US010265079B2

(12) United States Patent ( 10) Patent No.: US 10 , 265 ,079 B2

Brodaczewski et al. (45) Date of Patent: Apr. 23 , 2019
(54 ) POLYMERIC LIGATING CLIP (56 ) References Cited
(71 ) Applicants : Wieslaw Mieczyslaw Brodaczewski, U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
Dubai (AE ); Andrzej Janusz 4 ,834 ,096 A 5 / 1989 Oh et al.
Decewicz, Nottingham (GB ) 5 ,062,846 A 11/ 1991 Oh et al.
5 , 100 ,416 A 3 / 1992 Oh et al.
(72 ) Inventors: Wieslaw Mieczyslaw Brodaczewski, 6 , 863,675 B2
6 ,880 ,699 B2
3 /2005
4 /2005
Wilson , Jr.
Gallagher
Dubai (AE ); Andrzej Janusz 7 ,001,412 B2 2 /2006 Gallagher et al.
Decewicz , Nottingham (GB ) 7 ,211, 092 B2 5 / 2007 Hughett
7 ,326 ,223 B2 2 /2008 Wilson , Jr.
( 73 ) Assignee : GRENA USA LLC , Wilmington , DE 9 ,445, 820 B2 9 /2016 Whiting
(US ) (Continued )
( * ) Notice : Subject to any disclaimer,the term of this FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 EM 00079772 1 /2009
U .S .C . 154 (b ) by 48 days. WO 2013040467 A2 3/ 2013
(21) Appl. No.: 15 /466,773 OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(22 ) Filed : Mar. 22 , 2017 International Search Report, dated Aug . 24 , 2017 .
(65 ) Prior Publication Data Primary Examiner — Todd J Scherbel
US 2017/0311954 A1 Nov. 2 , 2017 Assistant Examiner — Brooke Labranche
(74 ) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Seth Natter; Natter &
Natter
Related U . S . Application Data (57 ) ABSTRACT
(60 ) Provisional application No. 62/ 328 ,652, filed on Apr. A one piece molded polymeric ligating clip comprises a pair
28 , 2016 . of curved legs having a unitary hinge at a proximal end and
a latch at a distal end . The inner face of each leg includes two
(51) Int. CI. rows of transverse ribs, with the rows separated from one
A61B 17 / 122 ( 2006 . 01) another along a longitudinal center line of each leg . The ribs
A61B 17/00 ( 2006 .01 ) of one row are staggered with respect to the ribs of the other
(52 ) U .S . CI. row of the same leg as well as ribs of the corresponding rows
CPC ... A61B 17/ 122 ( 2013.01) ; A61B 2017/00911 on the other leg . Each rib includes a sloped flexible tapered
( 2013 .01) sharp pointed prong which projects away from the inner face
(58 ) Field of Classification Search of the respective leg and toward the longitudinal center of
CPC .... A61B 17 / 122; A61B 17/ 12 ; A61B 17 / 127 ; the leg . The sharp pointed prongs impale the vessel wall
A61B 2017 / 00911 ; A61B 17 / 128 when the clip is closed around a vessel or duct.
See application file for complete search history. 20 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets

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( 56 ) References Cited
U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
9 ,456 ,824 B2 * 10 /2016 Willett A61B 17 / 128
2005 /0165423 A1 7 / 2005 Gallagher et al.
2006 / 0217749 AL 9 / 2006 Wilson
2009 /0088783 A1 4 /2009 Kennedy
2009 /0171380 A1 7/ 2009 Whiting
* cited by examiner
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 US 10 ,265 , 079 B2
POLYMERIC LIGATING CLIP There remained a need however; to provide a ligating clip
capable of being firmly secured to the tissue or vessel walls
RELATED APPLICATIONS without slippage with a minimum level of damage to tissue
or vessel walls .
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Appli - 5
cation No. 62 /328,652 filed Apr. 28 , 2016 , the entirety of SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
which is incorporated herein by reference .
