U.S. patent application number 10/958439 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-17 for endoscopic clip.
This patent application is currently assigned to OLYMPUS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kimura, Koh.
Application Number | 20050059985 10/958439 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26602159 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050059985 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kimura, Koh |
March 17, 2005 |
Endoscopic Clip
Abstract
A clipping apparatus comprises a clip capable of being
arbitrarily opened/closed, a stop tube for closing the clip, a link
member capable of being inserted into the stop tube, and engaged
with the clip, a sheath section capable of housing the clip and the
stop tube therein, and a manipulating wire inserted into the sheath
section. This clipping apparatus further comprises a hook section
for, when the clip and the stop tube is protruded frontally of the
sheath section, causing the sheath section and the stop tube to be
engaged with each other, and disabling the stop tube from being
housed in the sheath section again.
Inventors: |
Kimura, Koh;
(Sagamihara-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Scully, Scott, Murphy & Presser
400 Garden City Plaza
Garden City
NY
11530-0299
US
|
Assignee: |
OLYMPUS CORPORATION
TOKYO
JP
|
Family ID: |
26602159 |
Appl. No.: |
10/958439 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10958439 |
Oct 5, 2004 |
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09975490 |
Oct 11, 2001 |
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6814742 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/151 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/1285 20130101;
A61B 17/1227 20130101; A61B 17/1222 20130101; A61B 17/083 20130101;
A61B 2017/0053 20130101; A61B 17/122 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/151 |
International
Class: |
A61B 017/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 16, 2000 |
JP |
2000-315302 |
Aug 10, 2001 |
JP |
2001-244402 |
Claims
1-56. (Canceled)
57. An endoscopic clip comprising: a clip body made of
super-elastic alloy, which is inserted through a channel of an
endoscope, is urged in an open form, the clip body being
temporarily closed when inserted through the channel, and being
opened when outside the channel; and a ring engagingly mounted on
the clip body, thereby closing the clip body
58. An endoscopic clip according to claim 57, wherein the clip body
is formed of a planar member.
59. An endoscopic clip according to claim 58, wherein the clip body
is made into a V-shape by bending a central portion of the planar
member.
60. An endoscopic clip according to claim 59, wherein the clip body
has a pair of arm sections with an opening width capable of
ligating a physiological tissue.
61. An endoscopic clip according to claim 60, wherein the opening
width of the arm sections ranges from 3 mm to 25 mm, and length of
the arm sections ranges from 2 mm to 20 mm.
62. An endoscopic clip according to claim 57, wherein the clip body
can be elastically deformed/restored from a closed state capable of
being housed in a channel of the endoscope to an opened state
capable of ligating a physiological tissue.
63. An endoscopic clip according to claim 62, wherein the clip can
be elastically deformed/restored from a closed state capable of
being housed in a channel having an inner diameter of 3 mm or less
to an opened state whose opening width ranges from 3 m to 25 mm
capable of ligating a physiological tissue.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Applications No.
2000-315302, filed Oct. 16, 2000; and No. 2001-244402, filed Aug.
10, 2001, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a physiological tissue
clipping apparatus, clipping method and clip unit mounting method
for inserting an endoscope into a cavity endoscopically, for
example, and clipping a physiological tissue.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] As a physiological tissue clipping apparatus, there is known
a mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent Application KOKAI
Publication No. 8-19548, for example. This clipping apparatus is
composed of a clip unit 10 and a clip manipulating device 106, as
shown in FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B. The clip unit 101 causes a link
member 103 to be engaged with a clip 102, and further, engages a
clip tightening ring 104. A link member 103 is composed of a plate
material, and an engagement hole 103b is provided to be linked with
a hook section 112 of the clip manipulating device 106.
[0006] The clip manipulating device 106 composed of an insert
section 106a and a frontal manipulating section 106b. The insert
section 106a is composed of an introducing tube 107, a manipulating
tube 109 routed into the introducing tube 107, and a manipulating
wire 110 routed into the manipulating tube 109. The hook section
112 having a pin 111 to be linked with a link member 103 is
provided at the manipulating wire 110. The frontal manipulating
section 106b is composed of: a tube joint 114 fixed frontally of
the introducing tube 107; a manipulating section main body 115 for
manipulating the manipulating tube 109 to be advanced or retracted;
and a slider section 116 for manipulating the manipulating wire 110
to be advanced or retracted.
[0007] Therefore, the clip unit 101 is mounted on the clip
manipulating device 106, and is introduced into a cavity in
accordance with the following procedures.
[0008] (1) The manipulating section main body 115 is pushed against
a tip end side, and the manipulating tube 109 is protruded from the
introducing tube 107.
[0009] (2) The slider section 116 is pushed against a tip end side,
and the hook section 103a is protruded from the manipulating tube
109.
[0010] (3) The pin 111 is engaged through the engagement hole 103b
while the engagement hole 103b of the link member 103 of the clip
unit 101 is aligned with the pin 111 of the hook section 112 of the
clip manipulating device 106.
[0011] (4) The slider section 116 is pulled toward a proximal end
side, and the tightening ring 104 of the clip unit 101 is engaged
with a tip end of the manipulating tube 109.
[0012] (5) The manipulating section main body 115 is pulled to the
proximal end side, and the clip unit 101 is stored in the
introducing tube 107.
[0013] (6) The clip unit is introduced into a cavity via an
endoscope.
[0014] Next, the clip unit 101 is ligated in accordance with the
following procedures.
[0015] (1) The manipulating section main body 115 is pushed to the
tip end side, and the clip unit 101 is protruded from the inside of
the introducing tube 107.
[0016] (2) The slider section 116 is slightly pulled toward the
proximal end side, and the clip 102 is placed in an expanded
state.
[0017] (3) The slider section 116 is pulled toward the proximal end
side, the tightening ring 104 is engaged with the clip 102, and the
clip 102 is ligated.
[0018] In addition, as a configuration of the introducing tube and
the manipulating wire, for example, an endoscope treatment tool
disclosed in Japanese Patent Application KOKAI Publication No.
2-239855 is known. Structurally, this endoscope treatment tool
comprises: an external sheath tube; a manipulating wire retractably
inserted into this external sheath tube to be advanced and
retracted by manipulation from the frontal side; a treatment
section mounted on this manipulating wire, the treatment section
being capable of manipulating the treatment tool at the tip end
side of the external sheath tube by advancement and retraction of
such manipulating wire and being configured by an elastic wire; an
extension section wire expanding at least one end of this elastic
wire, the extension section wire being introduced into the external
sheath tube; and a plurality of bent sections forming either of
this extension section wire and the above manipulating wire to be
bent in the external sheath tube and securely mounting it to
another one.
[0019] Therefore, when this endoscope treatment tool advances and
retracts a manipulating wire by manipulating a manipulating
section, and actuates a treatment section, slackness is reduced in
the external sheath tube of the manipulating wire or extension
section wire. Therefore, a loss of a manipulating quantity of the
manipulating section is very small, and the treatment section at
the tip end of the external sheath tube can be reliably
manipulated.
[0020] In addition, as a configuration of the introducing tube and
the manipulating wire, an endoscope injector disclosed in Japanese
Utility Model Application KOKAI Publication No. 5-91686 is known.
This endoscope injector is such that a manipulating section and a
puncture section are linked with each other via a double tube
composed of an internal sheath tube and an external sheath tube. A
protrusion quantity restricting member for stabilizing a projection
quantity of an injection needle provided at a tip end of the
internal sheath tube is provided at a tip end of the external
sheath tube, and a side face of a stopper and a side face of a
protrusion quantity restricting member are slid each other, whereby
the movement quantity of the injector needle is restricted.
[0021] Further, a configuration of the manipulating section, an
endoscope injector disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application
KOKAI Publication No. 62-78901 is known. This injector comprises:
an injection tube having flexibility; a tubular tip end needle
mounted on a tip end of this injection tube; a flexible external
sheath tube having the tip end needle and the injection tube
slidably routed; an injection pipe connected to a proximal end of
the injection tube at the frontal inside of this external sheath
tube; and a fixing mechanism for, when the tip end needle provided
at the tip end part of the external sheath tube protrudes from the
tip end of the external sheath tube, and is restricted in abutment
against the stopper, compressing this injection tube to be fixed to
the external sheath tube.
[0022] However, in the clipping apparatus disclosed in Japanese
Patent Application KOKAI Publication No. 8-19548, a tube joint 114
for advancing and retracting an introducing tube 107, a
manipulating section main body 115 for advancing and retracting a
manipulating tube 109, and a slider section 116 for advancing and
retracting the manipulating wire 110 are provided at frontally of a
manipulating section 106b.
[0023] Therefore, over six steps between (1) and (2), it is
required to manipulate the tube joint 114, manipulating section
main body 115, and manipulating wire 110 to be advanced and
retracted, which complicates manipulation.
[0024] In addition, the following steps are required to mount the
clip unit 101 on the hook section 112:
[0025] (1) the link member 103 of the clip unit 101 is held in a
horizontal direction relevant to a cutout provided at the hook
section 112;
[0026] (2) the pin 111 provided at the hook section 112 is engaged
with the engagement hole 113b provided at the link section 113
while they are aligned with each other so that the pin 111 is
engaged with the engagement hole 103b. Thus, two steps of (1)
orientation and (2) alignment must be carried out at the same time,
making it difficult to carry out a mounting work.
[0027] In order to ligate the clip unit 101, the clip 102 is held
to the maximally opened state, making it necessary to ligate a
target site in this state. However, if manipulation is incorrect,
the maximally opened state is passed, making it impossible to
ligate the target site. Thus, the slider section 116 must be
carefully manipulated, which makes manipulation difficult.
[0028] In the Japanese patent Application KOKAI Publication No.
2-239855, the slackness of a wire when the manipulating wire can be
eliminated in consideration of application of the clip manipulating
device to the manipulating wire.
[0029] However, when the introducing tube is bent, the manipulating
wire slips out of an axial center of the introducing tube.
Therefore, when the clip unit is mounted on the hook section, the
position of the hook section is changed according to the shape of
the introducing tube, and can be safely fixed, thus making it
difficult to mount the clip unit on the hook section.
[0030] In addition, in Japanese Patent Utility Model Application
KOKAI Publication No. 5-91686, the hook section can be positioned
at the axial center of the introducing tube in consideration of
application of the clip manipulating device to the hook section and
introducing tube. However, a structure is mandatory such that a tip
end part of the introducing tube is contracted in a tapered shape.
When the contraction section is defined as an internal diameter
through which the clip unit can pass, an external diameter of the
introducing tube is increased. In addition, in order to enable the
hook section to be reliably engaged with the link member of the
clip unit, the length of the hook section must be fully protruded
from the tip end of the introducing tube. Because of this, the
length of the hook section is increased, the flexibility of the
introducing tube is lost when the hook section is pulled into the
introducing tube, making it difficult to ensure routing into a soft
endoscope or protrusion of the hook section.
[0031] Further, in consideration of the fact that a fixing
mechanism of a manipulating section disclosed in Japanese Utility
Model Application KOKAI Publication No. 62-78901 is applied to a
fixing mechanism of a slider of a clip manipulating device, in a
fixing mechanism caused by an elastic rubber ring, an amount of the
actuation force when the slider is fixed is equal to that when the
slider is released. In order to facilitate fixing, when an elastic
rubber ring with a small amount of force is employed, the release
can be ensured with a small amount of force similarly, making it
impossible to ensure reliably fixing. Conversely, when an elastic
rubber ring with a large amount of force is employed in order to
make the release difficult, the fixing becomes heavy, makes it
difficult to make manipulation.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0032] The present invention has been made in order to solve the
foregoing problem. It is an object of the present invention to
provide a physiological tissue clipping apparatus capable of
inserting a clip into a physiological cavity while the clip is
housed in an introducing tube, and further engaging the housed clip
at the same time when the clip is released from the introducing
tube merely by manipulating a manipulating member to be advanced
and retracted, capable of ligating the clip, and capable of being
easily handled.
[0033] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a clipping apparatus comprising:
[0034] a clip capable of being arbitrarily opened/closed;
[0035] a tightening ring engagingly mounted on this clip, thereby
closing the clip;
[0036] a link member capable of being inserted into this tightening
ring and engaged with the clip;
[0037] an introducing tube capable of housing the clip and the
tightening ring;
[0038] a manipulating member retractably routed into this
introducing tube; and
[0039] engagement means provided at at least one of the tightening
ring and the introducing tube, the engagement means engaging the
introducing tube with the tightening ring when the clip and
tightening ring protrudes in front of the introducing tube, and
disabling the tightening ring from being housed again in the
introducing tube.
