Patent ID: 7780688

Claim:
A surgical clip comprising: a first molded portion having a first jaw, a first finger tab, and a first guide slot extending generally longitudinally with respect to the first molded portion and a first hinge area integrally formed therewith and extending transverse to the first jaw and the first finger tab, the first hinge area comprising at least one first spring retainer rib; a second molded portion coupled to the first molded portion such that a portion of the first molded portion and a portion of the second molded portion define a housing therebetween, and the second molded portion having a second jaw, a second finger tab, and a second guide slot extending generally longitudinally with respect to the second molded portion and a second hinge area integrally formed therewith and extending transverse to the second jaw and the second finger tab, the second hinge area comprising at least one second spring retainer rib; and a tension spring formed of a wire and comprising a central coil, a first spring extension extending from the central coil, and a second spring extension extending from the central coil opposite the first spring extension, the tension spring positioned such that at least a portion of the central coil is housed within the housing and held in place within the housing by the first and second spring retainer ribs acting on an outer surface of the central coil, at least a portion of the first spring extension extends through the first guide slot, and at least a portion of the second spring extension extends through the second guide slot; wherein the second molded portion is identical to the first molded portion.