clip applier

Abstract

A clip applier configured to apply a surgical clip. The clip applier can include a first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein the first jaw member is configured to pivot between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The clip applier can also include a first leaf spring configured to bias the first jaw member into the open configuration and a tubular member configured to be advanced over the first jaw member to cam actuate the first jaw member into the closed configuration against the bias of the first leaf spring. The clip applier can further include a second leaf spring configured to bias the second jaw member into the open configuration and a tubular member configured to be advanced over the second jaw member to cam actuate the second jaw member into the closed configuration against the bias of the second leaf spring.

Description

[0001] Priority

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 906,585 (filing date September 26, 2019), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates generally to clip appliers, and more particularly to clip appliers having improved actuation mechanisms and / or stabilizing members configured to stabilize surgical clips. BACKGROUND

[0004] Ligation of tissue (e.g., blood vessels, lymph nodes, nerves, fallopian tubes, and cardiac tissue) is a common practice in many surgical procedures. This practice is carried out in particular ways, such as by closing a blood vessel with a surgical clip or by suturing a blood vessel with a surgical suture. The use of surgical sutures requires complex manipulation of a suture needle and surgical suture to form the knot required to secure the blood vessel. Such complex manipulation is time consuming and difficult to perform, particularly in endoscopic surgical procedures that are characterized by limited space and / or visibility. In contrast, surgical clips are relatively faster and easier to apply. As such, the use of surgical clips in endoscopic and open surgical procedures has shown a dramatic increase. SUMMARY

[0005] The present inventors recognized a need to improve one or more features of clip appliers and / or surgical clips, such as the stability of the surgical clip in the clip applier and / or the ease of actuation. Surgical clips are typically applied by a clip applier having a pair of opposing jaws. Currently available clip appliers typically secure a surgical clip with two points of contact, such as a boss on a distal end of the surgical clip engaged by the opposing jaws. However, two points of contact are unable to provide sufficient stability to the surgical clip, which can result in mispositioning or even dislodging of the surgical clip relative to the clip applier during a surgical procedure. Further, existing clip appliers tend to be unable to provide sufficient closure force and / or reliable jaw opening. The methods and systems of the present invention are directed to mitigating or solving one or more of the above-mentioned problems and / or other problems in the art.

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a clip applier configured to apply a surgical clip. The clip applier can include a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member can include a first inner surface and a first stabilizing member extending from the first inner surface and can be configured to engage a distal portion of a first leg member of the surgical clip. The second jaw member can include a second inner surface and a second stabilizing member extending from the second inner surface. The second jaw member can be configured to engage a distal portion of a second leg member of the surgical clip. The first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member can be configured to be positioned on opposite lateral sides of a proximal portion of the surgical clip to reduce lateral movement of the surgical clip.

[0007] A second aspect of the invention relates to an assembly comprising a surgical clip having a first clamping member and a second clamping member, and an applicator. The applicator may include a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member may include a first inner surface and a first stabilizing member extending from the first inner surface, and may be configured to engage a distal portion of the first clamping member of the surgical clip. The second jaw member may include a second inner surface and a second stabilizing member extending from the second inner surface. The second jaw member may be configured to engage a distal portion of the second clamping member of the surgical clip. The first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member may be configured to be positioned on opposing lateral sides of a proximal portion of the surgical clip to reduce lateral movement of the surgical clip.

