Medical instrument with uniform notch stiffness

Abstract

The invention relates to a medical instrument having a first instrument branch with a first bearing section having a first running surface and a second instrument branch with a second bearing section having a second running surface, the first running surface lying plane-parallel pivotably sliding on the second bearing section such that the first instrument branch is pivotable relative to the second instrument branch about a pivot axis, wherein the first bearing section and / or the second bearing section has a step section or a step element in the region of the pivot axis, the step section or the step element having an end side comprising the running surface belonging thereto, the step section or the step element being offset outward relative to the bearing section belonging thereto in the direction of the pivot axis of the medical instrument such that the running surface belonging thereto is offset outward relative to the bearing section belonging thereto.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a medical / medical technology, particularly a surgical instrument, having a first instrument branch and a second instrument branch. The first instrument branch has a first support section having at least one first operating surface / sliding surface, and the second instrument branch has a second support section having at least one second operating surface / sliding surface. The first operating surface is planarly pivotally slidably placed / aggregated / aggregated against each other on the second operating surface / sliding surface, such that the first instrument branch is movable relative to the second instrument branch and pivotable about a pivot axis. Background Technology

[0002] Medical devices, such as surgical clips having two pivotable instrument branches relative to each other, typically have a support in the form of an interlocking joint as a pivot joint, wherein a male interlocking insert is housed in a female interlocking box and can pivotally slide on corresponding two directly abutting operating surfaces of the two branches to a closed clamping position and an open position. These directly abutting operating surfaces are mostly constructed flat or downwardly angled outwards over the entire support section. The interlocking joint has a small gap dimension and sharp or distinctly angular interior angles or edges that slide on the opposing, directly abutting operating surfaces and the edges of those operating surfaces during opening and closing of the medical device. Here, on the one hand, the length of the placed edges varies during the opening or closing movement, and on the other hand, the gap dimension between the operating surfaces is uneven or increasing. As a result, uneven stops with varying degrees of stiffness appear in the relative motion regions. In particular, the friction or frictional force between the support sections of the instrument branches changes depending on their relative positions / open positions, resulting in uneven stops. This effect of uneven stops can be observed, for example, in surgical scissors that require higher closing forces as the closed position increases.

[0003] For example, US 3,459,187 A discloses a medical device in the form of a surgical clip having two instrument branches pivotally rotatable relative to each other in an interlocking configuration. In the pivoting hinge region, the male interlocking branch passes through and rests against the inner wall of the female interlocking box. During opening and closing movements, the male and female support sections slide against each other under friction. Therefore, the stiffness of the stop changes when the instrument branches are pivotally positioned relative to each other.

[0004] WO 2018 / 166 989A1 discloses an additively manufactured surgical clip having two relatively pivotable instrument branches. Here, one instrument branch has a guide protrusion projecting in the direction of the other instrument branch, the guide protrusion engaging in an arcuate recess of a corresponding construction on the other instrument branch to pivotally position the one instrument branch. In this surgical clip, the stiffness of the stops also varies in the movement area, especially when opening the clip from the closed position. The stability of the component is also relatively low in the open state and it is prone to breakage in case of incorrect operation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to avoid or at least reduce the disadvantages of the prior art, and in particular to provide a medical device that maintains gear stiffness particularly uniformly throughout the entire movement area or in each relative position of the device branches relative to each other. Furthermore, the manufacturing and production processes, especially the installation process, should be simplified. Another object of the present invention is also to minimize manufacturing-related surface defects, such as scratches on visible running surfaces. In addition, cleanability or sterilizability should be improved.

[0006] The features of the present invention solve the aforementioned tasks and objectives in this type of medical device.

