Surgical compression clips

Abstract

A surgical clip assembly which includes a pair of generally linear compression elements for securing tissue between them and for applying to the secured tissue a compression force. The clip assembly has an initial, open position in which the linear compression elements may be positioned about tissue to be secured between them. The assembly also has a final, closed position where the compression elements are substantially parallel to each other, applying a compressive force to the secured tissue. The clip assembly also includes a force means disposed between the pair of compression elements and operative to transmit operational forces between them.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A surgical clip assembly ( 70 ) which comprises:
 a pair of generally linear compression elements ( 72 ,  74 ) for securing tissue therebetween and for applying to the secured tissue a compression force, each compression element having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein said clip assembly has an initial, open position in which said linear compression elements may be positioned about tissue to be secured therebetween, and a final, closed position whereat said compression elements are substantially parallel to each other, thereby to apply a compressive force to the secured tissue; and   a first and second force means ( 86 ,  80 ) said first force mean being an active hinge member ( 86 ) disposed between, and in mechanical communication with, said first end portions of said pair of compression elements ( 72 ,  74 ) and operative to transmit operational forces therebetween,   wherein when said clip assembly ( 70 ) is in its open position, said linear compression elements ( 72 ,  74 ) form a jaw-like arrangement with said second end portions of said linear compression elements ( 72 ,  74 ) spaced apart so as to permit positioning of said compression elements ( 72 ,  74 ) about tissue to be secured therebetween.   
     
     
         33 . A surgical clip assembly ( 70 ) according to  claim 32  wherein said second force means ( 80 ) is a selectably movable latch member ( 80 ) positioned within a first of said two compression elements ( 74 ) selectably movable to engage an engagement means ( 182 ) on said second compression element ( 72 ). 
     
     
         34 . A surgical clip assembly ( 70 ) according to  claim 33 , wherein said selectably movable latch member ( 80 ) positioned within a first of said two compression elements ( 74 ) extends past its second end portion, said engagement means ( 182 ) positioned on said second end portion of said second compression element ( 72 ) engages and holds said latch member ( 80 ) in force producing engagement when said pair of compression elements ( 72 ,  74 ) are brought close to each other. 
     
     
         35 . A surgical clip assembly ( 70 ) according to  claim 33 , further including a wire ( 90 ) extending between said second end portion of each of said two compression elements ( 72 ,  74 ), said wire ( 90 ) releasably connected to said latch member ( 80 ) said wire operative to prevent tissue to be compressed from moving out from between said pair of compression elements ( 72 ,  74 ) while said assembly ( 70 ) is brought to its closed position. 
     
     
         36 . A surgical clip assembly ( 70 ) according to  claim 35  wherein said wire having an extension extending via said second end portion of said second compression element ( 72 ) through said first compression element ( 74 ), said extension operative to draw said wire ( 90 ) taut when tissue is positioned between said two compression elements, said taut wire ( 90 ) thereby preventing the tissue from moving out from between said pair of compression elements ( 72 ,  74 ) while said clip assembly ( 70 ) is brought to its closed position. 
     
     
         37 . A surgical clip assembly ( 70 ) according to  claim 32 , wherein at least one of said two force means ( 86 ,  80 ) is formed of a shape memory material. 
     
     
         38 . A surgical clip assembly according to  claim 32 , wherein said active hinge member ( 86 ) is fixably connected to said first end portions of said linear compression elements. 
     
     
         39 . A surgical clip assembly ( 70 ) according to  claim 32 , said clip assembly ( 70 ) for use with a clip applier ( 105 ) having an attachment element ( 93 ), said clip assembly ( 70 ) further comprising at least one receiving structure ( 95 ) sized and configured to disengageably receive the attachment element ( 93 ) of the clip applier ( 105 ), the clip applier exerting a force counter to the force exerted by said active hinge member ( 86 ) and operable for bringing the clip assembly from its closed position to its open position or vice versa. 
     
     
         40 . A surgical clip assembly ( 70 ) according to  claim 32 , wherein said two force means ( 86 ,  80 ) are non-unitary with said pair of linear compression elements ( 86 ,  80 ). 
     
     
         41 . A surgical clip assembly ( 70 ) according to  claim 32  further including a restrictor element ( 94 ) extending from said first end portion of one of said compression elements thereby preventing tissue from entering the region occupied by said active hinge member.