A one piece molded polymeric ligating clip comprises a
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION pair of curved legs having a unitary hinge at a proximal end
10 and a latch at a distal end . The inner face ofeach leg includes
1. Field of the Invention two rows of transverse ribs, with the rows separated from
This invention relates generally to surgical clips and more one another along a longitudinal center line of each leg .
particularly to polymeric ligating clips having improved The ribs of one row are staggered with respect to the ribs
retention 15 of the other row of the same leg as well as ribs of the
2 . Antecedents of the Invention corresponding row on the other leg . Each rib includes a
Numerous surgical procedures require cutting blood ves - sharp prong which projects away from the inner face of the
sels and ducts which might require temporary or permanent leg and toward the longitudinal center line of the leg . As the
ligation . Ligation of vessels or other tissues can be per - legs close around a vessel or tissue, the prongs impale the
formed by closing the vessel with a ligating clip , or by 20 vessel wall or tissue for improved retention and eliminate
suturing the vessel with surgical thread . Ligation by suturing slippage .
required complex and difficult time - consuming manipula From the foregoing compendium , it will be appreciated
tions of a needle and suture material. Such complex manipu - that an aspect of the present invention is to provide a
lations were often difficult to perform and diverted attention polymeric ligating clip of the general character described
to the surgical procedure itself. Accordingly , the employ - 25 which is not subject to the aforementioned disadvantages of
ment of ligating clips , which are relatively easy and quick to the antecedents of the invention .
apply has grown dramatically . A feature of the present invention is to provide a poly
Hemostatic and aneurysm clips have been used in surgery meric ligating clip of the general character described which
for ligating blood vessels or other tissues to stop the flow of securely ligates vascular walls with minimal tissue trauma.
blood. Such clips have also been used for interrupting or 30 A consideration of the present invention is to provide a
occluding ducts and vessels in particular surgeries . Ligating polymeric ligating clip of the general character described
clips have been applied to the vessel or other tissue by using which securely ligates vascular walls while precluding slip
a surgical clip applies, ligating clip applies , or hemostatic page between the vascular walls and the clip .
clip applier. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
While metallic ligating clips have been employed , metal- 35 polymeric ligating clip of the general character described
lic clips have been found to interfere with the imaging which is well suited for employment with conventional
techniques such as computer tomography and magnetic applicators.
resonance imaging. To overcome such limitations , biocom A further feature of the present invention is to provide a
patible polymers have been increasingly used for ligating polymeric ligating clip of the general character described
clips . Unlike metallic clips, which are usually symmetric , 40 which is well suited for economical mass production fabri
polymeric clips are usually asymmetric. cation .
These polymeric ligating clips generally comprise a pair An additional consideration of the present invention is to
of curved legs joined at their proximal ends with an integral provide a polymeric ligating clip of the general character
hinge . The distal end of one leg terminates in a hook into described which is relatively simple to use .
which the distal end of the other leg securely fits to lock the 45 To provide a polymeric ligating clip of the general char
legs together. The distal ends of the legs of the clips acter described wherein opposed rows of prongs impale a
disclosed in U . S . Pat. No . 4 , 834 ,096 include lateral bosses vascular wall or tissue for improved retention and eliminate
that are engaged by jaws of a clip applier which is employed slippage is another aspect of the present invention .
to close the clip around the tissue to be ligated , and to latch An additional feature of the present invention is to pro
or lock the clip in the closed condition . In operation , the jaws 50 vide a one piece unitary polymeric ligating clip of the
of the clip applier are actuated to force the bosses toward one general character described having a pair of legs with an
another. This causes the legs to pivot inwardly about the inner face of each leg including rows of transverse ribs
hinge, thereby deflecting the hook of the one leg to allow separated from one another with each rib including a sharp
reception therein of the distal end of the other leg . prong projecting away from the inner face of the leg and
Ligating clips must have a sufficient degree of clamping 55 toward the longitudinal center line of the opposite leg for
force and retention on a vessel or duct, so as not to move impaling vascular tissue when the clip is closed .
