US20050059985A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20050059985A1
Application number: US10/958,439
Authority: US
Inventors: Koh Kimura
Original assignee: Olympus Corp
Current assignee: Olympus Corp
Priority date: 2000-10-16
Filing date: 2004-10-05
Publication date: 2005-03-17
Also published as: JP4472217B2; US20020045909A1; DE10150829A1; DE10150829B4; JP2002191609A; US6814742B2; DE10165108B3

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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

1. Field of the Invention

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.

2. Description of the Related Art

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 aclip unit10 and aclip manipulating device106, as shown inFIG. 28A andFIG. 28B. Theclip unit101 causes alink member103 to be engaged with aclip102, and further, engages a clip tighteningring104. Alink member103 is composed of a plate material, and anengagement hole103bis provided to be linked with ahook section112 of theclip manipulating device106.

Theclip manipulating device106 composed of aninsert section106aand a frontal manipulatingsection106b. Theinsert section106ais composed of an introducingtube107, a manipulatingtube109 routed into the introducingtube107, and a manipulatingwire110 routed into the manipulatingtube109. Thehook section112 having apin111 to be linked with alink member103 is provided at the manipulatingwire110. The frontal manipulatingsection106bis composed of: atube joint114 fixed frontally of the introducingtube107; a manipulating sectionmain body115 for manipulating the manipulatingtube109 to be advanced or retracted; and aslider section116 for manipulating the manipulatingwire110 to be advanced or retracted.

Therefore, theclip unit101 is mounted on theclip manipulating device106, and is introduced into a cavity in accordance with the following procedures.

(1) The manipulating sectionmain body115 is pushed against a tip end side, and the manipulatingtube109 is protruded from the introducingtube107.

(2) Theslider section116 is pushed against a tip end side, and thehook section103ais protruded from the manipulatingtube109.

(3) Thepin111 is engaged through theengagement hole103bwhile theengagement hole103bof thelink member103 of theclip unit101 is aligned with thepin111 of thehook section112 of theclip manipulating device106.

(4) Theslider section116 is pulled toward a proximal end side, and thetightening ring104 of theclip unit101 is engaged with a tip end of the manipulatingtube109.

(5) The manipulating sectionmain body115 is pulled to the proximal end side, and theclip unit101 is stored in the introducingtube107.

(6) The clip unit is introduced into a cavity via an endoscope.

Next, theclip unit101 is ligated in accordance with the following procedures.

(1) The manipulating sectionmain body115 is pushed to the tip end side, and theclip unit101 is protruded from the inside of the introducingtube107.

(2) Theslider section116 is slightly pulled toward the proximal end side, and theclip102 is placed in an expanded state.

(3) Theslider section116 is pulled toward the proximal end side, thetightening ring104 is engaged with theclip102, and theclip102 is ligated.

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.

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.

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.

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.

However, in the clipping apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application KOKAI Publication No. 8-19548, atube joint114 for advancing and retracting an introducingtube107, a manipulating sectionmain body115 for advancing and retracting a manipulatingtube109, and aslider section116 for advancing and retracting the manipulatingwire110 are provided at frontally of a manipulatingsection106b.

Therefore, over six steps between (1) and (2), it is required to manipulate thetube joint114, manipulating sectionmain body115, and manipulatingwire110 to be advanced and retracted, which complicates manipulation.

In addition, the following steps are required to mount theclip unit101 on the hook section112:

(1) thelink member103 of theclip unit101 is held in a horizontal direction relevant to a cutout provided at thehook section112;
(2) thepin111 provided at thehook section112 is engaged with the engagement hole113bprovided at the link section113 while they are aligned with each other so that thepin111 is engaged with theengagement hole103b. 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.

