Cannula Clip Loading for Intra-Cavity Access Without Lumen Disturbance

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Solution Overview

Problem

The storage of polymeric ligation clips in a compressed or partially compressed state for minimally-invasive surgical procedures can impact their performance and condition, and existing loading methods do not efficiently facilitate intra-cavity loading of ligation clips without compromising the integrity of the instrument lumen.

Innovation Solution

A cannula-based intra-cavity clip loading device with a clip stack and retention features allows for the axial arrangement of ligation clips, maintaining fluid integrity through an instrument lumen, and enables robotic or endoscopic clip application devices to individually access and remove clips from slots without disturbing the lumen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If ligation clips are stored in a compressed or partially compressed state to minimize overall dimension and facilitate delivery through cannula, then the clips can be delivered through small diameter incisions, but the condition of the clips is impacted which affects performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall dimension of clipsVSAvoidperformance of clips

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The loading device separates the compression function from the storage function by providing a dedicated compression mechanism that compresses clips only during the loading process, while the storage magazine maintains clips in an uncompressed or less compressed state, thus preserving clip performance while enabling compact delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs preliminary compression of clips outside the body before loading them into the magazine, so that clips are compressed only to the extent necessary for delivery through the cannula, rather than maintaining continuous compression that would degrade clip performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If clips are loaded into an endoscopic clip applier through a cannula, then minimally-invasive surgical procedures can be performed, but the integrity of the instrument lumen must be maintained without disturbance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading processVSAvoidfluid integrity of instrument lumen

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The loading device extracts the clip loading function from the instrument lumen by providing a separate magazine and compression mechanism that loads clips through a dedicated loading port, preventing disturbance to the instrument lumen's fluid integrity while enabling efficient clip loading

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The magazine acts as an intermediary component between the external loading mechanism and the instrument lumen, allowing clips to be transferred into the applier without compromising the sealed environment of the instrument lumen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12564403B2Ligation clip loading device

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A ligation clip loading device includes a cannula including a cannula body and an instrument lumen extending through a longitudinal axis of the cannula body, and a stack of ligation clips axially arranged about the instrument lumen. The ligation clips are accessible through a series of slots allowing for loading of an endoscopic clip applier with the ligation clips within a body cavity, such as an intra-abdominal cavity.