[0008] In some embodiments, the inner portion of the first stabilizing member is spaced apart from the second jaw member in an open configuration, and the inner portion of the second stabilizing member is spaced apart from the first jaw member in an open configuration. In some embodiments, the first jaw member has a first channel in the first inner surface, and the second jaw member has a second channel in the second inner surface, wherein the first channel does not accommodate the second stabilizing member in the open configuration, the first channel accommodates the second stabilizing member in the closed configuration, the second channel does not accommodate the first stabilizing member in the open configuration, and the second channel accommodates the first stabilizing member in the closed configuration. In some embodiments, the first channel has a widened proximal portion configured to accommodate the second stabilizing member, and the second channel has a widened proximal portion configured to accommodate the first stabilizing member. In some embodiments, the first stabilizing member includes a first wall extending longitudinally along the first inner surface, the second stabilizing member includes a second wall extending longitudinally along the second inner surface, and the first wall and the second wall are disposed on opposite transverse sides of the longitudinal axis of the applicator. In some embodiments, each of the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member has at least one substantially flat transverse surface. In some embodiments, the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member extend substantially parallel in the open and closed configurations. In some embodiments, the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member laterally overlap in the closed configuration. In some embodiments, the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member do not laterally overlap in the open configuration. In some embodiments, each of the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member has an inner portion that defines a distally extending apex in the open configuration. In some embodiments, the first inner surface has at least one first recess on its distal portion, the first recess being configured to receive a first boss on the first clamping leg member of the surgical clip, and the second inner surface has at least one second recess on its distal portion, the second recess being configured to receive a second boss on the second clamping leg member of the surgical clip. In some embodiments, the first stabilizing member is integral with the first jaw member, and the second stabilizing member is integral with the second jaw member. In some embodiments, the first stabilizing member and the second stabilizing member are configured not to proximally contact the proximal end of the surgical clip in the open configuration.

[0009] A third aspect of the invention relates to a clamp applicator configured to apply a surgical clamp. The clamp applicator may include a first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein the first jaw member is configured to pivot between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The clamp applicator may further include a leaf spring configured to bias the first jaw member into the open configuration; and a tubular member configured to advance over the first jaw member to overcome the bias of the leaf spring and cam-actuate the first jaw member into the closed configuration.

[0010] In some embodiments, the clamp applicator includes a second leaf spring configured to bias a second jaw member into an open configuration, wherein the second jaw member is configured to pivot between the open and closed configurations, and a tubular member is configured to advance over the second jaw member to overcome the bias of the second leaf spring and cam-actuate the second jaw member into the closed configuration. In some embodiments, the leaf spring overlaps with a proximal portion of the first jaw member to bias the first jaw member into the open configuration, and the second leaf spring overlaps with a proximal portion of the second jaw member to bias the second jaw member into the open configuration. In some embodiments, the proximal portion of each of the first and second jaw members includes a proximal extension angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the clamp applicator. In some embodiments, the proximal extension extends only from one lateral side of the respective first and second jaw members. In some embodiments, the first jaw member and the second jaw member each have a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion having a width smaller than the distal portion and being configured to be received within the tubular member. In some embodiments, the clamping device includes a connector disposed in the tubular member, wherein the leaf spring and the second leaf spring are disposed on opposite lateral sides of the connector. In some embodiments, proximal portions of the leaf spring and the second leaf spring are secured to the connector. In some embodiments, at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member is pivotally coupled to the connector. In some embodiments, the first jaw member is pivotally coupled to the connector at a first pivot pin, and the second jaw member is pivotally coupled to the connector at a second pivot pin. In some embodiments, the proximal portion of at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member spans a distal portion of the connector. In some embodiments, the tubular member includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion having a larger diameter than the proximal portion, and the distal portion being configured to cam-actuate the first jaw member and the second jaw member into the closed configuration. In some embodiments, the connector has a pin, and the tubular member has an elongated slot, wherein the pin passes through the elongated slot as the tubular member advances. In some embodiments, the pin of the connector is secured to a rod that receives the tubular member. In some embodiments, the clamping device includes a rod; a handle assembly at a proximal end of the rod; and an actuator extending through the rod and actuated by the handle assembly, wherein the actuator is configured to advance through the rod to advance the tubular member over the first jaw member and the second jaw member. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, various aspects of the invention are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of the clamp applicator of the present invention is shown.

[0013] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A perspective view of the remote actuator of the clamping device.

[0014] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 The main view of the remote actuator.

