Apparatus and method for applying latchless surgical clips

DETAILED DESCRIPTION An apparatus is disclosed for applying latchless surgical clips to body tissue.
The latchless clips each possess a pair of legs movable between a closed position wherein the legs are in relatively close proximity to each other and an open position wherein the legs are relatively spaced apart from each other.
The legs are resiliently biased to the closed position.
The apparatus comprises frame means, and endoscopic means of generally elongated configuration connected to the frame means and extending distally therefrom.
The endoscopic means includes: means for storing a plurality of latchless surgical clips, means for opening the clips, means for selectively advancing the clips to the distal portion of the endoscopic means for positioning adjacent the body tissue to be clipped where the clips are permitted to at least partially close; and means for facilitating substantially complete closure of each clip at least sufficient to grip the body tissue.
The apparatus may be completely disposable and the endoscopic means may be replaceable so as to permit additional clips to be applied with a single apparatus during a single surgical procedure.
In one embodiment, a disposable apparatus is disclosed for applying surgical clips to body tissue which comprises a frame configured and dimensioned for manual gripping, an elongated endoscopic section connected at the proximal end thereof to the frame and extending distally therefrom, the endoscopic section including means for storing a plurality of latchless surgical clips in generally aligned relation facing the distal portion thereof, jaw means positioned at the distal end thereof and adapted for sequential reception of the latchless clips, means for sequentially advancing and opening the latchless clips distally so as to be positioned between the jaw means for positioning adjacent the body tissue to be clipped, and means for sequentially at least partially closing the jaw means about each clip after the clip is advanced therebetween while simultaneously repositioning the clip advancing means for distal advancement of the next clip