Importance

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Abstract

There is described herein a ligating clip applier which contains: a handle assembly; a jaw assembly connected to the handle assembly and containing a shaft and a pair of jaws. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis which lies in a central horizontal plane. A magazine of clips is stored on one side of the plane. The jaws are positioned so that they are on the opposite side of the plane. This configuration allows the clip to be loaded into the jaws across the plane, resulting in greater visibility of the clips as they are loaded into the jaws. Further, there is provided a jaw closure mechanism operable in connection with the jaws of this device so that the jaws contact the legs of a ligating clip first distally and then proximally. Thereafter the jaws are parallel at least once during closure, and the closure of the clip legs is, indeed, distal and then proximal. This improved procedure insures that in virtually all instances, the angle included between the clip legs at the crown is 0.degree.. Motion of the clip feeding and jaw closing mechanisms are accomplished without lost motion, via a pair of interengaged mechanisms connected by a single tension spring to one another, and operating separately from the body of the device. This configuration results in a more efficient, easier to operate more reliable clip applying device.

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First Claim