Clip assembly for vascular clamp applicator and vascular clamp

Abstract

This invention proposes a clamp assembly comprising a base and two arms. Each arm has a mounting groove. The mounting groove has a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first inclined bottom surface, a second inclined bottom surface, and a groove bottom surface. The first sidewall and the second sidewall are spaced apart from each other. One side of the first inclined bottom surface is connected to the first sidewall, and the other side extends towards the second sidewall. One side of the second inclined bottom surface is connected to the second sidewall, and the other side extends towards the first sidewall. The groove bottom surface is connected to the first and second inclined bottom surfaces on both sides, respectively. The first and second inclined bottom surfaces are inclined relative to the height direction of the mounting groove. By providing the first and second inclined bottom surfaces in the mounting groove, this invention ensures that the position of the vascular clamp's legs remains stable in the height direction during arm movement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a surgical instrument, and more particularly to the clamping nozzle assembly of a vascular clamp applicator. Prior Technology

[0002] A vascular clip is a medical device frequently used in surgery for ligation. It is used to ligate or bind blood vessels or other body tissues to prevent fluid flow or for fixation. During surgery, the surgeon uses an applicator to place the vascular clip in the body tissue. The applicator typically has a clamping nozzle assembly, and the vascular clip is positioned within the grooves of the clamping nozzle assembly.

[0003] Traditional vascular clips are formed by bending a thin strip with a rectangular cross-section. Generally, the width between the two side walls of the groove in a traditional clip assembly is the same as the height of the vascular clip. However, due to tolerances or thermal expansion and contraction, the vascular clip may be difficult to insert into the groove or difficult to detach from it. During surgery, this situation may result in the clipping device and the vascular clip being unable to separate after the surgeon has applied the clip to the patient. In the end, the stuck vascular clip must be removed and reapplied, which not only wastes time and the surgeon's energy but also adds risks to the surgical procedure.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, some manufacturers have widened the grooves in the clamping assembly to allow the vascular clamp to easily enter and exit the clamping assembly. However, this approach has introduced another problem, which is explained in detail below.

[0005] The method of using vascular clamps to ligate body tissue involves first positioning the tissue between its two arms, then aligning and clamping the arms onto the tissue. However, because the grooves in the clamping nozzles are widened, the vascular clamp has a degree of freedom in the vertical direction. This can lead to the two legs of the clamp not being on the same height plane during clamping, resulting in misalignment and clamping failure. Alternatively, asymmetrical clamping forces may cause the ends of the clamp's legs to flare outwards, forming what is commonly known as "scissor legs." Such vascular clamps could potentially scratch other body tissues during subsequent surgery or interfere with the surgeon's operation.

[0006] Therefore, it is clear that traditional clamp components and vascular clamps do need to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The main purpose of this invention is to propose a solution so that the two legs of the vascular clamp do not misalign or diverge after being clamped by the vascular clamp applicator, and that the vascular clamp can be easily removed from the vascular clamp applicator after clamping.

[0008] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, this invention provides a clamping nozzle assembly for a vascular clamp applicator, the clamping nozzle assembly comprising: A base and two arms, the two arms being connected to the base and spaced apart from each other and arranged side by side, the two arms being movable relative to each other; each arm having: A recessed groove is formed on the side of the support arm facing the other support arm; the recessed groove has: A first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall being spaced apart from each other and facing each other; A first sloping bottom surface, one side of which is connected to the first sidewall, and the other side extends toward the second sidewall; A second sloping bottom surface, one side of which is connected to the second sidewall, and the other side extends toward the first sidewall; and A groove bottom surface, with its two sides respectively connected to the first inclined bottom surface and the second inclined bottom surface; The groove has a height direction, and the width direction of the first inclined bottom surface is inclined relative to the height direction and has a first included angle, and the width direction of the second inclined bottom surface is inclined relative to the height direction and has a second included angle.

