Clips, Appliers, and Cartridges
AssigneeNeuraMedica Inc.
InventorsRachel Dreilinger, Neil Roundy, Mariah Knight, Sandra Baker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A medical device forming method, an applier for manipulating clips, and a cartridge for holding clips are disclosed herein.
Claims20
A medical device forming method, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving a no more than partially cured rubbery device with a gap defined therein;
- (b) placing said no more than partially cured rubbery device in a form such that said gap is closed;
- and
- (c) curing said no more than partially cured rubbery device such that it becomes a flexible but rigid device.
An applier for manipulating clips, said appliers comprising:
- (a) a first shaft having a first pinching tip at least substantially at a first shaft tip end, a first handle at least substantially at a first shaft handle end, and a first shaft midpoint between said first shaft tip end and said first shaft handle end;
- (b) a second shaft having a second pinching tip at least substantially at a second shaft tip end, a second handle at least substantially at a second shaft handle end, and a second shaft midpoint between said second shaft tip end and second shaft said handle end;
- (c) a securing pivot pivotally connecting said first shaft and said second shaft at said first shaft midpoint and said second shaft midpoint;
- (d) an engageable and disengageable lock, said lock substantially preventing said handles from spreading when said lock is engaged;
- and
- (e) said applier having at least three stages, comprising:
- (i) an un-pinched stage in which said first pinching tip is relatively far from said second pinching tip, said first handle is relatively far from said second handle, and said lock is unengaged;
- (ii) a pinched stage in which said first pinching tip is relatively close to said second pinching tip, said first handle is relatively close to said second handle, and said lock is unengaged;
- and
- (iii) a partially-pinched stage in which said first pinching tip is at an in-between distance from said second pinching tip, said first handle is at an in-between distance from said second handle, and said lock is engaged.
A cartridge for holding clips, said clips having a top portion from which opposing sides extend, each side terminating in teeth, said clips having an open position in which said teeth of opposing sides do not touch, said clips having a closed position in which said teeth of opposing sides touch, said cartridge comprising:
- (a) a cartridge body;
- (b) at least one formation well defined within said body;
- and
- (c) each said at least one formation well sized and shaped to hold at least one of said clips in said closed position with said teeth of opposing sides touching.
An applier for manipulating clips, said appliers comprising:
- (a) a first shaft having a first pinching tip at least substantially at a first shaft tip end, a first handle at least substantially at a first shaft handle end, and a first shaft midpoint between said first shaft tip end and said first shaft handle end;
- (b) a second shaft having a second pinching tip at least substantially at a second shaft tip end, a second handle at least substantially at a second shaft handle end, and a second shaft midpoint between said second shaft tip end and second shaft said handle end;
- (c) a securing pivot pivotally connecting said first shaft and said second shaft at said first shaft midpoint and said second shaft midpoint;
- and
- (d) a limiter for limiting the distance between said first pinching tip and said second pinching tip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.