relative to the vessel or duct when applied , while also Other aspects, features and considerations of the present
preserving tissue integrity and minimizing tissue damage . invention in part will be obvious and in part will be pointed
Among the previous approaches at attaining the appropriate out hereinafter .
retention were spaced ribs extending transversely across the 60 With these ends in view , the invention finds embodiment
inner face of each leg as disclosed in U . S . Pat. No . 5, 062, in various combinations of elements , arrangements of parts
846 , a collapsible flexible rib extending longitudinally along and series of steps by which the above-mentioned aspects,
the inner face of a leg , as disclosed in U . S . Pat. No. features and considerations and certain other aspects, fea
9 ,445 , 820 and a rib extending longitudinally along the inner tures and considerations are attained , or with reference to the
face of a leg which seats in a groove formed in the inner face 65 accompanying drawings and the scope of which will be
of the other leg, as disclosed in Publication No. 2005 / more particularly pointed out and indicated in the appended
0165423 A1. claims.
 US 10 , 265 ,079 B2
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS invention encompasses present and future known equiva
lents to the known components referred to herein by way of
In the accompanying drawings, wherein one of the vari illustration .
ous possible exemplary embodiments of the invention is Referring now to the drawings the reference numeral 10
shown: 5 denotes a molded one piece polymeric ligating clip con
FIG . 1 is an isometric view of a ligating clip constructed structed ainpairaccordance with the invention . The clip 10
in accordance with the invention in an open position and asincludes of legs 12 , 14 . The leg 12, hereinafter denoted
showing a pair of legs, with each leg including two rows of 18.theTheupper leg , includes a distal end 16 and a proximal end
leg 14 , hereinafter denoted as the lower leg, includes
ribs having sharp pointed prongs for engaging vascular or 10 a distal end 20 and a proximal end 22 . The proximal ends 18 ,
duct walls ;
FIG . 2 is a side elevational view of the ligating clip ; 22 are joined by an integral unitary hinge 24 .
FIG . 3 is an enlarged scale cutaway isometric view of an inner As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the upper leg 12 has a concave
vessel clamping face 26 and a convex outer face 28 ,
upper leg , showing the ribs of one row being staggered with while the lower leg 14 has a convex inner vessel clamping
respect to the ribs of the other row ;
FIG . 4 is an enlarged scale cutaway isometric view of the 15 faceTo 30provide
and a concave outer face 32 .
a latch for joining the distal ends 16 , 20 , the
lower leg ; upper leg 12 includes a curved hook 34 , at its distal end 16 ,
FIG . 5 is an enlarged scale isometric view of a single rib while the lower leg 14 includes a pair of bosses 36 , 38 , each
depicted in the circle 5 of FIG . 4 ; having a pointed tip 40 , at its distal end 20 . The hook 34 has
FIG . 6 is an enlarged scale cross sectional view through 20 a transverse beveled face and an interned concave inner face
the lower leg , the same being taken along the plane 6 -6 of which defines a latching recess 42 . The latching recess 42 is
FIG . 4 ; adapted to pass through a notch 44 formed in the distal end
FIG . 7 is a side elevation view of the ligating clip taken 20 of the lower leg 14 and centered between the bosses 36 ,
as the clip is beginning to clamp a vessel, which is shown in 38 the when compressing the clip 10 into a latched or locked
section and with an applicator tool omitted ; 25 position (illustrated in FIG . 11 ).
