Hemostatic clip cartridge

Abstract

A hemostatic clip cartridge for holding a dispensing a polymeric hemostatic clip having a pair of legs connected at proximal ends to a hinge and latching means at distal ends of the legs, and including laterally projecting engagement means adapted to be slidingly received by notched jaws of an applier instrument. The cartridge includes a base having a plurality of longitudinally spaced clip retaining compartments for retaining individual clips carried at the hinge on a saddle extending between adjacent upwardly extending walls. A retainer secured to the base has laterally spaced deflectable arms projecting inwardly toward the saddle in resilient engagement with the legs of the clips. The deflectable arms have a U-shaped medial notch at the distal end having a base wall engagable with the legs and defining laterally spaced terminal fingers registering with said engagement means. For withdrawal the arms are downwardly deflected by an applier instrument with said base wall while maintaining contact with the legs until the fingers contact said engagement bosses. Thereafter, the fingers maintain contact with the bosses until contacted by said applier instrument whereupon further insertion of the applier instrument deflects the arms deflect outwardly and below said engagement means whereby continuous contact is maintained with said clip until affirmative alignment with the jaws of the applier instrument is attained.