(19)
(11)EP 3 366 237 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
04.11.2020 Bulletin 2020/45

(21)Application number: 18158143.0

(22)Date of filing:  22.02.2018
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A61B 17/128(2006.01)
A61B 17/29(2006.01)
A61B 17/00(2006.01)

(54)

ENDOSCOPIC SURGICAL CLIP APPLIER

ENDOSKOPISCHER CHIRURGISCHER KLAMMERAPPLIKATOR

APPLICATEUR ENDOSCOPIQUE D'AGRAFES CHIRURGICALES


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 23.02.2017 US 201762462407 P
05.01.2018 US 201815863763

(43)Date of publication of application:
29.08.2018 Bulletin 2018/35

(73)Proprietor: Covidien LP
Mansfield, MA 02048 (US)

(72)Inventors:
  • BARIL, Jacob
    White Plains, New York 10605 (US)
  • CRESTON, Brian
    West Haven, Connecticut 06516 (US)
  • WILLIAMS, Justin
    Southbury, Connecticut 06488 (US)
  • ZAMMATARO, Thomas
    Hamden, Connecticut 06517 (US)

(74)Representative: Soames, Candida Jane 
Maschio & Soames IP Limited 30 Carlton Crescent
Southampton SO15 2EW
Southampton SO15 2EW (GB)


(56)References cited: : 
EP-A2- 1 757 236
US-A- 5 755 726
WO-A1-2013/040378
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    BACKGROUND


    Technical Field



    [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to surgical clip appliers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to endoscopic surgical clip appliers having a release switch for a ratchet assembly thereof.

    Description of Related Art



    [0002] Endoscopic surgical staplers and surgical clip appliers are used for a number of minimally invasive or endoscopic surgical procedures. Typically in a minimally invasive surgical procedure, a tube or cannula device is extended into the patient's body through an entrance incision to provide an access port. The port allows the surgeon to insert a number of different surgical instruments therethrough for performing surgical procedures far removed from the incision.

    [0003] Endoscopic surgical clip appliers are capable of applying a single or multiple surgical clips during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Applying surgical clips usually involves compressing the clip over a vessel. Once applied to the vessel, the compressed surgical clip terminates the flow of fluid therethrough. Terminating the flow of fluid through a vessel typically requires complete formation of the surgical clip.

    [0004] During certain endoscopic procedures, it may be desirable and/or necessary to partially form clips. For example, a partially formed clip may be used to secure a catheter around tissue during a cholangiogram or other medical procedure.

    [0005] Accordingly, a need exists for endoscopic surgical clip appliers that provide a clinician with a convenient way to partially form surgical clips.

    [0006] EP3357436A and EP3357435A, which form part of the state of the art by virtue of Art. 54(3) EPC, describe endoscopic surgical clip appliers configured to allow a clinician to partially form surgical clips.

    [0007] US5755726A describes endoscopic surgical clip appliers configured to allow a clinician to, partially form surgical clips. The apparatus includes means for effecting a partial closing stroke of the handle mechanism to correspond to a partial closure of the jaw members, and permits a partial opening stroke to release the partially closed clip in the jaw mechanism. Other features of the apparatus include means for preventing over advancement of a clip to the jaw mechanism, means for cradling the clip as it is advanced from the clip supply to the jaw mechanism, means for preventing splaying of the jaws in the event of a clip-over-clip application, and a rotation collar. The instrument disclosed therein provides the surgeon with visual, audible, and tactile indication of the positioning of the jaw members to effect the application of a partially closed clip.

    [0008] EP1757236A describes endoscopic surgical clip appliers configured to allow use of differently sized surgical clips.

    [0009] WO2013/040378A describes endoscopic surgical devices for applying ligation clips.

    SUMMARY



    [0010] The present disclosure relates to endoscopic surgical clip appliers that allow a clinician to choose whether to partially or completely form surgical clips.

    [0011] The present invention provides an endoscopic surgical clip applier, comprising: an endoscopic assembly including a shaft assembly; and a pair of jaw members operatively coupled to, and extending from the shaft assembly; and a handle assembly including: a housing selectively connectable to the endoscopic assembly; a fixed handle extending from the housing; a trigger pivotally connected to the fixed handle; a drive bar disposed within the housing of the handle assembly and operatively coupled to the trigger and the pair of jaw members to move the pair of jaw members between a spaced apart configuration and an approximated configuration upon actuation of the trigger; and a ratchet assembly (300) disposed within the housing of the handle assembly, wherein the ratchet assembly comprises: a first rack supported by or provided on a top surface of the drive bar, the first rack defining a plurality of first rack teeth, wherein the first rack includes a first length between a distal end and a proximal end thereof; a second rack supported by or provided on a top surface of the drive bar, spaced apart from the first rack, the second rack defining a plurality of second rack teeth, wherein the second rack includes a second length between a distal end and a proximal end thereof, the second length of the second rack being less than the first length of the first rack; a pawl housing slidably mounted within the housing of the handle assembly, the pawl housing having a first pawl being selectively engageable with the plurality of first rack teeth of the first rack, the pawl housing being transversely slidable between a first position and a second position; a second pawl movably mounted within the housing of the handle assembly and being selectively engageable with the plurality of second rack teeth of the second rack; and a release switch at least partially supported within the housing of the handle assembly and operatively associated with the pawl housing, the release switch selectively actuatable to move the pawl housing from the first position thereof to the second position thereof, wherein in the first position of the pawl housing, the first pawl is in registration with the plurality of first rack teeth of the first rack to prohibit reversal of a direction of movement of the trigger until the first pawl is disposed beyond a proximal end or a distal end of the first rack; and wherein in the second position of the pawl housing, the first pawl is out of registration with the plurality of first rack teeth of the first rack to permit reversal of the direction of movement of the trigger after the second pawl is disposed distally beyond a distal end of the second rack or proximally beyond a proximal end of the second rack.

    [0012] In some embodiments, the ratchet assembly further includes a distal well disposed adjacent the distal end of the first rack, and the pawl housing is located in the distal well in an un-actuated position of the trigger.

    [0013] The ratchet assembly may further include a proximal well disposed between the proximal end of the first rack and the distal end of the second rack, and the second pawl is located in the proximal well in the un-actuated position of the trigger.

    [0014] In embodiments, the first rack is disposed in a position distal of the second rack.

    [0015] When the release switch is actuated, the second pawl may maintain registration with the plurality of second rack teeth of the second rack, in the first position thereof, until the second pawl is disposed in the proximal well or until the second pawl is disposed proximally beyond the proximal end of the second rack.

    [0016] In some embodiments, the drive bar is longitudinally movable upon actuation of the trigger. As the drive bar is moved longitudinally in a first direction, and the release switch is not actuated, the first pawl and the second pawl are moved over the plurality of first rack teeth and the plurality of second rack teeth of the first and the second racks, respectively, such that longitudinal movement of the drive bar in a second, opposite, direction is prevented until the first pawl is disposed in the distal well and the second pawl is disposed in the proximal well or until the first pawl is disposed at the proximal end of the first rack and the second pawl is disposed proximally beyond the proximal end of the second rack. As the drive bar is moved longitudinally in a first direction, and the release switch is actuated to move the pawl housing to the second position, longitudinal movement of the drive bar in a second, opposite, direction is prevented until the second pawl is disposed in the proximal well or until the second pawl is disposed proximally beyond the proximal end of the second rack.

    [0017] In embodiments, as the drive bar is moved longitudinally in the first direction, and the release switch is actuated to move the pawl housing to the second position, the second pawl is disposed beyond the proximal end of the second rack as the trigger reaches a partially actuated position, wherein the drive bar is longitudinally movable in the second, opposite, direction, as the trigger reaches a fully un-actuated position from the partially actuated position

    [0018] The endoscopic assembly may further include a plurality of surgical clips slidably disposed within the shaft assembly and selectively formable between the pair of jaw members. When the pawl housing is in the first position, the first pawl is in registration with the first rack disposed on the drive bar such that upon actuation of the trigger, the trigger is prevented from reversing the direction of movement thereof until the trigger is moved to a fully actuated position and a distal most surgical clip of the plurality of surgical clips is fully formed between the pair of jaw members.