FIG . 8 is an enlarged scale transverse sectional view In the practice of ligating a vessel as understood by
through the clip and vessel of FIG . 7 , taken along broken persons skilled in the art , the clip 10 is designed to be
planes and showing initial engagement between the prongs compressed into a latched or locked position around a vessel
and the wall of the vessel; or duct 48 through the use of an appropriate clip applicator
FIG . 9 is a side elevation view of the ligating clip taken 30 instrument, such as described in U .S . Pat . No. 5 , 100 ,416 ,
as the clip continues to clamp the vessel, but prior to latching No . 5 ,062, 846 or No . 6 , 863,675 , all of which are incorpo
the legs; rated herein by reference . The clip applicator instrument
FIG . 10 is an enlarged scale staggered transverse sectional engages a boss 46 adjacent the distal end 16 of the upper leg
view through the clip and vessel of FIG . 9 , taken along a 12 and the pair of bosses 36 , 38 at the distal end 20 of the
broken plane; 35 lower leg 14 to pivot the legs 12 , 14 inwardly about the
FIG . 11 is a side elevation view of the ligating clip , with hinge 24 . This causes the legs 12, 14 to close around the
the clip closed and latched ; and vessel 48, with the concave inner face 26 of the leg 12 and
FIG . 12 is an enlarged scale transverse view through the complementary convex inner face 30 of the leg 14 contact
clip and vessel of FIG . 11 taken along broken planes, ing the outer wall or tissue of the vessel 48 , as illustrated in
showing the vessel fully closed with the sharp pointed 40 FIGS. 7 - 10 .
prongs impaled into to the vessel wall . Pursuant to the invention, the inner face 26 of the upper
leg 12 includes two rows of transverse ribs 50 , 52 , with the
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION rows separated from one another along the longitudinal
center line of the inner face of the upper leg 12 , ( illustrated
The present invention will now be described in detail with 45 as a dot and dash line 54 in FIG . 3 ). The ribs 50 of one row
reference to the drawings, which are provided as illustrative are staggered with respect to the ribs 52 of the other row .
examples of the invention so as to enable those skilled in the Similarly, the inner face 30 of the lower leg 14 includes two
art to practice the invention . Notably , the figures and rows of transverse ribs 56 , 58, with the rows separated from
examples below are not meant to limit the scope of the one another along the longitudinal center line 55 of the inner
present invention to a single embodiment, but other embodi- 50 face of the lower leg 14 . The ribs 56 of one row are staggered
ments are possible by way of interchange of some or all of with respect to the ribs 58 of the other row as well as all ribs
the described or illustrated elements . 50 , 52 of the leg 12 .
Moreover ,where certain elements of the present invention Each rib 50 , 52 , 56 and 58 includes a flexible sharp
can be partially or fully implemented using known compo- pointed prong 60 which projects away from the inner face of
nents, only those portions of such known components that 55 the respective leg and toward the longitudinal center of the
are necessary for an understanding of the present invention inner face of the opposite leg . As best seen in FIG . 5 , the rib
will be described , and detailed descriptions of other portions 58 projects outwardly from the inner face 30 and may
of such known components will be omitted so as not to include a cylindrically curved base 62, with the sharp
obscure the invention . In the present specification , an pointed prong 60 comprising a sloped bevel tapered projec
embodiment showing a singular component should not be 60 tion 64 extending from the base and having a sharp point 66
considered limiting ; rather, the invention is intended to at its distal end . The ribs 50 , 52 and 56 are of identical
encompass other embodiments including a plurality of the construction .