[0015] Figure 4 Showing a device loaded with an exemplary surgical clip Figures 2-3 A side view of the remote actuator.

[0016] Figure 5 Showing a device loaded with an exemplary surgical clip Figures 2-4 A perspective view of the remote actuator.

[0017] Figure 6 Show Figures 1-5 The clamp applicator in the side view of the open configuration.

[0018] Figure 7 Show Figures 1-6 Side view of the clamp applicator in a closed configuration.

[0019] Figure 8 Show Figures 1-7 The clamping device removes the top view of the outer tube in the closed configuration.

[0020] Figure 9 Show Figures 1-8 The clamping device removes the side view of the rod in the closed configuration.

[0021] In the accompanying drawings and the detailed embodiments described below, the same or similar reference numerals are used to refer to the same or similar parts. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. According to conventional practice, as used herein, the term "proximal" refers to a relative position where the applicator or component is generally closer to the user or medical personnel operating or manipulating the device in the manner intended for use, while the term "distal" refers to a relative position where the applicator or component is farther from the user or medical personnel intended for use to operate or manipulate the device, unless otherwise stated herein. The term "vertical" refers to a relative direction in which the applicator is parallel or along a plane that extends uniformly through the two jaw members or similar components. The term "longitudinal" refers to a relative direction along the long axis or length of the applicator or component. The term "transverse" refers to a relative direction parallel or along a plane that extends perpendicularly between the first and second jaw members or similar components.

[0023] Figure 1 An exemplary clamping device 100 is shown, comprising a jaw assembly 102, a lever 104, and a handle assembly 106. The jaw assembly 102 may include a first jaw member 110 and a second jaw member 112, which are pivotally coupled to a distal portion of the lever 104 and actuated by longitudinal movement of an outer sleeve or tubular member 114. Movement of the tubular member 114 may be caused by relative movement of a first handle member 116 and a second handle member 118. For example, the first handle member 116 may be fixed, and the second handle member 118 may be pivotally movable at a pivot pin, such that pivoting of the second handle member 118 relative to the first handle member 116 may cause longitudinal advance 114 of the tubular member. The tubular member 114 may include a cam surface at its distal end that drives the first and second jaw members 110, 112 into a closed configuration. The clip applicator 100 can be a manual applicator, in which a user or medical professional individually loads the surgical clips 50 from a clip holder (not shown) into the jaw assembly 102 from the front, and applies each surgical clip 50 individually to the tissue after each loading. Further disclosure of the manual loading of the clip applicator 100 can be found in U.S. Patent No. 6,880,699, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0024] Figure 2 A first perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the jaw assembly 102 of the clamp applicator 100 is shown. Figure 3 A front view of the jaw assembly 102 is shown. Figure 4 A side view of the jaw assembly 102 with the surgical clip 50 is shown, and Figure 5 A perspective view of the jaw assembly 102 with the surgical clip 50 is shown. Figure 6 A side view of the clamp 100 in its open configuration is shown, and Figure 7 A side view of the clamp applicator in a closed configuration is shown.Figure 8 A top view of the clamp 100 in a closed configuration is shown, with the tubular member 114 removed for clarity. Figure 9 A side view of the clamp 100 in a closed configuration is shown, with the rod 104 removed for clarity.