    [0019] In some embodiments, when the pawl housing is in the second position, the first pawl is out of registration with the first rack disposed on the drive bar such that when the second pawl is disposed beyond the proximal end of the second rack and the trigger is moved to the partially actuated position, the trigger is capable of reversing the direction of movement thereof such that the distal most surgical clip of the plurality of surgical clips is partially formed between the pair of jaw members.

    [0020] The pawl housing may define a channel therein, and the first pawl may be located within the channel of the pawl housing.

    [0021] In embodiments, the ratchet assembly includes a switch pin. The pawl housing defines a central slot therein configured to locate the switch pin, and the switch pin slidably extends through the channel of the pawl housing and the first pawl to support the first pawl within the channel of the pawl housing.

    [0022] The release switch may include a first end cap and a second end cap, and a first side of the housing includes a first switch slot configured to slidably receive the first end cap of the release switch and a second side of the housing includes a second switch slot configured to slidably receive the second end cap of the release switch.

    [0023] In some embodiments, the first end cap of the release switch is supported on a first end of the switch pin, on a first side of the pawl housing, and the second end cap of the release switch is supported on a second end of the switch pin, on a second, opposite side of the pawl housing, such that the release switch is accessible via the first and second end caps from the first and second sides of the pawl housing, respectively, to actuate the release switch.

    [0024] In embodiments, the ratchet assembly further includes a first pawl spring and a second pawl spring supported within the housing of the handle assembly. The first pawl spring is configured to bias the first pawl into engagement with the plurality of first rack teeth of the first rack and the second pawl spring being configured to bias the second pawl into engagement with the plurality of second rack teeth of the second rack.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0025] Particular embodiments of endoscopic surgical clip appliers are described herein with reference to the drawings wherein:

    FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscopic surgical clip applier, according to the present disclosure including an endoscopic assembly and a handle assembly;

    FIG. 2A is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the handle assembly of FIG. 1;

    FIG. 2B is a side view, of the handle assembly of FIG. 1 with at least a housing half-section removed therefrom, illustrating a ratchet mechanism thereof;

    FIG. 3A is a perspective view, of the handle assembly of FIG. 1 with at least a top housing portion removed or cut away therefrom, illustrating the ratchet assembly thereof;

    FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 3A;

    FIG. 3C is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a pawl housing including a pawl of the ratchet assembly of the handle assembly of FIG. 1;

    FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional, plan view, as taken through 4A-4A of FIG. 1, illustrating the ratchet assembly in a first position;

    FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional, plan view, as taken through 4A-4A of FIG. 1, illustrating the ratchet assembly in a second position;

    FIG. 5A is a side view, of the handle assembly of FIG. 2A, illustrating the ratchet assembly of FIG. 2B in a first configuration thereof;

    FIG. 5B is a side view, of the handle assembly of FIG. 2A, illustrating the ratchet assembly of FIG. 2B in a second configuration thereof; and

    FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the endoscopic assembly of FIG. 1, with parts separated.


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS



    [0026] In accordance with the present disclosure, an endoscopic surgical clip applier includes a ratchet assembly having a first rack, with a first length, operatively associated with a pawl housing having a first pawl. A second rack, with a second length less than the first length of the first rack, is operatively associated with a second pawl. A release switch is operatively associated with the pawl housing and the first pawl. In embodiments, upon actuation of a trigger, the first and second pawls are configured to engage a plurality of first and second rack teeth of the first and second racks, respectively, to prohibit release and reversal of a direction of movement of the trigger until the first and second pawls are disposed within respective clearances of the first and second racks. According to the present invention, the release switch is selectively actuatable to move the first pawl out of registration or engagement with the plurality of first rack teeth of the first rack such that the direction of movement of the trigger may be reversed early once the second pawl has traversed the second, lesser, length of the second rack. It is contemplated that the release switch may be useful to partially form clips, if desired for example, to secure a catheter around tissue during a cholangiogram or other medical procedure.

    [0027] Embodiments of endoscopic 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.

    [0028] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, an endoscopic surgical clip applier in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is generally designated as 10. Surgical clip applier 10 generally includes a handle assembly 100 and an endoscopic assembly 200 that extends distally from handle assembly 100. Generally, endoscopic assembly 200 includes a hub assembly 210, a shaft assembly 220 extending from hub assembly 210, and a pair of jaws 250 pivotally connected to a distal end of shaft assembly 220. Optionally, at least one disposable surgical clip cartridge assembly (not shown) may be selectively loadable into shaft assembly 220 of endoscopic assembly 200.

    [0029] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2B, handle assembly 100 of surgical clip applier 10 includes a housing 102 having a first or right side half-section 102a and a second or left side half-section 102b. Housing 102 of handle assembly 100 further includes or defines a nose 102c for supporting hub assembly 210 of endoscopic assembly 200, and a fixed handle 102d.

    [0030] Housing 102 of handle assembly 100 may be formed of a suitable polymer, plastic or thermoplastic material. It is further contemplated that housing 102 of handle assembly 100 may be fabricated from stainless steel or the like.

    [0031] Handle assembly 100 includes a trigger 104 pivotably supported between right side half-section 102a and left side half-section 102b of housing 102. Trigger 104 is pivotably movable in a first direction such that the trigger 104 and the fixed handle 102d are approximated and pivotably movable in a second, opposite, direction such that the trigger 104 and the fixed handle 102d are spaced-apart.

    [0032] A drive bar 106 is supported within the housing 102 of the handle assembly 100. The drive bar 106 may be a substantially flat member having a distal end portion 106a and a proximal end portion 106b. The distal end portion 106a of drive bar 106 includes a hook member 114 that is provided to mate with a feature of endoscopic assembly 200. The drive bar 106 is operatively coupled to the trigger 104 and the pair of jaws 250 of endoscopic assembly 200 to move the pair of jaws 250 between a spaced-apart configuration and an approximated configuration upon actuation of the trigger 104. Specifically, the handle assembly 100 includes a wishbone link 108 configured to couple the trigger 104 and the drive bar 106. Wishbone link 108 includes a first end portion having a tail 108a and a second end portion having a first arm and a second arm 108b, 108c spaced-apart to define a space 108d therebetween. The tail 108a of the wishbone link 108 is pivotably connected to trigger 104 through a trigger slot 104a. Specifically, tail 108a of wishbone link 108 includes an opening 108f configured for pivotably locating a pin (not specifically shown) defined within trigger slot 104a. The space 108d between the first and second arms 108b, 108c is configured to receive the drive bar 106. The first and second arms 108b, 108c of wishbone link 108, and the drive bar 106 includes corresponding apertures 108e, 106c, respectively, configured to locate a drive bar pin 110 to pivotably connect the wishbone link 108 and the drive bar 106. The wishbone link 108 is configured to translate the pivotal movement of the trigger 104 into longitudinal movement of the drive bar 106, as will be detailed below.

    [0033] The drive bar 106 is configured to move one or more driving structures to load, and actuate the pair of jaws 250 to form a clip (not shown) fully or partially, and then reset to an initial position for the next clip application. To achieve this, a biasing member, such as, for example, a first return spring 112 is disposed to surround the drive bar 106 adjacent the distal end portion 106a such that, after the trigger 104 is actuated and the wishbone link 108 advances the drive bar 106 in a longitudinal or distal manner, the first return spring 112 is provided to return the drive bar 106 and the trigger 104 to its original position for the next clip application.

    [0034] With continued reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, surgical clip applier 10 includes a ratchet assembly 300 disposed within housing 102 of handle assembly 100. The ratchet assembly 300 generally includes a first rack 310, a pawl housing 320 having a first pawl 330 operatively associated with first rack 310, a release switch 340 at least partially supported within housing 102 of handle assembly 100 and operatively associated with pawl housing 320, and in turn first pawl 330, a second rack 350, and a second pawl 360 operatively associated with second rack 350.

    [0035] As shown in FIG. 2B, the first and second racks 310, 350 are supported by or are provided on a top surface 106d of the drive bar 106. The first rack 310 includes a distal end 310a and a proximal end 310b. The first rack 310 defines a plurality of first rack teeth 312 in series between the distal end 310a and the proximal end 310b thereof. Similarly, the second rack 350 includes a distal end 350a and a proximal end 350b. The second rack 350 defines a plurality of second rack teeth 352 in series between the distal end 350a and the proximal end 350b thereof.