same component, and vice - versa , unless explicitly stated As the upper leg 12 and the lower leg 14 close around the
otherwise herein . vessel or duct 48 , the compressive force urges the sharp
Applicants do not intend for any term in the specification 65 points 66 of the tapered projections 64 into the vessel wall ,
or claims to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning as depicted in FIG . 10 . Continued closure of the legs 12, 14
unless explicitly set forth as such . Further, the present urges portions of the vessel wall into the gaps or spaces
 US 10 , 265 ,079 B2
between the ribs 50 , 52 , 56 and 58 and flattens the slope of having an inner face and an outer face , the legs being
the flexible tapered projections 64 so that the sharp points 66 pivotable about the hinge from an open position , wherein the
do not penetrate completely through the vessel wall, as inner faces of the legs may be positioned about a vessel or
depicted in FIG . 12 , thereby minimizing tissue trauma as the duct, to a closed position , wherein the distal ends are joined
vessel is ligated . The clip 10 is thus secured to the vessel 48 5 by a latch and the vessel or duct may be compressed between
with improved retention and reduced slippage, whereby the inner faces of both legs, a first row of evenly spaced ribs
movement of the clip 10 or vessel 48 relative to one another projecting from the inner face of the first leg and a second
during or after clip closure is prevented . row of evenly spaced ribs projecting from the inner face of
Thus it will be seen that there is provided a polymeric the first leg, the rows being spaced from one another about
ligating clip which achieves the various aspects, features and 10 a longitudinally
considerations of the present invention and which is well the first leg , theextending center line along the inner face of
ribs of the first row being staggered with
suited to meet the conditions of practical usage . respect to the ribs of the second row , the improvement
In the figures of this application , in some instances , a
comprising at least one rib of the first row including a base
plurality of elements may be shown as illustrative of a
particular element, and a single element may be shown as 15 extending from the inner face of the first leg , the base having
illustrative of a plurality of a particular elements . Showing one end facing the longitudinally extending center line of the
a plurality of a particular element is not intended to imply inner face of the first leg , and a prong having a sharp point
that a system or method implemented in accordance with the projecting beyond the one end of the base and away from the
invention must comprise more than one of that element or inner face of the first leg, the prong of the first row projecting
step , nor is it intended by illustrating a single element that 20 toward a longitudinally extending center line along the
the invention is limited to embodiments having only a single length of the inner face of the second leg , at least one rib of
one of that respective element. Those skilled in the art will the second row including a base extending from the inner
recognize that the numbers of a particular element shown in face of the first leg , the base of the at least one rib of the
a drawing can , in at least some instances, be selected to second row having one end facing the longitudinally extend
accommodate the particular user needs. 25 ing center line of the inner face of the first leg, and a prong
The particular combinations of elements and features in having a sharp point projecting beyond the one end of the
the above- detailed embodiment are exemplary only ; the base of the at least one rib of the second row and away from
interchanging and substitution of these teachings with other the inner face of the first leg , the prong of the second row
teachings in this application are also expressly contem - projecting toward the longitudinally extending center line of
plated . As those skilled in the art will recognize , variations, 30 the inner face of the second leg , whereby the sharp points of
modifications , and other implementations of what is the prongs may impale a wall of a vessel or duct and prevent
described herein can occur to those of ordinary skill in the movement of the clip relative to the vessel or duct when the
art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the clip is in the closed position while minimizing tissue trauma.
invention as claimed . 2 . The improved ligating clip in accordance with claim 1,
Further, in describing the invention and in illustrating 35 the improvement further comprising a third row of evenly
embodiments of the invention in the figures, specific termi- spaced ribs , the ribs of said third row projecting from the
nology, numbers , dimensions, materials, etc ., are used for inner face of the second leg and a fourth row of evenly
the sake of clarity . However the invention is not limited to spaced ribs, the ribs of said fourth row projecting from the
the specific terms, numbers, dimensions , materials, etc . so inner face of the second leg , the third and fourth rows being
selected , and each specific term , number , dimension , mate - 40 spaced from one another along the longitudinally extending
rial, etc ., at least includes all technical and functional center line of the inner face of the second leg , the ribs of the
equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a third row being staggered with respect to the ribs of the
similar purpose . Use of a given word , phrase, number, fourth row and with respect to the ribs of the first and second
dimension , material, language terminology, product brand , rows, at least one rib of the third row having a base
etc . is intended to include all grammatical, literal, scientific , 45 extending from the inner face of the second leg , the base