[0007] Therefore, in principle, the present invention specifies that, in the region of the pivot axis or around the pivot axis, the (at least one) first operating surface and / or the (at least one) second operating surface are offset / misaligned outward relative to their (remaining) support sections in the direction of the pivot axis of the medical device, and thus offset / misaligned towards the second operating surface or the first operating surface. This configuration constructs protruding sections, which particularly define the entire operating surface, especially on one side, and create (small) gaps between the (remaining) opposing walls of the support sections on the protrusions via stepped sections or stepped elements. Because the result is that only the offset operating surface around the pivot axis directly contacts the corresponding opposing operating surface, this operating surface can be specially designed and, for example, particularly well machined and prepared for pivoting and sliding applications. A particularly high surface quality can be achieved on the operating surface through localized machining. Because of the gaps created in the remaining portions / segments of the support section, the different gap dimensions determined by production are no longer relevant and have no effect, thus further harmonizing the gear position or gear hardness throughout the motion field, or rather, approaching a uniform and constant gear position throughout the relative motion. The configuration with staggered sections or staggered elements therefore ensures more uniform gear positions, improves component stability, and optimizes capillary characteristics during electrochemical processing, especially by maintaining the same gap dimensions in the support section. Due to the instrument's special design, the running surface can be selectively machined to achieve particularly high surface quality locally (especially relative to the remaining surface of the support section), in which the running surface is offset outward relative to its respective support section or protrudes outward relative to the support section toward other instrument branches, forming a pivoting sliding contact surface facing another instrument branch. Through the constrained and geometrically precisely defined pivoting sliding running surface, simple and efficient manufacturing of medical devices is achieved and obtained.

[0008] In particular, the step section or step element can be heat-treated to obtain different material properties of the step section or step element (especially the running surface) relative to the rest of the medical device.

[0009] For example, the stepped sections or stepped elements, especially the running surfaces, may also be surface treated, preferably by surface hardening and / or nitriding and / or phosphating, in order to, for example, locally reduce friction and wear. Preferably, only the stepped sections or stepped elements, especially the running surfaces, are surface treated (and the rest of the device is not surface treated) to achieve low-cost production with locally high surface quality.

[0010] Furthermore, the stepped sections or stepped elements, especially the running surfaces, can be hardened and have a hardness that is higher than that of the rest of the support sections, especially the rest of the medical device.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferred that the step section or step element may also have a biocompatible coating forming the running surface, the coating being, in particular, a polymer, especially a fluoropolymer and / or having PEEK and / or having titanium.

[0012] Especially when both the first and second support sections have stepped sections or stepped elements (whose end sides form running surfaces), these only require special machining to ensure low roughness for uniform pivoting motion. Furthermore, if both end sides remain flat, a uniform surface with very little unevenness can be obtained. Production can then be carried out more simply and cost-effectively using the correspondingly specially machined running surfaces, further improving the ergonomics of the device.

[0013] This design offers advantages such as higher mechanical load capacity, more reliable machining processes, increased mechanization or automation in manufacturing, and consequently, better cleaning performance. Slightly increasing the gap size also creates space for further structural adaptations, such as additional edge rounding. Optimized cleaning results are also achieved by maintaining a consistent gap or gap size between the opposing "inner surfaces" in the support sections. Electrochemical machining is also optimized.

[0014] According to the invention, a first support section and / or a second support section has a stepped section or stepped element in the region of the pivot axis, the stepped section or stepped element having an end side that includes or forms a corresponding operating surface, the stepped section or stepped element being offset / misaligned outward relative to the corresponding support section in the direction of the pivot axis of the medical device, such that the corresponding, especially the entire operating surface, is also offset outward relative to the corresponding support section. In particular, at least the first support section has at least one stepped section or stepped element in the region of the pivot axis, the stepped section or stepped element having an end side that includes, especially forms, a first operating surface, the stepped section / stepped element being offset outward relative to the first support section in the direction of the pivot axis, thereby offsetting the first operating surface outward relative to the first support section toward the second operating surface.

[0015] Here, the term pivoting slide means that two running surfaces slide flatly on top of each other and perform pivoting motion about a pivot axis relative to each other. This occurs, for example, when a first flat (wall) surface is placed directly on a second flat (wall) surface approximately horizontally and the two surfaces rotate relative to each other so that these pivoting slides are placed flatly on top of each other.

[0016] Here, the end side is the side of a stepped section or stepped element that protrudes toward another support section or another running surface so as to be placed planar on the other running surface. At least a portion of the end side forms the running surface. In particular, the pivot axis is perpendicular to the end side. Therefore, the end side points away from or away from the support section (outwards).

[0017] The phrase "in the region of the pivot axis" defines it as the arrangement of stepped sections or stepped elements in the region surrounding the pivot axis, and thus particularly in the central section in the middle of the support sections. Conversely, the transverse sections of the support sections (i.e., outside the region of the pivot axis) do not have stepped sections or stepped elements. The first and second support sections are spaced apart from each other there and therefore do not serve as running surfaces.