[0009] To achieve the aforementioned objective, this invention also proposes a vascular clamp that can be disposed in the clamping mouth assembly as described above. The vascular clamp has two legs and a connecting portion connecting the two legs; each leg has: An inner side and an outer side are respectively located on opposite sides of the support leg, with the inner side facing the other support leg; A top surface, which connects the inner side surface and the outer side surface; and A lower top surface connects the inner side surface and the outer side surface, and the lower top surface and the upper top surface are located on opposite sides; When the blood vessel clamp is installed on the clamping nozzle assembly, the connection between the upper top surface and the outer side surface abuts against the first inclined bottom surface; and the connection between the lower top surface and the outer side surface abuts against the second inclined bottom surface.

[0010] Therefore, the advantage of this invention lies in the fact that the first and second inclined bottom surfaces are provided in the groove, so that the position of the vascular clamp's legs in the height direction can be maintained without deviation when the support arm moves. Furthermore, the vascular clamp's legs can be further configured so that the connection between the outer side and the upper and lower top surfaces abuts against the first and second inclined bottom surfaces, thus maintaining the position of the vascular clamp's legs in the height direction without deviation when the support arm moves.

[0011] As described above, in the clamping assembly, the width of the first inclined bottom surface is greater than or equal to the width of the second inclined bottom surface.

[0012] As described above, the first included angle is between 20 degrees and 50 degrees and / or the second included angle is between 20 degrees and 50 degrees.

[0013] As described above, in the clamping assembly, the distance between the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the mounting slot of each arm gradually increases toward the other arm.

[0014] As described above, the mounting slot of each of the arms further has a lateral direction, wherein the angle between the width direction of the first sidewall and the lateral direction is between 2 degrees and 10 degrees, and / or the angle between the width direction of the second sidewall and the lateral direction is between 2 degrees and 10 degrees.

[0015] As described above, in the clamping assembly, the mounting groove of each arm has an extending direction, and the mounting groove extends through the arm along the extending direction.

[0016] As described above, in the clamping assembly, the mounting groove of each arm has an extending direction, each arm has a first end and a second end opposite to each other in the extending direction, and the second end is located between the base and the first end. The first end has an opening and the second end is closed, and the opening of the first end is in communication with the mounting groove.

[0017] As described above, the vascular clamp has a lower top surface that protrudes away from the upper top surface.

[0018] As described above, the vascular clamp has a convex arc surface on its lower top surface. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0019] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the clamping assembly of this invention, which is disposed in a portion of a continuously firing vascular clamp applicator. Figure 2 is a three-dimensional appearance schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the clamping mouth assembly of the present invention, wherein a blood vessel clamp is disposed on the clamping mouth assembly. Figure 3 is a front view of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a partially enlarged three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the clamping assembly of this invention, showing the sliding wedge. Figure 5 is a partially enlarged three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the clamping assembly of this invention from another perspective, showing the setting part. Figure 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the first embodiment of the clamping assembly of this invention, showing the setting part from another angle. Figure 7 is a front view of the first embodiment of the clamping assembly of this invention. Figure 8 is an enlarged schematic diagram of one of the arms in Figure 7. Figure 9 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of Figure 3. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the clamp in the mouthpiece assembly of this invention, which is a continuous-fire vascular clamp applicator. Figure 11 is a three-dimensional view of the second embodiment of the clamping assembly of this invention, disposed in a single-shot vascular clamp applicator. Figure 12 is a three-dimensional appearance schematic diagram of one embodiment of the vascular clamp of this invention. Figure 13 is a front view of Figure 12. Implementation

[0020] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2 first. This invention proposes a first embodiment of a clamping nozzle assembly 10 for use in a vascular clamp applicator.

[0021] The clamp assembly 10 includes a base 11 and two arms 12 connected to the base 11. The base 11 is used to connect to other components of the vascular clamp applicator (not shown in the figure), and its form can be adjusted according to the actual connection method, and is not limited to what is shown in this embodiment.

