Clip deployment tool and associated methods

#The present disclosure relates to deployment of an occlusion clip and, more specifically, to devices and methods utilized to deploy an occlusion clip using a handheld device.

#The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein include one or more active or passive repositioning mechanisms. As will be discussed in more detail hereafter, an active repositioning mechanism provides for infinite adjustments as the user is physically operating a control to directly manipulate the repositioning of an end effector or a device mounted to an end effector. In contrast, a passive repositioning mechanism can be thought of as acting similar to a light switch, either off or on. In this manner, the passive repositioning mechanism either allows or disallows repositioning of the end effector or a device mounted to the end effector, but is not responsible for actively manipulating the aspect ultimately repositioned. Put another way, the passive repositioning system allows for free movement of the end effector or a device mounted to the end effector within the relevant range of motion when the mechanism is in the “on” position, but locks movement when the mechanism is in the “off” position. In exemplary form, a laparoscopic device may incorporate passive repositioning mechanisms to control movements in different directions, such as pitch and yaw.

#It is a first aspect of the present invention to provide a laparoscopic device comprising: (a) a housing operatively coupled to a first control and a second control; (b) an end effector operatively coupled to the first control, the end effector comprising a first component and a second component selectively repositionable with respect to one another within an X-Y plane, the end effector also including a third component selectively repositionable with respect to the second component within an Y-Z plane; (c) a laparoscopic conduit extending between the housing and the end effector; and, (d) an occlusion clip deployment device operatively coupled to the end effector and the second control.

#FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of an exemplary laparoscopic device in accordance with the instant disclosure.

#FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the proximal end of the exemplary laparoscopic device of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is an elevated perspective view of the proximal end of the exemplary laparoscopic device of FIG. 2, without the left side housing.

#The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described and illustrated below to encompass surgical equipment and, more specifically, to surgical equipment that may be used in minimally invasive procedures. The disclosure also relates to surgical equipment to facilitate the positioning and deployment of an atrial appendage occlusion device. In addition, the disclosure relates to surgical equipment that is adapted to accommodate or work in tandem with flexible endoscopes. Of course, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments discussed below are exemplary in nature and may be reconfigured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. However, for clarity and precision, the exemplary embodiments as discussed below may include optional steps, methods, and features that one of ordinary skill should recognize as not being a requisite to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

#Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary clip deployment apparatus 100 comprises a controller 110 mounted to a proximal portion of a rigid or semi-rigid conduit 112 that is relatively linear. The controller 110 includes various controls in order to manipulate a repositionable mechanism operatively coupled to an end effector 118, where the repositionable mechanism is mounted to a distal portion of the conduit 112. In this exemplary embodiment, the repositionable mechanism is coupled to an end effector comprising a clip deployment device 118. But as will be discussed in more detail hereafter, the end effector 118 may comprise any number of devices such as, without limitation, forceps, ablation rails, jaws, linear cutters, ablation pens, ablation clamps, illuminated dissectors, and non-illuminated dissectors.

#The exemplary repositionable mechanism incorporates a dual passive mechanism. The first passive mechanism is operative to control the pitch (i.e., up and down) of the end effector 118, while the second passive mechanism is operative to control the yaw (i.e., side to side) of the end effector.