In order to ligate theclip unit101, theclip102 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, theslider section116 must be carefully manipulated, which makes manipulation difficult.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clipping apparatus comprising:

- a clip capable of being arbitrarily opened/closed;
- a tightening ring engagingly mounted on this clip, thereby closing the clip;
- a link member capable of being inserted into this tightening ring and engaged with the clip;
- an introducing tube capable of housing the clip and the tightening ring;
- a manipulating member retractably routed into this introducing tube; and
- 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.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clipping apparatus comprising:

- a clip capable of being arbitrarily opened/closed;
- a tightening ring engagingly mounted on this clip, thereby closing the clip;
- a link member capable of being inserted into this tightening ring and engaged with the clip;
- an introducing tube capable of housing the clip and the tightening ring;
- a manipulating member retractably routed into this introducing tube; and
- 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.

- a clip capable of being arbitrarily opened/closed;
- a tightening ring engagingly mounted on this clip, thereby closing the clip;
- a link member capable of being inserted into this tightening ring and engaged with the clip; and
- 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.

- a clip capable of being arbitrarily opened/closed;
- a tightening ring engagingly mounted on this clip, thereby closing the clip;
- a link member capable of being inserted into this tightening ring and engaged with the clip; and
- holding means for, when the clip is opened to the maximum, temporarily holding the opened state.

- a clip capable of being arbitrarily opened/closed, the clip being made of an ultra-elastic alloy;
- a tightening ring engagingly mounted on this clip, thereby closing the clip; and
- a link member capable of being inserted into this tightening ring and engaged with the clip.

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.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a physiological tissue clipping method comprising:

- a first step of connecting a clip unit housed in a clip case on a clip manipulating device;
- 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
- a third step of manipulating the clip manipulating unit, thereby clipping the clip unit at the physiological tissue.

According to the present invention, there is provided a physiological clipping method comprising:

- 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;
- 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
- a third step of manipulating the clip manipulating unit, thereby clipping the clip unit at the physiological tissue.

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.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip unit mounting method comprising:

- a first step of connecting a clip manipulating member in a clip case to a clip unit; and
- a second step of mounting the clip unit housed in the clip case on a clip manipulating device.

- 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;
- a second step of advancing the clip manipulating member, thereby connecting the clip unit with the clip manipulating member in the clip case; and
- 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.

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.

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

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.

FIG. 1A toFIG. 1E each show a first embodiment according to the present invention, whereFIG. 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, andFIG. 1E is a longitudinal side view of the stop tube having the clip mounted thereto;

FIG. 2A toFIG. 2C each show the illustrative embodiment according to the present invention, whereFIG. 2A is a side view of a clip manipulating device,FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a hook section, andFIG. 2C is a longitudinal side view of the hook section;

FIG. 3A toFIG. 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;

FIG. 4A toFIG. 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;

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;

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;

FIG. 7A shows a second embodiment according to the present invention, and is a perspective view of a coil pipe, andFIG. 7B is a longitudinally sectional side view of the second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a stop tube according to the illustrative embodiment;

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, andFIG. 9B is a longitudinally plan view of the same;

FIG. 10A shows the illustrative embodiment according to the present invention, and is a perspective view of a hook section, andFIG. 10B is a longitudinal side view of the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 11A toFIG. 11C each show a fourth embodiment of the present invention, whereFIG. 11A is a longitudinal side view of a clip unit,FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the same, andFIG. 11C is a side view of a first link member;

FIG. 12 shows the illustrative embodiment according to the present invention, and is a side view of a hook section;

FIG. 13A andFIG. 13B each show a fifth embodiment of the present invention, whereinFIG. 13A is a longitudinal side view of a clip unit, andFIG. 13B is a perspective view of a link member;

FIG. 14 shows a sixth embodiment according to the present invention, and is a longitudinal side view of a clip unit;

FIG. 15A toFIG. 15C each show a seventh embodiment according to the present invention, whereFIG. 15A is a longitudinal side view of a clip unit,FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the same, andFIG. 15C is an exploded perspective view of the same;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a clip manipulating device according to the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 17A toFIG. 17C each illustrate an operation of the illustrative embodiment, wherein a clip unit is connected to a clip manipulating device;

FIG. 18A toFIG. 18C each show an eighth embodiment according to the present embodiment, whereFIG. 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, andFIG. 18C is a side view of the clip cover:

