Apparatus and method for applying surgical clips in laparoscopic or endoscopic procedures

摘要

A disposable apparatus is disclosed for applying surgical clips to body tissue in endoscopic surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a frame which is adapted to be gripped by hand, and an endoscopic section permanently connected to the handle and capable of storing surgical clips in preparation for clipping arteries or other body tissue. The apparatus includes means for advancing each clip sequentially to a pair of distal jaws and means for closing the jaws about the clip. When the jaws are closed, the clip advancing means is simultaneously positioned to advance the next clip. When all clips are spent the apparatus becomes automatically locked against further advancement of the clip advancing means as well as further closing of the clip closing jaws. The present apparatus also makes it possible to partially close a clip without interfering with the sequential movement of the clip advancing mechanism.