[0040] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a clipping apparatus comprising:
[0041] a clip capable of being arbitrarily opened/closed;
[0042] a tightening ring engagingly mounted on this clip, thereby
closing the clip;
[0043] a link member capable of being inserted into this tightening
ring and engaged with the clip;
[0044] an introducing tube capable of housing the clip and the
tightening ring;
[0045] a manipulating member retractably routed into this
introducing tube; and
[0046] a cover provided on the clip capable of entering an opened
state required to ligate a physiological tissue from a closed state
capable of being inserted into an endoscope.
[0047] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a clipping apparatus comprising:
[0048] a clip capable of being arbitrarily opened/closed;
[0049] a tightening ring engagingly mounted on this clip, thereby
closing the clip;
[0050] a link member capable of being inserted into this tightening
ring and engaged with the clip; and
[0051] a manipulating wire having a hook at its tip end, wherein,
when the link member is set at an arbitrary peripheral position
relevant to an axial direction of the hook, at least one of the
link member and the hook is deformed and restored, whereby the link
member and the hook are engaged with each other.
[0052] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a clipping apparatus comprising:
[0053] a clip capable of being arbitrarily opened/closed;
[0054] a tightening ring engagingly mounted on this clip, thereby
closing the clip;
[0055] a link member capable of being inserted into this tightening
ring and engaged with the clip; and
[0056] holding means for, when the clip is opened to the maximum,
temporarily holding the opened state.
[0057] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a clipping apparatus comprising:
[0058] a clip capable of being arbitrarily opened/closed, the clip
being made of an ultra-elastic alloy;
[0059] a tightening ring engagingly mounted on this clip, thereby
closing the clip; and
[0060] a link member capable of being inserted into this tightening
ring and engaged with the clip.
[0061] According to the physiological tissue clipping apparatus,
the link member is engaged with the clip, and further, the
tightening ring is mounted on the manipulating wire as a
manipulating member. Then, the manipulating member is manipulated,
all of the clip, link member, and tightening ring are housed in the
introducing tube to be introduced into a cavity. After this
introduction, the manipulating member is manipulated, the clip,
link member, and tightening ring are protruded to the outside of
the introducing tube, and the introducing tube and the tightening
ring are engaged with each other. Then, the manipulating member is
manipulated again, the tightening ring is engaged with the
tightening ring, and the clip is ligated. Therefore, merely by
manipulating the manipulating member to be advanced and retracted,
the housed clip can be engaged at the same time when the clip is
released from the introducing tube, and the clip can be
ligated.
[0062] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a physiological tissue clipping method comprising:
[0063] a first step of connecting a clip unit housed in a clip case
on a clip manipulating device;
[0064] a second step of routing the clip manipulating device into a
soft endoscope, thereby guiding the clip unit into a target site of
a physiological tissue; and
[0065] a third step of manipulating the clip manipulating unit,
thereby clipping the clip unit at the physiological tissue.
[0066] According to the present invention, there is provided a
physiological clipping method comprising:
[0067] a first step of connecting a clip unit housed in a clip case
with a clip manipulating device, and manipulating the clip
manipulating device, thereby mounting the clip unit on the clip
manipulating device;
[0068] a second step of routing the clip manipulating device into a
soft endoscope, thereby guiding the clip unit into a target site of
a physiological tissue; and
[0069] a third step of manipulating the clip manipulating unit,
thereby clipping the clip unit at the physiological tissue.
[0070] According to the physiological tissue clipping method, a
series of operations can be easily made such that the clip unit in
the clip case is mounted on the clip manipulating device, this clip
manipulating device is pulled toward the target site of the
physiological tissue, and the clip unit is clipped at the
physiological tissue.
[0071] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a clip unit mounting method comprising:
[0072] a first step of connecting a clip manipulating member in a
clip case to a clip unit; and
[0073] a second step of mounting the clip unit housed in the clip
case on a clip manipulating device.
[0074] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a clip unit mounting method comprising:
[0075] a first step of connecting a clip unit housed in a clip case
with a sheath of a clip manipulating device having a clip
manipulating member retractably inserted thereinto;
[0076] a second step of advancing the clip manipulating member,
thereby connecting the clip unit with the clip manipulating member
in the clip case; and
[0077] a third step of retracting the clip manipulating member,
thereby guiding the clip unit housed in the clip case to the inside
of the sheath, and mounting the guided clip unit thereon.
[0078] According to the clip unit mounting method, a series of
operations can be easily made such that the clip unit housed in the
clip case is pulled in by the clip manipulating device, and the
guided clip unit is mounted on the clip manipulating device.
[0079] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0080] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention, and together with the general description given
above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0081] FIG. 1A to FIG. 1E each show a first embodiment according to
the present invention, where FIG. 1A is a longitudinally sectional
side view of a clip unit, FIG. 1B is a side view of a clip, FIG. 1C
is a perspective view of a link member; FIG. 1D is a perspective
view of a stop tube, and FIG. 1E is a longitudinal side view of the
stop tube having the clip mounted thereto;
[0082] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C each show the illustrative embodiment
according to the present invention, where FIG. 2A is a side view of
a clip manipulating device, FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a hook
section, and FIG. 2C is a longitudinal side view of the hook
section;
[0083] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C each illustrate an operation of the
illustrative embodiment according to the present invention, where
the clip unit is connected to the clip manipulating device;
[0084] FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C each illustrate an operation of the
illustrative embodiment according to the present invention, where
the clip unit is connected to the clip manipulating device;
[0085] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an operation of the sane
embodiment according to the present invention and a perspective
view of the link member;
[0086] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an operation of the
illustrative embodiment according to the present invention, and is
a longitudinal side view showing a relationship between the stop
tube and the link member;
[0087] FIG. 7A shows a second embodiment according to the present
invention, and is a perspective view of a coil pipe, and FIG. 7B is
a longitudinally sectional side view of the second embodiment;
[0088] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stop tube according to the
illustrative embodiment;
[0089] FIG. 9A shows a third embodiment according to the present
invention, and is a longitudinal side face of a clip unit and a
clip manipulating device, and FIG. 9B is a longitudinally plan view
of the same;
[0090] FIG. 10A shows the illustrative embodiment according to the
present invention, and is a perspective view of a hook section, and
FIG. 10B is a longitudinal side view of the illustrative
embodiment;
[0091] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C each show a fourth embodiment of the
present invention, where FIG. 11A is a longitudinal side view of a
clip unit, FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the same, and FIG. 11C
is a side view of a first link member;
[0092] FIG. 12 shows the illustrative embodiment according to the
present invention, and is a side view of a hook section;
[0093] FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B each show a fifth embodiment of the
present invention, wherein FIG. 13A is a longitudinal side view of
a clip unit, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view of a link
member;
[0094] FIG. 14 shows a sixth embodiment according to the present
invention, and is a longitudinal side view of a clip unit;
[0095] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C each show a seventh embodiment
according to the present invention, where FIG. 15A is a
longitudinal side view of a clip unit, FIG. 15B is a perspective
view of the same, and FIG. 15C is an exploded perspective view of
the same;
[0096] FIG. 16 is a side view of a clip manipulating device
according to the illustrative embodiment;
[0097] FIG. 17A to FIG. 17C each illustrate an operation of the
illustrative embodiment, wherein a clip unit is connected to a clip
manipulating device;
[0098] FIG. 18A to FIG. 18C each show an eighth embodiment
according to the present embodiment, where FIG. 18A is a
longitudinally sectional side view of a clip unit and a clip cover,
FIG. 18B is a side view of a link member, and FIG. 18C is a side
view of the clip cover:
[0099] FIG. 19A to FIG. 19D each show a ninth embodiment according
to the present invention, wherein FIG. 19A is a side view of a clip
unit and a clip cover, and FIG. 19B, FIG. 19C, and FIG. 19D are
perspective views each illustrating an operation according to the
illustrative embodiment;
[0100] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20C each show a tenth embodiment according
to the present invention, where FIG. 20A is a side view of a clip
unit and a clip cover, and FIG. 20B and FIG. 20C are side views
each illustrating an operation according to the illustrative
embodiment;
[0101] FIG. 21 shows an eleventh embodiment according to the
present invention, and is a side view of a clip unit and a clip
cover;
[0102] FIG. 22A to FIG. 22C each show a twelfth embodiment
according to the present invention, where FIG. 22A is a perspective
view of a clip unit, FIG. 22B is a perspective view of a clip, and
FIG. 22C is a partially enlarged side view of the clip;
[0103] FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B each show a thirteenth embodiment
according to the present invention, where FIG. 23A is a perspective
view of a clip unit, and FIG. 23B is a perspective view of a
clip;
[0104] FIG. 24 shows a fourteenth embodiment according to the
present embodiment, and is a longitudinal side view of a clip
unit;
[0105] FIG. 25 shows a fifteenth embodiment according to the
present invention, and is a longitudinal plan view of a clip
unit;
[0106] FIG. 26 shows a sixteenth embodiment according to the
present invention, and is a side view of a clip unit;
[0107] FIG. 27A to FIG. 27C each show a seventeenth embodiment
according to the present invention, and is a longitudinally
sectional side view of a clip unit and a clip manipulating
device;
[0108] FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B each show a conventional example,
where FIG. 28A is a longitudinally sectional side view of a clip
unit and a clip manipulating device, and FIG. 28B is a
longitudinally sectional side view of the clip manipulating
device;
[0109] FIG. 29 shows an eighteenth embodiment according to the
present embodiment, and is a longitudinally sectional side view of
a clip unit;
[0110] FIG. 30 is a side view showing a link member according to
the illustrative embodiment;
[0111] FIG. 31 is a longitudinally sectional side view showing a
part of a link member according to the illustrative embodiment;
[0112] FIG. 32 is a longitudinally sectional side view showing a
tip end of a coil sheath according to the illustrative
embodiment;
[0113] FIG. 33 is a longitudinally sectional side view showing a
coil sheath according to the illustrative embodiment;
[0114] FIG. 34 is a side view showing an arrowhead hook according
to the illustrative embodiment;
[0115] FIG. 35 shows a nineteenth embodiment according to the
present embodiment, and is a longitudinally sectional side view of
a coil sheath;
[0116] FIG. 36 shows a twentieth embodiment according to the
present embodiment, and is a longitudinally sectional side view
showing a manipulating section of a clipping apparatus;
[0117] FIG. 37 shows the illustrative embodiment, and is a
sectional side view of a part of the clipping apparatus;
[0118] FIG. 38 shows a first modified example according to the
illustrative embodiment, and is a longitudinally sectional side
view showing a manipulating section of a clipping apparatus;
[0119] FIG. 39 shows a second modified example according to the
illustrative embodiment, and is a longitudinally sectional side
view showing a manipulating section of a clipping apparatus;
[0120] FIG. 40 shows a twenty first embodiment according to the
present invention, and is a perspective view of a clip case;
[0121] FIG. 41 is a perspective view when a case main body of a
clip case and a case cover according to the present embodiment are
separated from each other;
[0122] FIG. 42 is a longitudinally sectional side view showing the
clip case according to the illustrative embodiment;
[0123] FIG. 43A and FIG. 43B are plan views each showing the case
cover according to the illustrative embodiment;
[0124] FIG. 44 shows a twenty second embodiment according to the
present invention, and is a longitudinally sectional side view of a
clip case;
[0125] FIG. 45 shows a twenty third embodiment according to the
present invention, and is a longitudinally sectional side view of a
clip case;
[0126] FIG. 46 shows a twenty fourth embodiment according to the
present invention, and is a longitudinally sectional side view of a
clip case;
[0127] FIG. 47 shows a twenty fifth embodiment according to the
present invention, and is a perspective view of a frame for sealing
a clip case;
[0128] FIG. 48 shows the illustrative embodiment, and is an
enlarged plan view of a section A shown in FIG. 47;
[0129] FIG. 49 shows the illustrative embodiment, and is a cross
section taken along the line B-B shown in FIG. 48;
[0130] FIG. 50 is a perspective view of a frame for sealing a clip
case according to the illustrative embodiment; and
[0131] FIG. 51 shows the illustrative embodiment, is a plan view of
a frame for sealing a clip case.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0132] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0133] FIGS. 1A-1E to FIG. 6 each show a first embodiment, where a
physiological tissue clipping apparatus is composed of a clip unit
1 shown in FIG. 1A and a clip manipulating device 5 shown in FIG.
2A. The clip unit 1 has a clip 2, a link member 3 as a link member,
and a stop tube 4 as a clip tightening ring.
[0134] The clip 2 comprises a metal plate, such as a plate spring
member, bent at its center, and further, crosses a position in the
vicinity of a bent section as shown in FIG. 1B. Then, arm sections
2a and 2b being openable, the arm sections being capable of being
arbitrarily opened/closed, are provided, respectively, to be
extended while their tip ends are spaced from each other. A
substantially elliptical proximal end 2c is formed at a proximal
end side.
