GB742403A - Improvements in or relating to wound clips, a rack for holding a stack of wound clips, and an extractor for removing said wound clips - Google Patents

Abstract

742,403. Surgical clips. TECHNICAL OIL TOOL CORPORATION. Feb. 19, 1953 [March 24, 1952 ; Oct. 13, 1952], No. 4672/53. Class 81(2). A wound clip comprises a strip of thin deformable material having a central bowed portion and fleshengaging prongs projecting from the ends rearwardly open notches of substantial width being provided adjacent the clip ends for the engagement of the jaws of an extractor device to spread said ends apart and release said prongs. The ends 41 of the clip 31 are bent backwardly to form grooves 42 for the engagement of a clip extractor device. Prongs 43 are formed from the material of the clip leaving complemental openings 44 and are laterally offset with relation to prongs 43 at the other end 41 of the clip 31. Clips 31 are stacked in front-to-back relationship on a rack 50 which comprises a U-shaped spring rod having an enlarged head 52 and hook-shaped flanges 53 at the free ends of parallel side legs 51. The rack 50 is threaded through elongated openings 45 in the clips 31 so that the head 52 bears against the front of the leading clip 31. A stack of clips 31 on the rack 50 is inserted in an opening at the rear of an applicator 30, the rack then being withdrawn from the applicator through a forward opening so that the clips are positioned inside the applicator for use. A plunger 36 and spring 37 are then inserted to hold the clips in position as they are used. The applicator is provided with forcep arms 32 having inturned jaws 33 which bear against the bent back portions of the clip ends 41. Lugs at the forward end of the applicator 30 prevent the inadvertent escape of clips. Clips 31 are applied to a wound by placing the forward end of the aplicator 30 over the flesh at the edges of the wound and pressing the jaws 33 towards one another so that the clips are bent to a U-shape, the prongs 43 penetrating the flesh. The clips 31 are loosened or opened for removal by an extractor device comprising jaws 62, Fig. 9, having arcuate edges 64 secured to crossed members 60, 61. On pressing the members 60, 61 towards one another, the jaws are separated so that when engaging grooves 42 of a clip 31, the clip ends 41 are separated for loosening or removal as desired. An alternative extractor device, Fig. 12, comprises arms 70, 71 joined by rivets 72 and preformed so that their free ends are normally apart. In use, the arms 70, 71 are pressed towards one another to engage the grooves 42 of a clip 31 so that on relaxing the pressure the clip ends 41 are moved apart to release the clip 31. Specification 736,882 is referred to.