[0025] like Figures 2-3 As shown, the first jaw member 110 may include a first inner surface 120 having a first longitudinal channel 122, one or more recesses 124 on a distal portion, and a stabilizing member 126 on a proximal portion. The second jaw member 112 may include a second inner surface 130 having a second longitudinal channel 132, one or more recesses 134 on a distal portion, and a stabilizing member 136 on a proximal portion. The recesses 124, 134 may be generally semi-circular grooves at the distal portions of the jaw members 110, 112. The stabilizing members 126, 136 may be integral with the respective jaw members 110, 112. The stabilizing members 126, 136 may be generally rigid and extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the jaw members 110, 112 in both open and closed configurations, forming a longitudinal space between them. The first stabilizing member 126 may include a first wall projecting from and extending longitudinally along the first inner surface 120, and the second stabilizing member 136 may include a second wall projecting from and extending along the second inner surface 130. The first and second walls 126, 136 may be fin-shaped, including a concave and / or angled distal surface and a convex and / or angled proximal surface, each defining a distally facing apex relative to the inner surfaces 120, 130 at its internal portions 128, 138. Figure 4 As shown, the internal portions 128 and 138 can extend distally in the open configuration. The first and second jaw members 110 and 112 can be rotationally symmetrical, such that the first and second stabilizing members 126 and 136 can be positioned on opposite transverse sides of the longitudinal axis of the applicator. The surgical clip 50 can be received along the longitudinal axis of the applicator, so that the stabilizing members 126 and 136 can be positioned on opposite sides of the proximal portion of the surgical clip 50.

[0026] In the open configuration, stabilizing members 126 and 136 may or may not overlap laterally (e.g., Figures 1-6 Furthermore, stabilizing members 126 and 136 can overlap laterally in a closed configuration (e.g., Figure 7 The first internal portion 128 may be spaced apart from the second jaw member 112 and is not accommodated in the second longitudinal channel 132 in the open configuration (e.g., Figure 2-6 The first internal portion 128 can be accommodated in the second longitudinal channel 132 within a closed configuration (e.g., Figure 7Similarly, the second internal portion 138 may be spaced apart from the first jaw member 110 and is not accommodated in the first longitudinal channel 122 in the open configuration (e.g., Figure 2-6 The second internal portion 138 can be accommodated in the first longitudinal channel 122 in a closed configuration, and the second internal portion 138 can be accommodated in the first longitudinal channel 122 in a closed configuration (e.g., Figure 7 For example, such as Figure 3 As further shown, the first longitudinal channel 122 may include a widened proximal portion 123 configured to receive a second stabilizing member 136, and the second longitudinal channel 132 may include a widened proximal portion 133 to receive the first stabilizing member 126. The widened proximal portions 123, 133 may be transverse, off-axis relative to the longitudinal axis of the applicator 100, such that the longitudinal channels are asymmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis. The stabilizing members 126, 136 may each include at least one transversely flat surface to facilitate insertion into the respective longitudinal channels 122, 132 and / or to provide lateral stability to the surgical clip 50. For example, the stabilizing members 126, 136 may each include a flat transverse outer surface to slide along the flat inner surface of the widened proximal portions 123, 133. The first longitudinal channel 122 and / or the second longitudinal channel 132 may also accommodate in an open configuration (e.g., Figure 4 (as shown) and / or a portion of the surgical clip 50 in a closed configuration.

[0027] like Figures 4-5 As shown, the jaw assembly 102 can be configured to hold the surgical clip 50 at at least three contact points. The surgical clip 50 may include a first clamping member 52 and a second clamping member 54, the proximal ends of which are pivotally connected at a hinge portion 56. The surgical clip 50 may include one or more bosses 58 at the distal portion of each of the first and second clamping members 52, 54. The bosses 58 may be circular corresponding to the recesses 124, 134 and releasably received in the recesses 124, 134 to secure the distal portion of the surgical clip 50. Furthermore, the proximal portion of the surgical clip 50 (e.g., the hinge portion 56) may be received between stabilizing members 126, 136 to reduce lateral movement or trailing of the surgical clip 50. Each internal portion (e.g., a distally facing vertex) 128, 138 of the stabilizing members 126, 136 may be connected to the hinge portion 56 (e.g., the distally facing vertex). Figure 4(As shown) Lateral overlap to reduce lateral movement or trailing of the surgical clip 50. The first clamping member 52 of the surgical clip 50 may have a concave inner surface, a convex outer surface, and a hook member on the distal portion. The second clamping member 54 may include a convex inner surface, a concave inner surface, and a pointed member on the distal portion. When the surgical clip 50 is closed, the hook on the first clamping member 52 may bend around the pointed member on the second clamping member to secure the surgical clip 50 in a locking configuration. Due to curvature, the first and / or second clamping members 52, 54 may straighten and / or elongate during closure and / or locking. The applicator 100 and / or stabilizing members 126, 136 may not be proximally adjacent to the surgical clip 50 to allow the surgical clip to straighten and / or elongate during closure and / or locking.

