Patent Description:
Clip cartridges for supporting polymeric clips are known and typically include a base portion and a retaining member or retaining members. The base portion defines a number of slots that include supporting elements for supporting individual clips within the slots. The retaining member(s) is secured to the base portion and is configured engage a clip or clips to retain the clip or clips within the respective slots of the base portion on the supporting elements. A clip applier is inserted into the slots to remove a clip from the slot and to load a clip onto the clip applier.

In known clip cartridges, the retaining member(s) applies a load on the clip or clips to retain the clip or clips within the respective slots of the clip cartridge in a compressed or preloaded state. The retaining member may also obstruct visualization of the clip within the slot of the staple cartridge which may make loading of a clip into a clip applier difficult. The documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose clip cartridges as known in the art comprising retaining members and a base portion having walls that define a slot therebetween to receive a clip. The retaining members have tabs extending into the slot to the retain the clip within the slot. The tabs extend parallel to the walls of the base portion.

Additional embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a clip cartridge including a housing, at least one retainer, and a plurality of clips. The housing includes a body having side walls defining a central cavity and a plurality of dividing walls extending across the central cavity. Each of the plurality of dividing walls defines a transverse axis and forms a clip recess within the central cavity with an adjacent one of the plurality of dividing walls. A support member is positioned within each of the clip recesses and includes a first support surface and a second support surface. The plurality of clips is supported within the central cavity of the housing, with one clip being supported within each of the clip recesses. Each clip has first and second legs that are interconnected by a hinge portion. The least one retainer is supported on the housing and has tabs that extend in a direction transverse to the transverse axis defined by the dividing walls. The tabs are positioned to engage the first and second legs of the clips to urge the first leg onto the first support surface of a respective support member and to urge the second leg onto the second support surface of a respective support member.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a clip cartridge including a housing and a retainer. The housing includes a body having side walls defining a central cavity and a plurality of dividing walls extending across the central cavity. Each of the plurality of dividing walls defines a transverse axis and forms a clip recess within the central cavity with an adjacent one of the plurality of dividing walls. A support member is positioned within each of the clip recesses and includes a first support surface and a second support surface. A clip is supported within each of the clip recesses of the housing. Each of the clips has a first leg, a second leg, and a hinge portion interconnecting the first and second legs. The retainer is supported on the housing and has tabs that extend in a direction transverse to the transverse axis defined by the dividing walls. The tabs are positioned to engage the first and second legs of the clips to urge the first leg onto the first support surface of a respective support member and to urge the second leg onto the second support surface of a respective support member.

Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a clip cartridge including a housing and a plurality of retainers. The housing includes a body having side walls defining a central cavity and a plurality of dividing walls extending across the central cavity. Each of the plurality of dividing walls defines a transverse axis and forms a clip recess within the central cavity with an adjacent dividing wall. A support member is positioned within each of the clip recesses and includes a first support surface and a second support surface. A clip is supported within each of the clip recesses on the support member. Each of the clips has a first leg, a second leg, and a hinge portion interconnecting the first and the second legs. The plurality of retainers is supported on the housing. Each of the plurality of retainers is supported on one of the plurality of dividing walls and includes tabs that extend in a direction transverse to the transverse axes defined by the plurality of dividing walls. The tabs are positioned to engage the first and second legs of the clips in the clip recesses located adjacent to the dividing wall to urge the first legs of the respective clips onto the first support surfaces of the respective support members and to urge the second legs of the respective clips onto the second support surfaces of the respective support members.

In aspects of the disclosure, each of the first and second support surfaces of the support member is linear.

In some aspects of the disclosure, each of the support members includes spacers that are positioned between the dividing walls and define slots that are configured to receive a clip of the plurality of clips, wherein the first and second support surfaces are positioned within the slot.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the retainer includes side walls and a top wall that define a cavity that is configured to receive an upper end of the housing.

In aspects of the disclosure, the top wall of the retainer includes openings and the housing includes a top surface having protrusions, wherein the protrusions are received within the openings to secure the retainer to the housing.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the retainer includes a body that defines an opening that is aligned with the central cavity of the housing and the body includes a plurality of resilient strips that extend across the opening, wherein each of the resilient strips supports the tabs and is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of dividing walls.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the bodies of the housing and of the retainer are rectangular.

In aspects of the disclosure, each of the retainers includes an H-shaped body having a central portion, and the tabs are supported on each end of the central portion.

