Surgical clip and deployment system

Abstract

A system for compressing body tissue including a clip having first and second tissue contacting surfaces. The clip is movable from a closed position to an open position wherein the clip receives tissue between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces to compress tissue between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces. A clip deployment device has a first clip engagement member and a second clip engagement member engageable with the clip, the first and second clip engagement members movable between first and second positions to controllably move the clip from the closed position to the open position.

1 . A system for compressing body tissue comprising:
 a) a surgical clip, the clip having a first tissue contacting surface and a second tissue contacting surface, the clip movable from a closed position to an open position, in the open position the clip receives tissue between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces and in the closed position the clip compresses tissue between the first and second tissue contacting surfaces; and   b) a clip deployment device having a first clip engagement member and a second clip engagement member engageable with the clip, the first and second clip engagement members movable between first and second positions to controllably move the clip from the closed position to the open position.   
     
     
         2 - 55 . (canceled)