KLIP AUS FORMGEDÄCHTNISLEGIERUNG UND VERFAHREN ZU DESSEN VERWENDUNG

A surgical clip system which includes a surgical clip having a first clip portion including a first length of material having a closed geometrical shape having a first surface, the shape having a central axis therethrough and having a central opening therein; a pair of support portions associated with the first clip portion; a second clip portion including a second length of material having a closed geometrical shape having a second surface of substantially the same configuration and size as that of the first clip portion, the shape having a central axis therethrough; and a pair of fastening elements formed of a shape memory alloy, each of the fastening elements including a first end and a second end, each of the first ends being attached to the second clip portion; wherein, when at a first temperature or higher, the shape memory alloy is in an elastic state, such that the pair of fastening elements are maintained in a position such that they abut the support portions, and wherein, when at a second temperature or lower, below the first temperature, the shape memory alloy is in a plastic state, thereby enabling the second ends of the pair of fastening elements to be moved away from the second length of material and to be passed between the support portions such that, upon heating of the clip to at least the first temperature, the pair of fastening elements returns to the position such that they abut the support portions, thereby pressing against the pair of support portions, thereby pressing the first and second lengths of material towards each other, thereby to apply a compressive force to tissue located between the first and second lengths of material.