[0135] The link member 3 is fabricated by ejection-molding a resin
such as a liquid crystal polymer or a nylon, for example. At a tip
end of this link member 3, a claw shaped claw hook 3a is formed as
shown in FIG. 1C. This claw hook 3a hooks an end part 2c at the
proximal end side of the clip 2 so as to engage the clip 2.
[0136] Further, at the other end of the link member 3, an arrowhead
hook 3b is formed to be linked with the clip manipulating device 5.
A cone shape having an inclined face 3f is formed at the proximal
end side of the arrowhead hook 3b. A maximum outer diameter of the
arrowhead hook 3b ranges from 1.0 mm to 1.4 mm in diameter in
consideration of a deformation quantity of elastic arms 12a and 12b
of the hook section 12 described later.
[0137] In addition, it is desirable that the inclined face 3f is
set to 30 degrees or less in order to smoothly mount the face on
the hook section 12. A cylindrical cylinder section 3c having a
smaller diameter than that of the tip end of the arrowhead hook 3a
is provided between a claw hook 3a and the arrowhead hook 3b.
Therefore, a step is formed at the boundary between the cylinder
section 3c and the arrowhead hook 3b to be reliably engaged with
the hook section 12. The outer diameter of the cylinder section 3c
ranges from 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm in diameter in consideration of a step
height influenced by an amount of engagement force with the hook
section 12 and the tensile stress of the cylinder section 3c
itself.
[0138] Further, a fracture section 3d having a diameter of 0.4 mm
to 0.6 mm in diameter is provided at a distal end side of the
cylinder section 3c. When an amount of tensile force of about 3 kgf
to 5 kgf is applied to the link member 3, the link member breaks at
the fracture section 3d. In addition, an arc shaped protrusion 3e
having a slightly larger diameter than an inner diameter of a stop
tube 4 described later, the protrusion coming into pressure contact
with an internal face of the stop tube 4 for the purpose of fixing
the link member 3 and stop tube 4 at a predetermined position, are
provided at the proximal end side of the claw hook 3a. The link
member 3 may be fabricated by ejection-molding a metal in order to
ensure higher fracture strength.
[0139] The stop tube 4 is fabricated by ejection-molding a resin
having high rigidity such as PBT (polybutytelephthalate) and having
proper flexibility. The stop tube 4 is engagingly mounted on the
arm sections 2a and 2b of the clip 2 as shown in FIG. 1E, thereby
closing the arm sections 2a and 2b of the clip 2, and is
substantially tubular in 1.2 mm to 1.3 mm in inner diameter and in
1.9 mm to 2.1 mm in outer diameter.
[0140] In a standby state before making an operation for closing
the clip 2, as shown in FIG. 1A, these arm sections are held while
each of them is externally engaged at a tip end part of the link
member 3. In addition, a pair of protrusions 4a elastically
deformed, the protrusions being placed to be arbitrarily protruded
and recessed in the outer periphery direction of the stop tube 4
for the purpose of engagement with a coil pipe 8 described later
(refer to FIG. 2A), are provided at the stop tube 4. The outer
diameter when the protrusion 4a is protruded is set to 2.2 mm or
more in consideration of engagement with the coil pipe 8.
[0141] In addition, the protrusion 4a is formed in an R shape
between an inclined face having an angle of 30 degrees or less at a
tip end side or a face vertical to the proximal end side, and a
face vertical to this inclined face. This protrusion is extruded
with a small amount of force when it is protruded at a tip end from
the inside of a sheath section 6 described later, and is reliably
engaged with the coil pipe 8 after protrusion. In addition, an
inclined face is formed at the tip end side, thereby making it
possible to effectively receive the force applied to a vertical
face of the protrusion 4a during engagement with the coil pipe 8.
The protrusion 4a may be provided in plurality (three or four and
more) in order to stabilize engagement with the coil pipe 8
described later (refer to FIG. 2A) more remarkably.
[0142] Now, a configuration of a clip manipulating device 5 shown
in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C will be described here. As shown in FIG. 2A,
a sheath section 6 having flexibility and a manipulating wire 7 as
a manipulating member retractably inserted into this sheath section
6, are provided at the clip manipulating device 5.
[0143] A coil pipe 8 having an outer diameter that is greater than
that of a stop tube 4 and smaller than that when a protrusion 4a is
protruded and a coil sheath 9 having an inner diameter greater than
the outer diameter of the stop tube 4 described previously, are
provided at the sheath section 6. In addition, a manipulating
section main body 10 is linked with a frontal side of the coil
sheath 9. A slider 11 is connected with a frontal extension end of
the manipulating wire 7. The slider 11 is retractably placed in the
manipulating section main body 10 so that the manipulating wire 7
can be manipulated to be advanced/retracted relevant to the sheath
section 6.
[0144] In addition, a hook section 12 is connected at a tip end of
the manipulating wire 7. The hook section 12 is made of a resilient
metal material. As shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, two elastic arms
12a and 12b having closing properties and a cylinder section 3c of
the link member 3 are pinched, whereby pinch sections 12c and 12d
engaged with the arrowhead hook 3b are provided. The elastic arms
12a and 12b are 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm in thickness and 0.5 mm to 1 mm in
width. Its outer surface is formed in a arc shape of 1.8 mm to 2 mm
in diameter, and the length ranges from 4 mm to 8 mm.
[0145] In addition, a semi-circular groove 12f having a diameter
equal to an outer diameter of the cylinder section 3c is provided
at the inside of the pinch sections 12c and 12d so as to easily
held in pressure contact with the cylinder section 3c of the link
member 3 by the closing force of the elastic arms 12a and 12b.
[0146] In addition, an inclined face 12e is provided at the
proximal end part of the elastic arms 12a and 12b of the hook
section 12 as shown in FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C. It is desirable that an
angle of the inclined face 12e be set to 30 degrees or less in
order to smoothly remove the link member 3 from the hook section
12. In addition, it is desirable that the elastic arms 12a and 12b
and the pinch sections 12c and 12d of the hook section 12 is
composed of an integral spring member in order to ensure higher
strength. Further, the hook section 12 may be fabricated by molding
a resin having high rigidity such as nylon, for example, and having
resilient properties.
[0147] Now, an operation of the first embodiment will be described
here. In order to mount the clip unit 1 on the clip manipulating
device 5, first, as shown in FIG. 3A, the slider 11 is manipulated
to be pushed against a tip end side. In this manner, the arrowhead
hook 3b of the link member 3 is pushed at the tip end side against
the tip end side of the hook section 12 while the hook section 12
is protruded from the coil pipe 8. Then, an internal face at the
tip end side of the pinch sections 12c and 12d of the hook section
12 abuts against the inclined face 3f on the arrowhead hook 3b of
the link member 3, and the pinch sections 12c and 12d are pushed to
be broadened to the outside along the inclined face 3f.
[0148] At this time, the elastic arms 12a and 12b are elastically
deformed. When the link member 3 is further pushed against the hook
section 12, the pinch sections 12c and 12d are closed by the
closing force of the elastic arms 12a and 12b when they pass
through the arrowhead hook 3b, and the cylinder section 3c is
pinched between the pinch sections 12c and 12d. At this time, the
tip end face of the arrow hook 3b of the link member 3 abuts
against the proximal end face of the pinch sections 12c and 12d.
Thus, the arrowhead hook 3c cannot be removed from the hook section
12c, and the clip unit 1 is fixed to be hooked by the hook section
12.
[0149] Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, while the protrusion 4a of the
stop tube 4 is fully pushed into the stop tube 4, when the slider
11 is pulled into the proximal end side, the manipulating wire 7
and the hook section 12 are pulled into the coil sheath 9. At this
time, the protrusion 4a of the step tube 4 is pushed into the stop
tube 4, and thus, the clip unit 1 is pulled into the coil sheath 9
without being caught by an end face of the coil pipe 8.
[0150] At this time, the arm sections 2a and 2b of the clip 2 of
the clip unit 1 is closed in accordance with the inner diameter of
the coil sheath 9, and the coil unit 1 is housed in the coil sheath
9 as shown in FIG. 3. At this time, the protrusion 4a of the stop
tube 4 comes into contact with the internal face of the coil sheath
9, and thus, is elastically deformed, thereby maintaining a state
in which the protrusion is housed in the stop tube 4. In this
state, the sheath section 6 is introduced into a cavity via a
forceps channel of an endoscope inserted into the cavity in
advance, and a tip end of the sheath section 6 is pulled toward a
target site while the inside of the cavity is observed by the
endoscope.
[0151] Next, the slider 11 is manipulated to be pushed out against
the tip end side again, whereby the clip unit 1 is extruded from
the coil pipe 8 as shown in FIG. 4. At this time, an inclined face
is formed at the tip end side of the protrusion 4a of the stop tube
4 so that the clip unit 1 is pushed out smoothly and without any
resistance. Then, the protrusion 4a of the stop tube 4 is released
from a state of contact with the internal face of the coil sheath
9, and is protruded from the stop tube 4 in the outer periphery
direction. At this time, the clip unit 1 is fixed to be pinched
between the pinch sections 12a and 12d of the hook section 12 so as
not to slip out of the hook section 12.
[0152] Then, the slider 11 is pulled toward the proximal end side
again, whereby the manipulating wire 7 is pulled toward the
proximal end side as shown in FIG. 4B, and the proximal end face of
the protrusion 4a of the stop tube 4 is engaged with an end face of
the coil pipe 8. When the slider 11 is further pulled toward the
proximal end, an elliptic section dimension W of the end part 2c at
the proximal end side of the clip 2 is greater than the inner
diameter dimension of the stop tube 4 so that the elliptic section
of the end part 2c at the proximal end side of the clip 2 is
clashed by being pulled toward the stop tube 4. Then, the arm
sections 2a and 2b open significantly in the outward direction as
shown in FIG. 4C.
[0153] In this state, the clip 2 is guided so as to pinch a target
physiological tissue. Then, when the slider 11 is further pulled
toward the proximal end side, thereby retracting the manipulating
wire 7, the arm sections 2a and 2b of the clip 2 are pulled into
the stop tube 4, and the arm sections 2a and 2b of the clip 2 are
closed as shown in FIG. 1E. While the physiological tissue is
reliably pinched between the arm sections 2a and 2b of the clip 2,
when the slider 11 is further pulled toward the proximal end,
thereby retracting the manipulating wire 7, the fracture section 3d
of the link member 3 of the clip 2 breaks, as shown in FIG. 5.
Then, the clip 2 is disengaged from the link member 3, and the clip
unit 1 is released from the clip manipulating device 5, and then,
is left in a cavity while the physiological tissue is pinched.
[0154] For example, the tissue at the bleeding site in the cavity
is compressed by being pinched between the arm sections 2a and 2b
of the clip 2, and the clip unit 1 is left while in that state,
thereby making it possible to compress the blood vessel at the
bleeding site and stop bleeding.
[0155] After the clip unit 1 has left, the clip manipulating device
5 is removed from the inside of the forceps channel.
[0156] In most cases, in the ligation of a physiological tissue due
to the clipping apparatus, the ligation of a plurality of clips 2
is often continuously carried out, and a next clip unit 1 is often
attached immediately after removal. In the present embodiment, in
the case of mounting a second and subsequent clip units 1, the clip
manipulating device 5 is removed from an endoscope channel, and
then, the slider 11 is pushed out against the tip end side, whereby
the hook 12 is extruded from the coil sheath 7. At this time, the
link member 3 of the first clip unit 1 is left to be engaged with
the hook section 12c.
[0157] In this state, the link member 3 of a second clip unit 1 is
pushed at the tip end side of the hook section 12 as is. Then, the
first link member 3 left at the hook section 12 is pushed by a
second link member 3, and is pushed against the proximal end side
of the hook section 12. Then, the proximal end part of the first
link member 3 abuts against the inclined face 12e at the proximal
end side of the hook section 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the abutting
part moves along the inclined face 12e, is pushed out of a space
between the elastic arms 12a and 12b, and slips out of the hook
section 12c. In this way, the removal of the first link member 3
and the mount of the second clip unit 1 are completed at the same
time. Then, the ligation and mounting of the clip 2 can be
continuously carried out similarly.
[0158] According to the first embodiment described previously, the
clip manipulating device 5 of the clip unit 1 can be mounted on the
hook section 12 merely by pushing the clip unit 1 against the hook
section 12. Even if a hand is then released, the mounted device
does not slip off due to the pinch force of the hook section 12,
thus making mounting simple and reliable.
[0159] In addition, the subsequent housing or releasing of the clip
unit 1 into or from the sheath section 6 or the ligation of the
clip unit 1 can be carried out by manipulating only the slider 11
to be advanced and retracted. In addition, in remounting the clip
2, the link member 3 can be removed at the same time when the clip
2 is mounted, thus making simplified operation and making it
possible to complete treatment within a short period of time.