[0022] Two arms 12 are arranged side by side and spaced apart from each other, and the two arms 12 are movable relative to each other. Specifically, each arm 12 is connected to the base 11 at one end, and the other end extends away from the base 11. The end of each arm 12 away from the base 11 can approach or move away from the other arm 12, thereby enabling the clamping assembly 10 to clamp a vascular clamp 20 disposed between the two arms 12 and further deform the vascular clamp 20.

[0023] Please refer to Figures 2 to 6. Each arm 12 has a recessed groove 122, which is formed on the side of the arm 12 facing the other arm 12. The vascular clamp 20 can be clamped by the recessed grooves 122 of the two arms 12. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the recessed grooves 122 of each arm 12 have a mutually perpendicular extending direction E1, a height direction H, and a transverse direction L. The recessed groove 122 extends through the arm along the extending direction E1. The end of the recessed groove 122 facing the base 11 is inclined away from the other arm 12 in the transverse direction L, thereby forming a larger opening to facilitate the entry of the vascular clamp 20, but this is not a limitation.

[0024] Please refer to Figures 5 to 9. Specifically, in this embodiment, each arm 12 protrudes at the end away from the base 11 in the height direction H to form a setting part 121, and the setting groove 122 is recessed in the setting part 121 in the lateral direction L and penetrates the setting part 121 in the extension direction E1, but is not limited thereto.

[0025] The groove 122 has a first side wall 1221, a second side wall 1222, a first inclined bottom surface 1223, a second inclined bottom surface 1224, and a groove bottom surface 1225.

[0026] The first sidewall 1221 and the second sidewall 1222 are spaced apart from each other and face each other. In this embodiment, the distance between the first sidewall 1221 and the second sidewall 1222 of the mounting groove 122 of each arm 12 gradually increases in the direction toward the other arm 12, thereby facilitating the entry or exit of the vascular clamp 20 into or out of the mounting groove 122, but not limited thereto.

[0027] The lateral direction L is approximately perpendicular to the height direction H. The angle between the width direction W1 of the first side wall 1221 and the lateral direction L is between 2 degrees and 10 degrees, and the angle between the width direction W2 of the second side wall 1222 and the lateral direction L is between 2 degrees and 10 degrees. However, this is not a limitation. It is possible that only the angle between the width direction W1 of the first side wall 1221 and the lateral direction L is between 2 degrees and 10 degrees, or only the angle between the width direction W2 of the second side wall 1222 and the lateral direction L is between 2 degrees and 10 degrees.

[0028] One side of the first inclined bottom surface 1223 is connected to the first side wall 1221, and the other side extends toward the second side wall 1222; similarly, one side of the second inclined bottom surface 1224 is connected to the second side wall 1222, and the other side extends toward the first side wall 1221. In this embodiment, the width of the first inclined bottom surface 1223 is greater than or equal to the width of the second inclined bottom surface 1224, but is not limited thereto.

[0029] Specifically, the width direction W3 of the first inclined bottom surface 1223 is inclined relative to the height direction H, and a first included angle C1 is formed between the width direction W3 and the height direction H; similarly, the width direction W4 of the second inclined bottom surface 1224 is inclined relative to the height direction H, and a second included angle C2 is formed between the width direction W4 and the height direction H. In this embodiment, the first included angle C1 is between 20 degrees and 50 degrees, and the second included angle C2 is between 20 degrees and 50 degrees, but this is not a limitation. It is possible that only the first included angle C1 is between 20 degrees and 50 degrees, or only the second included angle C2 is between 20 degrees and 50 degrees.

[0030] The bottom surface 1225 of the groove is connected to the first inclined bottom surface 1223 and the second inclined bottom surface 1224 on both sides. In this embodiment, the width direction W5 and the height direction H of the bottom surface 1225 of the groove are parallel to each other, but are not limited thereto.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, in this embodiment, each of the two arms 12 can protrude to form a sliding wedge 123, which is used to slide and engage with a clamping block 90. ​​The clamping block 90 can drive the two arms 12 to approach or move away from each other. In this embodiment, the sliding wedge 123 and the setting part 121 are located on opposite sides of the arms 12, but this is not a limitation.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 10, the first embodiment of the clamping assembly 10 of this invention can be used in a multi-shot vascular clamp applicator. The vascular clamp 20 can move from one end of the setting groove 122 near the base 11 along the extension direction E1 of the setting groove 122 into the setting groove 122, but is not limited thereto.

