Surgical Clip Applier Wedge Mechanism for Partial Vessel Occlusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical clip appliers lack the capability to variably occlude vessels or retain catheters without fully occluding them, necessitating improved mechanisms for partial clip closure during certain surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A surgical clip applier with a partial clip closure mechanism featuring a wedge that selectively engages with jaw member recesses, allowing for partial or full clip formation based on the wedge's position, enabling independent control of jaw movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the jaw members are designed to fully close to form complete surgical clips, then complete vessel occlusion is achieved, but the ability to perform procedures requiring variable occlusion (such as cholangiograms) is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to partially or fully form clipsVSAvoidstructure of jaw closure mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The jaw closure mechanism is made dynamic by introducing a wedge that can be positioned in different locations along the jaw members. The wedge selectively engages with recesses at different positions, allowing the jaw members to close to different extents. This dynamic positioning capability enables the system to adapt between full closure (for complete occlusion) and partial closure (for variable occlusion procedures), resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wedge serves as an intermediary element between the actuation force and the jaw members. By positioning the wedge at different locations, it mediates the closure process to achieve different degrees of jaw closure. This intermediary mechanism allows selective engagement with recesses on the jaw members, enabling both partial and full clip formation without requiring fundamentally different mechanisms, thus maintaining reasonable complexity while achieving versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a wedge mechanism is added to enable partial clip formation, then versatility for variable occlusion procedures is improved, but the complexity of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to selectively prevent full jaw closureVSAvoidaddition of wedge and recess structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wedge is designed as a multi-functional element that serves both as a blocking mechanism (when engaged with recesses to prevent full closure) and as a driving mechanism (when disengaged to allow full jaw closure). The recesses on the jaw members serve dual purposes: they guide the wedge during partial closure and provide engagement points for selective blocking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the wedge is biased into engagement with the recess, then partial clip formation is the default state, but full clip formation requires additional action to disengage the wedge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefault partial closure capabilityVSAvoidtime to disengage wedge for full closure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing spring pre-positions the wedge in engagement with the recesses, establishing the default state for partial clip formation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for active control to maintain partial closure, making it the automatic default state. When full closure is needed, the user simply needs to overcome the biasing force (by applying sufficient actuation force), and the wedge automatically disengages from the recesses. This approach minimizes the time and effort required for state transitions while maintaining ease of operation for the common partial closure scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables partial or full clip formation as needed, facilitating variable occlusion of vessels or catheter retention without complete vessel occlusion, enhancing surgical precision and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

the wedge is biased into engagement with the recess of the first jaw member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring biasing: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12611216B2Partial clip closure mechanisms for surgical clip appliers and surgical clip appliers incorporating the same

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A surgical clip applier including an elongated portion, an end effector, and a partial clip closure mechanism is disclosed. The end effector includes a first jaw member defining a recess, and a second jaw member. At least one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member movable toward the other of the first jaw member or the second jaw member between an open position and a closed position. The end effector is configured to support a surgical clip between the first jaw member and the second jaw member. The partial clip closure mechanism includes a wedge that is selectively positionable in engagement with the recess. When the wedge is free from engagement with the recess, the jaw members are positionable in the closed position. When the wedge is in engagement with the recess, the jaw members are prevented from being positioned in the closed position.