[0028] The surgical clip 50 can be made in any suitable size and can be applied to any number of tissues, such as blood vessels, lymph nodes, nerves, fallopian tubes, or cardiac tissue. The surgical clip 50 can be made of any suitable biocompatible material, such as metals and polymers. In some embodiments, the surgical clip 50 consists of a single-piece monolithic polymer formed from a suitable, highly biocompatible engineering plastic, as is commonly used in surgical implants. Exemplary materials include homopolymers or copolymers of polyacetal, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyoxymethylene, or other thermoplastic materials with similar properties, which can be injection molded, extruded, or otherwise processed into similar articles. Exemplary embodiments and features of the surgical clip 50 are further disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,834,096, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0029] like Figures 6-9As shown, pivoting of the jaw assembly 102 can be biased into an open configuration by at least one leaf spring 140 and actuated by longitudinal movement of the tubular member 114. The at least one leaf spring 140 may have a distal end that overlaps with at least one of the jaw members 110, 112. For example, the at least one leaf spring 140 may comprise a pair of leaf springs 140 on opposite lateral sides of a vertical beam or connector 142, and in a cantilever configuration, the proximal ends of the leaf springs 140 may be fixed (e.g., welded) to the connector 142. The leaf springs 140 may be on opposite vertical sides of the longitudinal axis of the clamp 100. The jaw members 110, 112 may each have a proximal portion comprising a pair of proximal members 144. The proximal member 144 of each jaw member 110, 112 may include a pair of clamps spaced apart from each other and spanning the distal portion of the connector 142 to achieve pivoting stability. The proximal member 144 can be pivotally secured to the connector 142 via at least one pivot pin 146. Therefore, the first jaw member 110 can be secured to the connector 142 via at least one first pivot pin 146, and the second jaw member 112 can be secured to the connector 142 via at least one second pivot pin 146. The first and second pivot pins 146 of the jaw members 110, 112 can be on opposite sides perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector 142. The connector 142 can be securely secured within the cavity 108 of the rod 104 and extends distally outward into the tubular member 114. The width of the proximal member 144 can be less than the distal length of the jaw members 110, 112, such that the proximal member 144 is fitted within the tubular member 144 to be cam-driven into a closed configuration. The tubular member 144 further prevents the jaw members 110, 112 from bending in the closed configuration.

[0030] One of the proximal members 144 of each jaw member 110, 112 may further include a proximal extension 148 that is close to the pivot pin 146 and angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the applicator 100. The proximal extension 148 may be a clamping foot extension that extends from the proximal member 144 of the same jaw member 110, 112 that is closer to the opposing proximal member 144. The proximal extensions 148 of the first and second jaw members 110, 112 may laterally intersect each other at the longitudinal axis of the applicator 100. Only one of the proximal members 144 of each jaw member 110, 112 may have a proximal extension 148 to enable pivoting via the corresponding leaf spring 140 and prevent interference between opposing jaw members 110, 112. The proximal extension 148 may extend only from one lateral side of the respective first and second jaw members 110, 112. Therefore, the proximal extensions 148 of the jaw members 110, 112 can extend on opposite lateral sides of the connector 142. The proximal extensions 148 may include an upper surface 149 angled relative to the longitudinal axis. In the open configuration ( Figure 6 ) and closed configuration ( Figure 7 In this configuration, the leaf spring 140 may overlap or be radially symmetrically positioned on the top of the inclined surface of each proximal extension 148 of the jaw members 110, 112 to bias the jaw assembly 102 in an open configuration. Therefore, due to the relative angles of the jaw members 110, 112, the leaf spring 140 may not bend (straight) or may only slightly bend in the open configuration, but may bend or bend further in the closed configuration. The bending of the leaf spring 140 may symmetrically push the extension 148 of each jaw member 110, 112 in opposite directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the clamp 100 to bias the jaw assembly 102 into an open configuration. The jaw members 110, 112 may contact each other (e.g., at the proximal extension 148, such as...). Figure 6 (As shown) to prevent further pivoting and to provide a stop in the open configuration.

