Applicator for surgical clips

A hand-operable surgical clip applicator, the applicator comprising:

• a barrel having a first end and a second end, the second end formed as a first crimping surface and being able to accommodate a surgical clip;
• a crimping lever, the crimping lever pivotally connected to the barrel, the crimping lever having a second crimping surface and an opening peg integrally formed therewith, the second crimping surface being in opposition to the first crimping surface, the first crimping surface and the second crimping surface being biased away from one another;
• and
• a pushrod, slidably located within the barrel, to selectively abut the crimping lever;
• wherein movement of the pushrod towards the second end of the barrel causes the pushrod to push the crimping lever, further causing the second crimping surface to close onto the first crimping surface, thereby in use urging a surgical clip from an open position towards a closed position;
• wherein the pushrod includes a slot through which a portion of the opening peg extends, the pushrod thereby constraining movement of the opening peg;
• wherein the pushrod further includes a transfer rod and a pusher, the pusher having a stop face, the transfer rod and the pusher being slidably located within the barrel, the transfer rod and pusher being releasably connected together by a bayonet joint, the pusher abutting the crimping lever, and the pusher having the slot that constrains movement of the opening peg;
• and
• wherein movement of the pushrod away from the second end of the barrel causes the pushrod to pull the opening peg, further causing the second crimping surface to open away from the first crimping surface.