technical, and functional equivalents. The terminology used having one end facing the longitudinally extending center
herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation . line of the inner face of the second leg, and including a prong
Having described the preferred embodiment of the inven - having a sharp point projecting beyond the one end of the
tion , it will now become apparent to one of ordinary skill in base of the least one rib of the third row and away from the
the art that other embodiments incorporating the concept 50 inner face of the second leg , the prong projecting toward the
may be used . Moreover , those of ordinary skill in the art will longitudinally extending center line of the inner face of the
appreciate that the embodiment of the invention described first leg , at least one rib of the fourth row having a base
herein can bemodified to accommodate and / or comply with extending from the inner face of the second leg , the base
changes and improvements in the applicable technology and having one end facing the longitudinally extending center
standards referred to herein . 55 line of the inner face of the second leg and a prong having
Variations , modifications, and other implementations of a sharp point projecting beyond the one end of the base of
what is described herein can occur to those of ordinary skill the at least one rib of the fourth row and away from the inner
in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of face of the second leg and projecting toward the longitudi
the invention as claimed . It is felt therefore that these nally extending center line of inner face of the first leg ,
embodiments should not be limited to the disclosed embodi- 60 whereby the sharp points of the prongs of both legs may
ment but rather should be limited only by the spirit and impale the wall of the vessel or duct and prevent movement
scope of the appended claims. of the clip relative to the vessel or duct when the clip is in
Having thus described the invention there is claimed as the closed position .
new and desired to be secured to letters patent: 3. The improved ligating clip in accordance with claim 2 ,
1. In a ligating clip comprising a first leg and a second leg , 65 wherein all of the ribs include a base and a prong having a
each leg having a proximal end and a distal end , the legs sharp point projecting toward the longitudinally extending
being joined at their proximal ends by a hinge , each leg center line of the inner face of the opposite leg .
 US 10 , 265, 079 B2
4 . The improved ligating clip in accordance with claim 3 , d ) terminating step c) when the latch is engaged ; and
wherein , the prongs comprise a tapered projection extending e ) removing the applicator tool.
beyond the one end of each base , the sharp point being at the 11. The method of ligating a vessel or duct in accordance
end of the tapered projection . with claim 10 wherein the applicator tool includes a pair of
5 . The improved ligating clip in accordance with claim 1 , 5 jaws and step a ) includes grasping the boss adjacent the
wherein all of the ribs include a base and a prong comprising distal end portion of the first leg and the bosses at the distal
a tapered projection extending beyond the one end of the end portion of the second leg with the jaws ofthe applicator
base, the sharp point being at the end of the tapered tool.
projection . 12 . In a ligating clip comprising a first leg and a second
6 . A clip for ligating a vessel or duct, the clip comprising leg , each leg having a proximal end and a distal end , the legs
first and second legs having respective proximal and distal being joined at their proximal ends by a hinge, each leg
end portions, the proximal end portions being joined by a having an inner face and an outer face, the legs being
hinge, the first and second legs having respective first and pivotable about the hinge from an open position , wherein the
second inner faces adapted for positioning about a vessel or 15 inner faces of the legs may be positioned about a vessel or
duct and which may engage the vessel or duct when said first duct, to a closed position , wherein the distal ends are joined
and second legs are moved about said hinge from an open by a latch and the vessel or duct is compressed between the
position to a closed position , wherein the distal end portions inner faces of both legs, the improvement comprising first
are secured together by a latch , said first leg having a first and second rows of evenly spaced ribs, the rows being
row of evenly spaced ribs, each rib having a base and a 20 spaced from one another along a longitudinally extending
tapered prong extending beyond each base toward a longi center line of the inner face of the first leg , each rib including
tudinally extending center line of the second inner face , the a prong, the prongs projecting outwardly from the inner face
tapered prong of the first row having a sharp point at its of the first leg , the prongs being inclined toward the longi
distal end and a second row of evenly spaced ribs , each rib tudinally extending center line of the inner face of the
of the second row having a base and a tapered prong 25 second leg, whereby the prongs may impale a wall of the
extending beyond each base toward the longitudinally vessel or duct and prevent relative movement between the
extending center line of the second inner face, the tapered clip and the vessel or duct while minimizing tissue trauma
prong of the second row having a sharp point at its distal when the clip is in the closed position .
end, whereby the tapered prongs will impale a wall of the 13 . The improved ligating clip in accordance with claim
vessel or duct and preventmovement of the clip relative to 30 1212 , the improvement further comprising third and fourth
the vessel or duct when the clip is in the closed position .
