and a ratchet mechanism including a rack member and a ratchet pawl, the rack member translatably supported in the housing, operatively coupled to the drive channel and including a plurality of ratchet teeth, the ratchet pawl supported in the housing and configured to engage the plurality of ratchet teeth to restrict translation of the rack member relative to the housing; a clip carrier; and a plurality of clips loaded in the clip carrier; wherein when the drive channel is translated in a first direction relative to the housing, the counter clutch is configured to rotate in a first direction relative to the drive channel such that the at least one resilient finger of the counter clutch engages the uni-directional teeth of the bore to rotate the counter dial in the first direction relative to the drive channel, and wherein when the drive channel is translated in a second direction relative to the housing, the counter clutch is configured to rotate in a second direction relative to the drive channel such that the at least one resilient finger of the counter clutch disengages from the uni-directional teeth of the bore and the counter dial is not rotated in the second direction relative to the drive channel.
2. The surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein the counter mechanism includes a latch member configured to contact and selectively engage the counter dial, wherein the latch member permits rotation of the counter dial in the first direction relative to the drive channel and inhibits rotation of the counter mechanism in the second direction relative to the drive channel.
3. The surgical clip applier according to claim 2, wherein the counter dial includes a first rim defining a plurality of grooves formed around an outer periphery thereof and a second rim defining a lockout groove formed in an outer periphery thereof, wherein the latch member is configured to contact and selectively engage the plurality of grooves formed on the outer periphery of the first rim.
4. The surgical clip applier according to claim 3, wherein the rack member includes a first edge and an opposing second edge, the first edge defining the plurality of ratchet teeth and the second edge defining a notch.
5. The surgical clip applier according to claim 4, further including: a lock out member supported in the housing, the lock out member having a body portion defining a first catch and a second catch, the first catch configured to engage the lock out groove formed in the second rim of the counter dial and the second catch configured to engage the notch defined on the second edge of the rack member; and a lock out spring resiliently biased to maintain the first catch of the lock out member in contact with the outer periphery of the second rim of the counter dial, wherein as the counter dial is rotated in the first direction relative to the drive channel, the first catch of the lock out member is brought into registration with the lock out groove when a final clip of the plurality of clips has been fired to inhibit further rotation of the counter dial in the first direction relative to the drive channel.
6. The surgical clip applier according to claim 5, wherein when the final clip of the plurality of clips has been fired and the first catch of the lock out member is brought into registration with the lock out groove, the second catch of the lock out member is brought into registration with the notch defined on the second edge of the rack member such that the rack member is prevented from translating relative to the housing.
7. The surgical clip applier according to claim 6, further including at least one handle pivotably connected to the housing, the at least one handle configured to actuatably translate the drive channel, wherein when the second catch of the lock out member is brought into registration with the notch defined on the second edge of the rack member, the at least one handle is prevented from actuation.
8. The surgical clip applier according to claim 7, wherein the lock out groove of the counter dial is associated with the indicia on the first face of the counter dial indicating that the final clip of the plurality of clips has been fired.
9. The surgical clip applier according to claim 8, wherein the indicia on the first face of the counter dial indicating that the final clip of the plurality of clips has been fired is represented by a number "zero."
10. A surgical clip applier, comprising: a housing; a clip carrier; a plurality of clips loaded in the clip carrier; a drive channel translatably supported in the housing; a counter mechanism supported in the housing and including: a ratchet mechanism including a rack member and a ratchet pawl, the rack member translatably supported in the housing, operatively coupled to the drive channel and including a plurality of ratchet teeth, the ratchet pawl supported in the housing and configured to engage the plurality of ratchet teeth to restrict translation of the rack member relative to the housing; a counter dial rotatably supported in the housing, the counter dial including a recess having a circular array of uni-directional teeth; and a counter clutch rotatably nested in the recess defined in the counter dial and operatively coupled to the drive channel, the counter clutch configured to rotatably engage the uni-directional teeth of the recess to rotate the counter dial in a single first direction relative to the drive channel; wherein the counter clutch includes at least one resilient finger extending tangentially therefrom and configured to rotatably engage the uni-directional teeth of the recess of the counter dial in the first direction relative to the drive channel, and wherein when the drive channel is translated in a first direction relative to the housing, the counter clutch is configured to rotate in the first direction relative to the drive channel such that the counter dial is rotated in the first direction relative to the drive channel; and a lock out member supported in the housing and resiliently biased to maintain contact with the counter dial as the counter dial rotates in the first direction relative to the drive channel to urge a portion of the lock out member into engagement with a portion of the counter dial to inhibit translation of the drive channel relative to the housing, wherein when a final clip of the plurality of clips is fired, the lock out member is configured to engage the counter dial to inhibit further rotation of the counter dial in the first direction relative to the drive channel.
