Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus is described for dispensing a surgical clip (1) of memory metal, the clip being of the kind having a central portion (2) defining a plane and a pair of limbs (3, 4) extending from opposite sides of the central portion, one (3) of the pair of limbs having a free end disposed forward, and above the plane, of the central portion (2) and the other (4) of the pair of limbs having a free end disposed forward, and below the plane, of the central portion (2). The apparatus comprises an inner shaft (27) in which the clip (1) can be mounted and an outer movable member (25) for displacing the clip along the longitudinal axis of the inner shaft (27). The inner shaft comprises a central region (40) for accommodating the central portion (2) of the clip and a pair of diagonally opposed guide rails (41, 42) provided on opposite sides of the central region (40), one (41) of the guide rails being positioned above the central region to accommodate the one limb (3) and the other (42) of the guide rails being positioned below the central region to accommodate the other limb (4) of the clip. The rails hold the limbs of the clip splayed even though at room temperature they are biased into their clamping configuration, and the clip can then be applied round a body passageway from the end of the shaft (27).

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First Claim