SNAP LINK-TYPE SURGICAL CLIP

Abstract

A surgical clip includes a first clamping leg and a second clamping leg, the two clamping legs, when in use, being movable towards each other such that they squeeze a blood vessel shut and are linked to each other via a connecting piece which applies a closing force forcing the two clamping jaws towards each other, with two additional springs being provided in addition to the connecting piece which functions as the main spring and amplifying the closing force, the additional springs being arranged in parallel to the main spring and acting in opposite directions.

Claims

1. A surgical clip comprising: two clamping legs which are pretensioned to each other in a clip-closing-direction by pretensioning spring or an elastic connecting portion; two additional springs amplifying the closing force of the pretensioning spring or of the elastic connecting portion and being arranged in parallel thereto and connected to the surgical clip, the additional springs acting on both clamping legs from opposite directions.

2. The surgical clip according to claim 1, wherein the additional springs are in form of yoke springs, bending beams, torsion springs or leaf springs.

3. The surgical clip according to claim 1, wherein the elastic connecting portion serves for pivotal coupling of the two clamping legs and is in the form of a bending beam.

4. The surgical clip according to claim 3, wherein the elastic connecting portion includes, in the side view thereof, a rectangular, polygon-type, elliptical or partially circular longitudinal extension.

5. The surgical clip according to claim 1, wherein the additional springs include a force adjusting mechanism so as to adjust the additional closing force to be applied by the additional spring and backing the closing force of the pretensioning spring.

6. The surgical clip according to claim 5, wherein the force adjusting mechanism forms a pre-perforated portion or predetermined breaking points at the additional springs for removing additional spring material.

7. The surgical clip according to claim 5, wherein the additional springs are U-shaped yoke springs comprising two longitudinal legs, the free ends of which are mounted on either of the clip legs or on the elastic connecting portion, wherein the longitudinal legs are coupled via a number of cross webs spaced in a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal legs which are individually detachable at the predetermined breaking points or the perforation.

8. The surgical clip according to claim 7, wherein the cross web closest to each of the free ends of the longitudinal legs abuts on the other one of the two clip branches so as to resiliently press said cross web against the one of the clip branches.

9. The surgical clip according to claim 7, wherein the additional springs include two mounting journals at free ends of their two longitudinal legs.

10. The surgical clip according to claim 9, wherein the two longitudinal legs are different in length relative to each other, thus causing the two mounting journals to be distanced differently from the respective closest cross web.

11. The surgical clip according to claim 9, wherein the mounting journals are mounted to be rotatable or to be rotationally fixed on the one clip leg (3) or the elastic connecting portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0043] Hereinafter the invention shall be illustrated in detail by way of different embodiments with reference to the accompanying Figures, wherein:

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a surgical clip according to the invention,

[0045] FIGS. 2 and 3 show two different side views of the clip of FIG. 1,

[0046] FIG. 4 is a top view of the clip of FIGS. 1 to 3,

[0047] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the additional spring used in the clip of FIGS. 1 to 4 only,

[0048] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the clip of FIGS. 1 to 5,

[0049] FIG. 7 is a variant of an additional spring of the embodiment of an additional spring as shown in FIG. 5,

[0050] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment according to the invention of a surgical clip in a side view,

[0051] FIG. 9 shows another variant of a clip according to the invention making use of the additional spring of FIG. 7,

[0052] FIG. 10 shows the clip of FIG. 9 in a comparable view from above (top view) but including a leaf spring type additional spring,

[0053] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the leaf spring acting as additional spring of the embodiment of FIG. 10,

[0054] FIG. 12 is a variant of an additional spring,

[0055] FIG. 13 is another embodiment of a surgical clip according to the invention in a view from the side (side view),

[0056] FIG. 14 shows the clip of FIG. 13 in a view from above (top view),

[0057] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional configuration along the line XV from FIG. 6 in the area of a connecting piece which connects the two clamping legs of the surgical clip in a resilient/biasing manner,

[0058] FIG. 16 is a variant of the cross-sectional geometry of the form shown in FIG. 15,

[0059] FIG. 17 is another cross-sectional geometry of the connecting piece; and

[0060] FIG. 18 shows another embodiment according to the invention of a surgical clip according to the invention in a perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] The Figures are merely schematic and only serve for the comprehension of the invention. Like elements in each embodiment are provided with like reference numerals. Individual elements of the embodiments may be replaced with each other.