[0018] The term "offset" defines a misalignment along the pivot axis between the running surface and the rest of the support section. Here, similar to a platform, pedestal, or protrusion (where the upper platform / pedestal / protrusion surface forms an offset surface relative to the bottom), the running surface is offset relative to the base surface of the support section.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, which is claimed independently along with the preamble when necessary, the first and second running surfaces are constructed and coordinated with each other in such a way that, during the sliding relative movement of the first instrument branch relative to the second instrument branch, the contact area of ​​the two overlapping running surfaces is equal in size at each relative position / pose, so as to maintain uniform gear hardness throughout the entire movement region of the relative movement. Compared to the prior art, the technical configuration of the medical device and the overlapping running surfaces do not change the size of the contact area of ​​the two running surfaces, i.e., the area of ​​the two opposing running surfaces directly overlapping each other in their respective relative positions, which results in maintaining the same frictional force and consequently, maintaining the same gear hardness. Through such a configuration with corresponding coordination of the running surfaces, the contact area between the running surfaces is the same size in each position. This ensures uniform gearing along the entire movement field and improves component stability. Since the contact surfaces (placement surfaces) remain the same, the same frictional force exists in each (open) position. The term "relative position" in the context of the entire field of play refers to every possible relative position or location of two apparatus branches relative to each other between the closed position and the maximum open position.

[0020] Advantageous implementation methods are described below.

[0021] In particular, at least the first support section has at least one offset first operating surface, which has the same large contact area with the second operating surface regardless of the open position or relative position. This results in a particularly uniform gear hardness across the entire motion field of the medical device, while also providing good cleaning properties and enabling simple manufacturing.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, in each relative position, the entire first operating surface rests completely on the second operating surface. Since (at least one) the first operating surface is always completely and fully resting on (at least one) the second operating surface, the size of the contact surface does not change and the gear stiffness remains the same. Thus, the first operating surface does not enter the user's field of vision. In other words, at least the first support section has a first operating surface that maintains the same large contact surface relative to the second operating surface, regardless of the open position of the two branches relative to each other. Specifically, in each relative position, the entire first operating surface rests on the entire second operating surface. Therefore, the first and / or second operating surfaces are limited to the "closed surface" or the invisible portion of the contact surface and do not enter any field of vision in any (relative) position of the instrument branches relative to each other.

[0023] Preferably, the first running surface and / or the second running surface can be constructed to be flat, i.e., in a single plane. This results in particularly simple manufacturing and excellent pivoting and sliding characteristics.

[0024] According to another preferred embodiment, the first and / or second running surfaces can be constructed with rotational symmetry, particularly circular or annular, having a circular outer diameter. This allows them to rest on the corresponding other running surface and form a contact surface, especially at each relative position throughout the entire movement area. Particularly through the circular construction of the running surfaces (which are concentrically arranged around the pivot axis), the circumferential edges of the circle are tangent to the direction of movement during pivoting, thereby minimizing the influence of the circumferential edges, particularly the frictional influence. Therefore, the same frictional force exists at each relative position, and particularly no component edges contact the running surface. Opposing, abutting running surfaces can be constructed substantially planar, particularly flat, over the entire support section. Due to the circular design of the running surfaces (on at least one side), the frictional force and the hardness of the gear remain the same.

[0025] In particular, at least one first and / or at least one second running surface has a continuous surface, such that the contact surface also forms a continuous surface. Therefore, additional frictional effects are minimized, and in particular, the dimensions of each running surface are maximized to improve component stability.

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, the first support section and / or the second support section can have a base, particularly cylindrical or hollow cylindrical, having flat end sides forming a running surface as stepped sections or stepped elements. In particular, the ratio of the outer diameter of the cylindrical or hollow cylindrical base to the height of the base (starting from the root of the base along the direction of the pivot axis) and therefore to the corresponding running surface is between 10:1 and 200:1, preferably between 50:1 and 100:1. Similar to a planar, flat platform, the flat end sides form the running surface. Preferably, through holes can be concentrically constructed in the base.

[0027] According to the implementation method, the stepped section can be integrally constructed with the corresponding support section, particularly with the corresponding instrument branch. In this integrated manufacturing, additional cracks and gaps are avoided, thereby further improving cleaning properties and enhancing component stability. The manufacturing process is also simplified by eliminating separate manufacturing and assembly.