FIG. 19A toFIG. 19D each show a ninth embodiment according to the present invention, whereinFIG. 19A is a side view of a clip unit and a clip cover, andFIG. 19B,FIG. 19C, andFIG. 19D are perspective views each illustrating an operation according to the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 20A toFIG. 20C each show a tenth embodiment according to the present invention, whereFIG. 20A is a side view of a clip unit and a clip cover, andFIG. 20B andFIG. 20C are side views each illustrating an operation according to the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 21 shows an eleventh embodiment according to the present invention, and is a side view of a clip unit and a clip cover;

FIG. 22A toFIG. 22C each show a twelfth embodiment according to the present invention, whereFIG. 22A is a perspective view of a clip unit,FIG. 22B is a perspective view of a clip, andFIG. 22C is a partially enlarged side view of the clip;

FIG. 23A andFIG. 23B each show a thirteenth embodiment according to the present invention, whereFIG. 23A is a perspective view of a clip unit, andFIG. 23B is a perspective view of a clip;

FIG. 24 shows a fourteenth embodiment according to the present embodiment, and is a longitudinal side view of a clip unit;

FIG. 25 shows a fifteenth embodiment according to the present invention, and is a longitudinal plan view of a clip unit;

FIG. 26 shows a sixteenth embodiment according to the present invention, and is a side view of a clip unit;

FIG. 27A toFIG. 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;

FIG. 28A andFIG. 28B each show a conventional example, whereFIG. 28A is a longitudinally sectional side view of a clip unit and a clip manipulating device, andFIG. 28B is a longitudinally sectional side view of the clip manipulating device;

FIG. 29 shows an eighteenth embodiment according to the present embodiment, and is a longitudinally sectional side view of a clip unit;

FIG. 30 is a side view showing a link member according to the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a longitudinally sectional side view showing a part of a link member according to the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a longitudinally sectional side view showing a tip end of a coil sheath according to the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a longitudinally sectional side view showing a coil sheath according to the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a side view showing an arrowhead hook according to the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 35 shows a nineteenth embodiment according to the present embodiment, and is a longitudinally sectional side view of a coil sheath;

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;

FIG. 37 shows the illustrative embodiment, and is a sectional side view of a part of the clipping apparatus;

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;

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;

FIG. 40 shows a twenty first embodiment according to the present invention, and is a perspective view of a clip case;

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;

FIG. 42 is a longitudinally sectional side view showing the clip case according to the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 43A andFIG. 43B are plan views each showing the case cover according to the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 44 shows a twenty second embodiment according to the present invention, and is a longitudinally sectional side view of a clip case;

FIG. 45 shows a twenty third embodiment according to the present invention, and is a longitudinally sectional side view of a clip case;

FIG. 46 shows a twenty fourth embodiment according to the present invention, and is a longitudinally sectional side view of a clip case;

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;

FIG. 48 shows the illustrative embodiment, and is an enlarged plan view of a section A shown inFIG. 47;

FIG. 49 shows the illustrative embodiment, and is a cross section taken along the line B-B shown inFIG. 48;

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of a frame for sealing a clip case according to the illustrative embodiment; and

FIG. 51 shows the illustrative embodiment, is a plan view of a frame for sealing a clip case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A-1E toFIG. 6 each show a first embodiment, where a physiological tissue clipping apparatus is composed of aclip unit1 shown inFIG. 1A and aclip manipulating device5 shown inFIG. 2A. Theclip unit1 has aclip2, alink member3 as a link member, and astop tube4 as a clip tightening ring.

Theclip2 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 inFIG. 1B. Then,

arm sections

2aand2bbeing 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 ellipticalproximal end2cis formed at a proximal end side.

Thelink member3 is fabricated by ejection-molding a resin such as a liquid crystal polymer or a nylon, for example. At a tip end of thislink member3, a claw shapedclaw hook3ais formed as shown inFIG. 1C. This claw hook3ahooks anend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip2 so as to engage theclip2.