11. The surgical clip applier according to claim 10, wherein when the drive channel is translated in a second direction relative to the housing, the counter clutch is configured to rotate in a second direction relative to the drive channel such that the at least one resilient finger of the counter clutch disengages from the uni-directional teeth of the recess of the counter dial and the counter dial is not rotated in the second direction relative to the drive channel.
12. The surgical clip applier according to claim 10, wherein the counter dial includes a first face and an opposing second opposing face, the first face defining indicia visible through the housing and the second face defining the recess therein.
13. The surgical clip applier according to claim 12, wherein the counter dial includes a lockout groove formed in an outer periphery thereof, wherein when the lock out member is brought into registration with the lock out groove, the counter dial is prevented from rotating in the first direction relative to the drive channel.
A need exists for a user of the clip applier to know how many clips remain in the clip applier and/or to know when a final clip of the plurality of clips has been fired.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical clip applier is provided including 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 clip carrier; a drive channel translatably supported in the housing and the channel assembly, the drive channel being translated upon actuation of the at least one handle; and a counter mechanism supported in the housing, the counter mechanism including indicia visible through the housing, wherein the indicia corresponds to a quantity of clips loaded in the clip applier, wherein the indicia decrements upon each firing of the clip applier resulting in a reduction in the quantity of clips remaining of the plurality of clips.
The counter mechanism may be rotatably supported in the housing and may include a uni-directional clutch member permitting rotation of the counter mechanism in a single direction. The counter mechanism may include a counter dial rotatably supported in the housing, wherein the counter dial includes the indicia thereof; 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 the first direction, and rotation of the counter clutch in second direction results in no rotation of the counter dial.
The counter mechanism may include a latch member operatively engaged with the counter dial. In use, the latch member permits rotation of the counter dial in the first direction and inhibits rotation of the counter mechanism in a direction opposite to the first direction.
The counter dial may include a plurality of grooves formed in an outer periphery thereof, and the latch member may include a resilient finger biased into engagement with the plurality of grooves of the counter dial.
The counter clutch may be concentrically, rotatably nested in a bore defined in the counter dial. The counter clutch may include at least one resilient finger extending therefrom for engagement with uni-directional teeth formed in a perimetrical surface of the bore 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 may be slidably disposed in the angled slot of the drive channel. In use, translation of the drive channel in a first direction relative to the counter mechanism would cause the clutch pin to be cammed by the angled slot thereof thereby causing the counter clutch to rotate in the first direction, and translation of the drive channel in a second direction relative to the counter mechanism would cause the clutch pin to be cammed by the angled slot thereof thereby causing the counter clutch to rotate in the second direction.
The counter mechanism may include a counter dial defining a lock out groove formed in an outer perimetrical edge thereof; and a lock out supported in the housing. The lock out may be biased such that a first catch thereof engages against the outer perimetrical edge of the counter dial. In use, as the counter dial is rotated and the lock out groove of the counter dial is brought into registration with the first catch of the lock out, the first catch of the lock out is urged into the lock out groove thereby preventing a rotation of the counter dial in an opposite direction.
The lock out may include a second catch. In use, the second catch of the lock out moves into a path of a translating member of the clip applier when the first catch of the lock out is moved into the lock out groove of the counter dial, thereby inhibiting a translation of the translating member of the clip applier.
The lock out groove of the counter dial may move into registration with the first catch of the lock out when a final clip of the plurality of clips has been fired. The lock out groove of the counter dial may be associated with an indicia on the counter mechanism indicating that the final clip has been fired. The indicia on the counter mechanism, indicating that the final clip of the plurality of clip has been fired, may be represented by the number "zero."
The clip applier may further include a ratchet mechanism having a ratchet pawl pivotably supported in the housing; and a rack member provided on the translating member. The rack member may be in operative registration with the ratchet pawl. In use, the rack member translates across the ratchet pawl as the translating member translates. The ratchet mechanism may be prevented from re-setting when the rack member has not completed a fully translation.
FIG. 19B is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 19A.
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 FIGS. 1-5, a surgical clip applier in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is generally designated as 100. Surgical clip applier 100 generally includes a handle assembly 102 including a housing 104 having an upper housing half 104a and lower housing half 104b. Handle assembly 102 further includes a pair of handles 106 pivotably secured to housing 104 and extending outwardly therefrom. A channel assembly 108 is fixedly secured to housing 104 and extends outwardly therefrom, terminating in a jaw assembly 110.