[0028] According to another preferred embodiment, the medical device may have an interlocking configuration / interlocking connector, wherein a first support section is a male support section in the form of an interlocking plug and a second support section is a female support section in the form of an interlocking box with a through hole, wherein the male support section passes through the through hole of the female support section and pivotally slides against two opposing operating surfaces / placement surfaces / abutment surfaces of the male support section on two opposing operating surfaces of the female support section. The interlocking configuration is particularly stable and efficient in manufacturing and in cleaning or sterilization.

[0029] Preferably, the male support section may have two opposing, circular or annular, coaxially arranged bases with flat end sides, the bases forming two opposing first (male) running surfaces of the male support section. This design on both sides of the male section contributes to uniform gear hardness on both sides and simultaneously improves component stability and cleanliness.

[0030] According to the implementation method, the operating surfaces are constructed and coordinated with each other such that only one side of the other operating surface is always placed on one operating surface without any sharp edges. In other words, the operating surfaces or contact surfaces are not interrupted by sharp edges in any relative position. In other words, the edges of the components do not contact the operating surfaces in any relative position. Therefore, the gear hardness becomes more uniform.

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the medical device can be configured as a surgical clip or surgical forceps. Maintaining the same stiffness at each stop is of particular interest for surgical clips or forceps.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the first running surface and / or the second running surface have rounded edges / bevels around the circumferential / outer / contour side. This improves component stability, simplifies the manufacturing process, and ensures that the same friction is maintained circumferentially, and therefore the same gear position is maintained.

[0033] Preferably, the height of the step section or step element, extending from the root of the step section or step element in the direction of the pivot axis, can be a minimum of 0.1 mm and / or a maximum of 1 mm, particularly preferably a minimum of 0.3 mm and / or a maximum of 0.6 mm. Alternatively or additionally, the height or clearance dimension of the gap between the first support section and the second support section in the direction of the pivot axis 11 can be a minimum of 0.1 mm and / or a maximum of 1 mm, particularly preferably a minimum of 0.3 mm and / or a maximum of 0.6 mm.

[0034] In particular, the stepped section of the first support section is constructed identically to the stepped section of the second support section. Therefore, a symmetrical structure is provided, and manufacturing can be tailored to only one embodiment of the stepped section.

[0035] Preferably, the roughness / roughness Ra of the first running surface and / or the second running surface can be less than 1 μm, and more preferably less than Ra 0.4 μm.

[0036] Preferably, the first and / or second operating surfaces may have a diameter of at least 0.5 cm. 2 and / or a maximum of 5cm 2 face.

[0037] Preferably, the diameter of the through hole coaxial with the pivot axis can be up to 25% of the outer diameter of the stepped section or stepped element. This ensures sufficient placement and contact surfaces for the two operating surfaces.

[0038] The first and / or second running surfaces may have surface finishes or coatings to ensure particularly good running performance. For example, stepped sections and thus running surfaces may have special structures, such as martensite, to achieve high strength under good deformation. Running surfaces may also have low-friction coatings. Attached Figure Description

[0039] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. It is shown that:

[0040] Figure 1 A perspective view of the male support section of the medical device according to the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment, is shown.

[0041] Figure 2 A partial top view of the support section of a medical device according to a preferred embodiment is shown.

[0042] Figure 3 The diagram shows a device with closed instrument branches in an assembled, usable state. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of a medical device in the image.

[0043] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of a medical device, wherein the device branches pivotally separate from each other, and

[0044] Figure 5 , 6 An interlocking connector according to the prior art is shown.

[0045] Wherein: 1-Medical device; 2-Male device branch (first device branch); 3-Female device branch (second device branch); 4-Male insertion box (first support section); 5-Female insertion box (second support section); 6-Male operating surface (first operating surface); 7-Female operating surface (second operating surface); 8-Through hole; 9-Parallel side surface; 10-Central support area; 11-Pivot axis; 12-Base (step section); 13-Rounded edge / chamfer; 14-Gap; 15-Through hole; K-Contact surface.

[0046] The accompanying drawings are schematic in nature and are for illustrative purposes only. The same elements are given the same reference numerals. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Figures 1 to 4 Medical device 1, in the form of a surgical clip, is shown as a preferred embodiment. Figure 1 The male instrument branch 2 of the instrument is shown, and Figures 2 to 4 The diagram shows both the male instrument branch 2 and the female instrument branch 3, which are pivotable relative to the male instrument branch, in an assembled and usable state of the instrument 1. In this assembled and usable state, the instrument 1 can be used for surgical procedures and the male instrument branch 2 and the female instrument branch 3 can no longer be separated from each other.

