Patent ID: 7572266

Claim:
A surgical ligation apparatus for compressing a fluid carrying structure, comprising: at least one ligation clip comprising a length with a proximal end and an opposite distal end, and opposed contact surfaces for contacting the fluid carrying structure being biased toward one another, said opposed contact surfaces moveable from at least a first position to a maximum open position; and a ligation clip applier having: a proximal end, an opposite distal end for insertion first into a patient, and a mid-longitudinal axis passing through and a length extending between said proximal and distal ends, said distal end having no portion adapted to move away from the mid-longitudinal axis; a shaft having a passage adapted to receive said ligation clip therein, said shaft having guide surfaces proximate said distal end, and rails including first and second sides extending along at least a portion of said length of said clip applier to said guide surfaces, said first side adapted to contact one of said opposed contact surfaces of said ligation clip and said second side adapted to contact another of said opposed contact surfaces of said ligation clip, said rails adapted to facilitate advancement of said ligation clip therealong to said guide surfaces with said opposed contact surfaces spaced apart from one another in the first position, said guide surfaces including first portions adapted to be positioned between and contact said opposed contact surfaces of said ligation clip to move said clip to the maximum open position and facilitate contact of said opposed contact surfaces with the fluid carrying structure; and at least one indentation formed in said first portions of said guide surfaces, said at least one indentation sized to receive a portion of said ligation clip, said clip prior to release thereof from said clip applier being maintained in a pre-release position with said opposed contact surfaces being spaced apart from one another when said portion thereof is received in said at least one indentation, the distance between said opposed contact surfaces of said ligation clip in the pre-release position being greater than in the first position, and being less than in the maximum open position, wherein the fluid carrying structure can be received between said opposed contact surfaces of said ligation clip when said clip is in the pre-release position with said portion of said clip received in said at least one indentation.