Further, at the other end of thelink member3, anarrowhead hook3bis formed to be linked with theclip manipulating device5. A cone shape having aninclined face3fis formed at the proximal end side of thearrowhead hook3b. A maximum outer diameter of thearrowhead hook3branges from 1.0 mm to 1.4 mm in diameter in consideration of a deformation quantity of

elastic arms

12aand12bof thehook section12 described later.

In addition, it is desirable that theinclined face3fis set to 30 degrees or less in order to smoothly mount the face on thehook section12. Acylindrical cylinder section3chaving a smaller diameter than that of the tip end of thearrowhead hook3ais provided between aclaw hook3aand thearrowhead hook3b. Therefore, a step is formed at the boundary between thecylinder section3cand thearrowhead hook3bto be reliably engaged with thehook section12. The outer diameter of thecylinder section3cranges from 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm in diameter in consideration of a step height influenced by an amount of engagement force with thehook section12 and the tensile stress of thecylinder section3citself.

Further, afracture section3dhaving a diameter of 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm in diameter is provided at a distal end side of thecylinder section3c. When an amount of tensile force of about 3 kgf to 5 kgf is applied to thelink member3, the link member breaks at thefracture section3d. In addition, an arc shapedprotrusion3ehaving a slightly larger diameter than an inner diameter of astop tube4 described later, the protrusion coming into pressure contact with an internal face of thestop tube4 for the purpose of fixing thelink member3 and stoptube4 at a predetermined position, are provided at the proximal end side of theclaw hook3a. Thelink member3 may be fabricated by ejection-molding a metal in order to ensure higher fracture strength.

Thestop tube4 is fabricated by ejection-molding a resin having high rigidity such as PBT (polybutytelephthalate) and having proper flexibility. Thestop tube4 is engagingly mounted on the

arm sections

2aand2bof theclip2 as shown inFIG. 1E, thereby closing the

arm sections

2aand2bof theclip2, 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.

In a standby state before making an operation for closing theclip2, as shown inFIG. 1A, these arm sections are held while each of them is externally engaged at a tip end part of thelink member3. In addition, a pair ofprotrusions4aelastically deformed, the protrusions being placed to be arbitrarily protruded and recessed in the outer periphery direction of thestop tube4 for the purpose of engagement with acoil pipe8 described later (refer toFIG. 2A), are provided at thestop tube4. The outer diameter when theprotrusion4ais protruded is set to 2.2 mm or more in consideration of engagement with thecoil pipe8.

In addition, theprotrusion4ais 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 asheath section6 described later, and is reliably engaged with thecoil pipe8 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 theprotrusion4aduring engagement with thecoil pipe8. Theprotrusion4amay be provided in plurality (three or four and more) in order to stabilize engagement with thecoil pipe8 described later (refer toFIG. 2A) more remarkably.

Now, a configuration of aclip manipulating device5 shown inFIG. 2A toFIG. 2C will be described here. As shown inFIG. 2A, asheath section6 having flexibility and a manipulatingwire7 as a manipulating member retractably inserted into thissheath section6, are provided at theclip manipulating device5.

Acoil pipe8 having an outer diameter that is greater than that of astop tube4 and smaller than that when aprotrusion4ais protruded and acoil sheath9 having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of thestop tube4 described previously, are provided at thesheath section6. In addition, a manipulating sectionmain body10 is linked with a frontal side of thecoil sheath9. Aslider11 is connected with a frontal extension end of the manipulatingwire7. Theslider11 is retractably placed in the manipulating sectionmain body10 so that the manipulatingwire7 can be manipulated to be advanced/retracted relevant to thesheath section6.

In addition, ahook section12 is connected at a tip end of the manipulatingwire7. Thehook section12 is made of a resilient metal material. As shown inFIG. 2B andFIG. 2C, two

elastic arms

12aand12bhaving closing properties and acylinder section3cof thelink member3 are pinched, whereby

pinch sections

12cand12dengaged with thearrowhead hook3bare provided. The

elastic arms

12aand12bare 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.

