# US 2021/0330328 A1 · Clips, Appliers, and Cartridges > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0330328 A1 - Document ID: US20210330328A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/858,546 - Filed: 2020-04-24 - Published: 2021-10-28 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-24 - Assignees: NeuraMedica Inc. - Applicants: NeuraMedica Inc. - Inventors: Rachel Dreilinger; Neil Roundy; Mariah Knight; Sandra Baker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210330328A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/083: {Clips, e.g. resilient} - A61B 17/10: for applying or removing wound clamps {, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple (A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068)}; Wound clamp magazines - A61B 17/1222: {Packages or dispensers therefor (clip magazines incorporated in a clip-applying instrument A61B17/128; for surgical articles A61B50/30)} - A61B 50/20: Holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments (drapes with means to hold surgical instruments A61B46/23; for catheters A61M25/02) - A61B 50/33: Trays - A61B 17/2833: {Locking means} - A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing} - A61B 2017/00584: {Clips} - A61B 2017/0488: {Instruments for applying suture clamps, clips or locks} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A medical device forming method, an applier for manipulating clips, and a cartridge for holding clips are disclosed herein. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, the step of receiving said no more than partially cured rubbery device further comprising the step of using a partial thermal injection molding process to create a no more than partially cured rubbery device with a gap defined therein. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, the step of receiving said no more than partially cured rubbery device further comprising the step of using a partial thermal injection molding process to create a no more than partially cured rubbery device with a gap defined therein comprising the steps of: (a) injecting fluid clip material into a mold; (b) subjecting the clip material in the mold to a process; and (c) removing the clip material from the mold before the clip material has crystallized. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, the step of curing said partially cured rubbery device further comprising the step of causing said partially cured rubbery device to crystallize or anneal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, the step of curing said partially cured rubbery device further comprising the step of heating said partially cured rubbery device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the gap in said flexible but rigid device may be opened and closed. ### Claim 7 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. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The applier of claim 7, each said pinching tip being an inwardly-angled pinching tip. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The applier of claim 7 further comprising an expander for encouraging increasing distance between the handle of a first shaft and the handle of a second shaft. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The applier of claim 7 wherein said engageable and disengageable lock is a two-part lock, a first lock part associated with said first shaft and a second lock part associated with said second shaft. ### Claim 11 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The cartridge of claim 11, wherein said at least one formation well is a single elongated channel formation well sized and shaped to hold a plurality of said clips in said closed position with said teeth of opposing sides touching. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The cartridge of claim 11, wherein said at least one formation well is a plurality of individual formation wells, each individual formation well sized and shaped to hold a single one of said clips in said closed position with said teeth of opposing sides touching. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The cartridge of claim 11 further comprising formation structure in said at least one formation well. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The cartridge of claim 11 further comprising formation structure in said at least one formation well, said formation structure being at least one formation pin. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The cartridge of claim 11 further comprising formation structure in said at least one formation well, said formation structure being at least one formation finger. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The cartridge of claim 11 further comprising guide structure to assist appliers in removing the clips from the formation wells. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The cartridge of claim 11 further comprising guide structure to assist appliers in removing the clips from the formation wells, said guide structure selected from the group consisting of: (a) angled surfaces; (b) side channels; and (c) wall guides. ### Claim 19 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The applier of claim 19, further comprising: (a) said first shaft having a first bent central shaft portion; (b) said second shaft having a second bent central shaft portion; and (c) when said first shaft and said second shaft overlap, said first bent central shaft portion and said second bent central shaft portion define a central opening therebetween.