Endoscopic multiple ligating clip applier with rotating shaft

A device for applying a plurality of surgical clips seriatim, said device comprising:

• a) an elongated shaft assembly including:
• (i) a jaw member having at its distal portion a pair of spaced apart jaws for receiving a surgical clip between said jaws, said jaws being narrowly configured so that the greatest distance between the outer surfaces of said jaws at their fully open position is relatively the same as the outer diameter of said elongated shaft assembly, said jaws having channels in a generally parallel relationship for the receipt of a surgical clip therein, and said jaw member including a pair of proximally extending spaced apart jaw arms, said jaw arms each having a primary heel located proximally of said jaws that is defined as in inner surface in each jaw arm which contacts the corresponding inner surface in the opposite jaw arm as the jaws close a surgical clip;
• (ii) a clip feed mechanism for storing an array of surgical clips and delivering a clip between said jaws, said clip feed mechanism including:
• (A) an elongated clip track for housing said array of surgical clips in a first path extending through a first plane with said clips arranged end-to-end with their legs facing the distal end of the device, (B) spring means for shifting the distal-most clip in said first path out of the plane of said first path and into a second path extending through a second plane generally parallel to the plane of the first path, (C) a feed bar member positioned in said second plane such that proximal movement of said feed bar member enables said spring means to shift said distal-most clip in said first path from said first path into said second path and such that distal movement of said feed bar member advances said distal-most clip into a position between said jaws, (D) an escapement member associated with said clip track which is movable between (1) a first position extending into said path so as to maintain the array of clips stationary within said first path, and (2) a second position wherein said escapement member is removed from said path to allow distal movement of said array of clips;
• (iii) a jaw closure mechanism for closing a surgical clip positioned between said jaws including a cam channel having an integral jaw engaging mechanism, said can channel including a box-shaped element with a pair of lateral sides, a top and a bottom, said lateral sides capable of engaging the outer surfaces of the proximal portions of said jaws and said top having a folded member to complete said box, said folded member being formed as a dovetail joint;
• (iv) a gaseous sealing structure comprising a housing which includes a sidewall, endwalls and divider walls which cooperate to define a central chamber, and end chambers at opposite ends of said central chamber, said end and divider walls including clearance openings for accommodating movement of said clip feed mechanism and said jaw closure mechanism, said sidewall having apertures for permitting sealant material to be inserted into said central chamber;
• b) a handle assembly containing actuating means including a single trigger means for actuating both said jaw closure mechanism and said clip feed mechanisms;
• c) rotating means extending distally of said handle assembly for connecting said shaft assembly to said handle assembly so as to permit rotation of said shaft assembly about an axis extending longitudinally through said shaft assembly;
• d) a first connection attaching said jaw closure mechanism to said actuating means to permit rotation of said jaw closure mechanism with respect to said actuating means upon rotation of said shaft assembly by said rotating means;
• and
• e) a second connection attaching said clip feed mechanism to said actuating means to permit rotation of said clip feed mechanism with respect to said actuation means upon rotation of said shaft assembly by said rotating means;
• wherein said first and second connections are positioned in said rotating means and rotate about a common axis extending through said shaft assembly, and said first and second connections are spring biased from one another within said shaft assembly.