Occlusion clip and instrument for applying same

An instrument for applying an occlusion clip on an anatomical tubular structure, which clip is composed of a bendable material, comprising an elongated substantially tubular housing of at least sufficient length to extend through an opening in the umbilicus to a position adjacent the fallopian tube, said tubular housing carrying at its forward end a pair of jaw means which are movable relative to one another with the bendable clip disposed between said jaw means between an open, clip-receiving position and a closed, clip-applying position, said jaw means extending longitudinally beyond the forward end of said substantially tubular housing but having a width when said jaw means are in an open position that is compatible with the width of said housing, for insertion while said jaw means are in an open position, into an incision of such small size as to accommodate said housing, actuating means on said instrument and reciprocable longitudinally of said housing for selectively closing the jaw means including control means for producing a controlled closure of the clip from said open, clip-receiving position to said closed, clip-applying position, said jaw means having forward ends which are movable toward and away from each other to close and to open said jaws, and said jaw means having rearward ends which are spaced apart from each other, throughout the closing and opening movement of said jaws.