    [0036] The top surface 106d of the drive bar 106 also includes a distal clearance or well 314a located adjacent the distal end 310a of the first rack 310 and a proximal clearance or well 314b located between the proximal end 310b of the first rack 310 and the distal end 350a of the second rack 350. The distal well 314a is configured to receive the first pawl 330 and the proximal well 314b is configured to receive the second pawl 360, when ratchet assembly 300 is in an initial and/or reset position, as shown in FIG. 2B and as will be detailed further below.

    [0037] With continued reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, and additional reference to FIGS. 3A-3C, pawl housing 320 is slidably mounted within the handle assembly 100 between the right side half-section 102a and the left side half-section 102b of the housing 102. Specifically, the ratchet assembly 300 includes a distal support pin 302a and a proximal support pin 302b and the pawl housing 320 includes a distal support slot 322a and a proximal support slot 322b configured to locate the distal support pin 302a and the proximal support pin 302b, respectively. The distal support pin 302a and the proximal support pin 302b are mounted onto a plurality of corresponding slots 103a within the housing 102 to slidably mount the pawl housing 320 within the housing 102 of the handle assembly 100. In embodiments, as best illustrated in FIG. 3C, pawl housing 320 further includes a first guide channel 323a and a second guide channel 323b configured for locating a first guide feature 103b and a second guide feature 103c, respectively, extending from at least one of the right side half-section 102a or the left side half-section 102b of housing 102. It is contemplated that the first and second guide features 103b, 103c are provided to align the distal and proximal support slots 322a, 322b of the pawl housing 320 with the plurality of corresponding slots 103a of housing 102 for locating the distal and proximal support pins 302a, 302b, respectively.

    [0038] As shown in FIG. 3C, the pawl housing 320 further defines a channel or recess 324 configured to locate the first pawl 330 therein. First pawl 330 is pivotably connected to the pawl housing 320 by a switch pin 332 (see FIG. 2A) at a location wherein first pawl 330 is in substantial operative engagement/registration with the first rack 310. The switch pin 332 extends through a central slot 326 defined in the pawl housing 320 and a corresponding slot 334 defined in the first pawl 330. The ratchet assembly 300 further includes a first pawl spring 336 disposed within the pawl housing 320 and configured to vertically bias first pawl 330 into operative engagement or registration with the first rack 310 (see FIG. 5A). Specifically, the first pawl spring 336 includes a distal hook 336a configured to latch onto the distal support pin 302a (see FIG. 2A) and a proximal hook 336b configured to latch onto the proximal support pin 302b (see FIG. 2A). It is contemplated that first pawl spring 336 is positioned in a manner configured to maintain a first pawl tooth 338 of the first pawl 330 in registration or engagement with the plurality of first rack teeth 312 (see FIG. 5A), as well as to maintain the first pawl 330 in a rotated or canted position.

    [0039] Returning briefly back to FIGS. 2A and 2B, second pawl 360 is pivotably mounted within the handle assembly 100 between the right side half-section 102a and the left side half-section 102b of the housing 102 by a second pawl pin 362 at a location wherein the second pawl 360 is in substantial operative engagement/registration with the second rack 350. The second pawl pin 362 extends through a slot 364 defined in the second pawl 360. The ratchet assembly 300 further includes a second pawl spring 366 configured to vertically bias the second pawl 360 into operative engagement/registration with the second rack 350. The second pawl spring 366 includes a distal hook 366a and a proximal hook 366b configured to latch onto a pair of support pins 116a, 116b of housing 102, respectively. It is contemplated that second pawl spring 366 is positioned in a manner configured to maintain a second pawl tooth 368 of the second pawl 360 in registration or engagement with the plurality of second rack teeth 352 (see FIG. 5A), as well as to maintain the second pawl 360 in a rotated or canted position.

    [0040] With reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, ratchet assembly 300 further includes release switch 340 at least partially supported within housing 102 of handle assembly 100. As noted above, release switch 340 is operatively associated with pawl housing 320 and is operable to selectively move pawl housing 320, and in turn first pawl 330, into or out of registration with the plurality of first rack teeth 312 of first rack 310.

    [0041] Specifically, release switch 340 includes a first end cap 342a slidably supported on a first end portion 332a of switch pin 332 and a second end cap 342b slidably supported on a second end portion 332b of switch pin 332. First end cap 342a has a first extension 343a and defines a substantially "T" shaped profile. First end cap 342a defines a first channel or bore 345a therein, sized and configured to slidably receive the first end portion 332a of switch pin 332. Similarly, second end cap 342b has a second extension 343b and defines a substantially "T" shaped profile. Second end cap 342b defines a second channel or bore 345b therein, sized and configured to slidably receive the second end portion 332b of switch pin 332.

    [0042] In embodiments, first and second end caps 342a, 342b are cylindrically shaped, each including a first diameter "D1" Similarly, in embodiments, first and second extensions 343a, 343b are cylindrically shaped, each including a second diameter "D2" that is less than the first diameter "D1". Alternatively, first and second end caps 342a, 342b and first and second extensions 343a, 343b, respectively, may include various shapes and sizes as necessary for its intended purpose.

    [0043] Right side half-section 102a of housing 102 includes a first switch slot or bore 105 sized and configured to slidably receive the first end cap 342a and left side half-section 102b of housing 102 includes a second switch slot or bore 107 sized and configured to slidably receive the second end cap 342b. Once first and second end caps 342a, 342b are received within first and second switch slots 105, 107, respectively, first and second extensions 343a, 343b are provided to be in contact with a first side 328a and a second side 328b of pawl housing 320, respectively.

    [0044] In embodiments, first and second switch slots 105, 107 each include a first portion 105a, 107a, respectively, defining a third diameter "D3" that is slightly larger than the first diameters "D1" of first and second end caps 342a, 342b to enable slidable insertion of first and second end caps 342a, 342b into first portions 105a, 107a of respective first and second switch slots 105, 107 without significant play or clearance therebetween. First and second switch slots 105, 107 each further include an internal wall 105b, 107b. Internal walls 105b, 107b of slots 105, 107, respectively, are provided to prevent slidable insertion of first and second end caps 342a, 342b beyond first portions 105a, 107a, respectively. Internal walls 105b, 107b of slots 105, 107, respectively, each define an opening 105c, 107c, respectively, defining a fourth diameter "D4" that is less than the third diameter "D3" of first portions 105a, 107a. The fourth diameter "D4" of each opening 105c, 107c is slightly larger than the second diameters "D2" of the first and second extensions 343a, 343b to enable slidable insertion of the first and second extensions 343a, 343b into the openings 105c, 107c without significant play or clearance therebetween.

    [0045] First and second end caps 342a, 342b project from first and second switch slots 105, 107, respectively, and may be actuated by a finger of a user to actuate release switch 340. It is contemplated that first portions 105a, 107a, of first and second switch slots 105, 107, respectively, provide sufficient runway to enable first and second end caps 342a, 342b, respectively, to move therethrough to actuate release switch 340.

    [0046] In embodiments, housing 102 of handle assembly 100 may be provided with guard walls (not specifically shown) surrounding the first and second end caps 342a, 342b in order to inhibit inadvertent actuation of release switch 340. In some embodiments, the first and second end caps 342a, 342b may be flush with an outer surface of housing 102 of handle assembly 100 in order to also inhibit inadvertent actuation of release switch 340.

    [0047] Release switch 340 is movable, upon actuation of first or second end caps 342a, 342b, between the first position (see FIG. 4A) in which first pawl 330 is in or moved into operative engagement/registration with the plurality of first rack teeth 312 of first rack 310, and the second position (see FIG. 4B) in which first pawl 330 is out of or moved out of operative engagement/registration with the plurality of first rack teeth 312 of first rack 310.