7 . The clip for ligating a vessel or duct in accordance with rows of evenly spaced ribs on the inner face of the second
claim 6 wherein the ribs are staggered with respect to one leg , each rib including a prong , the rows being spaced from
one another along a longitudinally extending center line of
another .
8 . The clip for ligating a vessel or duct in accordance with 35 inner face of the second leg , the ribs of the third row
the
claim 6 wherein the second leg includes a third row of being staggered with respect to the ribs of the fourth row and
evenly spaced ribs, each rib of the third row having a base with respect to the ribs of the first leg , each rib of the third
and a tapered prong extending beyond each base toward a and fourth rows including a prong projecting outwardly
longitudinally extending center line of the first inner face , from the inner face of the second leg , the prongs being
the tapered prong of the third row having a sharp point at its 40 inclined toward the longitudinally extending center line of
distal end , the second leg further including a fourth row of the inner face of the first leg , whereby the prongs of both
evenly spaced ribs, each rib of the fourth row having a base legs may impale the wall of the vessel or duct and prevent
and a tapered prong extending beyond each base toward the relative movement between the clip and the vessel or duct
longitudinally extending center line of the first inner face, when the clip is in the closed position .
the tapered prong of the fourth row having a sharp point at 45 14 . The improved ligating clip in accordance with claim
its distal end whereby the prongs of both legs may impale 13 wherein each prong is tapered and includes a sharp point,
the wall of the vessel or duct and preventmovement of the the sharp point being at the end of the prong.
clip relative to the vessel or duct when the clip is in the 15 . The improved ligating clip in accordance with claim
closed position . 13, wherein the ligating clip is polymeric and formed of one
9. The clip for ligating a vessel or duct in accordance with O50 piece molded construction .
claim 8 further including a boss adjacent the distal end of the 16 . The improved ligating clip in accordance with claim
first leg and a pair of spaced bosses at the distal end of the 15 , wherein the inner face of the first leg is concavely curved
second leg , the distal ends of the first and second legs and the inner face of the second leg is convexly curved .
comprising mating latch components and the bosses being 17 . A method of ligating a vessel or duct with the
engaged by jaws of an applicator tool to move the legs about 55 improved ligating dip of claim 13 , the method comprising
the hinge from an open position to a dosed position .
10 . A method of ligating a vessel or duct with a clip of the steps on:
claim 9 and an applicator tool, the method comprising the a ) providing the improved ligating clip in the open
steps of: position ,
a ) grasping the dip by the distal end portions with the 60 b ) grasping the improved ligating clip at or adjacent the
applicator tool; distal end of each leg ;
b ) employing the applicator tool to position the inner c ) positioning the inner faces of the legs across the vessel
faces of the legs across the vessel or duct to be ligated ; or duct to be ligated ;
c ) impaling the sharp pointed prongs into the wall of the d ) impaling the sharp pointed prongs into the wall of the
vessel or ductby employing the applicator toolto apply 65 vessel or duct by applying compressive force urging the
compressive force urging the distal end portions distal ends together; and
together ; e ) terminating step d ) when the latch is engaged .
 US 10 , 265 ,079 B2
18 . The improved ligating clip in accordance with claim
13 wherein the ribs of the third row are staggered with
respect to the ribs of the fourth row and with respect to the
ribs of the first leg .
19 . The improved ligating clip in accordance with claim 5
12 wherein each prong is tapered and includes a sharp point,
the sharp point being at the end of the prong.
20 . The improved ligating clip in accordance with claim
12 wherein the ribs of the first row are staggered with respect
to the ribs of the second row . 10