In some aspects of the disclosure, the central portion of each of the retainers is supported on a respective one of the plurality of dividing walls such that the tabs of each of the retainers extend above the clip recesses adjacent to the respective dividing wall.

In certain aspects of the disclosure, the central portion of each of the at least one retainer defines an opening and each of the at least one dividing wall includes a protrusion, wherein the opening receives the protrusion to secure the at least one retainer to the respective dividing wall of the housing.

In aspects of the disclosure, the at least one retainer is formed of a translucent material.

In aspects of the disclosure, the retainer includes a body that defines an opening that is aligned with the central cavity of the housing and the body includes a plurality of resilient strips that extend across the opening, wherein each of the resilient strips supports the tabs and is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of dividing walls.

Various aspects of the disclosed ligation clip cartridge are described herein below with reference to the drawings, wherein:.

The disclosed ligation clip cartridge will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. In addition, directional terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, distal, proximal, and similar terms are used to assist in understanding the description and are not intended to limit the disclosure.

In this description, the term "clinician" is used generally to refer to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support personnel.

<FIG> illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed clip cartridge shown generally as clip cartridge <NUM>. The clip cartridge <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> and a retainer <NUM> that is supported on the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a rectangular body <NUM> having a top surface <NUM> (<FIG>), side walls <NUM>, and a central cavity <NUM> (<FIG>) defined by the side walls <NUM>. The central cavity <NUM> is divided into a plurality of clip recesses <NUM> by dividing walls <NUM> that extend upwardly of the top surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and define transverse axes. Each of the clip recesses <NUM> includes a support member <NUM> (<FIG>) that is positioned between adjacent dividing walls <NUM> and has a first planar and linear clip support surface <NUM> (<FIG>) and a second planar and linear clip support surface <NUM>. The first and second support surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, are configured to support legs 38a, 38b of a clip <NUM> that is supported within the respective clip recess <NUM>. The legs 38a, 38b are coupled together at a hinge portion 38c of the clip <NUM>. The housing <NUM> also includes spacers <NUM> (<FIG>) positioned on each side of the support member <NUM> that define a slot <NUM> within the clip recess <NUM> in which the support member <NUM> is positioned.

The housing <NUM> can be molded from a plastic material such as a thermoplastic material although the use of other materials including metals to form the housing <NUM> is envisioned. In aspects of the disclosure, the top surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> includes a plurality of protrusions <NUM> that extend upwardly from the top surface <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> are provided to couple the housing <NUM> to the retainer <NUM> as described in further detail below.

The retainer <NUM> (<FIG>) is rectangular in shape and includes a top wall <NUM> and sidewalls <NUM> that define a cavity configured to receive an upper end 12a (<FIG>) of the housing <NUM>. The top wall <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> includes openings <NUM> that receive the protrusions <NUM> to secure the retainer <NUM> to the top surface <NUM> (<FIG>) of the housing <NUM>. Alternately, other securement techniques can be used to secure the retainer <NUM> to the housing <NUM> of the clip cartridge <NUM>.

The top wall <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> defines a rectangular opening <NUM> that is aligned with the central cavity <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to provide access to the central cavity <NUM> and includes a plurality of resilient strips <NUM> that extend across the opening <NUM>. Each of the resilient strips <NUM> is aligned with one of the dividing walls <NUM> of the housing <NUM> when the retainer <NUM> is secured to the housing <NUM> and includes spaced tabs <NUM>. The spaced tabs <NUM> extend in a direction transverse to the dividing wall <NUM> to opposite sides of the dividing wall <NUM> to positions atop the legs 38a, 38b of the clips <NUM> received in the slots <NUM>.

In aspects of the disclosure, the resilient strips <NUM> extend upwardly from the top wall <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> along the respective dividing walls <NUM> to position the tabs <NUM> in engagement with the legs 38a, 38b of each of the clips <NUM> at a location adjacent the hinge portion 38c of the clip <NUM>. When the retainer <NUM> is attached to the housing <NUM>, the tabs <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> press downwardly on the legs 38a, 38b of the clips <NUM> to urge the clip <NUM> onto the support surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the support member <NUM> to retain the clips <NUM> within the clip cartridge <NUM> in an unbiased, unclamped state.

During loading of a clip <NUM> between the jaws of a clip applier (not shown), the jaws of the clip applier are inserted into a clip recess <NUM> to access a clip <NUM>. The tabs <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> are formed of a resilient material and will deform outwardly upon removal of a clip <NUM> from a recess <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In aspects of the disclosure, the retainer <NUM> is formed of a translucent material to allow a clinician to more easily visualize a clip <NUM> within the housing <NUM> of the clip cartridge <NUM> during loading.