    [0048] It is contemplated that release switch 340, and in turn ratchet assembly 300, defaults to the first position, in which first pawl 330 is engaged with/in registration with the plurality of first rack teeth 312. To that end, release switch 340 includes a first biasing member 344 supported on first extension 343a of first end cap 343a, extending between a first side 328a of pawl housing 320 and internal wall 105b of first switch slot 105, and includes a second biasing member 346 supported on second extension 343b of second end cap 342b, extending between a second side 328b of pawl housing 320 and internal wall 107b of second switch slot 107. The first biasing member 344 includes a first biasing force "BF1" and is provided to bias or urge second end cap 342b away from internal wall 107b of second switch slot 107. Similarly, the second biasing member 346 includes a second biasing force "BF2" and is provided to bias or urge first end cap 342a away from internal wall 105b of first switch slot 105. Together, first and second biasing members 344, 346 cooperate to maintain pawl housing 320 in the first position such that pawl housing 320 is centered relative to first rack 310 (see FIG. 4A) and the first pawl 330 is engagable with the first rack 310 to restrict longitudinal movement of drive bar 106.

    [0049] As noted above, release switch 340 is actuatable from the first position towards the second position, upon actuation of the first or second end caps 342a, 342b. Accordingly, for illustrative purposes, the use of release switch 340, and generally ratchet assembly 300, will be detailed with reference to actuation of the first end cap 342a.

    [0050] With brief reference to FIG. 2B, in the initial and/or reset position, the first pawl 330 is disposed within distal well 314a and the second pawl 360 is disposed within proximal well 314b.

    [0051] With continued reference to FIG. 2B and additional reference to FIG. 5A, a normal actuation of ratchet assembly 300 is disclosed. In use, as trigger 104 is actuated, from a fully un-actuated position, the plurality of first and second rack teeth 312, 352 of the first and second racks 310, 350, respectively, are moved to a first position, into registration or engagement with first pawl tooth 338 and second pawl tooth 368 of the first and second pawls 330, 360, respectively (see FIG. 5A). It is contemplated that in the first position, first pawl spring 336 (see FIG. 3C) vertically biases first pawl 330 into operative engagement/registration with the first rack 310 and second pawl spring 366 vertically biases second pawl 360 into operative engagement/registration with the second rack 350.

    [0052] First rack 310 has a first length "L1" (see FIG. 5A) which allows the first pawl 330 to reverse over the first rack 310 (from the distal well 314a; see FIG. 2B) as the first rack 310 moves in a distal direction relative to the pair of jaws 250 (see FIG. 1), as trigger 104 reaches a fully actuated position, and advance back over the first rack 310 (from the proximal end 310b of the first rack 310; not specifically shown), when the first rack 310 moves in a proximal direction relative to the pair of jaws 250, as trigger 104 reaches a fully un-actuated position. The first length "L1" of first rack 310 defines a full stroke length of trigger 104, drive bar 106 or handle assembly 100 (see FIG. 1), where a clip has been fully formed and fired from surgical clip applier 10. It is contemplated that during the full stroke length of trigger 104, in the normal actuation of ratchet assembly 300, drive bar 106 is moved a first distance relative to pawl housing 320 equal to approximately the first length "L1" of first rack 310.

    [0053] Second rack 350 has a second length "L2," (see FIG. 5A) which is less than the first length "L1" of first rack 310. The second length "L2" allows the second pawl 360 to reverse over the second rack 350 (from the proximal well 314b; see FIG. 2B) as the second rack 350 moves in the distal direction relative to the pair of jaws 250 (see FIG. 1), as trigger 104 reaches a partially actuated position, and advance back over the second rack 350 (from a position that is proximal of the proximal end 350b of the second rack 350; not specifically shown), when the second rack 320 moves in a proximal direction relative to the pair of jaws 250, as trigger 104 reaches a fully un-actuated position. The second length "L2" of second rack 350 defines a partial stroke length of trigger 104, drive bar 106 or handle assembly 100 (see FIG. 1), where a clip has been partially formed, or formed enough to be fired from surgical clip applier 10 and a new clip loaded into the pair of jaws 250 without an inadvertent double loading of clips into the pair of jaws 250.

    [0054] It is contemplated that in the normal actuation of ratchet assembly 300, the first and second pawls 330, 360 and the respective first and second racks 310, 350 cooperate such that the stroke length of trigger 104, drive bar 106 or handle assembly 100 is determined by the greater first length "L1" of first rack 310 to achieve a fully formed clip being fired from surgical clip applier 10.

    [0055] Referring now to FIGS. 4A-5B, a partial actuation of ratchet assembly 300 is disclosed. It is contemplated that a partial actuation of ratchet assembly 300 may enable a user to fire a partially formed clip from surgical clip applier 10 when performing a cholangiogram procedure or the like. It is also contemplated that a partial actuation of ratchet assembly 300 may enable a user to abort a firing of a clip from surgical clip applier 10 if the clip is inadvertently positioned in a wrong location or if a clip is positioned over an obstruction.

    [0056] In use, with reference to FIG. 5A, after trigger 104 is actuated such that, the plurality of first and second rack teeth 312, 352 of the first and second racks 310, 350, respectively, are moved to the first position, into registration or engagement with first pawl tooth 338 and second pawl tooth 368 of the first and second pawls 330, 360, respectively (see FIG. 5A), release switch 340 may be actuated towards the second position by moving or depressing first end cap 342a laterally towards the first side 328a of the pawl housing 320 such that, first extension 343a of first end cap 343a engages first side 328a of pawl housing 320 to transversely move pawl housing 320 towards second biasing member 346 and first pawl 330 out of operative engagement/registration with the plurality of first rack teeth 312 of first rack 310. The transverse movement of pawl housing 320 towards second biasing member 346, compresses second biasing member 346 between second side 328b of pawl housing 320 and internal wall 107b of second switch slot 107. In this manner, the first pawl 330 is moved transversely to a second position, out of registration or engagement with the plurality of first rack teeth 312 of the first rack 310.

    [0057] In the second position, when first pawl 330 is moved transversely out of operative engagement/registration with the plurality of first rack teeth 312 and abuts a side of first rack 310, the combined biases of first pawl spring 336 and second biasing member 346 act on first pawl 330 such that first pawl 330 is wedged or held against the side of first rack 310 (see FIG. 4B) and disengaged from plurality of first rack teeth 312 until first rack 310 is moved distally such that first pawl 330 is located within proximal well 314b (not specifically shown) or until first rack 310 is moved proximally such that first pawl 330 is located within distal well 314a (see FIG. 2B), as will be further detailed.

    [0058] As shown in FIG. 4B, though release switch 340 is actuated to move the first pawl 330 to the second position, second pawl 360 remains in the first position (see FIG. 5A) until the second pawl 360 is moved to a position proximal of the proximal end 350b of the second rack 350 to clear the second rack 350, as shown in a second position of second pawl 360 in FIG. 5B. With first pawl 330 out of registration or engagement with the first rack 310 (see FIG. 4B), the stroke length of trigger 104, drive bar 106 or handle assembly 100 is determined by the lesser second length "L2" of second rack 320 (relative to first length "L1" of first rack 310). The engagement/registration between second pawl 360 and second rack 350, for a duration of the lesser second length "L2", prevents an inadvertent return of trigger 104 during a specific portion of the stroke, for example, until a clip loaded into the pair of jaws 250 is partially formed, enough to be fired from surgical clip applier 10, such that a new clip may be loaded into the pair of jaws 250 without an inadvertent double loading of clips into the pair of jaws 250. It is contemplated that during the partial stroke length of trigger 104 in the partial actuation of ratchet assembly 300, drive bar 106 is moved a second distance relative to second pawl 360 equal to approximately the second length "L2" of second rack 350.

    [0059] During the return stroke, trigger 104 may be returned to a fully un-actuated position (from its partially actuated position), once second pawl 360 advances back over the second rack 350 and is disposed within the proximal well 314b to complete the partial actuation of ratchet assembly 300 (see FIG. 2B). It is contemplated that as trigger 104 is moved to the fully un-actuated position, a new clip is loaded into the pair of jaws 250.

    [0060] When second pawl 360 is disposed within proximal well 314b, first pawl 330 is moved towards distal well 314a. Specifically, second biasing member 346 is permitted to expand (without being impeded by the side of first rack 310) such that second biasing force "BF2" acts on pawl housing 320 to move pawl housing 320 transversely back towards the first position wherein first pawl 330 is centered relative to first rack 310 such that first pawl 330 is engagable with the plurality of first rack teeth 312 of first rack 310 upon further longitudinal movement of first rack 310, thereby enabling or re-enabling the operability of ratchet assembly 300.