[0160] Further, when the clip unit 1 is pulled out of the sheath
section 6, the slider 11 is pressed. When the clip unit 1 is
ligated, the slider 11 is pulled. In this way, the advancing and
retracting direction of the clip unit 1 is coincident with that of
the slider 11, and an operator can make operation that is
intuitively understandable, thus reducing the possibility of making
incorrect operation.
[0161] Furthermore, the clip manipulating device 5 can be easily
processed and assembled, and can be processed and assembled
inexpensively because of its simple construction.
[0162] FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 8 each show a second embodiment
according to the present invention. The present embodiment is
identical to the first embodiment in configuration except the stop
tube 4 of the clip unit 1 and the coil pipe 8 of the clip
manipulating device 5 according to the first embodiment.
[0163] A coil pipe 13 according to the second embodiment is molded
by processing a resilient metal pipe. The coil pipe 13 is formed in
a substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B,
where a small diameter section 13a whose inner diameter is small is
provided at its tip end side, and a large diameter section 13b is
provided at its proximal end. Further, an inclined section 13c is
provided between the small diameter section 13a and the large
diameter section 13b. Furthermore, at the coil pipe 13, as shown in
FIG. 7A, four slits are provided at its tip end side, and an arm
section 13d between the respective slits is elastically deformed so
that the diameter of the small diameter section 13a can be
expanded/contracted.
[0164] A stop tube 14 of the clip unit 1 as shown in FIG. 8, has an
outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of the small
diameter section 13a of the coil pipe 13, and is formed in a
substantial pipe shape smaller than the inner diameter of the large
diameter section 13b. In addition, an engagement section 14a
smaller than the inner diameter of the small diameter section 13a
of the coil pipe 13 is provided at the proximal end side.
[0165] Now, an operation of the second embodiment will be described
here. In order to mount the clip unit 1 on the clip manipulating
device 5, as in the first embodiment, the slider 11 is pushed out
against the tip end side; the hook section 12 is extruded from the
coil pipe 13, and the link member 3 of the clip unit 1 is pushed
against the hook section 12 to be pinched and fixed. Then, the arm
section 13d of the coil pipe 13 is elastically deformed in the
outer periphery direction. While the small diameter section 13a of
the coil pipe 13 is opened to have a diameter greater than the
outer diameter of the stop tube 14, the slider 11 is pulled toward
the proximal end, and the hook section 12 and the clip unit 1 are
pulled into the sheath section 6.
[0166] In this state, as in the first embodiment, the sheath
section 6 is guided to a target site via an endoscope. Next, the
slider 11 is manipulated to be pushed out against the tip end side
again, whereby the clip unit 1 is extruded from the sheath section
6. At this time, the inclined section 13c of the coil pipe 13 is
pushed at the clip unit 1, and the arm section 13d of the coil pipe
13 is deformed in the outer periphery direction. Then, the small
diameter section 13a is opened to be greater than the outer
diameter of the stop tube 14 of the clip unit 1, thus making it
possible to extrude the clip unit 1 to the outside from the sheath
section 6.
[0167] When the clip unit 1 is extruded to an extent such that the
engagement section 14a of the stop tube 14 passes through the small
diameter section 13a of the coil pipe 13, the arm section 13d of
the coil pipe 13 is elastically restored, and the small diameter
section 13a of the coil pipe 13 is contracted to its original
diameter.
[0168] When the slider 11 is pulled into the proximal end side
again, the small diameter section 13a of the coil pipe 13 is
engaged with the engagement section 14a of the stop tube 14. Then,
a step at the tip end part of the engagement section 14a abuts
against the tip end face of the coil pipe 13, and the stop tube 14
and the coil pipe 13 are fixed at a predetermined position.
Thereafter, the clip can be ligated as in the first embodiment.
Advantageous effect of the second embodiment is identical to that
of the first embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted
here.
[0169] FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 10A, and FIG. 10B each show a third
embodiment according to the present invention. The present
embodiment relates to a method of fixing the clip unit 1 to the
clip manipulating device 5 according to the first embodiment. These
embodiments are identical to each other except that the link member
3 of the clip unit 1 and the hook section 12 of the clip
manipulating device 5 are shaped differently.
[0170] In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, a link member
20 is formed by bending a metal wire. The proximal end side of the
link member 20 is bent in a pentagonal shape having sides 20a, 20b,
20c, and 29d and an apex 20e. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, a
proximal end part 20f of the link member 20 is bent and molded by
vertically shifting it. In addition, a hook section 21 is formed in
a hollow pipe shape, as shown in FIG. 10A. As shown in FIG. 10B,
there are provided: a large diameter section 21b having an inner
diameter greater than a width W (refer to FIG. 9A) of a pentagon
shaped bent section of the link member 20; and a small diameter
section 21a having an inner diameter smaller than the width W.
[0171] Now, an operation of the third embodiment will be described
here. When the link member 20 is pushed at the tip end side of the
hook section 21, the sides 20b and 20c of the pentagon shaped bent
section of the link member 21 abuts against the tip end part of the
small diameter section 21a of the hook section 21. Then, the
abutting sides are elastically deformed and reduced around the apex
20e of the pentagon shaped bent section to an extent such that the
width W between the sides 20a and 20d is smaller than the diameter
of the small diameter section 21a. When the link member 20 is
further pushed, the pentagon shaped bent section passes through the
small diameter section 21a, and is restored in the large diameter
section 21b. Then, the restored section is engagingly fixed to a
step between the small diameter section 21a and the large diameter
section 21b.
[0172] Other operations and advantageous effects of the third
embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment. A
duplicate description is omitted here.
[0173] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11C and FIG. 12 each show a fourth
embodiment according to the present invention. The present
embodiment relates to a method of fixing the clip unit 1 to the
clip manipulating device 5 according to the first embodiment. These
embodiments are identical to each other in configuration except
that the link member 3 of the clip unit 1 and the hook section 12
of the clip manipulating device 5 are shaped differently.
[0174] In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, a link
member 22 is composed of a first link member 23 processed from a
metal plate material and a second link member 24 obtained by
bending and molding a metal plate material such as a plate spring
material.
[0175] As shown in FIG. 1C, a claw shaped claw hook 23a is provided
at a tip end side of the first link member 23 so as to be engaged
with the clip 2. In addition, a T-shaped T hook 23b is provided to
be fixed to the second link member at the proximal end side of the
first link member 23. At the second link member 24, as shown in
FIG. 11B, there are provided: a slit section 24a to be fixed to the
first link member 23; and arm sections 24b and 24c having closing
properties, the arm sections being fixed to the hook section 25.
The hook section 25 is formed in a cone shape having an inclined
face 25a at its tip end side as shown in FIG. 12.
[0176] Now, an operation of the fourth embodiment will be described
here. When the link member 22 is pushed at the tip end side of the
hook section 25, the ends of the arm sections 24b and 24c of the
second link member 24 abut against the inclined face 25a of the
hook section 25, and the arm sections 24b and 24c are elastically
deformed and opened along the inclined face 25a. When the link
member 22 is further pushed, the arm sections 24b and 24c are
closed, and the link member 22 is engagingly fixed to the hook
section 25.
[0177] Otherwise, operation and advantageous effect of the fourth
embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment. A
duplicate description is omitted here.
[0178] FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B each show a fifth embodiment according
to the present invention. The present embodiment relates to a
method of fixing the clip unit 1 to the clip unit 5 according to
the first embodiment. These embodiments are identical to each other
in configuration except that the link member 3 of the clip unit 1
is different.
[0179] In the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13A, the link
member 25 is composed of the previously described first link member
23 and a second link member 26 obtained by bending and molding a
metal plate member such as a plate spring.
[0180] The second link member 26 is bent at both ends of the plate
material at an acute angle, and further, is bent in a semi-circular
shape at the center of the plate material, whereby arm sections 26b
and 26c are molded. In addition, a slit section 26a to be fixed to
the first link member 23 is provided in the same way as the link
member 24 according to the fourth embodiment.
[0181] Now, an operation of the fifth embodiment will be described
here. When the link member 25 is pushed at the tip end side of the
hook section 12, an end of the second link member 26 abuts against
the inclined face 12e of the hook section 12. The elastic arms 12a
and 12b of the hook section 12 are elastically opened, and the arm
sections 26b and 26c of the second link member 26 are elastically
closed. Then, when the link member 25 is further pushed, where the
end of the second link member 26 passes through the pinch sections
12c and 12d of the hook section 12, the elastic arms 12a and 12b
and the arm sections 26b and 26c are restored, and are engagingly
fixed.
[0182] According to the present embodiment, both of the hook
section 12 and the second link member 26 are structured to be
elastically deformed and restored, whereby a deformation quantity
of both of these members can be reduced. Thus, the elastic arm
sections 12a and 12b can be reduced in length, and an amount of
advancing and retracting force of the hook section 12 can be
reduced. In addition, the elastic arms 12a and 12b are reduced in
length, and the strength can be increased.
[0183] Other operations and advantageous effects of the fifth
embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment. A
duplicate description will be omitted here.
[0184] FIG. 14 shows a sixth embodiment according to the present
invention. The present embodiment is composed of a clip unit 1 and
a clip case 30, as shown in FIG. 14. The clip case 30 is
manufactured by molding a resin with its good smoothness such as
polyacetal. A large diameter hole 31 greater than an outer diameter
of a coil pipe 8 of a clip manipulating device 5 is provided at the
clip case 30. The clip unit 1 is housed in the clip case 30 so that
an arrowhead hook 3b of a link member 3 of the clip unit 1 orients
the large diameter hole 31.
[0185] In the clip case 30, a small diameter section 32 that is
smaller than an inner diameter of the coil pipe 8 and greater than
an external dimension of a stop tube 4 are provided more deeply of
the large diameter hole 31. In addition, an inclined section 34 is
provided between a housing section 33 having the clip unit 1 housed
therein and the small diameter section 32. This inclined section 34
is provided in order to reduce a protrusion 4a of the previously
stop tube 4 when the clip unit 1 is pulled out of the clip case 30.
In order to smoothly reduce this protrusion 4a, it is desirable
that the inclined section 34 be set at an angle of 30 degrees or
less.
[0186] Now, an operation of the sixth embodiment will be described
here. As shown in FIG. 14, while the coil pipe 8 is inserted into
the large diameter hole 31 of the clip case 30, the slider 11 is
manipulated to be pushed out against the tip end side, whereby the
hook section 12 is extruded into the clip case 30. Then, the
arrowhead hook 3b of the link member 3 is pinched and fixed to the
hook section 12 in the same way as in the first embodiment.
[0187] At this time, the coil pipe 8 and clip unit 1 are fixed at
their predetermined positions by the clip case 30, and thus, the
hook section 12 abuts against the link member 3 straight. Because
of this, the mounting of the hook section 12 and the link member 3
is reliably carried out without a need for positioning in
particular. When the slider 11 is then pulled toward the proximal
end side, the clip unit 1 pinched and fixed to the hook section 12
as well is pulled toward the proximal end side, and is pulled
toward the large diameter hole 31 of the clip case 30. At this
time, the protrusion 4b of the stop tube 4 abuts against the
inclined face 34 of the clip case 30, is elastically deformed along
the inclined face 34, and is pushed into the stop tube 4.
[0188] Then, the clip unit 1 is pulled into the sheath section 6 of
the clip manipulating device 5 through the small diameter section
32 of the clip case 30. At this time, the protrusion 4a of the stop
tube 4 comes into contact with an inner face of the small diameter
section 32 of the clip case 30, and is pushed into the stop tube 4.
Thus, the clip unit 1 is pulled into a coil sheath 9 without being
caught by an end face of the coil pipe 8. Further, the arm sections
2a and 2b of the clip unit 1 each are closed along the inclined
section 34, and thus, the clip unit 1 is smoothly housed in the
sheath section 6 as shown in FIG. 3C.
[0189] According to the present embodiment, the mounting between
the clip unit 1 and clip manipulating device 5 is completed merely
by inserting the sheath section 6 of the clip manipulating device 5
into the large diameter hole of the clip case 30, and then,
advancing and retracting the slider 11 forward and backward once.
The work of positioning the hook section 12 and the link member 3
and of pushing the protrusion 4a of the stop tube 4 are eliminated,
and thus, preparation for the clipping apparatus is simpler and
more reliable. Other operations and advantageous effects are
identical to those of the first embodiment. A duplicate description
is omitted here.
[0190] FIG. 15A to FIG. 17C each show a seventh embodiment
according to the present embodiment. A clipping apparatus according
to the present embodiment is composed of a clip unit 40 a shown in
FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B and a clip manipulating device 47 as shown in
FIG. 16.