As seen in FIGS. 1-5, housing halves 104a and 104b of clip applier 100 fit together by snap fit engagement with one another. Housing 104 defines a window 104c formed in lower housing half 104b for supporting and displaying a counter mechanism, as will be discussed in greater detail below.
As seen in FIG. 4, handles 106 are secured to housing 104 by handle pivot posts 104d extending from lower housing half 104b and into respective apertures 106a formed in handles 106. Handle assembly 102 includes a link member 122 pivotally connected to each handle 106 at a pivot point 106b formed in a respective handle 106. A distal end of each link member 122 is pivotally connected to a pivot point formed in a drive channel 140 via a drive pin 124. Each end of drive pin 124 is slidably received in an elongate channel formed in a respective upper and lower housing half 104a, 104b. In use, as will be described in greater detail below, as handles 106 are squeezed, link members 122 push drive channel 140 distally via drive pin 124.
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 FIG. 5, clip applier 100 includes a clip pusher bar 160 slidably disposed beneath cartridge cover 130, a stabilizer 162 configured to overlie and engage pusher bar 160, a motion multiplier system 155 supported in housing 104, a clip carrier 170 disposed within channel assembly 108 and beneath pusher bar 160, a stack of surgical clips "C" loaded and/or retained within clip carrier 170 in a manner so as to slide therewithin and/or therealong, a clip follower 174 slidably disposed within clip carrier 170 and positioned behind the stack of surgical clips "C," a wedge plate 180 slidably disposed within handle assembly 102 and channel assembly 108, a wedge plate pivot arm 179 pivotally supported in lower housing half 104b of housing 104 for transmitting translation of drive channel 140 to translation of wedge plate 180, a drive channel 140 reciprocally supported in and extending between housing 104 of handle assembly 102 and channel assembly 108, an audible/tactile indicator 148 connected to drive channel 140 via drive pin 124, and a jaw assembly 110 mounted on or at a distal end of channel assembly 108 and actuatable by handles 106 of handle assembly 102.
Reference may be made to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/091,467, filed on Aug. 25, 2008, entitled "Surgical Clip Applier" and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/091,485, filed on Aug. 25, 2008, entitled "Surgical Clip Applier and Method of Assembly," 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. Reference may also be made to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/286,569, filed on Dec. 15, 2009, entitled "Surgical Clip Applier", the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference, for additional detailed discussion of the structure, operation, and method of assembly of various components of surgical clip applier 100.
As seen in FIGS. 1-12, clip applier 100 further includes a mechanical counter mechanism 190 supported in housing 104 of handle assembly 102. Counter mechanism 190 includes a counter dial 192 rotatably disposed within housing 104 so as to overlie window 104c formed in lower housing half 104b, a counter clutch 194 operatively connected to counter dial 192 and configured to permit uni-directional rotation of counter dial 192, and a latch member 196 configured to engage counter dial 192.
As seen in FIGS. 4-11, counter dial 192 includes a first face 192a disposed adjacent window 104c formed in lower housing half 104b. First face 192a includes a plurality of indicia 192b, in the form of sequential numbers disposed thereof and substantially around a radial periphery thereof. Indicia 192b may correspond to the number of clips that are loaded in clip applier 100. By way of example only, indicia 192b may be numerals from "0-22." Indicia 192b are located on first face 192a so as to be in registration with window 104c formed in lower housing half 104b. Counter dial 192 includes a second face 192c, opposite first face 192b, and defining a bore 192d therein. Bore 192d includes a radial array of uni-directional teeth 192e formed therein. Counter dial 192 further includes a first or outer rim defining a plurality of grooves 192f formed around an outer periphery thereof, and a second or inner rim defining a single groove 192g formed in an outer periphery thereof.
With continued reference to FIGS. 4-11, counter clutch 194 is concentrically and rotatably nested in bore 192d of counter dial 192. Counter clutch 194 of mechanical counter mechanism 190 includes a body portion 194a configured and dimensioned for rotatable disposition in bore 192d of counter dial 192. Counter clutch 194 includes a pair of opposed resilient fingers 194b, 194c extending substantially tangentially from body portion 194a. Resilient fingers 194b, 194c extend from body portion 194a by an amount sufficient so as to resiliently engage uni-directional teeth 192e of dial 192. Counter clutch 194 includes a clutch pin 194d extending from body portion 194a and projecting out of bore 192d of counter dial 192.