    [0061] Though the figures of the present disclosure illustrate configurations where the first and second racks 310, 350 are longitudinally aligned on drive bar 106, with release switch 340 being selectively engageable with first pawl 330, it is contemplated that the first and second racks 310, 350 may include configurations where the first and second racks 310, 350 are reversed, stacked, side-by-side, or a combination thereof. Further, it is contemplated that release switch 340 may be selectively engageable with second pawl 360. In addition, it is contemplated that actuating release switch 340 may emit audible and/or tactile feedback to the user.

    [0062] As noted above, and illustrated in FIG. 6, surgical clip applier 10 includes an endoscopic assembly 200 having hub assembly 210, shaft assembly 220, and the pair of jaws 250. Hub assembly 210 is rotatably mounted on nose 102c (see FIG. 2A) of housing 102 of handle assembly 100 and is connected to a proximal end portion of shaft assembly 220 to provide a three hundred sixty degree rotation of the shaft assembly 220 and the pair of jaws 250 thereon relative to a longitudinal center axis of shaft assembly 220. Hub assembly 210 has a suitable configuration so as to be rotated simply using a clinician's finger.

    [0063] Endoscopic assembly 200 includes a spindle link 260 for operatively connecting drive bar 106 to a driving mechanism 400 to move the pair of jaws 250 between the spaced-apart configuration and the approximated configuration upon actuation of trigger 104. Specifically, hook member 114 (see FIG. 2B) of drive bar 106 is coupled to a first end 260a of spindle link 260 and a spindle 270 of drive mechanism 400 is coupled to a second end 260b of spindle link 260. In this manner, translation of drive bar 106 in a distal and proximal direction can thus advance and retract spindle 270, respectively.

    [0064] Drive mechanism 400 further includes an elongated clip channel member 280 for retaining a number of surgical clips 290 shown in an aligned manner above the clip channel member 280. A clip follower 282 and a clip follower spring 284 are provided to urge the surgical clips 290 distally through the elongated clip channel member 280. A channel cover 286 is provided to overlay the elongated clip channel member 280 and retain and guide the clip follower 282 and clip follower spring 284 and the surgical clips 290 distally in the elongated clip channel member 280.

    [0065] Drive mechanism 400 also has a feed bar 410 for feeding the surgical clips 290 between the pair of jaws 250. Drive mechanism 400 also includes a filler component 420 and a wedge plate 430.

    [0066] For a more detailed description of the construction and operation of endoscopic assembly 200, reference may be made to U.S. Patent No. 7,637,917, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

    [0067] 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 scope of the accompanying claims.


    Claims

    1. An endoscopic surgical clip applier (10), comprising:
    an endoscopic assembly (200) including:

    a shaft assembly (220); and

    a pair of jaw members (250) operatively coupled to, and extending from the shaft assembly; and

    a handle assembly (100) including:

    a housing (102) selectively connectable to the endoscopic assembly;

    a fixed handle (102d) extending from the housing;

    a trigger (104) pivotally connected to the fixed handle;

    a drive bar (106) disposed within the housing of the handle assembly and operatively coupled to the trigger and the pair of jaw members to move the pair of jaw members between a spaced apart configuration and an approximated configuration upon actuation of the trigger; and

    a ratchet assembly (300) disposed within the housing of the handle assembly, wherein the ratchet assembly comprises:

    a first rack (310) supported by or provided on a top surface of the drive bar, the first rack defining a plurality of first rack teeth (312), wherein the first rack (310) includes a first length ("L1") between a distal end (310a) and a proximal end (310b) thereof;

    a second rack (350) supported by or provided on a top surface of the drive bar, spaced apart from the first rack, the second rack defining a plurality of second rack teeth (352), wherein the second rack (350) includes a second length ("L2") between a distal end (350a) and a proximal end (350b) thereof, the second length of the second rack being less than the first length of the first rack;

    a pawl housing (320) slidably mounted within the housing of the handle assembly, the pawl housing having a first pawl (330) being selectively engageable with the plurality of first rack teeth of the first rack, the pawl housing being transversely slidable between a first position and a second position;

    a second pawl (360) movably mounted within the housing of the handle assembly and being selectively engageable with the plurality of second rack teeth of the second rack; and

    a release switch (340) at least partially supported within the housing of the handle assembly and operatively associated with the pawl housing, the release switch selectively actuatable to move the pawl housing from the first position thereof to the second position thereof,

    wherein in the first position of the pawl housing, the first pawl is in registration with the plurality of first rack teeth of the first rack to prohibit reversal of a direction of movement of the trigger until the first pawl is disposed beyond the proximal end (310b) or the distal end (310a) of the first rack; and

    wherein in the second position of the pawl housing, the first pawl is out of registration with the plurality of first rack teeth of the first rack to permit reversal of the direction of movement of the trigger after the second pawl is disposed distally beyond the distal end (350a) of the second rack or proximally beyond the proximal end (350b) of the second rack.


     
    2. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to claim 1, wherein the ratchet assembly (300) further includes a distal well (314a) disposed adjacent the distal end (310a) of the first rack (310), wherein the pawl housing (320) is located in the distal well in an un-actuated position of the trigger (104).
     
    3. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to claim 2, wherein the first rack (310) is disposed in a position distal of the second rack (350), and wherein the ratchet assembly (300) further includes a proximal well (314b) disposed between the proximal end (310b) of the first rack (310) and the distal end (350a) of the second rack (350), wherein the second pawl (360) is located in the proximal well in the un-actuated position of the trigger (104).
     
    4. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to claim 3, wherein when the release switch (340) is actuated, the second pawl (360) maintains registration with the plurality of second rack teeth (352) of the second rack (350), until the second pawl is disposed in the proximal well (314b) or until the second pawl is disposed proximally beyond the proximal end (350b) of the second rack.
     
    5. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to claim 4, wherein the drive bar (106) is longitudinally movable upon actuation of the trigger (104), wherein as the drive bar is moved longitudinally in a first direction, and the release switch (340) is not actuated, the first pawl (330) and the second pawl (360) are moved over the plurality of first rack teeth (312) and the plurality of second rack teeth (352) of the first and the second racks (310, 350), respectively, such that longitudinal movement of the drive bar in a second, opposite, direction is prevented until the first pawl is disposed in the distal well (314a) and the second pawl is disposed in the proximal well (314b) or until the first pawl is disposed at the proximal end (310b) of the first rack and the second pawl is disposed proximally beyond the proximal end (350b) of the second rack.
     
    6. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to claim 4, wherein the drive bar (106) is longitudinally movable upon actuation of the trigger (104), wherein as the drive bar is moved longitudinally in a first direction, and the release switch (340) is actuated to move the pawl housing (320) to the second position, longitudinal movement of the drive bar in a second, opposite, direction is prevented until the second pawl (360) is disposed in the proximal well (314b) or until the second pawl is disposed proximally beyond the proximal end (350b) of the second rack.
     
    7. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to claim 6, wherein as the drive bar (106) is moved longitudinally in the first direction, and the release switch (340) is actuated to move the pawl housing (320) to the second position, the second pawl (360) is disposed beyond the proximal end (350a) of the second rack as the trigger (104) reaches a partially actuated position, wherein the drive bar is longitudinally movable in the second, opposite, direction, as the trigger reaches a fully un-actuated position from the partially actuated position.
     
    8. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the endoscopic assembly (200) further comprises a plurality of surgical clips (290) slidably disposed within the shaft assembly (220) and selectively formable between the pair of jaw members (250), wherein when the pawl housing (320) is in the first position, the first pawl (330) is in registration with the first rack (310) disposed on the drive bar (106) such that upon actuation of the trigger (104), the trigger is prevented from reversing the direction of movement thereof until the trigger is moved to a fully actuated position and a distal most surgical clip of the plurality of surgical clips is fully formed between the pair of jaw members.
     