In addition, asemi-circular groove12fhaving a diameter equal to an outer diameter of thecylinder section3cis provided at the inside of the

pinch sections

12cand12dso as to easily held in pressure contact with thecylinder section3cof thelink member3 by the closing force of the

elastic arms

12aand12b.

In addition, aninclined face12eis provided at the proximal end part of the

elastic arms

12aand12bof thehook section12 as shown inFIG. 2B andFIG. 2C. It is desirable that an angle of theinclined face12ebe set to 30 degrees or less in order to smoothly remove thelink member3 from thehook section12. In addition, it is desirable that the

elastic arms

12aand12band the

pinch sections

12cand12dof thehook section12 is composed of an integral spring member in order to ensure higher strength. Further, thehook section12 may be fabricated by molding a resin having high rigidity such as nylon, for example, and having resilient properties.

Now, an operation of the first embodiment will be described here. In order to mount theclip unit1 on theclip manipulating device5, first, as shown inFIG. 3A, theslider11 is manipulated to be pushed against a tip end side. In this manner, thearrowhead hook3bof thelink member3 is pushed at the tip end side against the tip end side of thehook section12 while thehook section12 is protruded from thecoil pipe8. Then, an internal face at the tip end side of the

pinch sections

12cand12dof thehook section12 abuts against theinclined face3fon thearrowhead hook3bof thelink member3, and the

pinch sections

12cand12dare pushed to be broadened to the outside along theinclined face3f.

At this time, the

elastic arms

12aand12bare elastically deformed. When thelink member3 is further pushed against thehook section12, the

pinch sections

12cand12dare closed by the closing force of the

elastic arms

12aand12bwhen they pass through thearrowhead hook3b, and thecylinder section3cis pinched between the

pinch sections

12cand12d. At this time, the tip end face of thearrow hook3bof thelink member3 abuts against the proximal end face of the

pinch sections

12cand12d. Thus, thearrowhead hook3ccannot be removed from thehook section12c, and theclip unit1 is fixed to be hooked by thehook section12.

Then, as shown inFIG. 3B, while theprotrusion4aof thestop tube4 is fully pushed into thestop tube4, when theslider11 is pulled into the proximal end side, the manipulatingwire7 and thehook section12 are pulled into thecoil sheath9. At this time, theprotrusion4aof thestep tube4 is pushed into thestop tube4, and thus, theclip unit1 is pulled into thecoil sheath9 without being caught by an end face of thecoil pipe8.

At this time, the

arm sections

2aand2bof theclip2 of theclip unit1 is closed in accordance with the inner diameter of thecoil sheath9, and thecoil unit1 is housed in thecoil sheath9 as shown inFIG. 3. At this time, theprotrusion4aof thestop tube4 comes into contact with the internal face of thecoil sheath9, and thus, is elastically deformed, thereby maintaining a state in which the protrusion is housed in thestop tube4. In this state, thesheath section6 is introduced into a cavity via a forceps channel of an endoscope inserted into the cavity in advance, and a tip end of thesheath section6 is pulled toward a target site while the inside of the cavity is observed by the endoscope.

Next, theslider11 is manipulated to be pushed out against the tip end side again, whereby theclip unit1 is extruded from thecoil pipe8 as shown inFIG. 4. At this time, an inclined face is formed at the tip end side of theprotrusion4aof thestop tube4 so that theclip unit1 is pushed out smoothly and without any resistance. Then, theprotrusion4aof thestop tube4 is released from a state of contact with the internal face of thecoil sheath9, and is protruded from thestop tube4 in the outer periphery direction. At this time, theclip unit1 is fixed to be pinched between the

pinch sections

12aand12dof thehook section12 so as not to slip out of thehook section12.

Then, theslider11 is pulled toward the proximal end side again, whereby the manipulatingwire7 is pulled toward the proximal end side as shown inFIG. 4B, and the proximal end face of theprotrusion4aof thestop tube4 is engaged with an end face of thecoil pipe8. When theslider11 is further pulled toward the proximal end, an elliptic section dimension W of theend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip2 is greater than the inner diameter dimension of thestop tube4 so that the elliptic section of theend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip2 is clashed by being pulled toward thestop tube4. Then, the

arm sections

2aand2bopen significantly in the outward direction as shown inFIG. 4C.

