Surgical clip and surgical method for treating an aneurysm

Abstract

The present invention relates to a surgical clip comprising a first arm and a second arm, the first and second arms having first and second clamping surfaces facing each other, and the first and second arms being mounted for movement relative to each other, and further comprising a distance retaining device for keeping the first and second arms permanently spaced from each other. The present invention also relates to a surgical method for treating an aneurysm, the method comprising: applying a surgical clip to the aneurysm, the clip comprising a first arm and a second arm, aid first and second arms having first and second clamping surfaces facing each other for clamping the aneurysm therebetween, the first and second arms being mounted for movement relative to each other, and the first and second arms being kept permanently spaced from each other, wherein the aneurysm is clamped between the arms kept permanently spaced from each other.

1 . A surgical clip comprising a first arm and a second arm, said first and second arms having first and second clamping surfaces facing each other, and said first and second arms being mounted for movement relative to each other, and further comprising a distance retaining device for keeping said first and second arms permanently spaced from each other. 
     
     
         2 . The surgical clip of  claim 1 , wherein said distance retaining device is designed such that in a basic position in which no extraneous forces are acting on the clip, said first and second arms are spaced from each other. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical clip of  claim 1 , further comprising a restoring device, wherein said restoring device is arranged and constructed such that said first and second arms are movable away from each other against a restoring force exerted by said restoring device. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical clip of  claim 2 , further comprising a restoring device, wherein said restoring device is arranged and constructed such that said first and second arms are movable from the basic position to a spread out position in which said first and second arms are spaced further apart from each other than in the basic position against the restoring force exerted by said restoring device. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical clip of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second connecting sections connected to said first and second arms, wherein said first connecting section penetrates said second connecting section. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical clip of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second arms are pivotable about a pivot axis. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical clip of  claim 1 , wherein said clip comprises first and second clip parts, said first clip part comprising said first arm and said second clip part comprising said second arm. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical clip of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking device for locking said first and second arms in a position relative to each other. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical clip of  claim 8 , wherein said locking device is designed such that said first and second arms are movable only from a spread out position to a clamping position, said first and second arms being spaced further from each other in said spread out position than in said clamping position, and said clamping position defining said basic position. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical clip of  claim 8 , wherein said locking device comprises locking elements arranged on at least one of said first and second arms, said locking elements engaging in a locking position in order to define said clamping position. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical clip of  claim 1 , wherein in the basic position said first and second clamping surfaces extend parallel to each other. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical clip of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second arms are curved. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical clip of  claim 1 , further comprising a stop device for limiting movement of said first and second arms towards each other. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical clip of  claim 1 , further comprising a stop device for limiting movement of said first and second arms away from each other. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical clip of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second clamping elements arranged on said first and second clamping surfaces. 
     
     
         16 . A surgical method for treating an aneurysm, said method comprising:
 applying a surgical clip to the aneurysm, said clip comprising a first arm and a second arm, said first and second arms having first and second clamping surfaces facing each other for clamping the aneurysm therebetween, said first and second arms being mounted for movement relative to each other, and said first and second arms being kept permanently spaced from each other, wherein the aneurysm is clamped between said arms kept permanently spaced from each other.   
     
     
         17 . The surgical method of  claim 16 , wherein said clip is applied to one of a wider-necked, atheromatous, thrombotic, and previously coiled intracranial aneurysm. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical method of  claim 16 , wherein a microdissection is carried out in the region of the aneurysm and the necessary distance between said first and second arms in a closed position of said clip is estimated or measured. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical method of  claim 16 , wherein said clip is inserted into the patient's body through an access provided therefor. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical method of  claim 16 , wherein said clip is allowed to close gradually. 
     
     
         21 . The surgical method of  claim 16 , wherein said clip is allowed to compress an aneurysm wall against one of atheroma, thrombus and coils, and then against the opposite aneurysm wall. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical method of  claim 16 , wherein said first and second arms are moved away from each other against a restoring force exerted by said clip. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical method of  claim 16 , wherein said first and second arms are locked in a clamping position relative to each other. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical method of  claim 16 , wherein said first and second arms are curved. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical method of  claim 16 , wherein first and second clamping elements are arranged on said first and second clamping surfaces.