As seen in FIGS. 4-9, latch member 196 of mechanical counter mechanism 190 is secured to lower housing half 104b. Latch member 196 includes a resilient finger 196a configured to contact and selectively engage grooves 192f formed around the outer periphery of counter dial 192.
As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, drive channel 140 defines an angled slot 140a formed therein at a location so as to slidably receive clutch pin 194d extending from body portion 194a of counter clutch 194. 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.
As seen in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 8, clip applier 100 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 is disposed in housing 104 such that clutch pin 194d of counter clutch 194 rides along or contacts a side edge 141b thereof. 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.
As seen in FIGS. 4, 5, 7-9 and 13, clip applier 100 further includes a lock out 146 pivotally connected or supported in housing 104. Lock out 146 includes a body portion 146a, a first catch 146b formed at one and of body portion 146a, and a second catch 146c extending from a side edge of body portion 146a. First catch 146b is configured and dimensioned to engage groove 192g formed in the outer periphery of the inner rim of counter dial 192. Second catch 146c is configured and dimensioned to engage a notch 141c formed in a side edge of rack member 141. A biasing member 147 is provided to maintain first catch 146b of lock out 146 in contact with the outer periphery of the inner rim of counter dial 192.
Turning now to FIGS. 14-19B, the operation of clip applier 100 is provided. Prior to any initial squeezing of handles 106 of clip applier 100 and with clip applier 100 fully loaded with clips "C," as seen in FIGS. 14-14C, drive channel 140 is located at a proximal-most position, indicia 192b of counter dial 192 of mechanical counter mechanism 190, relating to a fully loaded clip applier 100, in the present instance being fully loaded with twenty-two (22) clips, is visible through window 104c formed in housing half 104b. Accordingly, as seen in FIG. 14B, the numeral "22" is visible through window 104c. Also, as seen in FIG. 14B, resilient finger 196a of latch member 196 is engaged in a groove 192f formed around the outer periphery of counter dial 192.
As seen in FIG. 14C, prior to any squeezing of handles 106, clutch pin 194d of counter clutch 194 is disposed at a distal end of angled slot 140a of drive channel 140. Also, first catch 146b of lock out 146 is in contact with the outer periphery of the inner rim of counter dial 192 so that second catch 146c of lock out 146 is disengaged from rack member 141. Moreover, prior to any squeezing of handles 106, and when clip applier 100 is fully loaded with clips, groove 192g formed in the outer periphery of the inner rim of counter dial 192 is oriented distal of first catch 146b of lock out 146.
As seen in FIGS. 15-15B, during an initial squeeze of handles 106, as indicated by arrow "A1," drive pin 124 translates drive channel 140 and rack member 141 in a distal direction, as indicated by arrow "B1." As drive channel 140 is translated in a distal direction, angled slot 140a of drive channel 140 is moved in a distal direction relative to clutch pin 194d of counter clutch 194, clutch pin 194d is cammed through angled slot 140a of drive channel 140 causing counter clutch 194 to rotate in the direction of arrow "C1." As counter clutch 194 is rotated in the direction of arrow "C1," as seen in FIG. 15B, resilient fingers 194b, 194c thereof engage uni-directional teeth 192e of dial 192, thereby causing dial 192 to also rotate in the direction of arrow "C1." Moreover, as dial 192 is rotated in the direction of arrow "C1," groove 192g formed in the outer periphery of the inner rim of counter dial 192 is rotated away from first catch 146b of lock out 146 as first catch 146b continues to ride along the outer periphery of the inner rim of counter dial 192.
As dial 192 is rotated in the direction of arrow "C1," as seen in FIG. 15A, indicia 192b of numeral "22" is moved relative to window 104c formed in housing half 104b, thereby beginning to decrement. Additionally, as dial 192 is rotated in the direction of arrow "C1," resilient finger 196a of latch member 196 begins to disengage the groove 192f formed around the outer periphery of counter dial 192.
As seen in FIGS. 16-16B, during a final or complete squeeze of handles 106, as indicated by arrow "A1," drive pin 124 further translates drive channel 140 and rack member 141 in a distal direction, as indicated by arrow "B1." As drive channel 140 is further translated in a distal direction, angled slot 140a of drive channel 140 is further moved in a distal direction relative to clutch pin 194d of counter clutch 194, clutch pin 194d is further cammed through angled slot 140a of drive channel 140 causing counter clutch 194 to further rotate in the direction of arrow "C1." As counter clutch 194 is further rotated in the direction of arrow "C1," as seen in FIG. 16B, resilient fingers 194b, 194c continue to cause dial 192 to rotate in the direction of arrow "C1." Moreover, as dial 192 is further rotated in the direction of arrow "C1," groove 192g formed in the outer periphery of the inner rim of counter dial 192 is further rotated away from first catch 146b of lock out 146 as first catch 146b further continues to ride along the outer periphery of the inner rim of counter dial 192.
