Apparatus and method for removing a clip

Abstract

An endoscopic apparatus comprises a pair of jaws pivotably connected to each other and movable between an open position and a closed position. The jaws comprise respective opposing gripper portions. Each gripper portion comprises a distal end, a proximal end, and an inside surface extending between the distal and proximal ends. At the closed position, the inside surfaces define a jaw gap therebetween. At least a portion of the jaw gap increases in distance along a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end. An actuating mechanism communicates with the jaws for moving the jaws between the open and closed position. In a surgical procedure in which a clip such as a hemostatic clip has been latched around a blood vessel or other tissue, the apparatus can be used to compress the clip and consequently unlatch the clip, thereby releasing the clip from the vessel. Thereafter, the apparatus can be rotated. After rotation, the apparatus can be used to grasp the clip and subsequently remove the clip from the surgical site.

1 . An endoscopic apparatus for unlatching a clip, comprising: 
 (a) first and second jaws pivotably connected to each other and movable between an open position and a closed position, the first and second jaws comprising respective opposing first and second gripper portions, each gripper portion comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and an inside surface extending between the distal and proximal ends wherein, at the closed position, the inside surfaces define a jaw gap therebetween, and at least a portion of the jaw gap increases in distance along a direction from the distal ends toward the proximal ends; and    (b) an actuating mechanism communicating with the first and second jaws for moving the jaws between the open and closed positions.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the inside surface of each gripper portion comprises a frictional section disposed near the proximal end of the respective gripper portion, and a smooth section distally adjacent to the frictional section.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein each frictional section comprises a plurality of serrations.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein each smooth section is polished.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein, at the closed position of the first and second jaws, the respective inside surfaces of gripper portions do not contact each other.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the inside surface of each gripper portion comprises a first frictional section disposed near the distal end of the respective gripper portion, a second frictional section disposed near the proximal end of the respective gripper portion, and a smooth section between the first and second frictional sections.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the distance of the jaw gap increases from approximately 0.020 to approximately 0.075 inches.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  comprising an elongate member interconnecting the jaws and the actuating mechanism and actuatable by the actuating mechanism.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8  comprising a sleeve coaxially disposed about the elongate member.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the sleeve is connected to the jaws and is rotatable about the elongate member, and wherein rotation of the sleeve causes rotation of the jaws.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the sleeve comprises a fluid outlet disposed near the jaws, a fluid inlet axially spaced from the fluid outlet, and an annular fluid passage defined between the sleeve and the elongate member and communicating with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11  comprising a knob attached to the sleeve and rotatable therewith, the knob defining the fluid inlet.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the actuating mechanism comprises an actuator pin extending through the first and second jaws, the actuator pin movable between a distal position corresponding to the open position of the first and second jaws and a proximal position corresponding to the closed position of the first and second jaws.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein each jaw comprises a base portion adjacent to its respective gripper portion, each base portion comprises a slot, and the pin actuator extends through each slot.  
   
   
       15 . An endoscopic apparatus for unlatching a clip, comprising: 
 (a) a pair of pivotably connected jaws movable between an open position and a closed position and comprising respective opposing distal ends, proximal ends and inside surfaces, each inside surface including a proximal rough section and a smooth section distally adjacent to the proximal rough section, wherein, at the closed position, a jaw gap defined between the inside surfaces increases in distance in a direction from the distal ends toward the proximal ends;    (b) an axially movable actuator pin extending through the jaws, wherein axial movement of the actuator pin causes rotational movement of the jaws between the open and closed positions; and    (c) a recriprocable rod connected to the actuator pin.    
   
   
       16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein, at the closed position, the jaw gap exists between the respective distal ends of the jaws.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein, at the closed position, the jaw gap between the respective distal ends of the jaws is between approximately 0.020 and approximately 0.075 inches in distance.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein each proximal rough section comprises a plurality of serrations.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein each smooth section is polished.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  wherein each inside surface includes a distal rough section, and each corresponding smooth section is disposed between the corresponding distal rough section and proximal rough section.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus according to  claim 15  comprising a rotatable sleeve generally coaxially disposed about the rod and coupled to the jaws, wherein rotation of the sleeve causes rotation of the jaws about an axis generally collinear with the rod.  
   
   
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