    9. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to claim 8, wherein when the pawl housing (320) is in the second position, the first pawl (330) is out of registration with the first rack (310) disposed on the drive bar (106) such that when the second pawl (360) is disposed beyond the proximal end (350b) of the second rack (350) and the trigger (104) is moved to the partially actuated position, the trigger is capable of reversing the direction of movement thereof such that the distal most surgical clip of the plurality of surgical clips (290) is partially formed between the pair of jaw members.
     
    10. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to any preceding claim, wherein the pawl housing (320) defines a channel (324) therein, and wherein the first pawl (330) is located within the channel of the pawl housing.
     
    11. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to claim 10, wherein the ratchet assembly (300) includes a switch pin (322), wherein the pawl housing (320) defines a central slot (326) therein configured to locate the switch pin, the switch pin slidably extending through the channel of the pawl housing and the first pawl (330) to support the first pawl within the channel of the pawl housing.
     
    12. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to claim 11, wherein the release switch (340) includes a first end cap (342a) and a second end cap (342b), wherein a first side (102a) of the housing includes a first switch slot (105) configured to slidably receive the first end cap of the release switch and a second side (102b) of the housing includes a second switch slot (107) configured to slidably receive the second end cap of the release switch.
     
    13. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to claim 12, wherein the first end cap (342a) of the release switch (340) is supported on a first end of the switch pin (322), on a first side (328a) of the pawl housing (320), and the second end cap (342b) of the release switch is supported on a second end of the switch pin, on a second, opposite side (328b) of the pawl housing, such that the release switch is accessible via the first and second end caps from the first and second sides of the pawl housing, respectively, to actuate the release switch.
     
    14. The endoscopic surgical clip applier according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratchet assembly (300) further includes a first pawl spring (336) and a second pawl spring (366) supported within the housing (102) of the handle assembly, the first pawl spring being configured to bias the first pawl (330) into engagement with the plurality of first rack teeth (312) of the first rack (310) and the second pawl spring being configured to bias the second pawl (360) into engagement with the plurality of second rack teeth (352) of the second rack (350).
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator (10), umfassend:

    eine endoskopische Anordnung (200), die Folgendes enthält:

    eine Wellenanordnung (220); und

    ein Paar Backenelemente (250), die betriebsmäßig mit der Wellenanordnung gekoppelt sind und sich von dieser erstrecken; und

    eine Griffanordnung (100) einschließlich:

    eines Gehäuses (102), das selektiv mit der endoskopischen Anordnung verbunden werden kann;

    eines festen Griffs (102d), der sich vom Gehäuse aus erstreckt;

    eines Auslösers (104), der schwenkbar mit dem festen Griff verbunden ist;

    einer Antriebsstange (106), die in dem Gehäuse der Griffanordnung angeordnet und betriebsmäßig mit dem Auslöser und dem Paar Backenelementen gekoppelt ist, um das Paar Backenelemente bei Betätigung des Auslösers zwischen einer beabstandeten Konfiguration und einer angenäherten Konfiguration zu bewegen; und

    einer Ratschenanordnung (300), die in dem Gehäuse der Griffanordnung angeordnet ist, wobei die Ratschenanordnung umfasst:

    eine erste Zahnstange (310), die von einer oberen Oberfläche der Antriebsstange getragen wird oder auf dieser vorgesehen ist, wobei die erste Zahnstange mehrere Zähne der ersten Zahnstange (312) definiert, wobei die erste Zahnstange (310) eine erste Länge ("L1") zwischen einem distalen Ende (310a) und einem proximalen Ende (310b) davon aufweist;

    eine zweite Zahnstange (350), die von einer oberen Oberfläche der Antriebsstange getragen wird oder auf dieser vorgesehen ist, die von der ersten Zahnstange beabstandet ist, wobei die zweite Zahnstange mehrere zweite Zahnstangenzähne (352) definiert, wobei die zweite Zahnstange (350) eine zweite Länge ("L2") zwischen einem distalen Ende (350a) und einem proximalen Ende (350b) davon aufweist, wobei die zweite Länge der zweiten Zahnstange kleiner ist als die erste Länge der ersten Zahnstange;

    ein Sperrklinkengehäuse (320), das verschiebbar in dem Gehäuse der Griffanordnung montiert ist, wobei das Sperrklinkengehäuse mit einer ersten Sperrklinke (330) selektiv in Eingriff mit den mehreren ersten Zahnstangenzähnen der ersten Zahnstange steht, wobei das Sperrklinkengehäuse zwischen einer ersten Position und einer zweiten Position quer verschiebbar ist;

    eine zweite Sperrklinke (360), die beweglich in dem Gehäuse der Griffanordnung montiert ist und selektiv mit den mehreren zweiten Zahnstangenzähnen der zweiten Zahnstange in Eingriff steht; und

    einen Auslöseschalter (340), der zumindest teilweise in dem Gehäuse der Griffanordnung gelagert und betriebsmäßig mit dem Sperrklinkengehäuse verbunden ist, wobei der Auslöseschalter selektiv betätigbar ist, um das Sperrklinkengehäuse von seiner ersten Position in seine zweite Position zu bewegen,

    wobei in der ersten Position des Sperrklinkengehäuses die erste Sperrklinke in Übereinstimmung mit den mehreren ersten Zahnstangenzähnen der ersten Zahnstange ist, um die Umkehrung einer Bewegungsrichtung des Auslösers zu verhindern, bis die erste Sperrklinke jenseits des proximalen Endes (310b) oder des distalen Endes (310a) der ersten Zahnstange angeordnet ist; und

    wobei in der zweiten Position des Sperrklinkengehäuses die erste Sperrklinke nicht mit den mehreren ersten Zahnstangenzähnen der ersten Zahnstange übereinstimmt, um eine Umkehrung der Bewegungsrichtung des Auslösers zu ermöglichen, nachdem die zweite Sperrklinke distal jenseits des distalen Endes (350a) der zweiten Zahnstange oder proximal jenseits des proximalen Endes (350b) der zweiten Zahnstange angeordnet ist.


     
    2. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Ratschenanordnung (300) ferner eine distale Vertiefung (314a) umfasst, die neben dem distalen Ende (310a) der ersten Zahnstange (310) angeordnet ist, wobei sich das Sperrklinkengehäuse (320) in der distalen Vertiefung in einer nicht betätigten Position des Auslösers (104) befindet.
     
    3. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach Anspruch 2, wobei die erste Zahnstange (310) in einer Position distal der zweiten Zahnstange (350) angeordnet ist und wobei die Ratschenanordnung (300) ferner eine proximale Vertiefung (314b) umfasst, die zwischen dem proximalen Ende (310b) der ersten Zahnstange (310) und dem distalen Ende (350a) der zweiten Zahnstange (350) angeordnet ist, wobei sich die zweite Sperrklinke (360) in der proximalen Vertiefung in der nicht betätigten Position des Auslösers (104) befindet.
     
    4. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach Anspruch 3, wobei, wenn der Auslöseschalter (340) betätigt wird, die zweite Sperrklinke (360) die Übereinstimmung mit den mehreren zweiten Zahnstangenzähnen (352) der zweiten Zahnstange (350) aufrechterhält, bis die zweite Sperrklinke in der proximalen Vertiefung (314b) angeordnet ist oder bis die zweite Sperrklinke proximal jenseits des proximalen Endes (350b) der zweiten Zahnstange angeordnet ist.
     
    5. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Antriebsstange (106) bei Betätigung des Auslösers (104) in Längsrichtung beweglich ist, wobei, wenn die Antriebsstange in Längsrichtung in eine erste Richtung bewegt wird und der Auslöseschalter (340) nicht betätigt wird, die erste Sperrklinke (330) und die zweite Sperrklinke (360) über die mehreren ersten Zahnstangenzähne (312) und die mehreren zweiten Zahnstangenzähne (352) der ersten bzw. der zweiten Zahnstangenzähne (310, 350) so bewegt werden, dass eine Längsbewegung der Antriebsstange in einer zweiten entgegengesetzten Richtung verhindert wird, bis die erste Sperrklinke in der distalen Vertiefung (314a) und die zweite Sperrklinke in der proximalen Vertiefung (314b) angeordnet ist oder bis die erste Sperrklinke am proximalen Ende (310b) der ersten Zahnstange angeordnet ist und die zweite Sperrklinke proximal jenseits des proximalen Endes (350b) der zweiten Sperrklinke angeordnet ist.
     