<FIG> illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed clip cartridge which is shown generally as clip cartridge <NUM>. The clip cartridge <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> and a plurality of retainers <NUM> that are supported on the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> includes a rectangular body <NUM> having longitudinal side walls <NUM> and transverse side walls <NUM> that define a central cavity <NUM>. The central cavity <NUM> is divided into a plurality of clip recesses <NUM> by dividing walls <NUM>, each of which define a transverse axis. The transverse side walls <NUM> and the dividing walls <NUM> extend upwardly of a top surface <NUM> of the longitudinal side walls <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Each of the clip recesses <NUM> includes a support member <NUM> that is positioned between adjacent dividing walls <NUM> and has a first linear clip support surface <NUM> (<FIG>) and a second linear clip support surface <NUM>. The first and second support surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, are configured to support legs 38a, 38b of clips <NUM> supported within the respective clip recesses <NUM> as described above in regard to support surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>). As described above, the legs 38a, 38b of the clips <NUM> are coupled together at a hinge portion 38c of the clips <NUM>. The support member <NUM> also includes spacers <NUM> positioned on each side of the support member <NUM> between the dividing walls <NUM> that define slots <NUM> within which the support members <NUM> are positioned.

Each of the dividing walls <NUM> includes a central portion <NUM> located between the longitudinal side walls <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The central portion <NUM> supports a protrusion <NUM> that extends upwardly from the dividing wall <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> are provided to couple the retainers <NUM> to the housing <NUM>.

Each of the retainers <NUM> has a resilient H-shaped body <NUM> (<FIG>) including a central body portion <NUM> and tabs <NUM> supported at each end of the central body portion <NUM>. The central body portion <NUM> of each of the retainers <NUM> defines a bore <NUM> that receives one of the protrusions <NUM> extending from the central portion <NUM> of a respective dividing wall <NUM> to secure the retainer <NUM> to the dividing wall <NUM>. When the retainers <NUM> are attached to the dividing walls <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the clip cartridge <NUM>, the tabs <NUM> of the retainers <NUM> press downwardly on the legs 38a, 38b of the clips <NUM> in the clip recesses <NUM> on each side of the respective dividing wall <NUM> to urge the clip <NUM> onto the support surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the support member <NUM> to retain the clips <NUM> within the clip cartridge <NUM> in an unbiased state.

During loading of a clip <NUM> between the jaws of a clip applier (not shown), the jaws of the clip applier are inserted into a clip recess <NUM> to access a clip <NUM>. The tabs <NUM> of the retainer <NUM> associated with the clip recess <NUM> are formed of a resilient material and will deform outwardly upon removal of the clip <NUM> from the recess <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In aspects of the disclosure, the retainer <NUM> is formed of a translucent material to allow a clinician to more easily visualize a clip <NUM> within the housing <NUM> of the clip cartridge <NUM> during loading.

The disclosed exemplary aspects of the disclosure of the ligation clip cartridge retain clips within the cartridge in an unbiased state to minimize damage to the clip material caused by strain on the clip. As such, the clip can be stored for longer periods of time.

Claim 1:
A clip cartridge (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) including a body (<NUM>) having side walls (<NUM>, <NUM>) defining a central cavity (<NUM>) and a plurality of dividing walls (<NUM>) extending across the central cavity, each of the plurality of dividing walls defining a transverse axis and forming a clip recess (<NUM>) within the central cavity with an adjacent one of the plurality of dividing walls, and a support member (<NUM>) positioned within each of the clip recesses, the support member including a first support surface (<NUM>) and a second support surface (<NUM>);
a plurality of clips (<NUM>) supported within the central cavity of the housing, one of the plurality of clips being supported within each of the clip recesses (<NUM>) on the support member, each of the plurality of clips having a first and a second leg (38a, 38b) that are interconnected by a hinge portion (38c); and
at least one retainer (<NUM>) supported on the housing, the at least one retainer having tabs (<NUM>), each tab extending in a direction transverse to the transverse axis, the tabs being positioned to engage the first and second legs of the plurality of clips to urge the first leg onto the first support surface of a respective support member and to urge the second leg onto the second support surface of a respective support member, characterized by each of the at least one retainer including an H-shaped body (<NUM>) having a central portion (<NUM>), wherein the tabs (<NUM>) are supported on each end of the central portion.