Patent ID: 7585304

Claim:
An apparatus for applying surgical clips, comprising: (a) a jaw assembly comprising first and second opposing jaw members, each jaw member including: a first and a second opposing leg member connected by a bridge member at a proximal end of the first and second opposing leg members, a first and a second opposing arm member connected to a distal end of the first and second opposing leg members, each leg member having an outer cam surface; wherein the first and second jaw members define a variable jaw aperture therebetween for receiving a clip, the first and second jaw members pivotable for varying a width of the jaw aperture; and (b) a jaw opening member comprising a distal portion generally adjacent to the first and second jaw members, the distal portion movable into engagement with the first and second jaw members for increasing the width of the jaw aperture, wherein the first and second jaw members are pivotable about respective first and second pivot points and comprise respective first and second end members, the first and second end members are disposed opposite to the jaw aperture relative to the first and second pivot points, and the distal portion is movable into engagement with the first and second end members for increasing the width of the jaw aperture, and further wherein the first and second end members comprise respective first and second reduced-width sections and first and second increased-width sections, the distal portion is axially movable relative to the jaw assembly between a first position and a second position, the distal portion at the first position engages the increased-width sections for increasing the width of the jaw aperture, and the distal portion at the second position is adjacent to the reduced-width sections in non-operatively contacting relation therewith so as not to affect the width of the jaw aperture.