[0048] The male instrument branch 2 has a proximal gripping / handle section (not shown here) on the back / end side, a distal clamping section (not shown here) on the front side, and a male support section in the form of a parallelepiped insert 4 arranged between these. Similarly, the female instrument branch 3 has a gripping section (not shown), a clamping section (not shown), and a female support section in the form of a female insert box 5 arranged between these. For support, the female insert box 5 has an insertion / through hole 8 in which two parallel, flat sides 9 are constructed, facing or opposite each other, through which the male insert 4 passes.

[0049] like Figures 2 to 4As shown, the two instrument branches 2 and 3 are pivotally slidably attached to each other on the support sections 4 and 5 via a male running surface 6 constructed on the side of the male support section 4 and a female running surface 7 constructed on the side of the female support section, such that the male instrument branch 2 is pivotable relative to the female instrument branch 3 between the relative pose of the maximum open position and the closed position. In the maximum open position, the clamp is fully open, and in the closed position, the two front clamping sections are clamped and stacked on top of each other.

[0050] Unlike existing technologies, in Figure 1 The male support section 4, as shown in the enlarged illustration, has two circular, cylindrical, or annular bases 12 extending along the pivot axis 11, serving as stepped sections, on opposite sides of the central support region 10. The two opposing bases 12 are coaxial and each has flat end faces of the same size, forming male running surfaces 6, which are opposing and parallel to each other. These two bases 12, having offset running surfaces 6 around or concentric with the pivot axis 11, ensure that only the portion of the (end-side) surface of the male insert 4 contacts the corresponding female running surface 7 as running surface 6 (see Figure 1). Figure 2 Here, the flat running surface 6 is parallel to and spaced apart from the rest of the flat surface of the support section 4. Uniform gear hardness is achieved by defining an offset area (which contacts the parent running surface 7) of the running surface 6 relative to the rest of the support section 4.

[0051] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, because the circular male running surface 6 is always fully resting on the female running surface 7 in every relative pose or position of the two instrument branches 2 and 3, the contact surface K (size) between the male running surface 6 and the female running surface 7 is always equal in size. As a result, the gears are formed identically throughout the entire motion region or in every relative position of the two instrument branches 2 and 3 relative to each other, and the gear stiffness is maintained uniformly. Furthermore, the running surfaces 6 and 7, or the contact surface K, are never interrupted by edges in each relative position, which also ensures uniform gears. This is achieved by maintaining the same contact surface K and, in particular, the circular shape of the male running surface 6, which has an offset circular outer contour. The male running surface 6 is completely supported on the female running surface 7 in each relative position and is never visible.

[0052] It should be noted that in the parallel sidewalls / side walls 9 of the insertion box 5, only one central or middle surface portion of the sidewall 9 contacts the circular common running surface 6, and only these central surface portions are placed on or abut against each other on the common running surface 6 for pivoting and sliding movement. Therefore, of course, only these surface portions constitute the mother running surface 7.

[0053] To further improve pivoting motion, gear shifting, and cleanability, the common running surface 6 on the base 12 has rounded edges / chamfers 13 surrounding its circular circumference or its radially outer circumferential edges. The circular base 12 (in the diametrical direction, i.e., perpendicular to the pivot axis) also extends to the (outer) edge or along the entire width of the insert to terminate flush with the insert and form the most circular possible placement surface or common running surface 6.

[0054] The two bases 12 are integrally constructed with the same material as the instrument branch 2 and have only a very small height in the direction of the pivot axis 11, so as to only slightly increase the gap size or gap 14 between the remaining portion of the insert 4 and the insertion box 5. The height of the base 12, and therefore the height of the gap 14, can be at least 1% and / or at most 10% of the thickness of the insert 4 in the direction of the pivot axis 11. In particular, the base 12 can be additionally manufactured on the insert 4 of the instrument branch 2 as a stepped section.

[0055] For a pivotable support that is fixed in position around the pivot axis 11, the male instrument branch 2 has a through hole / intercepting axis / through hole portion 15 at the center of the two bases 12 or coaxially with the two bases in the direction of the pivot axis 11. Combined with complementary, preferably cylindrical, opposing protrusions (not shown) on the parallel side surface 9 in the middle of the female running surface 7, the male support section is pivotally supported by fitting into the through hole 15.

