Surgical clip applicator device

An anastomosis system for applying at least one surgical clip formed at least partly of a shape memory alloy, said system including,

• a) at least one surgical clip including:
• i) a first length of a wire, having a predetermined cross-sectional shape and surface configuration, defining a closed geometrical shape having a central opening,
• ii) a second length of a wire, having a predetermined cross-sectional shape and surface configuration, defining a closed geometrical shape substantially similar in configuration and magnitude to that of said first length of wire, wherein said first and second lengths of wire fully overlap, when disposed in side-by-side registration, and
• iii) an intermediate portion located between said first length of wire and said second length of wire, said intermediate portion formed of a shape memory alloy;
• wherein, when at a first temperature or higher, said first and second lengths of wire are positioned in a side-by-side closed position and said shape memory alloy is in an elastic state, and further, when at a second temperature or lower, below said first temperature, said shape memory alloy is in a plastic state, thereby enabling said first and second lengths of wire to be moved into and to retain a spaced apart position, and upon heating of said clip to a temperature at least equal to said first temperature, said first and second lengths of wire return to said side-by-side closed position, thereby to apply a compressive force to tissue located therebetween;
• and
• b) an anastomosis clip applicator device for applying the surgical clip to press together adjacent wall portions of adjacent hollow organ portions so as to effect anastomosis between the adjacent organ portions, wherein said applicator device includes:
• i) gripping apparatus for gripping the surgical clip, configured to permit positioning of the clip into a pair of adjacent hollow organ portions;
• ii) a release mechanism, associated with said gripping apparatus, for selectably releasing said clip from said gripping apparatus when the clip is positioned in a selected position about a pair of organ walls to be anastomosed;
• iii) tissue cutting apparatus having a predetermined configuration, operatively associated with said gripping apparatus, selectably operable, after positioning of the clip, to cut through the tissue walls so as to form therethrough a predetermined perforation;
• and
• iv) apparatus for activating said gripping apparatus, said release mechanism and said cutting apparatus, so as to introduce and apply the surgical clip into adjacent hollow organ portions, such that the surgical clip compresses together the adjacent walls of the hollow organ portions, and thereafter causes said cutting apparatus to perforate the adjacent pressed together organ walls.