[0033] Please refer to Figure 11, which shows a second embodiment of the clamping assembly 10A of this invention. It is largely the same as the first embodiment, with the major difference being that the support arm 12A in the second embodiment does not have a mounting portion. Instead, each support arm 12A has a first end 124A and a second end 125A in the extending direction E2 of the mounting groove 122A. The second end 125A is located between the base 11A and the first end 124A. The first end 124A has an opening 1241A, while the second end 125A is closed. The opening 1241A of the first end 124A is in communication with the mounting groove 122A.

[0034] The clamp assembly 10A of the second embodiment can be used for a single-shot vascular clamp applicator, wherein the single-shot vascular clamp applicator is not limited to the type shown in this embodiment (minimally invasive gun type), for example, it can also be a scissor type single-shot vascular clamp applicator; the vascular clamp can enter the setting groove 122A through the opening 1241A of the first end 124A of the support arm 12A, thereby setting the vascular clamp on the two supports 12A.

[0035] Next, please refer to Figures 3, 9, 12 and 13. The vascular clamp 20 proposed in this invention can be fitted into the clamping nozzle assembly 10 as described above. The vascular clamp 20 has two legs 21 and a connecting part 22, and the connecting part 22 is connected between the two legs 21.

[0036] In this embodiment, the two legs 21 and the connecting part 22 can be integrally formed from a long strip of metal wire. The connecting part 22 is connected to one end of the two legs 21 and bent, thereby forming a U-shape for the blood vessel clamp 20 as a whole, but it is not limited to this.

[0037] Each leg 21 has an inner side 211, an outer side 212, an upper top surface 213, and a lower top surface 214. The inner side 211 and the outer side 212 are located on opposite inner and outer sides of the leg 21, with the inner side 211 facing the other leg 21. The upper top surface 213 and the lower top surface 214 are connected between the inner side 211 and the outer side 212, and are also located on opposite upper and lower sides of the leg 21.

[0038] In this embodiment, the lower top surface 214 protrudes away from the upper top surface 213 and forms a convex arc surface. Similarly, the upper top surface 213 protrudes away from the lower top surface 214 and forms a convex arc surface. However, this is not a limitation, and the forms of the upper top surface 213 and the lower top surface 214 can be adjusted as needed.

[0039] Please refer to Figures 3 and 8 together. In this embodiment, the minimum distance between the first sidewall 1221 and the second sidewall 1222 of the groove 122 can be greater than the maximum distance between the upper top surface 213 and the lower top surface 214 of the vascular clamp 20, but is not limited thereto. When the vascular clamp 20 is disposed on the clamping nozzle assembly 10, the connection between the upper top surface 213 and the outer side surface 212 abuts against the first inclined bottom surface 1223, and the connection between the lower top surface 214 and the outer side surface 212 abuts against the second inclined bottom surface 1224.

[0040] Specifically, please refer to Figures 3 and 9. When the vascular clamp 20 is placed on the clamping assembly 10, since the upper top surface 213 of the leg 21 of the vascular clamp 20 is spaced from the first side wall 1221 of the setting groove 122, and the upper top surface 213 and lower top surface 214 of the leg 21 of the vascular clamp 20 in this embodiment are convex arc surfaces; in short, the width of the setting groove 122 is slightly greater than the height of the leg 21 and the angle of the edge of the surface of the leg 21 is large, therefore, when the two arms 12 of the clamping assembly 10 approach each other and clamp and deform the vascular clamp 20, the leg 21 of the vascular clamp 20 can smoothly slide along the first side wall 1221 and the second side wall 1222 to the connection between the upper top surface 213 and the outer side surface 212 and abut against the first inclined bottom surface 1223, and the connection between the lower top surface 214 and the outer side surface 212 abuts against the second inclined bottom surface 1224.

