Apparatus for ligation and division with fixed jaws

Apparatus for ligating and dividing an organic tissue structure comprising:

• first and second substantially parallel, laterally spaced clip applying assemblies, each assembly containing a plurality of clips of plastic-like material, and each assembly including (1) a pair of jaws that are rigidly fixed relative to one another and spaced apart for receiving the tissue to be ligated between the jaws and (2) means for forcing the associated clips through the jaws of the assembly one at a time in succession so that the jaws close each clip as the clip is forced through the jaws;
• tissue supporting means movably mounted relative to the clip applying assemblies;
• actuator means for sequentially causing (1) relative motion of the tissue supporting means and the clip applying assemblies toward one another, prior to forcing a clip through the jaws of each assembly, in order to position the tissue to be ligated between the jaws of both assemblies, and (2) relative motion of the tissue supporting means and the clip applying assemblies away from one another, after forcing a clip into the jaws of each assembly and thereby closing the clips on the tissue, in order to facilitate ejection of the clips from the jaws;
• and
• means for cutting the tissue between the clips after the clips have closed on the tissue.

Apparatus for ligating and dividing an organic tissue structure comprising:

• a body;
• an actuator movably mounted relative to the body;
• clip applying means including (1) first and second parallel, laterally spaced, relatively fixed clip applying assemblies movably mounted relative to the body, each assembly containing a plurality of clips of plastic-like material, and each assembly having (a) a pair of jaws that are rigidly fixed relative to one another and spaced apart for receiving the tissue to be ligated between the jaws and (b) means for forcing the associated clips through the jaws of the assembly one at a time in succession so that the jaws close each clip on tissue disposed between the jaws as the clip is forced through the jaws, (2) tissue supporting means movably mounted relative to the clip applying assemblies, and (3) knife means disposed intermediate the clip applying assemblies and movably mounted relative thereto;
• and
• means responsive to motion of the actuator for sequentially causing (1) the clip applying assemblies to move toward the tissue supporting means to position the tissue to be ligated between the jaws, (2) a clip to advance into the jaws of each clip applying assembly and to close on the tissue, and (3) the closed clips to be ejected from the clip applying assemblies and concurrently the knife means to cut through the tissue between the clips and the tissue supporting means to move away from the clip applying assemblies to facilitate ejection of the clips.

The method of ligating and dividing an organic tissue structure comprising the steps of:

• positioning a tissue supporting structure on one side of the tissue structure to be ligated;
• moving a clip applying assembly toward the tissue supporting structure so that the tissue is introduced into the jaws of each of two laterally spaced clip closing structures, the jaws of each structure being spaced apart and rigidly fixed relative to one another;
• operating the clip applying assembly to force two laterally spaced clips through the jaws to close the clips on the tissue and to subsequently eject the closed clips from the jaws;
• moving the tissue supporting structure away from the clip applying assembly while the closed clips are being ejected from the jaws so that the tissue supporting assembly does not impede ejection of the clips from the jaws;
• and
• cutting the tissue between the closed clips during ejection of the clips from the jaws.