Suture clip with reduced hinge mass

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention is an improved surgical clip.
The clip is of the type comprising first and second leg members joined at their proximal ends by a resilient hinge region and terminating at their distal ends in latch means.
Each leg member has an outer surface and a clamping inner surface.
The clamping inner surface is disposed in opposition to the clamping inner surface of the other leg member.
The outer surface of each leg member is configured to be accepted by the jaws of a clip applier, and the hinge region has an outer hinge surface.
The improvement to the clip relates to the hinge region of the clip.
The mass of the clip in the hinge region is reduced relative to that of a conventional clip.
The mass is reduced by an amount effective to substantially lessen the strain at the hinge region when the clip is in a clamped position.
Surprisingly, the reduction in mass of the clip at the hinge region actually increases the ability of the hinge region to maintain its structural integrity over an extended period of time when the clip is in a clamped position.
Therefore, the ability of the clip to retain its clamping strength, and hence its "survival" rate in vivo, is dramatically improved.
These improvements in properties are achieved because the modified design of the hinge region reduces the strain at the hinge region when the clip is in the clamped position.
The clip of this invention is particularly adapted to act as a knot clip in those applications requiring the replacement of a suture knot during endoscopic surgery.
Suture knots are required when the suture strand must be anchored or fastened in place.
Additionally, the clip can be used for other surgical applications, particularly those applications related to endoscopic surgery.
There will be instances when such a clip can be used to advantage in open surgery (i.
e.
, non-endoscopic procedures).