[0031] The tubular member 114 can be actuated by longitudinal movement of the actuator 150. The actuator 150 may be an actuating rod extending through the cavity 108 of the rod 104 and connected to the handle assembly 106. Squeezing or compressing the second handle member 118 relative to the first handle member 116 can cause longitudinal advancement of the actuator 150, which causes longitudinal advancement of the tubular member 114 so that the proximal member 144 of the jaw assembly 102 overcomes the bias of the leaf spring 140 and is cam-actuated into a closed configuration. Release of the second handle member 118 can release the distal force applied to the tubular member 114, such that the bias of the leaf spring 140 can open the jaw members 110, 112 to longitudinally retract the tubular member 114. The tubular member 114 may have a distal portion 152 and a proximal portion 154, wherein the distal portion 152 has a larger diameter than the proximal portion 154. The distal portion 152 can extend distally to the rod 104 and can have a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the rod 104. Therefore, when the jaw assembly 102 is in the open configuration (e.g., Figure 6 As shown, the proximal end of the distal portion 152 may abut the distal portion of the rod 104. The distal portion 152 may be configured to receive the proximal portion 144 and to cam-actuate the first and second jaw members 110, 112 to close the jaw assembly 102. Thus, the leaf spring 140 may bias the jaw assembly 102 open by radially covering the proximal extension 148 proximal to the hinge pin 146, and the tubular member 114 may close the jaw assembly 102 by cam-actuating a portion of the jaw members 110, 112 distal to the hinge pin 146.

[0032] The proximal portion 154 of the tubular member 114 can be slidably received within the cavity 108 of the rod 104. The proximal portion 154 can be secured to the actuator 150 by accommodating the actuator 150 within the cavity of the proximal portion 154 and / or engaging one or more radial protrusions of the actuator 150 with one or more proximal slots in or on the proximal portion 154. The proximal portion 154 can accommodate the proximal end of the connector 142 in a distal opening and includes an elongated slot 160 along its length that accommodates a pin 162 on the connector 142. Longitudinal movement of the tubular member 114 relative to the connector 142 can cause the pin 162 to slide longitudinally through the elongated slot 160. The pin 162 can be secured (e.g., welded) to the rod 104 in a fixable manner to stabilize the connector 142. For example, pin 162 may extend through and be welded into an elongated slot 164 of rod 104, which overlaps with an elongated slot 160 of tubular member 114. The overlap of elongated slots 160 and 164 may allow visibility of the relative longitudinal position and / or movement of tubular member 114 during actuation of jaw assembly 102.

[0033] Many features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from this specification, and therefore the appended claims are intended to cover all features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, many modifications and variations will be readily conceived by those skilled in the art; therefore, the invention is not limited to the exact constructions and operations illustrated and described, and all suitable modifications and equivalents within the scope of the invention may be employed.

Claims

1. An applicator configured to apply a surgical clip, the applicator comprising: A first jaw member and a second jaw member, the first jaw member being configured to pivot between an open configuration and a closed configuration; A leaf spring configured to bias the first jaw member into the open configuration; A tubular member configured to advance above the first jaw member to overcome the bias of the leaf spring and cause the first jaw member to be cam-actuated into a closed configuration. A rod that houses a portion of the tubular member; A handle assembly located at the proximal end of the rod; A connector disposed in the tubular member, wherein the connector includes a pin that is secured to the rod body; and An actuator extending through the rod and actuated by the handle assembly, wherein the actuator is configured to advance through the rod to advance the tubular member over the first jaw member and the second jaw member.

