APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING SURGICAL CLIPS IN LAPAROSCOPIC OR ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES

摘要

A disposable apparatus is disclosed for applying surgical clipsto body tissue in endoscopic surgical procedures. The apparatus includesa frame which is adapted to be gripped by hand, and an endoscopic sectionpermanently connected to the handle and capable of storing surgical clipsin preparation for clipping arteries or other body tissue. The apparatusincludes means for advancing each clip sequentially to a pair of distaljaws and means for closing the jaws about the clip. When the jaws areclosed, the clip advancing means is simultaneously positioned to advancethe next clip. When all clips are spent the apparatus becomesautomatically locked against further advancement of the clip advancingmeans as well as further closing of the clip closing jaws. The presentapparatus also makes it possible to partially close a clip withoutinterfering with the sequential movement of the clip advancing mechanism.