[0191] The clip unit 40 has a clip 2, a link member 41, a pair of
slide plates 42, a slide bar 43, a link pipe 44, a stop tube 45 as
a tightening ring, and a clip cover 46 that houses the clip 2. The
clip 2 is shaped in the completely same way as the clip 2 according
to the first embodiment.
[0192] The link member 41 is molded by photo-etching or
press-processing a metal plate material. A claw shaped claw hook
41a is formed at a tip end part of this link member 41 as shown in
FIG. 15. This claw hook 41a hooks an end part 2c at the proximal
end side of the clip 2 so as to removably engage the clip 2.
Further, a slit section 41b for penetrating the slide bar 43
described later is provided at the link member 41.
[0193] The slide bar 43 is manufactured by molding a material with
its certain flexibility such as a resin, the material being capable
of being cut. The slide bar 43 has an outer diameter capable of
passing through a small hole 42a of the slide plate 42 described
later, a slit section 45c of the stop tube 45, a slit section 44a
of the link pipe 44, and a small hole 46a of the clip cover 46, and
is formed in a cylindrical shape having a length that is slightly
greater than an outer diameter of the clip cover 46.
[0194] The slide plate 42 is molded by photo-etching and
press-processing a metal plate material in the same was as in the
link member 41. The small hole 42a for passing the slide bar 43,
the large diameter hole 42b to be linked with the clip manipulating
device 47, and the small diameter hole 42c disposed so as to
communicate with the large diameter hole 42b are provided at the
slide plate 42 in the same way as in the slit section 41b of the
link member 41.
[0195] The stop tube 45 is made of a substantially cylindrical
shape, and an outer diameter of the stop tube 45 is composed of a
large diameter section 45a at a tip end side and a small diameter
section 45b at a proximal end side. Further, the slit section 45c
passing the slide bar 43 is provided at the stop tube 45 in the
same way as in the slit section 41b of the link member 41.
[0196] The link pipe 44 for linking between the stop tube 45 and
the clip manipulating device 47 is formed in a substantially
cylindrical shape, and a slit section 44a for passing the slide bar
43 is provided in the same way as in the slit section 41b of the
link member 41. A blade 44b for cutting a slide bar 15 is provided
at proximal end part of the slit section 44a.
[0197] The clip cover 46 for housing the clip 2 is manufactured by
molding a material having its proper flexibility such as Teflon or
polyethylene in a cylindrical shape having an inner diameter
capable of housing the clip 2. A small hole 46a for passing the
slide bar 43 is provided at the clip cover 46 in the same way as in
the slit section 41b of the link member 41.
[0198] Therefore, in order to fabricate the clip unit 1 in the
state shown in FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B, first, while the claw hook
41a of the link member 41 is engaged with the end part 2c at the
proximal end side of the clip 2, the stop tube 45 is engaged with
the link member 41 until abutment against the end part 2c at the
proximal end side of the clip 2 has been obtained. Further, while
the link member 41 is pinched between the pair of slide plates 42
at a position at which the small hole 42a of the slide plate 42 is
coincident with the tip end part of the slit section 41a of the
link member 41, the link pipe 44 is engaged with the link member
41, the pair of slide plates 42, and the small diameter section 45b
of the stop tube 45 until the tip end part of the slit section 44a
of the link pipe 44 is coincident with the tip end part of the slit
section 45c.
[0199] In this state, while the clip cover 46 is further engaged
with the clip 2 until the small hole 46a of the clip cover 46 has
been coincident with the tip end part of the slit section 44a of
the link pipe 44, the slide bar 43 is further passed through the
small hole 46a of the clip cover 46, the slit section 44a of the
link pipe 44, the slit section 45c of the stop tube 45, the small
hole 42a of the slide plate 42, and the slit section 41b of the
link member 41, whereby the slide plate 42 and clip cover 46 are
linked with each other to be slidably mounted to the link member 41
and the link pipe 44 so that the clip unit 40 can be assembled in a
state as shown in FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B.
[0200] A configuration of the clip manipulating device 47 is
identical to that of another element except that the hook section
12 of the clip manipulating device 5 according to the first
embodiment is different. At a hook section 48 of the clip
manipulating device 47 according to the present embodiment, a
recessed cutout 49 is formed at the tip end side of a bar shaped
element as shown in FIG. 16. On a bottom face of this cutout 49, a
pin 50 is protruded vertical to the advancing and retracting
direction of a manipulating wire 7. A circular head 51 and a small
diameter section 52 smaller than this head 51 in diameter are
molded at this pin 50. The head 51 of the pin 50 is smaller than
the large diameter hole 42b of the slide plate 42 shown in FIG.
15C, and is greater than the small diameter hole 42c. Further, the
small diameter section 52a of the pin 50 is smaller than the small
diameter section 42c of the slide plate 42 in dimensions.
[0201] Now, an operation of the seventh embodiment will be
described here. As shown in FIG. 17A, in order to mount the clip
unit 40 on the clip manipulating device 47, first, the slider 11 is
manipulated to be pushed out against the tip end side, whereby the
hook section 48 is extruded into the coil pipe 8.
[0202] Then, the hook section 48 is engaged with the large diameter
section 42b of the slide plate 42 of the clip unit 40, and
thereafter, the entire clip unit 40 is pulled toward the tip end
side.
[0203] Then, the head 51 of the pin 50 is engaged with the small
diameter section 42c of the slide plate 42. The slider 11 is
manipulated to be pulled into the proximal end side, whereby the
hook section 48 is pulled into the sheath section 6, the link pipe
44 abuts against the coil pipe 8, and the mounting of the clip unit
40 is completed.
[0204] The clip 2 of the clip unit 40 is housed in advance in the
clip cover 46, and thus, the clip unit 40 is introduced into a
cavity via a forceps channel of an endoscope, whereby the clip unit
can be guided to a target site.
[0205] Next, when the slider 11 is pulled toward the proximal end
side, thereby pulling the manipulating wire 7 to be retracted to
the proximal end side, the slide plate 42 and the slide bar 43
passed through the small hole 42a of the slide plate 42 is pulled.
The slide bar 43 passes through the small hole 46a of the clip
cover 46. Thus, the slide bar 43 is pulled, whereby the clip cover
46 as well is pulled toward the proximal end side, and the clip 2
is protruded from the clip cover 46.
[0206] At this time, the link member 41 is maintained as is without
being pulled toward the proximal end side because the slide bar 43
slides on the slit section 41b. When the slider 11 is further
pulled toward the proximal end side, the slide bar 43 abuts against
the proximal end part of the slide section 41b of the link member
41, and the link member 41 as well is pulled toward the proximal
end side. Then, the end part 2c at the proximal end side of the
clip 2 is crashed by being pulled into the stop tube 14, and the
arm sections 2a and 2b are opened significantly in the outward
direction, as shown in FIG. 17B.
[0207] In this state, as is the case with the first embodiment, the
arm sections are guided to a target physiological tissue, and
further, the slider 11 is pulled toward the proximal end side.
Then, the slider bar 43 abuts against the proximal end part of the
slit section 44a of the link pipe 44. When the slider 11 is further
pulled toward the proximal end side, the slide bar 43 is cut by the
blade 44b provided at the proximal end part of the slide section
44a, and the slide bar 43 is released from the clip cover 46. When
the slider 11 is continuously pulled as is, the arm sections 2a and
2b of the clip 2 are pulled onto the stop tube 45. Then, the arm
sections 2a and 2b are closed, and a target tissue is pinched
between these arm sections. In this state, the slider 11 is further
pulled toward the proximal end side, whereby the claw hook 41a of
the link member 41 is deformed and expanded. Then, the clip 2 is
disengaged from the link member 41, is released from the clip
manipulating device 47, and is left in a body while the
physiological tissue is pinched.
[0208] The advantageous effect of the seventh embodiment is as
follows. That is, the clip 2 is housed in advance in the clip cover
4.6. The slider 11 is advanced and retracted, whereby the forceps
channel of the endoscope can be inserted immediately after mounting
the clip unit 1, thus simplifying preparation. In addition, in
ligating the clip unit 1 as well, the clip unit 1 is protruded from
the clip cover 46 merely by pulling the slider 11, and ligation can
be carried out as is, thus simplifying operation.
[0209] In addition, a structure is provided such that the slide car
43 is cut, whereby a length of the slit section 44a of the link
pipe 44 is equal to a retraction length of the clip cover 46. Thus,
the entire length of the clip unit 40 can be reduced, and the
properties of passing into a forceps channel is improved.
[0210] Further, the clip manipulating device 5 can be easily
processed and assembled, and can be processed and assembled
inexpensively because of its simple construction.
[0211] FIG. 18A to FIG. 18C each show an eighth embodiment
according to the present invention. A clipping apparatus according
to the present embodiment is composed of a clip unit 50 shown in
FIG. 18A to FIG. 18C and a clip manipulating device 47 that is
identical to that according to the seventh embodiment. The clip
unit 50 is composed of: a clip 2 formed in the completely identical
shape to that of the first embodiment; a link member 51 as a link
member; a stop tube 52 of a clip tightening ring; and a clip cover
53.
[0212] At a tip end part of the link member 51, as shown in FIG.
18B, a claw shaped claw hook 51a is formed so as to be engaged with
the end part 2c at the proximal end side of the clip 2. On the
other hand, at the proximal end side of the link member 51, as in
the proximal end side of the slide plate 42 according to the
seventh embodiment, the large diameter hole 51b and small diameter
hole 51c are provided so as to be removably engaged with the clip
manipulating device 47.
[0213] The clip cover 53 is molded by a material to be easily torn
such as paper, for example, and is engaged in advance with the clip
unit 5 while the clip 2 is closed shown in FIG. 18A. A snapaway
perforation 53a is provided at both sides of a side face of the
clip cover 53.
[0214] The clip unit 50 is mounted on the clip manipulating device
47, and is introduced into a cavity in the same way as in the
seventh embodiment. After the clip unit has entered the cavity,
when the slider 11 is pulled toward the proximal end side, the arm
sections 2a and 2b of the clip 2 are opened significantly in an
outward direction. At this time, the clip cover 53 breaks and
snaps-open along the perforation 53a, as shown in FIG. 18C so that
a target site can be ligated by the arm sections 2a and 2b of the
clip 2.
[0215] Other operations and advantageous effects are similar to
those of the seventh embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted
here.
[0216] FIG. 19A to FIG. 19D each show a ninth embodiment according
to the present invention. A clipping apparatus according to the
present embodiment is composed of: a clip unit 50 and a clip cover
54 shown in FIG. 19A; and the previously described clip
manipulation device 47.
[0217] The clip cover 54 is fabricated by molding a soft resin such
as silicon, for example, and is covered in advance on the clip unit
50 while the clip 2 is opened, as shown in FIG. 19A. The clip cover
54 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having an
external diameter that is slightly greater than a forceps channel
of an endoscope, and is closed at a tip end side. In addition, the
outer surface at the tip end side is formed in a spherical shape in
consideration of endoscope insert properties.
[0218] The clip unit 50 is mounted on the clip manipulating device
47, and is introduced into a cavity in the same manner as in the
seventh embodiment.
[0219] After the clip unit has been introduced into the endoscope,
the clip unit 50 and clip cover 54 are projected from the forceps
channel of the endoscope into the cavity as shown in FIG. 19B. In
this state, the entirety of the clip manipulating device 47 is
pulled toward the proximal end side. Then, the clip unit 50 is
pulled into the forceps channel of the endoscope. At this time, the
clip cover 54 is caught into a tip end face of the forceps of the
endoscope as shown in FIG. 19, and slips out of the clip unit 50.
In this state, the entirety of the clip manipulating device 47 is
pushed out again against the tip end side, whereby the clip unit 50
can be ligated.
[0220] Other operations and advantageous effects are identical to
those according to the seventh embodiment. A duplicate description
is omitted here.
[0221] FIG. 20A to FIG. 20 each show a tenth embodiment according
to the present invention. A clipping apparatus according to the
present embodiment is composed of: a clip unit 50, a clip cover 55,
and the previously described clip manipulating device 47 as shown
in FIG. 20A.
[0222] The clip cover 55 is fabricated by molding a resin having
proper flexibility such as Teflon, for example. At the clip cover
55, as shown in FIG. 20A, there are provided: a cylindrical fixing
section 55a having an outer diameter slightly smaller than that of
a stop tube 52 of the clip unit 50; and a cover section 55b having
a semi-cylindrical cross section, the cover section being greatly
opened at the tip end side. The clip cover 55 is fixed to be
pressed into the stop tube 52 of the clip unit 50 while the cover
is engaged with the stop tube 52, as shown in FIG. 20B.