[0062] In FIG. 1 a first embodiment of a clip 1 according to the invention is illustrated. It is provided for use as an aneurysm clip. It includes a first clamping leg 2 which may also be referred to as clip leg or clamping jaw. In the idle condition (initial position of the clip) it is adjacent to or almost adjacent to a second opposite clamping leg 3. Said clamping leg 3, too, may be referred to as clip leg or clamping jaw. Each of the two clamping legs 2 and 3 includes at a distal longitudinal portion (tissue clamping) surfaces or edges facing each other which may abut, for example, on a blood vessel so as to squeeze the same shut, when in use. The two clamping legs 2 and 3 have free proximal ends 4 and 5. At the proximal free ends 4 and 5 the two clamping legs 2 and 3 are transformed into a preferably U-shaped or C-shaped connecting piece 6 which couples the clip legs in a hinge-like manner. It is noted in this context that the connecting piece includes crossing portions so that flexible compression of the U-shape or C-shape causes the two clip legs 2, 3 to be spaced apart (clip opening). It is also imaginable, however, to design the connecting piece without any crossing portions (in the way of forceps), wherein in that case the U-shape or C-shape would have to be elastically pulled apart so as to space the two clip legs 2, 3 apart from each other (clip opening).

[0063] The connecting piece 6 exhibits spring characteristics according to this embodiment. The two clamping legs 2 and 3 as well as the connecting piece 6 are formed integrally and preferably of the same material or are welded or soldered from different material elements. Preferably they are merging in a seamless manner. The connecting piece 6 consequently acts as an integral flexible beam 7 of the clip for coupling the two clip legs 2, 3 in a flexible hinge-like manner.

[0064] Furthermore, the connecting piece 6 includes in a longitudinal portion close to the second clip leg 3 an eyelet-type connecting area 8 which is provided by material thickening or material accumulation. In the connecting area 8 two (blind) holes 9 and 10 are provided which open on sides (vertical sides relative to the clamping surfaces) of the connecting piece 6 facing away from each other. It is pointed out in this context that the connecting area 8 need not necessarily be arranged on the connecting piece 6 but may alternatively be arranged on the proximal end of the second (or first) clip leg 3.

[0065] A surgical clip as described before belongs, with the exception of the connecting area, to the generally known state of the art as published in a plurality of documents. In this case, the clamping force of the clip is produced by the connecting piece 6 which simultaneously forms a (main) biasing spring. It is basically also possible, however, to couple the two clip legs in a hinge-type manner (via a pivot pin) and to mount the (main) biasing spring separately herefrom on the two clip legs. In this case, the (main) biasing spring exclusively has the function of producing a clamping force, whereas the pivotal coupling of the clip legs is effectuated separately herefrom by the pivot pin. This design, too, belongs per se to prior art and is known to those skilled in the art.

[0066] It is common to all of said designs, however, that the clamping force of the clip is generated by the (main) biasing spring.

[0067] In accordance with the invention, at least one further additional spring 13 arranged in parallel to the (main) biasing spring is provided for producing an additional clamping force which adds to the main clamping force due to the parallel arrangement. Said additional spring 13 is designed (according to the following description) such that it can be mounted on the connecting area 8.

[0068] For this purpose, the additional spring 13 is in the form of a yoke or frame comprising two longitudinal legs 15, 16 arranged substantially in parallel which at their distal ends are integrally connected by a cross leg. The yoke frame may preferably be plastically bent from a spring wire.

[0069] The longitudinal legs 15, 16 include, at the free proximal ends thereof, mounting journals 11 and 12 which are adapted to engage in the holes 9, 10 of the connecting area 8. The mounting journals 11 and 12 of the additional spring 13 are especially clearly visible in the FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 11 and 12. Accordingly, also the mounting journals 11, 12 are formed by bending the spring wire into stub-like wire extensions directed against each other, wherein the mounting journals may as well be provided in any other way such as welding or soldering, as a matter of course. Moreover, it is evident especially from FIG. 5 that the spring wire is not round in the present case but is polygonal, preferably quadrangular and the holes 9, 10 accordingly also have a quadrangular cross-section so that the (polygonal) mounting journals 11, 12 have to be inserted at a predetermined angular position relative to the clamping legs 2, 3 into the same in a rotationally fixed manner. Said angular position is selected so that the spring yoke 13 already in the initial position presses against the outer surface (side facing away from the clamping surface) of either of the clamping legs 2 and biases the same in addition to the (main) biasing spring 14 against the other clamping leg 3. While the connecting piece 6 thus acts as main spring 14, a backing force is applied to the clamping leg 2 by the additional spring 13. The closing force produced by the main spring 14 is thus supplemented and backed by an additional closing force.

