# US 11,298,135 B2 · Endoscopic reposable surgical clip applier > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,135 B2 - Document ID: US11298135B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/507,246 - Filed: 2019-07-10 - Published: 2019-10-31 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2015-11-10 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Henry E. Holsten; Adam I. Lehman; Kathryn L. Spencer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298135B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/105: {Wound clamp magazines (for packaging sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/083: {Clips, e.g. resilient} - A61B 17/1285: {for minimally invasive surgery} - A61B 2017/00407: {Ratchet means} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00862: {elastic or resilient} - A61B 2017/2912: {transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston} - A61B 2017/2917: {with flexible part} - A61B 2017/2925: {Pistol grips} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/2932: {Transmission of forces to jaw members} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to endoscopic reposable surgical clip appliers having a reusable handle assembly, at least one reusable shaft assembly, and at least one disposable clip cartridge assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical instrument, comprising: a handle assembly including a housing, a trigger and a drive member, the trigger being pivotable with respect to the housing to cause actuation of the drive member; a first endoscopic assembly including a first drive assembly and being selectively engagable with the handle assembly, wherein when the first endoscopic assembly is engaged with the handle assembly, actuation of the drive member of the handle assembly causes actuation of the first drive assembly of the first endoscopic assembly; a second endoscopic assembly including a second drive assembly and being selectively engagable with the handle assembly, wherein the second drive assembly is different than the first drive assembly, wherein when the second endoscopic assembly is engaged with the handle assembly, actuation of the drive member of the handle assembly causes actuation of the second drive assembly of the second endoscopic assembly; a plurality of surgical clips disposed within the first endoscopic assembly, wherein when the first endoscopic assembly is engaged with the handle assembly, actuation of the drive member of the handle assembly causes actuation of the first drive assembly of the first endoscopic assembly which results in ejection of one surgical clip of the plurality of surgical clips disposed within the first endoscopic assembly; and exactly one surgical clip disposed within the second endoscopic assembly, wherein when the second endoscopic assembly is engaged with the handle assembly, actuation of the drive member of the handle assembly causes actuation of the second drive assembly of the second endoscopic assembly which results in ejection of the one surgical clip disposed within the second endoscopic assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a release lever supported on the housing of the handle assembly, wherein the release lever includes a catch for engaging and securing the first endoscopic assembly that is selectively engaged with the handle assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein the catch is configured to engage and secure the second endoscopic assembly that is selectively engaged with the handle assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the first endoscopic assembly includes an outer tube defining a lumen therethrough, and wherein the first endoscopic assembly includes a pair of jaws pivotably and fixedly supported in and extending from a distal end of the outer tube. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The surgical instrument according to claim 4, wherein the second endoscopic assembly includes an outer tube defining a lumen therethrough, and wherein the second endoscopic assembly includes a pair of jaws fixedly supported in and extending from a distal end of the outer tube. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein the first endoscopic assembly includes an inner shaft slidably supported within the lumen of the outer tube, the inner shaft including a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the inner shaft being operatively engaged with the pair of jaws to effectuate an opening and a closing of the pair of jaws upon an axial translation of the inner shaft relative to the outer tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The surgical instrument according to claim 6, wherein the second endoscopic assembly includes a spindle slidably supported in the lumen of the outer tube, the spindle including a proximal end and a distal end, the spindle being translatable between a proximal position whereby the pair of jaws is opened and a distal position whereby the pair of jaws is closed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the first drive assembly of the first endoscopic assembly includes a cartridge cylinder defining a bore therein, a cartridge plunger slidably supported in the bore of the cartridge cylinder, a first biasing member disposed within the bore of the cartridge cylinder and interposed between a proximal end wall of the cartridge cylinder and the cartridge plunger, and a second biasing member interposed between a proximal end of the outer tube and the cartridge plunger. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the second drive assembly of the second endoscopic assembly includes a cartridge cylinder defining a bore therein, a cartridge plunger slidably supported in the bore of the cartridge cylinder, a pair of opposed fingers projecting from the cartridge cylinder, a first biasing member disposed about the cartridge cylinder and interposed between a proximal flange supported on the cartridge cylinder and the pair of opposed fingers, and a second biasing member interposed between a proximal end of the outer tube and the cartridge plunger. ### Claim 10 A surgical clip applier, comprising: a handle assembly including a housing, a trigger and a drive member, the trigger being pivotable with respect to the housing to cause actuation of the drive member; a first endoscopic assembly including a first drive assembly and being selectively engagable with the handle assembly, the first endoscopic assembly including a plurality of surgical clips therein, wherein when the first endoscopic assembly is engaged with the handle assembly, actuation of the drive member of the handle assembly causes actuation of the first drive assembly of the first endoscopic assembly; a second endoscopic assembly including a second drive assembly and being selectively engagable with the handle assembly, the second endoscopic assembly being configured to selectively hold and form exactly one surgical clip at a time, wherein when the second endoscopic assembly is engaged with the handle assembly, actuation of the drive member of the handle assembly causes actuation of the second drive assembly of the second endoscopic assembly; and a release lever supported on the housing of the handle assembly and including a catch for engaging and securing one endoscopic assembly of the first endoscopic assembly and the second endoscopic assembly that is engaged with the handle assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The surgical clip applier according to claim 10, wherein the first endoscopic assembly includes an outer tube defining a lumen therethrough, and a pair of jaws pivotably and fixedly supported in and extending from a distal end of the outer tube. