Surgical Clip Having Comliant Portion

Abstract

A clip is provided that can be used for ligating tissue, such as vessels, other tubular ducts, and the like. The clip has opposed first and second leg members having proximal and distal ends. The proximal end of each leg member is connected by an apex. The clip has a compliant portion formed on the inner surface of at least one of the first and second leg members. The compliant portion can fill gaps left by springback of the clip after formation.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to surgical instruments and in particular to surgical clips and methods used for ligating vessels, other ducts, and the like.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]During many surgical procedures, the surgeon will have to close or ligate various blood vessels and other ducts before severing them in order to prevent excessive bleeding, and reduce the risk of other complications to the patient. One ligation technique is to tie a suture about the vessel to close the vessel. Alternatively, a surgeon can place a clip having a pair of legs connected at their proximal ends about the vessel, and urge or squeeze the legs together to close the vessel.[0003]One drawback associated with some current clips used for ligating vessels is that the legs of the clip may tend to separate to some extent following release from a clip applier. This phenomenon is called duck-billing. Duck-billing can result in insufficient ligation of a vessel, thus leadi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In another aspect, a ligation clip is provided having pair of opposed legs joined together at a proximal end by an apex. The opposed legs each can have a distal end and a knee portion disposed distal of the apex, and a raised area formed on an outer surface of each leg between the apex and the knee. The raised area is effective to share with the knee portions a load applied by a closing force such that the knee portions are subjected to less plastic deformation and retain some elasticity, wherein upon release of the closing force the distal ends of the clip remain in contact with one another.

[0013]In another aspect, a ligation clip is provided having a compliant portion on an inner surface of at least one leg. The compliant portion is more easily movable by tissue than the compressed legs of the ligation clip. The compliant portion may be formed of a polymer that is absorbable within a patient's body. The compliant portion can cover the inner surface of only the proximal portion of the leg, the inner surface of only a distal portion of the leg, or it can cover the inner surface of the entire length of the leg from the apex to the distal end. Th

Problems solved by technology

One drawback associated with some current clips used for ligating vessels is that the legs of the clip may tend to separate to some extent following release from a clip applier.

Duck-billing can result in insufficient ligation of a vessel, thus leading to e

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