Patent · US Expired

Apparatus and method for removing a clip

US7131977B2 · kind B2 · utility

49Cited by
17References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 27, 2002
Grant dateNov 7, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 16, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/2936
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An endoscopic apparatus includes a pair of jaws pivotably connected to each other and movable between an open position and a closed position. The jaws have respective opposing gripper portions. Each gripper portion has a distal end, a proximal end, and an inside surface extending between the distal and proximal ends. At the closed position, the inside surfaces define a jaw gap therebetween. At least a portion of the jaw gap increases in distance along a direction from the distal end toward the proximal end. An actuating mechanism communicates with the jaws for moving the jaws between the open and closed position. In a surgical procedure in which a clip such as a hemostatic clip has been latched around a blood vessel or other tissue, the apparatus can be used to compress the clip and consequently unlatch the clip, thereby releasing the clip from the vessel. Thereafter, the apparatus can be rotated. After rotation, the apparatus can be used to grasp the clip and subsequently remove the clip from the surgical site.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.