[0223] The clip unit 50 is mounted on the clip manipulating device
47 in the same manner as in the seventh embodiment. After the clip
unit has been mounted, as shown in FIG. 20, while the cover section
55b of the clip cover 55 is closed so as to engage the arm sections
2a and 2b of the clip 2 of the clip unit 50, the clip unit 50 is
inserted into the forceps channel of the endoscope, and is
introduced into a cavity. After the clip unit 50 has been
introduced, when the clip unit 50 is protruded from the forceps
channel, the cover section 55b of the clip cover 55 is molded in an
opened shape, and thus, is automatically opened, whereby the clip
unit 50 can be ligated.
[0224] The other operation and advantageous effect are identical to
those according to the seventh embodiment. A duplicate description
is omitted here.
[0225] FIG. 21 shows an eleventh embodiment according to the
present invention. A clipping apparatus according to the present
embodiment is composed of: a clip unit 50; a clip cover 56; and the
previously described clip manipulating device 47 as shown in FIG.
21.
[0226] The clip cover 56 is fabricated by molding a material such
as oblate, which is dissolved when the cover comes into contact
with water. The clip cover 56 is engaged in advance with the clip
unit 50 while the clip 2 is closed as shown in FIG. 21, and is
formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having an outer
diameter smaller than the forceps channel of the endoscope.
[0227] The clip unit 50 is mounted on the clip manipulating device
47, and is introduced into a body in the same manner as in the
seventh embodiment. After the clip unit 50 has been introduced, the
clip cover 56 is dissolved when the cover comes into contact with
the water content in the cavity so that the clip unit 50 can be
ligated. In addition, when the water content in the cavity is small
in amount, water is fed to the forceps channel so that the clip
cover 56 can be dissolved.
[0228] Other operations and advantageous effects are identical to
those according to the seventh embodiment. A duplicate description
is omitted here.
[0229] FIG. 22A to FIG. 22C each show a twelfth embodiment
according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 22A, a clip
unit 60 is composed of: a clip 61; a stop tube 62 for closing the
clip 61 by being engagingly mounted on the clip 61; and the
previously described link member 51.
[0230] The clip 61 is formed in a shape substantially similar to
the clip 2 shown in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22A,
there are provided: arm sections 2a and 2b; a substantially
circular proximal end 2c; and protrusions 63 and 64 of 0.3 mm to
0.5 mm in height in parallel to a plate face of a base material
between the arm sections 2a and 2b each and the proximal end 2c.
The protrusions 63 and 64 are formed in a triangular shape as shown
in FIG. 22C. The stop tube 62 is formed in a shape similar to the
stop tube 14 according to the second embodiment.
[0231] Now, an operation of the twelfth embodiment will be
described here. After the clip unit 1 has been introduced, when the
link member 51 is pulled toward the proximal end side, the end part
2c at the proximal end side of the clip 2 is pulled into the stop
tube 62, and the clip 61 opens. At this time, as shown in FIG. 22B,
the protrusions 63 and 64 of the clip 61 are engaged with each
other, and the clip 61 is fixed in an opened state. When the link
member 51 is further strongly pulled toward the proximal end side
in this state, the protrusions 63 and 64 that are in engagement
with each other slide along mutual inclined faces 63a and 64a, and
are eventually disengaged each from the other. Further, the link
member 51 is pulled toward the proximal end side, whereby the clip
61 can be closed.
[0232] According to advantageous effect of the present embodiment,
at the protrusions 63 and 64 provided at the clip 61, the clip 61
is temporarily engagingly fixed in the maximum opened state. Thus,
an operator can set the clip 61 to the maximum opened state merely
by pulling the link member 51 to the proximal end side until the
clip 61 has been engagingly fixed without worrying about the opened
state of the clip 61, which simplifies manipulation.
[0233] In addition, the maximum opened state is stably maintained,
and thus, a target tissue is easily captured, and tissue ligation
can be carried out constantly.
[0234] FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B each show a thirteenth embodiment
according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 23A, a clip
unit 65 is composed of: a clip 66; the previously described stop
tube 62; and the previously described link member 51.
[0235] The clip 66 is formed in a shape substantially similar to
the clip 2 shown in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 23A,
there are provided: arm sections 2a and 2b; a substantially
circular proximal end part 2c; and a stepped section 67 of 0.5 mm
to 1.5-mm in height between the arm sections 2a and 2b each and the
proximal end part 2c.
[0236] Now, an operation according to the thirteenth embodiment
will be described here. After the clip unit 65 has been introduced
into a cavity, when the link member 51 is pulled against the
proximal end side, the end part 2c at the proximal end side of the
clip 65 is pulled into the stop tube 61, and the clip 2 is opened.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 23B, a stepped section 67 of the
clip 65 is engaged with the tip end side face of the stop tube 61,
and the clip is fixed to be an opened state. When the link member
51 is further strongly pulled in this state, the stepped section 67
is deformed, and is disengaged from the stop tube 61, whereby the
clip 2 can be closed. The advantageous effect according to the
present embodiment is identical to that according to the twelfth
embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted here.
[0237] FIG. 24 shows a fourteenth embodiment according to the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 24, the clip unit 67 is
composed of: the previously described clip 2; a stop tube 68; and
the previously described link member 51.
[0238] The stop tube 68 is formed in a substantially cylindrical
shape, and the shape of the outer face is identical to that of the
stop tube 14 according to the second embodiment. A large diameter
section 68b smaller than an ellipse section dimension W of the clip
2 and a small diameter section 68a having a diameter smaller than
the large diameter section 68b are provided on an internal cavity
of the outer face, and a stepped section 68a is provided between
the small diameter section 68a and the large diameter section
68b.
[0239] Now, an operation according to the fourteenth embodiment
will be described here. After the clip unit 67 has been introduced
into a cavity, when the link member 51 is pulled, a proximal end
part 2c of the clip 2 is pulled into the stop tube 68, and the clip
2 opens. At this time, the end part 2c at the proximal end side of
the clip 2 abuts against the stepped section 68c, and the clip is
fixed in an opened state. When the link member 51 is further
strongly pulled in this state, the end part 2c at the proximal end
side of the clip 2 is pulled over the stepped section 68c of the
stop tube 68 so that the clip 2 can be closed. The advantageous
effect according to the present embodiment is identical to that
according to the twelfth embodiment. A duplicate description is
omitted here.
[0240] FIG. 25 shows a fifteenth embodiment according to the
present embodiment. A clipping apparatus according to the present
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, is composed the previously
described clip 2, the previously stop tube 68 and a link member
69.
[0241] The link member 69 is formed in the same shape as the link
member 51 according to the ninth embodiment except that a circular
or elliptical protrusion 69a is provided at the proximal end side
of a claw shaped hook 51a. The protrusion 69a of the link member 69
is smaller than the large diameter section 68a of the previously
described stop tube 68, and is slightly smaller than the diameter
of the small diameter section 68b.
[0242] Therefore, when the link member 69 is pulled toward the
proximal end side in order to open the clip unit 67, the protrusion
69a of the link member 69 abuts against the stepped section 68c of
the stop tube 68, and the clip 2 is fixed in an opened state. When
the link member 69 is further strongly pulled in this state, the
protrusion 69a of the link member 69 is deformed, and is pulled
into the small diameter section 68a of the stop tube 68, whereby
the clip 2 is closed. The advantageous effect according to the
present embodiment is identical to that according to the twelfth
embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted here.
[0243] FIG. 26 shows a sixteenth embodiment according to the
present invention. A clipping apparatus according to the present
embodiment is composed of a clip 70, the previously described stop
tube 68, and the previously described line member 51 as shown in
FIG. 26.
[0244] The clip 70 is molded by processing a thin plate of SEA
alloy (Super Elastic Alloy) such as nickel titanium in a ribbon
shape of 4 mm to 40 mm by press processing or the like, for
example, and further, bending the center of the longitudinal
direction of the ribbon in a V shape, as shown in FIG. 26.
Therefore, a length L of an arm of the clip 70 ranges from 2 mm to
20 mm.
[0245] In addition, at this time, an opening width H of the clip
70, which is sufficient to ligate the tissue in a cavity, is bent
in the range of 3 mm to 25 mm. A ribbon length (=clip arm length)
varies depending on the opening width H of the clip 70. For
example, when the opening width H is equal to 3 mm, the length L of
the arm of the clip 70 is 2 mm (=ribbon length: 4 mm). When the
opening length H is equal to 25 mm, the length L of the arm of the
clip 70 is 15 mm.
[0246] Now, an operation according to the sixteenth embodiment will
be described here. When the clip 70 is introduced into a cavity,
the clip 70 is closed to 3 mm or less in outer diameter capable of
being routed into the forceps channel of the endoscope, and is
introduced. After the clip has been introduced, although the clip
70 is required to be opened to 3 mm to 25 mm in opening width
sufficient to ligate tissues in a cavity, the clip 70 is made of
SEA Alloy which is wide in an elastic area. Thus, the clip 70
closed in 3 mm in outer diameter capable of being routed into the
forceps channel of the endoscope is sufficiently opened to be
elastically restored to its original shape, and a tissue can be
ligated.
[0247] When the endoscope is tightly curved, the arm sections of
the clip 70, of a predetermined degree of hardness, is advanced
with great difficulty along the forceps channel of the endoscope
when the length L of the arm of the clip 70 exceeds 20 mm, thus
increasing the insert resistance, of the clip into a cavity. On the
other hand, when the length L of the arm of the clip 70 is shorter
than 2 mm, the tissue at the deep part cannot be ligated. For
example, in the case of hemostatis, the blood vessel at the deep
part cannot be ligated, and thus, a sufficient hemostatic effect
cannot be obtained. In addition, the blood vessel diameter of a
bleeding site in bleeding in the peptic area often ranges from 1 mm
to 3 mm in diameter. When the opening width H of the clip 70 is
smaller than 3 mm, the blood vessels are ligated with difficulty.
Conversely, when the opening width H exceeds 25 mm, an excessive
amount of tissues is pinched between the arm sections of the clip
70, an amount of ligation force is reduced, and a sufficient
hemostatic effect cannot be achieved.
[0248] Now, the advantageous effect according to the present
embodiment will be described here. The clip 70 is made of a SEA
alloy, and thus, can be elastically restored from a closed state
capable of being inserted into the forceps channel of the endoscope
to an opened state required to ligate the tissue in the cavity.
Therefore, after the clip has been introduced into the cavity,
there is no need to adjust the opening width of the clip during
clip ligation, and operation is simplified. In addition, hemostatis
of bleeding at the peptics must often be treated urgently. Thus,
the clip is stored while it can be inserted into the forceps
channel of the endoscope, and is ready to be used quickly in a case
of emergency. In such a case, the clip 70 is stored to be closed to
3 mm or less in diameter over a long period of time.
[0249] However, the clip 70 according to the present embodiment is
made of a SEA alloy, and thus, can be elastically and reliably
restored to an opened state required to ligate the tissue in the
cavity even after the closed state for a long period of time.
Therefore, the desired opening width can always be obtained when
the clip is used in an case of emergency. In addition, the clip is
formed in a V shaped, and thus, both of the arms are disposed on a
straight line, and can be reliably geared with each other without
tip ends of the arm section being shifted during ligation.
[0250] FIG. 27A to FIG. 27C each show a seventeenth embodiment
according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 27A to FIG.
27C, these figures each relates to a method of fixing the clip unit
1 and the clip manipulating device 5 to each other according to the
first embodiment. The other configuration is the same as that
according to the first embodiment except that the link member 3 of
the clip unit 1 and the hook section 12 of the clip manipulating
device 5 are different in shape.
[0251] According to the seventeenth embodiment, the hook section 80
is manufactured by molding/processing a resin having high strength
such as a liquid crystal polymer or polyimide, for example. The
hook section 80 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and
a slit 80a is provided at a tip end side as shown in FIG. 27A.
Thus, arm sections 80b and 80c capable of being elastically
deformed are formed at both sides of the slit 80a.
[0252] In addition, a structure is provided such that arrowhead
hooks 80f and 80g each having an outer diameter than that of the
arm sections 80b and 80c each are provided whose tip end is formed
in a semi-cone shape having inclined faces 80d and 80e at the tip
end side of the arm sections 80b and 80c, and the outer diameter of
the arrowhead hooks 80f and 80g can be expanded/contracted due to
elastic deformation of the arm sections 80b and 80c.
[0253] In addition, a link member 81 is formed in a hollow pipe
shape at its proximal end side as shown in FIG. 27A. There are
provided: a large diameter section 81b having an inner diameter
greater than that of the arrowhead hooks 80f and 80g each of the
previously described link member 80; and a small diameter section
81a having an inner diameter small than that of the previously
described arrowhead hooks 80f and 80g each, and having an inner
diameter greater than that of the arm sections 80b and 80c at the
more proximal end side than the large diameter section. In
addition, a claw hook 81c similar to that of the first embodiment
is provided at a tip end side of the link member 81, and is hooked
on the end part 2c at the proximal end side of the clip 2 so as to
engage the clip 2.