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The surgical clip applier according to claim 11, wherein the second endoscopic assembly includes an outer tube defining a lumen therethrough, and a pair of jaws fixedly supported in and extending from a distal end of the outer tube. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The surgical clip applier according to claim 12, wherein the first endoscopic assembly includes an inner shaft slidably supported within the lumen of the outer tube, the inner shaft including a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the inner shaft being operatively engaged with the pair of jaws to effectuate opening and closing of the pair of jaws upon an axial translation of the inner shaft relative to the outer tube. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The surgical clip applier according to claim 13, wherein the second endoscopic assembly includes a spindle slidably supported in the lumen of the outer tube, the spindle including a proximal end and a distal end, the spindle being translatable between a proximal position whereby the pair of jaws is opened and a distal position whereby the pair of jaws is closed. ### Claim 15 A surgical instrument, comprising: a handle assembly including a housing, a fixed handle extending from the housing, a pivotable trigger, a drive plunger operatively engaged by the trigger, and a release lever supported on the housing, the release lever including a catch for engaging and securing an endoscopic assembly that is selectively connected to the handle assembly; a first endoscopic assembly selectively connectable to the housing of the handle assembly, via the catch of the release lever, the first endoscopic assembly including: a shaft assembly having an outer tube defining a lumen therethrough; a pair of jaws pivotably engaged with a distal end of the outer tube; an inner shaft slidably supported within the lumen of the outer tube, a distal end of the inner shaft being operatively engaged with the pair of jaws to effectuate opening and closing of the pair of jaws upon an axial translation of the inner shaft relative to the outer tube; and a drive assembly configured for selective insertion in a bore of the housing of the handle assembly, the drive assembly including: a cartridge cylinder having a proximal end wall, an open distal end, and a bore therein; a cartridge plunger supported on a proximal end of the inner shaft and being slidably supported in the bore of the cartridge cylinder; and a first biasing member disposed within the bore of the cartridge cylinder, and being interposed between the proximal end wall of the cartridge cylinder and the cartridge plunger; and a second endoscopic assembly selectively connectable to the housing of the handle assembly, via the catch of the release lever, the second endoscopic assembly including: a shaft assembly having an outer tube defining a lumen therethrough; a pair of jaws fixedly supported in and extending from a distal end of the outer tube; a spindle slidably supported in the lumen of the outer tube, the spindle being translatable between a proximal position where the pair of jaws is opened and a distal position where the pair of jaws is closed; an inner shaft slidably supported within the lumen of the outer tube, a distal end of the inner shaft being operatively engaged with the spindle to cause a translation of the spindle between the proximal and distal positions thereof; and a drive assembly configured for selective insertion in the bore of the housing of the handle assembly, the drive assembly including: a cartridge cylinder having a proximal end wall, an open distal end, and a bore therein; a cartridge plunger slidably supported in the bore of the cartridge cylinder; and a first biasing member disposed about the cartridge cylinder, and being interposed between a proximal flange supported on the cartridge cylinder, and a pair of opposed fingers on the cartridge plunger. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The surgical instrument according to claim 15, wherein the drive assembly of the first endoscopic assembly includes a second biasing member interposed between a proximal end of the outer tube of the shaft assembly and the cartridge plunger. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The surgical instrument according to claim 15, wherein the drive assembly of the second endoscopic assembly includes a second biasing member supported on a portion of the cartridge plunger, and being interposed between the cartridge plunger and a proximal end of the outer tube of the shaft assembly. ### Claim 18 A surgical instrument, comprising: a handle assembly including a housing, a trigger and a drive member, the trigger being pivotable with respect to the housing to cause actuation of the drive member; a first endoscopic assembly including a first drive assembly, an outer tube defining a lumen therethrough, a pair of jaws pivotably and fixedly supported in and extending from a distal end of the outer tube, and an inner shaft slidably supported within the lumen of the outer tube, the inner shaft including a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the inner shaft being operatively engaged with the pair of jaws to effectuate an opening and a closing of the pair of jaws upon an axial translation of the inner shaft relative to the outer tube, the first endoscopic assembly being selectively engagable with the handle assembly, wherein when the first endoscopic assembly is engaged with the handle assembly, actuation of the drive member of the handle assembly causes actuation of the first drive assembly of the first endoscopic assembly; and a second endoscopic assembly including a second drive assembly, an outer tube defining a lumen therethrough, a pair of jaws pivotably and fixedly supported in and extending from a distal end of the outer tube, and a spindle slidably supported in the lumen of the outer tube, the spindle including a proximal end and a distal end, the spindle being translatable between a proximal position whereby the pair of jaws is opened and a distal position whereby the pair of jaws is closed, the second endoscopic assembly being selectively engagable with the handle assembly, wherein the second drive assembly is different than the first drive assembly, wherein when the second endoscopic assembly is engaged with the handle assembly, actuation of the drive member of the handle assembly causes actuation of the second drive assembly of the second endoscopic assembly.