    6. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach Anspruch 4, wobei die Antriebsstange (106) bei Betätigung des Auslösers (104) in Längsrichtung beweglich ist, wobei, wenn die Antriebsstange in Längsrichtung in eine erste Richtung bewegt wird und der Auslöseschalter (340) betätigt wird, um das Sperrklinkengehäuse (320) in die zweite Position zu bewegen, eine Längsbewegung der Antriebsstange in einer zweiten entgegengesetzten Richtung verhindert wird, bis die zweite Sperrklinke (360) in der proximalen Vertiefung (314b) angeordnet ist oder bis die zweite Sperrklinke proximal jenseits des proximalen Endes (350b) der zweiten Zahnstange angeordnet ist.
     
    7. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach Anspruch 6, wobei, wenn die Antriebsstange (106) in Längsrichtung in die erste Richtung bewegt wird und der Auslöseschalter (340) betätigt wird, um das Sperrklinkengehäuse (320) in die zweite Position zu bewegen, die zweite Sperrklinke (360) jenseits des proximalen Endes (350a) der zweiten Zahnstange angeordnet wird, wenn der Auslöser (104) eine teilweise betätigte Position erreicht, wobei die Antriebsstange in der zweiten entgegengesetzten Richtung in Längsrichtung beweglich ist, wenn der Auslöser eine vollständige, nicht betätigte Position aus der teilweise betätigten Position erreicht.
     
    8. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, wobei die endoskopische Anordnung (200) ferner mehrere chirurgische Clips (290) umfasst, die verschiebbar in der Wellenanordnung (220) angeordnet sind und selektiv zwischen dem Paar Backenelementen (250) formbar sind, wobei, wenn sich das Sperrklinkengehäuse (320) in der ersten Position befindet, die erste Sperrklinke (330) in Übereinstimmung mit der ersten Zahnstange (310) ist, die auf der Antriebsstange (106) so angeordnet ist, dass bei Betätigung des Auslösers (104) verhindert wird, dass der Auslöser seine Bewegungsrichtung umkehrt, bis der Auslöser in eine vollständig betätigte Position bewegt wird und ein distalster chirurgischer Clip der mehreren chirurgischen Clips vollständig zwischen dem Paar Backenelementen ausgebildet wird.
     
    9. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach Anspruch 8, wobei, wenn sich das Sperrklinkengehäuse (320) in der zweiten Position befindet, die erste Sperrklinke (330) nicht mit der ersten Zahnstange (310), die auf der Antriebsstange (106) angeordnet ist, übereinstimmt, sodass, wenn die zweite Sperrklinke (360) jenseits des proximalen Endes (350b) der zweiten Zahnstange (350) angeordnet ist und der Auslöser (104) in die teilweise betätigte Position bewegt wird, der Auslöser in der Lage ist, seine Bewegungsrichtung so umzukehren, dass der distalste chirurgische Clip der mehreren chirurgischen Clips (290) teilweise zwischen dem Paar Backenelementen ausgebildet wird.
     
    10. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Sperrklinkengehäuse (320) einen Kanal (324) darin definiert und wobei sich die erste Sperrklinke (330) innerhalb des Kanals des Sperrklinkengehäuses befindet.
     
    11. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Ratschenanordnung (300) einen Schaltstift (322) enthält, wobei das Sperrklinkengehäuse (320) einen zentralen Schlitz (326) darin definiert, der konfiguriert ist, um den Schaltstift zu lokalisieren, wobei der Schaltstift verschiebbar durch den Kanal des Sperrklinkengehäuses und die erste Sperrklinke (330) verläuft, um die erste Sperrklinke innerhalb des Kanals des Sperrklinkengehäuses zu tragen.
     
    12. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach Anspruch 11, wobei der Auslöseschalter (340) eine erste Endkappe (342a) und eine zweite Endkappe (342b) umfasst, wobei eine erste Seite (102a) des Gehäuses einen ersten Schalterschlitz (105) enthält, der konfiguriert ist, um die erste Endkappe des Auslöseschalters verschiebbar aufzunehmen, und eine zweite Seite (102b) des Gehäuses einen zweiten Schalterschlitz (107) enthält, der konfiguriert ist, um die zweite Endkappe des Auslöseschalters verschiebbar aufzunehmen.
     
    13. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach Anspruch 12, wobei die erste Endkappe (342a) des Auslöseschalters (340) an einem ersten Ende des Schalterstifts (322) auf einer ersten Seite (328a) des Sperrklinkengehäuses gelagert ist (320), und die zweite Endkappe (342b) des Auslöseschalters an einem zweiten Ende des Schalterstifts auf einer zweiten gegenüberliegenden Seite (328b) des Sperrklinkengehäuses gelagert ist, sodass der Auslöseschalter über die erste und zweite Endkappe von der ersten bzw. zweiten Seite des Sperrklinkengehäuses zugänglich ist, um den Auslöseschalter zu betätigen.
     
    14. Endoskopischer chirurgischer Clip-Applikator nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Ratschenanordnung (300) ferner eine erste Sperrklinkenfeder (336) und eine zweite Sperrklinkenfeder (366) umfasst, die in dem Gehäuse (102) der Griffanordnung gelagert sind, wobei die erste Sperrklinkenfeder konfiguriert ist, um die erste Sperrklinke (330) in Eingriff mit den mehreren ersten Zahnstangenzähnen (312) der ersten Zahnstange (310) zu bringen, und die zweite Sperrklinkenfeder so konfiguriert ist, dass sie die zweite Sperrklinke (360) in Eingriff mit den mehreren zweiten Zahnstangenzähnen (352) der zweiten Zahnstange (350) bringt.
     


    Revendications

    1. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales (10), comprenant :

    un ensemble endoscopique (200) comportant :

    un ensemble arbre (220) ; et

    une paire d'éléments de mâchoire (250) accouplés fonctionnellement à, et s'étendant depuis l'ensemble arbre ; et

    un ensemble poignée (100) comportant :

    un boîtier (102) pouvant être relié sélectivement à l'ensemble endoscopique ;

    une poignée fixe (102d) s'étendant depuis le boîtier ;

    une détente (104) reliée de manière pivotante à la poignée fixe ;

    une barre d'entraînement (106) disposée à l'intérieur du boîtier de l'ensemble poignée et accouplée fonctionnellement à la détente et à la paire d'éléments de mâchoire afin de déplacer la paire d'éléments de mâchoire entre une configuration espacée et une configuration rapprochée lors de l'actionnement de la détente ; et

    un ensemble rochet (300) disposé à l'intérieur du boîtier de l'ensemble poignée, l'ensemble rochet comprenant :

    une première crémaillère (310) supportée par ou fournie sur une surface supérieure de la barre d'entraînement, la première crémaillère définissant une pluralité de premières dents de crémaillère (312), la première crémaillère (310) comportant une première longueur (« L1 ») entre une extrémité distale (310a) et une extrémité proximale (310b) de celle-ci ;

    une seconde crémaillère (350) supportée par ou fournie sur une surface supérieure de la barre d'entraînement, espacée de la première crémaillère, la seconde crémaillère définissant une pluralité de secondes dents de crémaillère (352), la seconde crémaillère (350) comportant une seconde longueur (« L2 ») entre une extrémité distale (350a) et une extrémité proximale (350b) de celle-ci, la seconde longueur de la seconde crémaillère étant inférieure à la première longueur de la première crémaillère ;

    un boîtier de cliquet (320) monté de manière coulissante à l'intérieur du boîtier de l'ensemble poignée, le boîtier de cliquet présentant un premier cliquet (330) pouvant être mis en prise sélectivement avec la pluralité de premières dents de crémaillère de la première crémaillère, le boîtier de cliquet pouvant coulisser transversalement entre une première position et une seconde position ;

    un second cliquet (360) monté de manière mobile à l'intérieur du boîtier de l'ensemble poignée et pouvant être mis en prise sélectivement avec la pluralité de secondes dents de crémaillère de la seconde crémaillère ; et

    un commutateur de libération (340) au moins partiellement supporté à l'intérieur du boîtier de l'ensemble poignée et associé fonctionnellement au boîtier de cliquet, le commutateur de libération pouvant être actionné de manière sélective pour déplacer le boîtier de cliquet de la première position à la seconde position de celui-ci,

    dans lequel, dans la première position du boîtier de cliquet, le premier cliquet est aligné avec la pluralité de premières dents de crémaillère de la première crémaillère afin d'interdire l'inversion d'une direction de mouvement de la détente jusqu'à ce que le premier cliquet est disposé au-delà de l'extrémité proximale (310b) ou de l'extrémité distale (310a) de la première crémaillère ; et

    dans lequel, dans la seconde position du boîtier de cliquet, le premier cliquet n'est pas aligné avec la pluralité de premières dents de crémaillère de la première crémaillère afin de permettre l'inversion de la direction de mouvement de la détente après que le second cliquet est disposé distalement au-delà de l'extrémité distale (350a) de la seconde crémaillère ou de manière proximale au-delà de l'extrémité proximale (350b) de la seconde crémaillère.


