Endoscopic clip applier actuator

An endoscopic clip applier, comprising:

• a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first longitudinal axis;
• a clip dispenser coupled to said distal end of said tube and containing a plurality of clips;
• an actuator coupled to said proximal end of said tube;
• a control member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis and extending within said tube between said proximal and distal ends of said control member, said control member extending through said flexible tube, said proximal end of said control member operably coupled to said actuator, said distal end of said control member operably coupled to said plurality of clips such that rotation of said control member about the second longitudinal axis advances said plurality of clips distally relative to said clip dispenser, wherein,
• said actuator has a rotatable member for rotating said control member about the second longitudinal axis, said rotatable member being arranged such that it can be rotated in only one direction.

An endoscopic clip applier, comprising:

• a flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a first longitudinal axis;
• a clip dispenser coupled to said distal end of said tube and containing a plurality of clips;
• an actuator coupled to said proximal end of said tube;
• a control member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis and extending within said tube between said proximal and distal ends of said control member, said control member extending through said flexible tube, said proximal end of said control member operably coupled to said actuator, said distal end of said control member operably coupled to said plurality of clips such that rotation of said control member about the second longitudinal axis advances said plurality of clips distally relative to said clip dispenser,
• said actuator having a rotatable member for rotating said control member about the second longitudinal axis;
• and
• a counter coupled to said rotatable member, said counter indicating one of (i) the number of clips remaining in the dispenser, (ii) the number of clips having been applied, and (iii) whether any clips remain in the dispenser.

An endoscopic clip applier, comprising:

• a flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a pair of jaws coupled to said distal end of said flexible tube;
• a clip dispenser containing a plurality of clips mounted proximally to said jaws;
• an actuator coupled to said proximal end of said flexible tube, said actuator including a first user manipulatable member for opening and closing said jaws and a second user manipulatable member for dispensing a clip from said clip dispenser, wherein,
• said second user manipulatable member is inoperable to dispense a clip from said clip dispenser until after said jaws are closed by operation of said first user manipulatable member.