[0254] Now, an operation according to the seventeenth embodiment
will be described here. When the link member 81 is pushed at the
tip end side of the hook section 80, the inclined faces 80d and 80e
of the arrowhead hooks 80g and 80f of the hook section 80 abut
against an internal face of the small diameter section 81a of the
link member 81 as shown in FIG. 27B. When the link member is
further pushed, the outer diameter of the arrowhead hooks 80g and
80f each is reduced along the inclined faces 80d and 80e. At this
time, the arm sections 80b and 80c are elastically deformed. When
the arrowheads 80g and 80f pass through the small diameter section
81a of the link section 81, as shown in FIG. 27C, the arm sections
80b and 80c are restored in the large diameter section 81b of the
link member 81. Then, the arrowhead hooks 80g and 80f are
engagingly fixed to a step between the small diameter section 81a
and the large diameter section 81b. Otherwise, operation and
advantageous effect according to the seventh embodiment are
identical to those according to the first embodiment. A duplicate
description is omitted here.
[0255] FIG. 29 to FIG. 34 each show an eighteenth embodiment
according to the present invention. This embodiment relates to a
clip unit and a clip manipulating device. A configuration according
to the present invention is identical to that according to the
first embodiment except that a clip unit 120 according to the
present embodiment changes the link member 3 of the clip unit 1
according to the first embodiment, and adds a stop pipe 122.
[0256] In a clip manipulating device 130 according to the present
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, the coil sheath 9 of the clip
manipulating device 5 according to the first embodiment is composed
of: a large diameter coil 135; a small diameter coil 136; and a
connection portion 137. Further, a centering tube 131, an arrowhead
hook 132, and a fixing chip 133 are added onto a manipulating wire
7.
[0257] The clip unit 120 is composed of a clip 2, a stop tube 4, a
link member 121, and a stop pipe 122 as shown in FIG. 29. A hook
section 121a engaged with the clip 2 is provided at a tip end side
of the link member 121 as shown in FIG. 30 and FIG. 31.
[0258] Further, an elastic arm section 121b, an inclined face
section 121d with an angle of 10 degrees to 90 degrees, and a small
hole section 121c having an inner diameter greater than that of an
axle section 132c of an arrowhead hook 132 described later are
provided at the proximal end side of the link section 121.
Therefore, the arrowhead hook 132 is pushed at the proximal end
side of the link member 121, whereby the elastic arm section 121b
is deformed and opened. When the hook is further pushed, the small
hole section 121c can be engagingly fixed while the axle section
132c is pinched.
[0259] A fracture section 12le of 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm in outer
diameter is provided at the link member 121. The link member 121 is
pulled from a state of the clip unit 120 shown in FIG. 29 toward
the proximal end side, whereby the clip 2 is closed. When the clip
unit 120 is further pulled, the fracture section 121e breaks at
about 2.5 kg to 4 kg.
[0260] In addition, a protrusion 121f that protrudes more greatly
than the inner diameter of the stop tube 4 is provided at the link
member 121, the protrusion 121f is pressed into the inner diameter
of the stop tube 4 in a state of the clip unit 120, and thus, the
stop tube 4 and the link member 121 are loosely fixed.
[0261] In addition, an axle section 121g is provided at the link
member 121. As shown in FIG. 32, when the protrusion 4a provided at
the stop tube 4 is protruded and recessed inside of the stop tube
4, a cylindrical shape of 0.6 mm to 1 mm in outer diameter is
formed to prevent interference. A stop pipe 122 has an inner
diameter greater than an outer diameter at the tip end side of the
stop tube 4, and is provided so as to be engaged at the tip end
side of the stop tube 4.
[0262] As shown in FIG. 33 and FIG. 34, the coil sheath 9 is
composed of: a large diameter coil 135 having an inner diameter
capable of housing the clip unit 122; a small diameter coil 136
having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter
of the manipulating wire 7; and a connection portion 137 for
connection the large diameter coil 135 and the small diameter coil
136. The connection portion 137 has an inner diameter that is
greater than the outer diameter of the manipulating wire 7 and
smaller than the outer diameter of a fixing chip.
[0263] A coil chip 8 is formed in a substantially tubular shape
having an inner diameter identical to that of the coil sheath 9. In
addition, the coil chip 8 is hard whereas the coil sheath 9 is
flexible. In order to reduce a change of flexibility more
significantly, a length of the coil chip 8 is about 0.5 to 3 times
of an element line width of the coil sheath 9. In addition, the
outer diameter at the tip end side of the coil chip 8 is contracted
to be tapered in shape in consideration of endoscope insert
properties. The coil chip 8 and the coil sheath 9 are connected to
each other by laser welding in an abutted state without any special
engagement structure.
[0264] In addition, the arrowhead hook 132 is fixed at a tip end of
the manipulating wire 7, and is formed in a cone shape having the
inclined face 132a at its tip end. The maximum outer diameter of
the arrowhead hook 132 is defined as 1.0 mm to 1.4 mm in diameter
in consideration of a deformation quantity of the elastic arm
sections of the link member 121. In addition, it is desirable that
the inclined face 132a is set to 30 degrees or less in order to
smoothly ensure engagement with the link member 121.
[0265] The axle section 132c having an outer diameter smaller than
the maximum outer diameter of the inclined face 132a is provided at
the proximal end side of the inclined face 132a of the arrowhead
hook 132, and a step is formed between the inclined face 132a and
the axle section 132c so as to be reliably engaged with the elastic
arm section 121b of the link member 121.
[0266] In addition, a vertical face 132d is provided at the further
rear end side of the axle section 132c so that the force applied to
the manipulating wire 7 when the clip unit 120 housed in the large
diameter coil 135 is pushed forwardly of the large diameter coil
135 can be conveyed efficiently to the link member 121.
[0267] The centering tube 131 has an inner diameter greater than
that of the manipulating wire 7 and an outer diameter smaller by
about 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm than the inner diameter of each of the coil
pipe 8 and the large diameter coil 135. This centering tube is
provided so as to be covered over the manipulating wire 7 in the
range of 0 mm to 300 mm at the tip end side of the manipulating
wire 7, and is fixed by adhesive bonding or press-in to the fixing
chip 133 provided on the arrowhead hook 132 and the manipulating
wire 7.
[0268] The link member 121 is fabricated by ejection molding a
resin having high strength such as a liquid crystal polymer or
nylon and having proper elasticity. The stop pipe 122 is fabricated
by processing a metal pipe made of stainless or the like.
[0269] The arrowhead hook 132 and the fixing chip 133 are
fabricated by a metal such as stainless. The centering tube 131 is
fabricated by a soft material such as Teflon or polyethylene.
[0270] According to the previously described eighteenth embodiment,
as compared with the first embodiment, the link member 121 of the
disposable clip unit 120 is made of a resin based elastic member,
and a hook section of the clipping apparatus main body repeatedly
used is made of a metallic non-elastic member, whereby, when the
clip manipulating device 130 is repeatedly used, the device can be
hardly broken.
[0271] In addition, the stop pipe 122 is engaged with the tip end
side of the stop tube 4, whereby when the clip 2 is pulled into the
stop tube 4, and a tissue is ligated, the stop tube 4 is prevented
from being deformed or broken at its tip end part, thereby enabling
reliable ligation.
[0272] According to the present embodiment, when the clip unit 120
is mounted on the arrowhead hook 132, the slider 11 is manipulated,
and the manipulating wire 7 and the arrowhead hook 132 are
protruded from the coil sheath 9. At this time, a gap between the
inner diameter of the large diameter coil 135 and the outer
diameter of the manipulating wire 7 is filled with the centering
tube 131. Thus, even if the large diameter coil 135 is formed in
any curved shape, the manipulating wire 7 is positioned at the
axial center of the large diameter coil 135. Therefore, the
arrowhead hook 132 protruded from the tip end of the large diameter
coil 135 as well is positioned at the axial center of the large
diameter coil 135.
[0273] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, when the clip unit 120 is
sealed in a clip case 30, and the large diameter coil 135 and the
clip unit 120 are positioned in axial direction, even when the
large diameter coil 135 is formed in any shape, the arrowhead hook
132 is positioned at the axial center of the large diameter coil
135 merely by extruding the arrowhead hook 132 from the tip end of
the large diameter coil 135, and thus, can be reliably engaged with
the link member 121. In this way, in order to ensure that reliable
alignment with the axial center is obtained whatever the large
diameter coil 135 may be shaped, it is required to cover over the
manipulating wire 7 the centering tube 121 at least by 20 mm or
more or desirably by 50 mm or ore from a position very close to the
arrowhead hook 132.
[0274] In addition, when the clip unit 120 housed in the large
diameter coil 135 is extruded frontally of the large diameter coil
135, the manipulating wire 7 can push the clip unit 120 directly,
without bending the inside of the large diameter coil 135. Thus,
the clip unit 120 can be extruded efficiently with a smaller amount
of force. Such positioning of the coil sheath 9 and the
manipulating wire 7 or reduction of an amount of extrusion force
provides similar advantageous effect in all the treatment utensils
for protruding a treatment section from the inside of the sheath
such as snare, basket, injection needle, or retainer snare as well
as the clip manipulating device.
[0275] In addition, an inner diameter of the connection portion 137
is smaller than an outer diameter of the fixing chip 133. Thus,
when the manipulating wire 7 is pulled, the wire interferes with
the connection portion 137, whereby the manipulating wire 7 can be
prevented from being pulled into the coil sheath 134 than
necessary. In addition, the coil ship 9 is structured to be welded
and fixed merely by butting, instead of an engagement structure,
making it possible to reduce a hard section in size, and facilitate
insertion into the endoscope.
[0276] In addition, processing of the coil chip 8 and coil sheath 8
is simplified, and the chip and sheath can be manufactured
inexpensively.
[0277] FIG. 35 shows a nineteenth embodiment according to the
present invention. A clip manipulating device according to the
present invention is identical to that in any other configuration
except that the centering tube 131 according to the eighteenth
embodiment is merely changed.
[0278] That is, as shown in FIG. 35, instead of the centering tube
131 shown in the eighteenth embodiment, a total of two centering
chips 140 are provided at a position of 0 mm to 10 mm and at a
position of 20 mm to 50 mm each from the end part at the proximal
end of the arrowhead hook 132. In this way, a plurality of
centering chips 140 are provided over a predetermined range,
thereby making it possible to stably position the manipulating wire
7.
[0279] The centering chip 140 is fabricated from a hard material
such as a metal, for example, and is formed in a substantially
spherical shape having an outer diameter greater than that of the
manipulating wire 7 and smaller than the inner diameter of the
large diameter coil 135.
[0280] The centering chip 140 may be molded by injection molding a
hard resin such as a liquid crystal polymer or nylon, or
alternatively, a soft resin such as silicon or Teflon onto the
manipulating wire 7.
[0281] The operations and advantageous effects according to the
present embodiment are similar to those according to the eighteenth
embodiment.
[0282] FIG. 36 and FIG. 37 each show a twentieth embodiment
according to the present invention. This embodiment relates to a
manipulating section 150 of the clip manipulating device 130
according to the eighteenth embodiment.
[0283] The manipulating section 150 is composed of a manipulating
section main body 151, a slider 152, a manipulating pipe 153, a
lock 154, a lock spring 155, and a slider spring 156. The coil
sheath 9 is mounted at the tip end side of the manipulating section
main body 151. The slider 152 is slidably provided in the
horizontal direction in the figure at the manipulating section main
body 151. The manipulating pipe 153 is mounted on the slider 152,
and further, the manipulating wire 7 is mounted on the manipulating
pipe 153. The lock 154 is slidably provided in the vertical
direction in the figure at the manipulating section main body 151,
and is always biased upwards in the figure by the lock spring
155.
[0284] An inclined face 152a having an acute angle (from about 10
degrees to 90 degrees) and an inclined face 152b having an obtuse
angle (greater than an angle of the inclined face 152a) are
provided at the tip end side of the slider 152. An inner diameter
of the lock 154 is greater than an outer diameter of the inclined
face 152a of the slider 152.
[0285] Now, an operation according to the twentieth embodiment will
be described here.
[0286] When the slider 152 is slid to the tip end side, the
inclined face 152a of the slider 152 abuts against the proximal
side end face 154a of the inner diameter of the lock 154. If the
slider 152 is further slid to the tip end side in this state, the
lock 154 is pushed down by the inclined face 152a of the slider
152. At this time, the inclined face 152a is an acutely angled
inclined face, and thus, the lock 154 can be pushed down with a
small amount of force.