[0070] As already explained in the foregoing, the additional force 13 substantially includes the two legs 15 and 16 at the proximal end of which facing the connecting area 8 the mounting journals 11 and 12 are formed. In the embodiment shown here the mounting journals have an angled cross-section, but they may as well have, as shown in FIG. 7, a cylindrical structure and thus a circular cross-section. At the end or middle portion of the additional spring 13 and, resp., of the longitudinal legs 15, 16 facing away from the connecting portion 8 a number of, presently preferably four, (cross) webs/bars 17 is provided at a longitudinal leg distance from each other, which webs additionally interconnect the longitudinal legs 15, 16 but are detachable from the additional spring 13 preferably without using any tools or by simple means. For this purpose, between the webs 17 and the two legs 15 and 16 a perforation or predetermined breaking point may be provided, which is only illustrated here in outlines. Also, a single perforation in the middle or close to the middle of the webs 17 is possible.

[0071] FIG. 2 illustrates the engagement of the angled mounting journals 11 and 12 in the holes 9 and 10 in the mounting area 8 of the connecting piece 6. As is also evident from FIG. 3, the transitions of the clamping legs 2 and 3 to the connecting piece 6 are directly juxtaposed in a crossing area 18. In FIG. 4 the webs 17 distributed equidistantly from each other between the two legs 15 and 16 of the additional spring 13 are clearly visible. The additional spring 13 shown in FIG. 5 is inserted in the holes 9, 10 in the enlarged embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

[0072] The mounting journals 11 and 12 are located at different heights. In other words, the two holes 9, 10 are not axially aligned with each other but are arranged to be offset at least transversely against the clamping legs 2, 3 (in the height direction of the clip). When, accordingly, the spring yoke is mounted in the holes 9, 10, the two longitudinal legs 15, 16 experience bending in opposite directions so that finally they are aligned to be warped.

[0073] In addition or alternatively to the afore-mentioned height distance of the two holes 9, 10, it is provided in the present case to design the longitudinal legs 15, 16 of the spring yoke 13 to have different lengths and furthermore to offset the two holes 9, 10 in the longitudinal direction of the clip corresponding to the lengthwise difference of the legs 15, 16. Both measures serve for causing elastic deformation (warping) of the spring yoke 13, when the spring yoke 13 is pivoted about the mounting journals 11, 12 thereof, due to the asymmetry of the yoke articulation, which results in a spring resetting force in the initial position of the spring yoke (according to FIG. 2).

[0074] Finally, on the surfaces of the clamping legs 2 and 3 facing each other a proximal step 19 is visible from which a specifically prepared surface structure such as corrugation extends in the direction of the distal end 4 and, resp., 5 of the clamping legs 2, 3.

[0075] The function of the additional spring 13 can be paraphrased as follows.

[0076] After mounting in the holes 9, 10 the described spring yoke 13 enters into pressing contact with a leg side facing away from the clamping surface of the one clamping leg 2 and biases the same against the other clamping leg 3. The clamping force in this case results from the offset of the two holes 9, 10 and the angular position at which the mounting journals 11, 12 have to be inserted in the holes 9, 10. If detachable webs 17 are arranged, for design reasons the spring yoke 13 with the web 17 which is closest to the holes 9, 10 and resp. the mounting journals 11, 12 abuts on the clamping leg 2. By detaching the respective closest web 17 the effective lever length of the spring yoke 13 may thus be varied and consequently the additional clamping force may be varied.

[0077] The variant of an additional spring 13 shown in FIG. 7 is formed of a round spring wire including no detachable webs 17. Such additional spring 13 including no webs 17 is adapted to be arranged, alternatively to the position of the connecting area 8 according to the afore-described embodiment, on a central portion 20 of the U-shaped or C-shaped bent connecting piece 6, as is shown in FIG. 8. When the curved shape of the connecting piece 6 is curved in the proximal direction, the central portion 20 thus has the maximum lengthwise distance from the clamping legs 2, 3 so that the yoke spring 13 is operatively engaged in the one clamping leg 2 only in a proximal end portion of the clamping legs 2, 3. Since in said central portion 20 the connecting piece 6 must have a material thickening for forming the connecting area 8, at the same time the maximally obtainable spring force of the connecting piece 6 acting as main biasing spring is increased.