In this state, theclip2 is guided so as to pinch a target physiological tissue. Then, when theslider11 is further pulled toward the proximal end side, thereby retracting the manipulatingwire7, the

arm sections

2aand2bof theclip2 are pulled into thestop tube4, and the

arm sections

2aand2bof theclip2 are closed as shown inFIG. 1E. While the physiological tissue is reliably pinched between the

arm sections

2aand2bof theclip2, when theslider11 is further pulled toward the proximal end, thereby retracting the manipulatingwire7, thefracture section3dof thelink member3 of theclip2 breaks, as shown inFIG. 5. Then, theclip2 is disengaged from thelink member3, and theclip unit1 is released from theclip manipulating device5, and then, is left in a cavity while the physiological tissue is pinched.

For example, the tissue at the bleeding site in the cavity is compressed by being pinched between the

arm sections

2aand2bof theclip2, and theclip unit1 is left while in that state, thereby making it possible to compress the blood vessel at the bleeding site and stop bleeding.

After theclip unit1 has left, theclip manipulating device5 is removed from the inside of the forceps channel.

In most cases, in the ligation of a physiological tissue due to the clipping apparatus, the ligation of a plurality ofclips2 is often continuously carried out, and anext clip unit1 is often attached immediately after removal. In the present embodiment, in the case of mounting a second andsubsequent clip units1, theclip manipulating device5 is removed from an endoscope channel, and then, theslider11 is pushed out against the tip end side, whereby thehook12 is extruded from thecoil sheath7. At this time, thelink member3 of thefirst clip unit1 is left to be engaged with thehook section12c.

In this state, thelink member3 of asecond clip unit1 is pushed at the tip end side of thehook section12 as is. Then, thefirst link member3 left at thehook section12 is pushed by asecond link member3, and is pushed against the proximal end side of thehook section12. Then, the proximal end part of thefirst link member3 abuts against theinclined face12eat the proximal end side of thehook section12. As shown inFIG. 6, the abutting part moves along theinclined face12e, is pushed out of a space between the

elastic arms

12aand12b, and slips out of thehook section12c. In this way, the removal of thefirst link member3 and the mount of thesecond clip unit1 are completed at the same time. Then, the ligation and mounting of theclip2 can be continuously carried out similarly.

According to the first embodiment described previously, theclip manipulating device5 of theclip unit1 can be mounted on thehook section12 merely by pushing theclip unit1 against thehook section12. Even if a hand is then released, the mounted device does not slip off due to the pinch force of thehook section12, thus making mounting simple and reliable.

In addition, the subsequent housing or releasing of theclip unit1 into or from thesheath section6 or the ligation of theclip unit1 can be carried out by manipulating only theslider11 to be advanced and retracted. In addition, in remounting theclip2, thelink member3 can be removed at the same time when theclip2 is mounted, thus making simplified operation and making it possible to complete treatment within a short period of time.

Further, when theclip unit1 is pulled out of thesheath section6, theslider11 is pressed. When theclip unit1 is ligated, theslider11 is pulled. In this way, the advancing and retracting direction of theclip unit1 is coincident with that of theslider11, and an operator can make operation that is intuitively understandable, thus reducing the possibility of making incorrect operation.

Furthermore, theclip manipulating device5 can be easily processed and assembled, and can be processed and assembled inexpensively because of its simple construction.

FIG. 7A,FIG. 7B, andFIG. 8 each show a second embodiment according to the present invention. The present embodiment is identical to the first embodiment in configuration except thestop tube4 of theclip unit1 and thecoil pipe8 of theclip manipulating device5 according to the first embodiment.