As dial 192 is further rotated in the direction of arrow "C1," as seen in FIG. 16A, indicia 192b of numeral "22" is completely moved out of view of window 104c formed in housing half 104b and new numeral "21" is moved into view of window 104c, thereby fully being decremented. This change of numeral, or decrementing, coinciding with a formation and/or firing/ejection/release of a clip from clip applier 100. In this manner, the user is shown the number of clips remaining in clip applier 100 and available to fire. Additionally, as dial 192 is further rotated in the direction of arrow "C1," resilient finger 196a of latch member 196 moves into engagement in a groove 192f' adjacent to groove 192f formed around the outer periphery of counter dial 192.
Turning now to FIGS. 17-18, during an opening of handles 106, as indicated by arrow "A2," drive pin 124 translates drive channel 140 and rack member 141 in a proximal direction, as indicated by arrow "B2." As drive channel 140 is translated in a proximal direction, angled slot 140a of drive channel 140 is moved in a proximal direction relative to clutch pin 194d of counter clutch 194, clutch pin 194d is cammed through angled slot 140a of drive channel 140 causing counter clutch 194 to rotate in the direction of arrow "C2," opposite to "C1." As counter clutch 194 is rotated in the direction of arrow "C2," as seen in FIG. 17B, resilient fingers 194b, 194c are caused to deflect and snap over uni-directional teeth 192e of dial 192. as seen from FIG. 17A, any frictional forces tending to cause dial 192 to also rotate in the direction of arrow "C2" and negated by the engagement of resilient finger 196a of latch member 196 in groove 192f' formed around the outer periphery of counter dial 192, thereby maintaining the rotational orientation of dial 192.
With dial 192 being held or maintained in this rotational orientation, indicia 192b of numeral "21" is maintained in view in window 104c.
As seen in FIG. 18, when drive channel 140 has been moved back to the fully proximal position, resilient fingers 194b, 194c of counter clutch 194 are re-set in engagement with adjacent uni-directional teeth 192e of dial 192.
Additionally, as dial 192 is further rotated in the direction of arrow "C1," resilient finger 196a of latch member 196 moves into engagement in a groove 192f ' adjacent to groove 192f formed around the outer periphery of counter dial 192.
Turning now to FIGS. 19-19B, during the squeezing of handles 106, upon the firing of a final clip loaded in clip applier 100, indicia 192b of dial in the form of numeral "0" is completely moved into view of window 104c formed in housing half 104b, thereby indicating to the user that no more clip are present in clip applier 100. When dial 192 has been rotated to this position, as seen in FIGS. 19A and 19B, groove 192g formed in the outer periphery of the inner rim of counter dial 192 is rotated into registration with first catch 146b of lock out 146. In this position, biasing member 147, acting on lock out 146, urges first catch 146b of lock out 146 into groove 192g of dial 192.
Additionally, in the present position, second catch 146c of lock out 146 is moved into notch 141c formed in side edge of rack member 141 and thus into the path of proximal translation of rack member 141. Accordingly, as handles 106 are released and drive pin 124 begins to move rack member 141 in a proximal direction, notch 141c of rack member 141 engages second catch 146c of lock out 146 thereby prohibiting rack member 141 from returning to a proximal most or home position. With rack member 141 being inhibited or blocked from returning to the proximal most position, ratchet pawl 142 of ratchet mechanism 144 (see FIG. 5) is prevented from resetting itself. Since pawl 142 is prevented from resetting itself, handles 106 can not be re-actuated or re-squeezed since they have only been partially opened. Once again, reference may be made to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/091,467, filed on Aug. 25, 2008, entitled "Surgical Clip Applier;" U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/091,485, filed on Aug. 25, 2008, entitled "Surgical Clip Applier and Method of Assembly;" and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/286,569, filed on Dec. 15, 2009, entitled "Surgical Clip Applier", for a detailed discussion of the structure, operation, and method of assembly of various components of surgical clip applier 100.
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.

References: Application No. 61
 Application No. 61
 Application No. 61
 Application No. 61
 Application No. 61
 Application No. 61