[0078] Other than illustrated in FIG. 9, instead of a yoke-shaped additional spring 13 offering advantages for a regular load distribution, also a (full-surface) leaf spring may be used as additional spring, as it is shown in FIG. 10. The leaf spring 13 itself may be fully curved or bent once or several times along its longitudinal direction, for example configured in roof shape or L-shape or C-shape.

[0079] It is exactly with such leaf spring type additional springs that a fine adjustment of the spring force is possible by material removal, for example by the use of pre-perforations 21 as is shown in FIG. 12. Such additional spring 13 which then is freed from material in the area distant from the mounting journal may be used as a securing spring/torsion spring as is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Aneurysm clips of this type may also be used as so called “Müller clips”. They may then be used in a way similar to so called “alligator clamps” or “crocodile clips”.

[0080] In the clip shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 the clamping legs 2, 3 are held together merely via the yoke spring 13, with the yoke spring 13 fastened to the one clamping leg 2 encompassing the other clamping leg 3. The two clamping legs 2, 3 at their proximal ends include rolling surfaces 23, 24 facing each other which the clamping legs 2, 3 roll off when the free ends 4, 5 of the clamping legs 2, 3 are opened. At least one of the rolling surfaces 23 is formed on a cam-shaped portion of the one clamping leg 2. Due to the cam-shaped rolling surface(s) 23 the pivot point of the two legs 2, 3 varies upon opening and, resp., closing of the legs. During opening, the pivot point moves somewhat away from the free ends 4, 5 and, resp., from the contact point of the yoke spring 13 with the clamping leg 3 and, during closing, it moves somewhat toward the free ends 4, 5 and, resp., toward the contact point of the yoke spring 13. By reason of the displacement of the pivot point, the clamping force of the yoke spring 13 varies over the opening angle of the two clamping legs 2, 3. More exactly speaking, the absolute value or at least the gradient of the clamping force decreases with an increasing opening angle. The course of the clamping force can be adjusted via the cam shape and, resp., the shape of the rolling surfaces 23, 24.

[0081] The clamping legs 2, 3 are also guided somewhat laterally relative to each other via the yoke spring 13. However, for preventing the clamping legs 2, 3 which are basically held together loosely via the yoke spring 13 from laterally slipping down during opening or closing and rolling off the rolling surfaces 23, 24, the rolling surfaces 23, 24 may be appropriately designed, e.g. may include tongue and groove which cause lateral form closure between the two rolling surfaces 23, 24 of the clamping legs 2, 3.

[0082] A substantial advantage of the clip 1 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is the course of the clamping force variable via the opening angle while the components exhibit a very simple structure and are easy to mount.

[0083] Finally, FIGS. 15 to 17 illustrate different cross-sectional geometries for the connecting piece acting as a flexible bending beam 7 for precisely adjusting the spring characteristic of the main spring 14. Referring to FIG. 6, a longitudinal direction 22 is shown there. The sections of the FIGS. 15 and 17 are orthogonal to said longitudinal direction 22.

[0084] FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment which substantially differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 in that two identically configured additional springs 13′ and 13″ are provided, a first additional spring 13′ of which acts on the first clamping leg 2 and, resp., is resiliently biased against the latter and a second additional spring 13″ of which acts on the second clamping leg 3 and, resp., is resiliently biased against the same. The two additional springs 13′ and 13″ are arranged symmetrically to a central plane of the clip 1 and, resp., of the two clamping legs 2 and 3 and are also symmetrically linked to the center piece 6. Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the legs of each yoke spring 13′ and 13″ are of different length and the mounting journals 11′ and 12′ and, resp., 11″ and 12″ are fastened to a center piece 6 being offset against each other. Alternatively, the additional springs 13′ and 13″ can be linked, similar to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 6, to two connecting areas 8 provided on separate sides facing each other. For the rest, the description of the previous embodiments shall be referred to.

[0085] The embodiment according to FIG. 18 thus excels by the fact that two additional springs 13′ and 13″, more exactly speaking yoke springs, provided additionally to the main spring 14 and being arranged in parallel are provided. They act on both clamping legs 2, 3 from opposite sides/directions. By virtue of the use of two spring elements, especially by the symmetric arrangement thereof, a balanced equilibrium of forces and more uniform loading of the two clamping legs 2, 3 will be brought about than in the case of one spring element 13 acting on one clamping leg 2 only.

[0086] As a matter of course, other pairs of additional springs arranged in parallel which apply opposed spring forces or moments to the clamping legs 2, 3 may equally be applied.