Medical devices with detachable pivotable jaws

A medical device for engaging tissue, the medical device comprising:

• a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis extending between proximal and distal ends of the housing, the housing defining first and second guide surfaces along the internal passageway, the housing comprising a plurality of slots extending to the proximal end of the housing;
• a first jaw slidably and pivotally connected to the housing, the first jaw having proximal and distal ends, the first jaw slidably received within the internal passageway for longitudinal movement along the first guide surface between an extended position and a retracted position, the proximal end of the first jaw comprising geared teeth;
• a second jaw slidably and pivotally connected to the housing, the first jaw having proximal and distal ends, the second jaw slidably received within the internal passageway for longitudinal movement along the second guide surface between an extended position and a retracted position, the proximal end of the second jaw comprising geared teeth;
• a driver engaged with the proximal ends of the first and second jaws, the driver comprising teeth that mesh with the geared teeth of the jaws;
• an elongated drive wire selectively connected to the driver for longitudinal movement therewith;
• and
• a tubular connector defining a lumen sized to slidably receive a connection block, the connection block structured to frictionally engage a proximal end of the housing, the connection block defining a bore slidably receiving the drive wire, a distal end of the drive wire defining a distal head that is larger than the bore, the connection block comprising a connection ring having a plurality of tabs;
• wherein the housing is structured to block rotation of the first and second jaws when in their retracted positions, and the housing is structured to permit rotation of the first and second jaws when in their extended positions;
• wherein the distal head engages the connection block upon proximal retraction of the drive wire and slides the connection block proximally relative to the tubular connector to disengage the connection block from the housing;
• and
• wherein the plurality of slots receives the plurality of tabs.

A method for clamping tissue, the method comprising:

• providing a medical device comprising:
• a housing, the housing defining a longitudinal axis extending between proximal and distal ends of the housing, the housing comprising a plurality of slots extending to the proximal end of the housing, the plurality of slots each comprising a narrowed throat separating proximal and distal portions of the slots;
• first and second jaws, the first and second jaws slidably and pivotally connected to the housing;
• a driver, the driver engaged with the first and second jaws for driving longitudinal movement of the first and second jaws;
• a tubular connector, the tubular connector slidably housing a connection block, the connection block sized and structured to frictionally engage both the tubular connector and the housing, the connection block comprising a connection ring having a plurality of tabs, the plurality of tabs received in the plurality of slots;
• and
• an elongated drive wire, the elongated drive wire selectively connected to the driver for longitudinal movement therewith;
• advancing the elongated drive wire distally to translate the first and second jaws distally relative to the housing;
• advancing the elongated drive wire distally to rotate the first and second jaws away from each other;
• positioning the tissue between the first and second jaws;
• retracting the drive wire proximally to rotate the first and second jaws towards each other and to translate the first and second jaws proximally relative to the housing, to clamp the tissue between the first and second jaws;
• detaching the drive wire from the driver to leave the first and second jaws clamped to the tissue and connected to the housing, the plurality of tabs maintained in the plurality of slots;
• retracting the drive wire proximally such that the drive wire engages the connection block and the plurality of tabs move past the narrowed throats and into the proximal portions of the plurality of slots;
• and
• proximally translating the connection block out of engagement with the housing.