[0287] When the slider 152 is further slid to the tip end side, the
inclined face 152a of the slider 152 moves to the tip end side over
the lock 154. Then, the lock 154 abuts against a small diameter
section 152c of the slider 152 by the lock sprint 155. At this
time, although the slider 152 is pushed against the proximal end
side at the slider spring 156, the inclined face 152b is obtusely
angled. Thus, an amount of push force of the slider spring 156 is
smaller than that of the lock 154 rolling over the tip end side end
face 154b, and the slider 152 is temporarily fixed.
[0288] When the slider 152 is strongly pulled toward the proximal
end side in this state, the lock 154 is pushed down by the inclined
face 152b, and the slider 152 slips out of the lock 154, thus
making it possible to release the slider 152 from a fixed
state.
[0289] According to the present embodiment, two inclined faces 152a
and 152b with different angles are provided at the tip end side of
the slider 152, whereby an amount of force of vertically sliding
the lock 154 can be changed. The slider 152 is pushed against the
tip end side, whereby the slider 152 can be fixed with a gentle
push, and can be released by pulling it strongly. Therefore, the
slider 152 itself can be fixed/released merely by manipulation of
the slider 152 without providing a mechanism such as specially
fixed ON/OFF button, and the clip unit 120 can be mounted/removed
easily and speedily.
[0290] In addition, a slider spring 156 for biasing the slider 152
at the proximal end side is provided, whereby the clip unit 120 is
engaged with a tip end of the coil sheath 9, as shown in FIG. 37,
and the clip unit 120 can be automatically engaged with the coil
sheath 9 while the clip unit is approached to a target
physiological tissue, and stable manipulation can be carried
out.
[0291] According to a first modified example of the present
invention, as shown in FIG. 38, two inclined faces 154a and 154b
with different angles may be provided at the lock 154. Further,
according to a second modified example, as shown in FIG. 39, the
lock 154 may be provided on the slider 152, and two inclined faces
151a and 151b with different angles may be provided at the
manipulating section main body 151.
[0292] In addition, a slider fixing mechanism according to the
present embodiment provides similar advantageous effect in all the
treatment utensils for protruding a treatment section from the
inside of the sheath such as snare, basket, injection needle, and
retainer snare as well as clip manipulating device.
[0293] FIG. 40 to FIG. 43 each show a twenty first embodiment
according to the present invention. The present embodiment relates
to a clip case 160 for sealing the clip unit 120 according to the
eighteenth embodiment. That is, the clip case 160 is composed of
two parts, a case main body 161 and a case cover 162 as shown in
FIG. 40. The case main body 161 and the case cover 162 are
manufactured by ejection molding a properly hard and transparent
resin such as ABS or polystylene, for example. As shown in FIG. 41,
a total of six engagement claws 161a are provided on the internal
face of the case main body 161. These claws are engaged with
engagement holes 162a provided at the case cover 162 over a total
of six parts that correspond to the engagement claws 161a, whereby
the claws are assembled in the state shown in FIG. 40. Therefore,
the clip unit 120 is assembled after being disposed between the
case main body 161 and the case cover 162, whereby the clip unit
120 can be sealed into the clip case 160.
[0294] At the case main body 161 and the case cover 162,
semi-circular grooves 161b and 162b are provided in a right side
half on the paper face, and are diverged in a tapered shape on the
end face. Therefore, in an assembly state as shown in FIG. 40, a
circular hole 163 is formed by a semi-circular groove 161b of the
case main body 161 and a semi-circular groove 162b of the case
cover 162, as shown in FIG. 42. The circular hole 163 has an inner
diameter greater than an outer diameter of the coil sheath 9 of the
previously described clip manipulating device 130. In addition, on
the end face, there is formed a funnel section 163a diverged in a
funnel shape up to a diameter that is 1.5 times to 3 times as large
as the inner diameter of the circular hole 163.
[0295] At the center of the case main body 161 and the case cover
162, as shown in FIG. 43A and FIG. 43B, a small diameter section
164 smaller than an inner diameter of the coil pipe 9 and greater
than an outer diameter of the stop tube 4 are provided at the upper
left side on the paper face of the previously described circular
hole 163. An inclined face section 165 is provided at the further
left side of the small diameter section 164, and communicates with
a link member storage section 166. An elastic arm section of the
link member 121 is formed at the link member storage section 166 in
sufficient width free of interference even when the arm section is
deformed by insertion of the arrowhead hook.
[0296] A stop tube storage section 167 having an inner diameter
slightly greater than the outer diameter of the stop tube 4 is
provided at the further left side of the link member storage
section 166. A clip storage section 168 for storing the clip 2 is
provided at the further left side of the stop tube storage section
167.
[0297] In addition, coil fixing arms 169 and 170 are provided in
the vicinity of the small diameter section 164 on the circular hole
163. As shown in FIG. 42, the coil fixing arm is composed of: coil
fixing sections 169a and 170a that are protruded by about 0.1 mm to
0.5 mm in the inner diameter direction of the circular hole 163;
and arm sections 169b and 170b that are protruded by about 0.5 mm
to 3 mm.
[0298] Now, an operation according to the twenty first embodiment
will be described here.
[0299] First, the slider 152 of the clip manipulating device 150
according to the eighteenth to twentieth embodiments is pushed out
toward the tip end side, and the arrowhead hook 131 is protruded
from the tip end of the coil sheath 9. At this time, the slider 152
is fixed by the lock 154. In this state, a tip end of the coil
sheath 9 is inserted into the circular hole 163 through the funnel
section 163a of the clip case 160. When the coil sheath 9 reaches
the coil fixing arms 169 and 170, the arm sections 169b and 170b
are deformed by the pushing force of the coil sheath 9, and the
coil fixing sections 169a and 179a broaden.
[0300] In this state, the coil sheath 9 is pushed until the end
part at the tip end side of the coil sheath 9 abuts against a step
between the circular hole 163 and the small diameter section 164.
At this time, the arm sections 169b and 170b are elastically
deformed, and the coil sheath 9 is sandwiched between the coil
fixing sections 169a and 170a. Thus, the coil sheath 9 is loosely
fixed to the clip case 160.
[0301] When the coil sheath 9 is pushed until the sheath has
abutted against the inside of the clip case 160, the arrowhead hook
131 is protruded from the tip end of the coil sheath 8. Thus, the
arrowhead hook 131 passes through the small diameter section 164 of
the clip case 160, and is pushed into the link member storage
section 166. At this time, the circular hole 163 and the stop tube
storage section 167 are aligned at the axial center. Thus, the
arrowhead hook 131 is reliably pushed against the proximal end side
of the link member 121 disposed in the link member storage section
166, and the link member 21 and the arrowhead hook 131 are engaged
with each other.
[0302] At this time, the inclined face section 121d is provided at
the link member 121. Thus, even when the arrowhead hook 131 is
displaced slightly vertically, the hook abuts against the inclined
face section 121d, and is reliably engaged after the displacement
has been corrected in the center direction.
[0303] In addition, the clip case 160 is manufactured by a
transparent material. Thus, the presence or absence of the clip
unit 120 in the clip case 160 or a state of engagement between the
link member 121 and the arrowhead hook 131 can be visually
checked.
[0304] After checking the link member 121 and the arrowhead hook
131 for engagement, if the slider 152 is pulled toward the proximal
end side, the manipulating wire 7 is pulled, and the arrowhead hook
131 and the clip unit 120 are pulled into the coil sheath 9. At
this time, the protrusion 4a of the stop tube 4 abuts against the
inclined face section 165 of the case main body 161 and the case
cover 162. The protrusion 4a is pushed into the direction inside of
the stop tube 4, and can be pulled into the coil sheath 9 without
being engaged with an end face of the coil pipe 8. Then, the coil
sheath 9 is strongly pulled, and is pulled out of the clip case
160.
[0305] According to the present invention, the clip unit 160 can be
easily assembled by merely pushing the clip case main body 161 into
the case cover 162, and manufacturing cost can be reduced. In
addition, the coil fixing arms 169 and 170 are provided, whereby
the clip case 160 and the coil sheath 9 can be fixed to each other.
In addition, the clip unit 120 can be easily mounted without the
need to have both of the coil sheath 9 and the clip case 160.
Further, the clip unit 120 is composed of a transparent material,
thereby making it possible to check the clip unit 120 in the clip
case 160 for presence or absence or check the link member 121 and
the arrowhead hook 131 for engagement. In this manner, the clip
unit 120 can be reliably mounted.
[0306] FIG. 44 shows a twenty second embodiment according to the
present invention. According to the present embodiment, coil fixing
protrusions 180 and 181 are provided at the inner diameter side of
the circular hole 163 by eliminating the coil fixing arms 169 and
170 according to the twenty first embodiment. The coil sheath 9 is
fixed by elastic deformation of the case main body 161 and the case
cover 162 themselves, instead of deformation of the arm sections
169b and 170b.
[0307] According to the present embodiment, there is no need to
provide an arm section, and an ejection molding die can be easily
fabricated. The other advantageous effects are the same as those of
the twenty first embodiment.
[0308] FIG. 45 shows a twenty third embodiment according to the
present invention. According to the present embodiment, arm
sections 169b and 170b are provided at an angle protruded in the
inner diameter direction of the circular hole 163 by eliminating
the coil fixing sections 169a and 170a of the coil fixing arms 169
and 170 according to the twenty first embodiment. The arm sections
169b and 170b are deformed in direct abutment against the coil
sheath 9, thereby fixing the coil sheath 9. The advantageous effect
of the present embodiment is the same as that of the twenty first
embodiment.
[0309] FIG. 46 shows a twenty fourth embodiment according to the
present invention. According to the present embodiment, a soft
resin based O ring 182 such as silicon is provided at the inner
diameter side of the circular hole 163 by eliminating the coil
fixing arms 169 and 170 according to the twenty first embodiment.
The coil sheath 9 is fixed by elastic deformation of the O ring 182
instead of deformation of the arm section.
[0310] According to advantageous effect of the present invention,
there is no need to provide a protrusion, and an ejection molding
die can be easily fabricated. In addition, the coil sheath 8 is
fixed at its entire periphery by the O ring 182, and thus, an
amount of fixing force is stabilized.
[0311] FIG. 47 to FIG. 51 each show a twenty fifth embodiment
according to the present invention. The present invention relates
to a frame 170 for arranging and sealing a plurality of clip cases
shown in the twenty first to twenty fourth embodiments.
[0312] At the frame 170, a total of 12 case insert holes 171 are
provided while one side into which the clip case 160 can be
inserted is closed. It is desirable that 3 to 24 case insert holes
171 be provided in consideration of the size of the entire frame
170. In addition, a height H of the frame 170 is defined to be
greater than the height of the clip case 160. At the case insert
hole 171 of the clip case 160, as shown in FIG. 49, a fixing
protrusion 171a for fixing the clip case 160 is provided to be
pressed-in and fixed by inserting the clip case 160. The clip case
160 can be fixed more securely by providing an engagement groove at
a position that corresponds to the fixing protrusion 171a of the
frame 170 on the clip case 160.
[0313] The clip case 160 having the clip unit 120 sealed therein is
pushed into the case insert hole 171 of the frame 170 while the
funnel section 164 of the clip case 160 is oriented to the opening
side of the case insert hole 171. After the click case 160 has been
pushed into all the case insert holes 171, as shown in FIG. 50 and
FIG. 51, the sealing paper 171 is heat-sealed so as to close the
case insert hole 171.
[0314] This sealing paper 172 is heat-sealed in a panel shape so as
to seal a respective one of the case insert holes 171
independently. The sealing paper 172 is made of a material that
passes sterilization gas (ethylene oxide gas), and perforation is
provided on the sealing paper 172 along the panel shaped sealing
section 172b so as to open the case insert holes 171 one by one. In
addition, a peeling section 172a is provided while a part of the
sealing paper 172 is extruded from the frame 170. In this state,
sterilization is carried out by ethylene oxide gas or the like. The
frame 170 is fabricated by blow molding polypropylene or ejection
molding ABS or polystylene.
[0315] The above described peeling section 172a is peeled by hand
in order to mount the clip unit 120 on the clip manipulating device
5. At this time, the sealing paper 172 is peeled while the paper is
cut along the perforation. Thus, only the case insert hole 171
having the desired clip unit 120 sealed therein can be opened.
Then, the clip unit 120 can be mounted on the clip manipulating
device 5 in the same way as the twenty first embodiment.
[0316] According to the present embodiment, the clip case 120 is
sealed in the frame 170, whereby the frame 170 can be stably placed
on a work board such as desk, for example. The clip manipulating
device 5 is merely gripped and manipulated without taking the clip
case 120, whereby the clip unit 120 can be mounted on the clip
manipulating device 5. In addition, the peeling section 172a and
perforation are provided at the sealing paper 172, whereby the
sealing paper 172 can be peeled reliably one by one corresponding
to the case insert holes 171, and manipulation is simplified.
[0317] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *