The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 18, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 02, 2001
Stephen F. Peters, Hickory Corners, MI (US);
Other;
Abstract
A surgical clip applier for application of surgical clips to body tissue is disclosed. The clip applier includes an elongated housing having proximate and distal ends. This housing also defines a feed surface for the surgical clips. The clip applier also includes first and second jaws extending from the distal end of the housing. The jaws open and close to apply the surgical clips to the body tissue of the patient. A driver is disposed within the housing to advance the surgical clips from the feed surface to the jaws. The clip applier of the present invention incorporates a backing surface extending from the distal end of the housing and extending along the jaws. Accordingly, the backing surface bears against the jaws by constantly applying a force such that the housing is always pre-loaded against the jaws. As such, the jaws are maintained in proper alignment with the feed surface and the surgical clips can be advanced from the feed surface to the jaws without a misfeed.