     
    2. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'ensemble rochet (300) comporte en outre un puits distal (314a) disposé adjacent à l'extrémité distale (310a) de la première crémaillère (310), dans lequel le boîtier de cliquet (320) est situé dans le puits distal dans une position non actionnée de la détente (104).
     
    3. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon la revendication 2, dans lequel la première crémaillère (310) est disposée dans une position distale de la seconde crémaillère (350), et dans lequel l'ensemble rochet (300) comporte en outre un puits proximal (314b) disposé entre l'extrémité proximale (310b) de la première crémaillère (310) et l'extrémité distale (350a) de la seconde crémaillère (350), dans lequel le second cliquet (360) est situé dans le puits proximal dans la position non actionnée de la détente (104).
     
    4. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon la revendication 3, dans lequel lorsque le commutateur de libération (340) est actionné, le second cliquet (360) maintient l'alignement avec la pluralité de secondes dents de crémaillère (352) de la seconde crémaillère (350), jusqu'à ce que le second cliquet est disposé dans le puits proximal (314b) ou jusqu'à ce que le second cliquet est disposé de manière proximale au-delà de l'extrémité proximale (350b) de la seconde crémaillère.
     
    5. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la barre d'entraînement (106) est mobile longitudinalement lors de l'actionnement de la détente (104), dans lequel lorsque la barre d'entraînement est déplacée longitudinalement dans une première direction, et le commutateur de libération (340) est non actionné, le premier cliquet (330) et le second cliquet (360) sont déplacés au-dessus de la pluralité de premières dents de crémaillère (312) et de la pluralité de secondes dents de crémaillère (352) des première et seconde crémaillères (310, 350), respectivement, de telle sorte que le mouvement longitudinal de la barre d'entraînement dans une seconde direction opposée est empêché jusqu'à ce que le premier cliquet est disposé dans le puits distal (314a) et le second cliquet est disposé dans le puits proximal (314b) ou jusqu'à ce que le premier cliquet est disposé au niveau de l'extrémité proximale (310b) de la première crémaillère et le second cliquet est disposé de manière proximale au-delà de l'extrémité proximale (350b) de la seconde crémaillère.
     
    6. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la barre d'entraînement (106) est mobile longitudinalement lors de l'actionnement de la détente (104), dans lequel lorsque la barre d'entraînement est déplacée longitudinalement dans une première direction, et que le commutateur de libération (340) est actionné afin de déplacer le boîtier de cliquet (320) vers la seconde position, le mouvement longitudinal de la barre d'entraînement dans une seconde direction opposée est empêché jusqu'à ce que le second cliquet (360) est disposé dans le puits proximal (314b) ou jusqu'à ce que le second cliquet est disposé de manière proximale au-delà de l'extrémité proximale (350b) de la seconde crémaillère.
     
    7. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon la revendication 6, dans lequel, lorsque la barre d'entraînement (106) est déplacée longitudinalement dans la première direction, et que le commutateur de libération (340) est actionné pour déplacer le boîtier de cliquet (320) vers la seconde position, le second cliquet (360) est disposé au-delà de l'extrémité proximale (350a) de la seconde crémaillère lorsque la détente (104) atteint une position partiellement actionnée, dans lequel la barre d'entraînement est mobile longitudinalement dans la seconde direction opposée, lorsque la détente atteint une position complètement non actionnée depuis la position partiellement actionnée.
     
    8. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon la revendication 6 ou 7, dans lequel l'ensemble endoscopique (200) comprend en outre une pluralité de pinces chirurgicales (290) disposées de manière coulissante à l'intérieur de l'ensemble arbre (220) et pouvant être formées sélectivement entre la paire d'éléments de mâchoire (250), dans lequel lorsque le boîtier de cliquet (320) est dans la première position, le premier cliquet (330) est aligné avec la première crémaillère (310) disposée sur la barre d'entraînement (106) de telle sorte que lors de l'actionnement de la détente (104), la détente est empêchée d'inverser la direction de mouvement de celle-ci jusqu'à ce que la détente est déplacée vers une position entièrement actionnée et qu'une pince chirurgicale la plus distale de la pluralité de pinces chirurgicales est entièrement formée entre la paire d'éléments de mâchoire.
     
    9. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon la revendication 8, dans lequel, lorsque le boîtier de cliquet (320) est dans la seconde position, le premier cliquet (330) n'est pas aligné avec la première crémaillère (310) disposée sur la barre d'entraînement (106) de telle sorte que lorsque le second cliquet (360) est disposé au-delà de l'extrémité proximale (350b) de la seconde crémaillère (350) et que la détente (104) est déplacée vers la position partiellement actionnée, la détente est capable d'inverser la direction de mouvement de celle-ci de telle sorte que la pince chirurgicale la plus distale de la pluralité de pinces chirurgicales (290) est partiellement formée entre la paire d'éléments de mâchoire.
     
    10. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le boîtier de cliquet (320) définit un canal (324) en son sein, et dans lequel le premier cliquet (330) est situé à l'intérieur du canal du boîtier de cliquet.
     
    11. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon la revendication 10, dans lequel l'ensemble rochet (300) comporte une broche de commutateur (322), dans lequel le boîtier de cliquet (320) définit une fente centrale (326) en son sein conçue pour positionner la broche de commutateur, la broche de commutateur s'étendant de manière coulissante à travers le canal du boîtier de cliquet et du premier cliquet (330) afin de supporter le premier cliquet à l'intérieur du canal du boîtier de cliquet.
     
    12. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon la revendication 11, dans lequel le commutateur de libération (340) comporte un premier capuchon d'extrémité (342a) et un second capuchon d'extrémité (342b), dans lequel un premier côté (102a) du boîtier comporte une première fente de commutateur (105) conçue pour recevoir de manière coulissante le premier capuchon d'extrémité du commutateur de libération et un second côté (102b) du boîtier comporte une seconde fente de commutateur (107) conçue pour recevoir de manière coulissante le second capuchon d'extrémité du commutateur de libération.
     
    13. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon la revendication 12, dans lequel le premier capuchon d'extrémité (342a) du commutateur de libération (340) est supporté sur une première extrémité de la broche de commutateur (322), sur un premier côté (328a) du boîtier de cliquet (320), et le second capuchon d'extrémité (342b) du commutateur de libération est supporté sur une seconde extrémité de la broche de commutateur, sur un second côté opposé (328b) du boîtier de cliquet, de telle sorte que le commutateur de libération est accessible par l'intermédiaire des premier et second capuchons d'extrémité des premier et second côtés du boîtier de cliquet, respectivement, afin d'actionner le commutateur de libération.
     
    14. Applicateur endoscopique de pinces chirurgicales selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'ensemble rochet (300) comporte en outre un premier ressort de cliquet (336) et un second ressort de cliquet (366) supportés à l'intérieur du boîtier (102) de l'ensemble poignée, le premier ressort de cliquet étant conçu pour solliciter le premier cliquet (330) en prise avec la pluralité de premières dents de crémaillère (312) de la première crémaillère (310) et le second ressort de cliquet étant conçu pour solliciter le second cliquet (360) en prise avec la pluralité des secondes dents de crémaillère (352) de la seconde crémaillère (350).
     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



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    Patent documents cited in the description