2. The clamping device of claim 1, further comprising a second leaf spring configured to bias the second jaw member into an open configuration, wherein the second jaw member is configured to pivot between the open and closed configurations, and the tubular member is configured to advance over the second jaw member to overcome the bias of the second leaf spring to cam-actuate the second jaw member into the closed configuration.

3. The clamp applicator according to claim 2, wherein, The leaf spring overlaps with the proximal portion of the first jaw member to bias the first jaw member into the open configuration, and the second leaf spring overlaps with the proximal portion of the second jaw member to bias the second jaw member into the open configuration.

4. The clamp applicator according to claim 3, wherein, The proximal portion of each of the first and second jaw components includes a proximal extension angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the clamp.

5. The clamp applicator according to claim 4, wherein, The proximal extension extends only from one lateral side of the corresponding first and second jaw members.

6. The clamp applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first jaw member and the second jaw member each have a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion having a width smaller than that of the distal portion and being configured to be received within the tubular member.

7. The clamping device according to claim 2, wherein the leaf spring and the second leaf spring are disposed on opposite lateral sides of the connector.

8. The clamp applicator according to claim 7, wherein, The proximal portion of the leaf spring and the proximal portion of the second leaf spring are fixed to the connector.

9. The clamp applicator according to claim 7, wherein, At least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member is pivotally coupled to the connector.

10. The clamp applicator according to claim 7, wherein, The first jaw member is pivotally coupled to the connector at a first pivot pin, and the second jaw member is pivotally coupled to the connector at a second pivot pin.

11. The clamp applicator according to claim 7, wherein, The proximal portion of at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member spans the distal portion of the connector.

12. The clamp applicator according to claim 1, wherein, The tubular member includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion having a larger diameter than the proximal portion, and the distal portion being configured to cause the first jaw member and the second jaw member to be cam-actuated into the closed configuration.

13. The clamp applicator according to claim 7, wherein, The tubular member includes an elongated slot, and as the tubular member is advanced, the pin passes through the elongated slot.

14. The clamp applicator according to claim 13, wherein, The pin of the connector is secured to the rod that houses the tubular member.

15. An applicator configured to apply a surgical clip, the applicator comprising: The first jaw member and the second jaw member are each configured to pivot between an open configuration and a closed configuration; A first leaf spring overlaps with the proximal portion of the first jaw member and is configured to bias the first jaw member into the open configuration; A second leaf spring overlaps with the proximal portion of the second jaw member and is configured to bias the second jaw member into the open configuration; A tubular member configured to advance above the first jaw member and the second jaw member to overcome the bias of the first leaf spring and the first leaf spring, causing the first jaw member and the second jaw member to be cam-actuated into the closed configuration; A connector, which is disposed in the tubular member, wherein the first leaf spring and the second leaf spring are disposed on opposite lateral sides of the connector; Rod body; and An actuator extending through the rod, wherein the actuator is configured to advance through the rod to advance the tubular member over the first jaw member and the second jaw member. The connector includes a pin that is secured to a rod that houses the tubular member.

16. The clamp applicator according to claim 15, wherein, The first jaw member is pivotally coupled to the connector at a first pivot pin, and the second jaw member is pivotally coupled to the connector at a second pivot pin.

17. The applicator according to any one of claims 15-16, wherein, The tubular member includes an elongated slot, and as the tubular member is advanced, the pin passes through the elongated slot.

18. The clamp applicator according to claim 15, wherein, The tubular member includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion having a larger diameter than the proximal portion, and the distal portion being configured to cause the first jaw member and the second jaw member to be cam-actuated into the closed configuration.

19. The applicator according to claim 15, further comprising: A handle assembly located at the proximal end of the rod.

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