[0041] Since the first inclined bottom surface 1223 and the second inclined bottom surface 1224 are inclined relative to the height direction H, when the support arm 12 pushes the support leg 21 of the blood vessel clamp 20 in the direction of the other support arm 12, the position of the outer side surface 212 of the support leg 21 abutting against the first inclined bottom surface 1223 and the second inclined bottom surface 1224 at the connection point with the upper top surface 213 and the lower top surface 214 can be fixed.

[0042] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the width of the first inclined bottom surface 1223 is greater than the width of the second inclined bottom surface 1224, and the lower top surface 214 of the support leg 21 abuts against the second side wall surface 1222, thereby fixing the position of the support leg 21 relative to the support arm 12 in the height direction H without displacement. In addition, in this embodiment, the structures of the two arms 12 of the clamping assembly 10 are symmetrical, so that the mounting slots 122 of the two arms 12 are in the same position in the height direction H. Therefore, the two legs 21 can remain closed on the same height plane without misalignment or separation that could cause scissor-like feet.

[0043] Finally, after the two legs 21 of the vascular clamp 20 are clamped and closed, the two arms 12 of the clamping nozzle assembly 10 separate from each other. Since the distance between the first side wall 1221 and the second side wall 1222 gradually expands towards the other arm 12, the vascular clamp 20 can be smoothly released without getting stuck in the setting groove 122.

[0044] The clamping assembly 10 of this invention can be used to apply the vascular clamp 20 of this invention, but is not limited thereto. The clamping assembly 10 of this invention can also apply other types of vascular clamps, such as vascular clamps with elliptical, circular, or rectangular leg cross-sectional shapes.

[0045] In this invention, the upper top surface 213 and lower top surface 214 of the vascular clamp 20's legs 21 can be convex arc surfaces, thereby making it easier for the legs 21 to enter or leave the mounting slot 122 without getting stuck or obstructed. In addition, when the lower top surface 214 is convex arc surface, when the legs 21 are located in the mounting slot 122 and the connection between the outer side surface 212 and the upper top surface 213 and the lower top surface 214 abuts against the first inclined bottom surface 1223 and the second inclined bottom surface 1224, the lower top surface 214 can abut against the second side wall surface 1222. Therefore, the legs 21 can be supported by at least three directions, fixing the position of the legs 21 relative to the mounting slot 122 without shifting. Thus, when the two arms 12 of the clamping assembly 10 of this invention approach each other to clamp the vascular clamp 20, the two legs 21 can be kept on the same height plane, avoiding misalignment or deviation that would cause scissor-like legs.

[0046] In summary, the advantages of this invention are that a first inclined bottom surface 1223 and a second inclined bottom surface 1224 are provided in the setting groove 122, and the support leg 21 of the vascular clamp 20 can be matched with it. The connection between the outer side surface 212 and the upper top surface 213 and the lower top surface 214 abuts against the first inclined bottom surface 1223 and the second inclined bottom surface 1224, so that the support leg 21 of the vascular clamp 20 can maintain its position in the height direction H without shifting when the support arm 12 moves. In addition, the lower top surface 214 of the support leg 21, which has a convex arc shape, can abut against the second side wall surface 1222, thereby providing support from at least three directions to the support leg 21, so that the position of the support leg 21 can be maintained on the same height surface during the clamping process. In this way, the clamping nozzle assembly 10 of this invention can keep the support leg 21 of the vascular clamp 20 on the same height surface during the clamping and closing process of the clamping nozzle assembly 10 without misalignment or separation, reducing the risk of damage to the patient's body tissue and improving the safety of the operation. Furthermore, the width of the first inclined bottom surface 1223 is greater than the width of the second inclined bottom surface 1224, so that the support leg 21 will not be stably in a position where it simultaneously abuts against the first inclined bottom surface 1223 and the first side wall surface 1221, but will tend to move towards the second side wall surface 1222. The configuration of the setting groove 122 and the configuration of the support leg 21 of the vascular clamp 20 can also facilitate the smooth entry and exit of the support leg 21 of the vascular clamp 20 into and out of the setting groove 122, reducing the occurrence of jamming or unsmooth clamping.