[0056] In particular, the feed surface 6 has a predetermined roughness to (slightly) increase or decrease the gear hardness. Therefore, the gear hardness can be finely coordinated through roughness. Alternatively or additionally, the mother surface 7 may also have a predetermined roughness.

[0057] Figure 5 and Figure 6 A plug-in joint according to the prior art is shown for comparison. In this plug-in joint, the running surfaces do not shift, and the contact area of ​​the male and female running surfaces changes during pivoting. As a result, the gear hardness also changes. Similarly, the edges of the male and female support sections are ground on the corresponding running surfaces, which also alters the gear hardness.

[0058] Compared with the prior art, as described above, in accordance with Figures 1 to 4 In the device 1 according to the invention, since the base 12 has a circular, offset running surface 6, the area of ​​the contact surface K remains the same for uniform gear hardness and there are no sharp edges on the running surfaces 6 and 7.

Claims

1. A medical device (1) having a first device branch (2) and a second device branch (3), the first device branch (2) having a first support section (4) with at least one first operating surface (6), and the second device branch (3) having a second support section (5) with at least one second operating surface (7), the first operating surface (6) being planarly pivotally slidably placed on the second support section (5) such that the first device branch (2) is pivotable relative to the second device branch (3) about a pivot axis (11), wherein, The first support section (4) and / or the second support section (5) have stepped sections in the region of the pivot axis (11), the stepped sections having end sides including the associated running surface, the stepped sections being offset outward relative to the associated support section along the direction of the pivot axis (11) of the medical device (1), such that the associated running surface is offset outward relative to the associated support section. The first running surface (6) and / or the second running surface (7) form a contact surface (K) and are constructed with a circular outer diameter in a rotationally symmetrical and annular manner, wherein one of the first running surface (6) and the second running surface (7) is placed on the corresponding other running surface with its entire surface without any edges in each relative position, such that in any relative position, the edge of the component of the first running surface (6) and the second running surface (7) does not contact the other running surface.

2. The medical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first running surface (6) and the second running surface (7) supported on the first running surface (6) are constructed and coordinated with each other such that during the pivoting motion of the first instrument branch (2) relative to the second instrument branch (3), the area of ​​the contact surface (K) of the two overlapping running surfaces is equal in size in each relative position, so as to maintain the gear hardness uniformly throughout the entire motion region of the relative motion.

3. The medical device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first support section (4) and / or the second support section (5) have a cylindrical base (12) with a flat end side forming the running surface as a stepped section.

4. The medical device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least one step section is integrally constructed on the corresponding instrument branch.

5. The medical device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The medical device (1) has an interlocking configuration, wherein the first support section (4) is a male support section in the form of an interlocking plug, and the second support section (5) is a female support section in the form of an interlocking box with a through hole (8), wherein the male support section passes through the through hole (8) of the female support section and the two opposing running surfaces (6) of the male support section pivotally slide against the two opposing running surfaces (7) of the female support section.

6. The medical device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The male support section has two opposing, cylindrical, coaxially arranged bases (12) with flat end sides. The bases (12) form two opposing running surfaces (6) of the male support section and respectively abut against the corresponding opposing running surfaces (7).

7. The medical device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The medical device (1) is a surgical clip or surgical forceps.

8. The medical device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first running surface (6) and / or the second running surface (7) have rounded edges on the circumferential side.

9. The medical device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The height of the step section is a minimum of 0.1 mm and a maximum of 1 mm in the direction of the pivot axis (11) from the root of the step section, and / or the height of the gap between the first support section (4) and the second support section (5) in the direction of the pivot axis (11) is a minimum of 0.1 mm and a maximum of 1 mm.

10. The medical device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The height of the step section, starting from the root of the step section, is a minimum of 0.3 mm and a maximum of 0.6 mm in the direction of the pivot axis (11), and / or the height of the gap between the first support section (4) and the second support section (5) in the direction of the pivot axis (11) is a minimum of 0.3 mm and a maximum of 0.6 mm.

11. The medical device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first operating surface (6) and / or the second operating surface (7) have a depth of at least 0.5 cm. 2 and a maximum of 5 cm 2 The area.

12. The medical device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The surface roughness Ra of the first running surface and / or the second running surface is less than 1 μm.

13. The medical device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The surface roughness Ra of the first running surface and / or the second running surface is less than 0.4 μm.

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