| 摘要 |
Disclosed is a cartridge having a plurality of compartments for holding preformed hemostatic clips. Each compartment is dimensioned wide enough to hold a clip and to allow a clip applicator, which is wider than a clip, to be inserted without deforming the walls of the compartment. Each compartment has a center post or pedestal, dimensioned to be smaller than the inside dimension of a clip, that loosely supports a clip in the compartment. Centering protrusions are positioned symmetrically along the sides of the pedestal and along the walls of the compartment to help center the clip within the compartment. Each clip is held in place by two fingers that extend into the ends of the compartment and contact the clip. These fingers are made of a flexible material that allows the applicator to push the fingers aside as the applicator enters the compartment to grip a clip, and the fingers are angled and dimensioned to be long enough to remain in contact with the clip until after the applicator contacts the clip. Thus the clip is always positively retained, either by the fingers or the applicator, while in the compartment. The fingers are attached to a rim that surrounds the compartments, forming a single clip retaining component, and this component can be placed over the compartments after the clips are inserted during manufacturing. A "V" shaped groove is formed into the end of each finger, which, along with the centering protrusions, holds the clip in the center of the compartment, allowing the applicator to seat the clip into the proper position within the applicator.
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