[0047] 10,10A: Grip assembly 11,11A: Base 12, 12A: Outrigger 121: Setting Department 122, 122A: Setting slots 1221: First side wall 1222: Second side wall 1223: First sloping bottom surface 1224: Second sloping bottom surface 1225: Bottom surface of the groove 123: Sliding wedge 124A: First end 1241A: Opening 125A: Second end 20: Vascular clamp 21: Support leg 211: Inner side 212: Outer side 213: Top surface 214: Bottom Top Surface 22: Connecting part 90: Clamping block C1: First included angle C2: Second included angle E1, E2: Extension direction H: Height direction L: Lateral direction W1: Width direction W2: Width direction W3: Width direction W4: Width direction W5: Width direction

Claims

1. A clamping nozzle assembly for a vascular clamp applicator, the clamping nozzle assembly comprising: a base and two arms connected to the base and spaced apart from each other and arranged side-by-side, the two arms being movable relative to each other; each arm having: a recessed groove formed on the side of the arm facing the other arm; the groove having: a first sidewall and a second sidewall, the first sidewall and the second sidewall being spaced apart from each other and facing each other; a first inclined bottom surface, one side of which is connected to the first sidewall and the other side of which extends toward the second sidewall; a second inclined bottom surface, one side of which is connected to the second sidewall and the other side of which extends toward the first sidewall; and a groove bottom surface, the two sides of which are respectively connected to the first inclined bottom surface and the second inclined bottom surface; wherein, The mounting slot has a height direction, and the width direction of the first inclined bottom surface is inclined relative to the height direction and has a first included angle, and the width direction of the second inclined bottom surface is inclined relative to the height direction and has a second included angle.

2. The clamping assembly as described in claim 1, wherein, The width of the first sloping base is greater than or equal to the width of the second sloping base.

3. The clamping assembly as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first included angle is between 20 degrees and 50 degrees and / or the second included angle is between 20 degrees and 50 degrees.

4. The clamping assembly as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The distance between the first side wall and the second side wall of the mounting slot of each arm gradually increases toward the other arm.

5. The clamping assembly as described in claim 4, wherein the mounting slot of each of the arms further has a lateral direction, wherein: The angle between the width direction of the first sidewall and the lateral direction is between 2 degrees and 10 degrees, and / or the angle between the width direction of the second sidewall and the lateral direction is between 2 degrees and 10 degrees.

6. The clamping assembly as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The mounting slot of each arm has an extending direction, and the mounting slot extends through the arm along the extending direction.

7. The clamping assembly as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, Each of the support arms has an extending direction in the mounting groove, and each support arm has a first end and a second end opposite to each other in the extending direction. The second end is located between the base and the first end. The first end has an opening and the second end is closed. The opening of the first end is in communication with the mounting groove.

8. A vascular clamp, which can be disposed in a clamping assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, the vascular clamp having two legs and a connecting portion connected between the two legs; each leg having: an inner side and an outer side, the inner side and the outer side being located on opposite sides of the leg, and the inner side facing the other leg; an upper top surface connected to the inner side and the outer side; and a lower top surface connected to the inner side and the outer side, and the lower top surface and the upper top surface being located on opposite sides; wherein, When the blood vessel clamp is installed on the clamping nozzle assembly, the connection between the upper top surface and the outer side surface abuts against the first inclined bottom surface; and the connection between the lower top surface and the outer side surface abuts against the second inclined bottom surface.

9. The vascular clamp as described in claim 8, wherein, The lower top surface protrudes away from the upper top surface.

10. The vascular clip as described in claim 9, wherein, The bottom surface is a convex arc surface.

Images