Tissue spreading vascular clips with locking mechanism and non-slip clamping surfaces

Abstract

A surgical clip includes a pair of opposed arms joined at one end by an integrally formed flexible hinge. A male head element near the free end of one arm is configured to spread tissue when the male head element is urged towards a head mating element near the end of the opposite arm. The clamping side of an arm may include a protruding feature, such as a wedge shape elongated ridge, while the clamping side of the opposite arm includes a corresponding trough or aperture that receives the protruding feature. Clamping surfaces may include non-slip protrusions, such as ribs, ridges, cones or pins. An applicator holding feature, such as a boss, near the hinge prevents the clip from yawing and becoming askew during application. Rectangular alignment features are provided on the distal ends of the arms to maintain clip alignment during application.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This non-provisional US patent application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 053,684 filed by applicants on Oct. 15, 2013, which is related to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 713,597 filed on Oct. 14, 2012, and claims the benefit of that provisional application filing date.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to surgical clips, and, more particularly, to a biocompatible surgical clip with grooved clamping surfaces to prevent slipping, a tissue penetrating head lock mechanism, and a locking hinge portion to provide greater tension and security when clamping tissue between the two arms of the clip.BACKGROUND[0003]A wide number of surgical procedures employ surgical clips (i.e., ligation clips). Such surgical procedures may require vessels, organs or other tissues of the human body to be ligated. Surgical clips ligate, clamp, close off or otherwise occlude the engaged portion of the clamped vessels, o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Therefore, when the clip is closed / engaged around tissue (blood vessels, etc.), there are two irreversible locking features that allow the clip to maintain tension on the tissue—one at the distal end of the clip where the male head element engages the head mating element, and one at the proximal end with the ratchet feature at the hinge. The ratchet feature provides improved clamping force, and accommodates a wide range of tissue thickness within the clamped arms without comprising the integrity of the hinge strength.

[0019]An alternative clip design includes one arm (either a female arm or a male arm) having a pair of elongated arms or spars separated by a space or gap. The gap between the spars receives an elongated wedge-shaped ridge projecting from the clamping surface of the opposite arm, when the arms are in a closed position. The gap is wide enough to allow at least a portion of the ridge and clamped tissue or vessel to fit within the gap, thus preventing dislodgment of the clip during extreme pressure circumstances. In another embodiment, one arm includes a central window.

[0020]An exemplary clip includes a plurality of bosses, including a hinge boss, for gripping by an applicator and stabilizing during use. As used herein, a boss is a projection or protuberance that can be engaged by an applicator. The hinge boss is a grippable boss (i.e., a protrusion suitable for gripping) at or near the hinge. Gripping the hinge boss during use prevents undesirable angulation (angular disorientation) of the clip during use with an applicator. An alternative design to prevent undesired angulation of the clip during use with the applicator is to have rectangular-shaped bosses near the free end of each arm. Rectangular-shaped bosses maintain the alignment of the clip within the arms of the applicator while it is applied onto tissue, preventing the proximal end of the clip (the hinge region) from angulating out of the jaws of the applicator.

[0021]In one embodiment, the clip has a width of about 3.2 mm or more, as compared to about 1.6 mm for prior art polymer ligation clips. This extra width provides several advantages—it provides a greater clamping surface area between the clamp arms; it permits a relatively large, wide, and strong male head element feature to penetrate tissue; and it permits a relatively large diameter head mating element cross section with a larger aperture and retention area to secure the male feature.

Problems solved by technology

Suturing requires complex manipulations of the needle and suture material to form the knots required to secure the vessel.

Such complex manipulations are time-consuming and difficult to perform, particularly in endoscopic surgical procedures, which are characterized by limited space and visibility.

However, metal clips, which are radio-opaque, interfere with x-ray imaging.

Accurate planing and windowing manipulations are time-consuming and difficult to perform, particularly in endoscopic surgical procedures, which are characterized by limited space and visibility.

Furthermore, creating windows can cause extensive bleeding, leading to decreased visibility.

Second, the clips tend to slip as they are applied.

Slipping makes accurate placement extremely difficult.

Additionally, forces applied during slipping may cause the contact surfaces of the clamping arms to deviate from parallel.

In a worst case scenario, slipping may result in catastrophic dislodgment of the clip, resulting in excessive bleeding and increased mortality and morbidity.

Third, the clips are extremely difficult to remove.

Cutting through such a clip without damaging the clamped vessel or tissue is extremely difficult.

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