Acoil pipe13 according to the second embodiment is molded by processing a resilient metal pipe. Thecoil pipe13 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as shown inFIG. 7A andFIG. 7B, where asmall diameter section13awhose inner diameter is small is provided at its tip end side, and alarge diameter section13bis provided at its proximal end. Further, aninclined section13cis provided between thesmall diameter section13aand thelarge diameter section13b. Furthermore, at thecoil pipe13, as shown inFIG. 7A, four slits are provided at its tip end side, and anarm section13dbetween the respective slits is elastically deformed so that the diameter of thesmall diameter section13acan be expanded/contracted.

Astop tube14 of theclip unit1 as shown inFIG. 8, has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of thesmall diameter section13aof thecoil pipe13, and is formed in a substantial pipe shape smaller than the inner diameter of thelarge diameter section13b. In addition, anengagement section14asmaller than the inner diameter of thesmall diameter section13aof thecoil pipe13 is provided at the proximal end side.

Now, an operation of the second embodiment will be described here. In order to mount theclip unit1 on theclip manipulating device5, as in the first embodiment, theslider11 is pushed out against the tip end side; thehook section12 is extruded from thecoil pipe13, and thelink member3 of theclip unit1 is pushed against thehook section12 to be pinched and fixed. Then, thearm section13dof thecoil pipe13 is elastically deformed in the outer periphery direction. While thesmall diameter section13aof thecoil pipe13 is opened to have a diameter greater than the outer diameter of thestop tube14, theslider11 is pulled toward the proximal end, and thehook section12 and theclip unit1 are pulled into thesheath section6.

In this state, as in the first embodiment, thesheath section6 is guided to a target site via an endoscope. Next, theslider11 is manipulated to be pushed out against the tip end side again, whereby theclip unit1 is extruded from thesheath section6. At this time, theinclined section13cof thecoil pipe13 is pushed at theclip unit1, and thearm section13dof thecoil pipe13 is deformed in the outer periphery direction. Then, thesmall diameter section13ais opened to be greater than the outer diameter of thestop tube14 of theclip unit1, thus making it possible to extrude theclip unit1 to the outside from thesheath section6.

When theclip unit1 is extruded to an extent such that theengagement section14aof thestop tube14 passes through thesmall diameter section13aof thecoil pipe13, thearm section13dof thecoil pipe13 is elastically restored, and thesmall diameter section13aof thecoil pipe13 is contracted to its original diameter.

When theslider11 is pulled into the proximal end side again, thesmall diameter section13aof thecoil pipe13 is engaged with theengagement section14aof thestop tube14. Then, a step at the tip end part of theengagement section14aabuts against the tip end face of thecoil pipe13, and thestop tube14 and thecoil pipe13 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.

FIG. 9A,FIG. 9B,FIG. 10A, andFIG. 10B each show a third embodiment according to the present invention. The present embodiment relates to a method of fixing theclip unit1 to theclip manipulating device5 according to the first embodiment. These embodiments are identical to each other except that thelink member3 of theclip unit1 and thehook section12 of theclip manipulating device5 are shaped differently.

In the third embodiment, as shown inFIG. 9A, alink member20 is formed by bending a metal wire. The proximal end side of thelink member20 is bent in a pentagonal

shape having sides

20a,20b,20c, and29dand an apex20e. Further, as shown inFIG. 9B, a proximal end part20fof thelink member20 is bent and molded by vertically shifting it. In addition, ahook section21 is formed in a hollow pipe shape, as shown inFIG. 10A. As shown inFIG. 10B, there are provided: alarge diameter section21bhaving an inner diameter greater than a width W (refer toFIG. 9A) of a pentagon shaped bent section of thelink member20; and asmall diameter section21ahaving an inner diameter smaller than the width W.

Now, an operation of the third embodiment will be described here. When thelink member20 is pushed at the tip end side of thehook section21, the

sides

20band20cof the pentagon shaped bent section of thelink member21 abuts against the tip end part of thesmall diameter section21aof thehook section21. Then, the abutting sides are elastically deformed and reduced around the apex20eof the pentagon shaped bent section to an extent such that the width W between the

sides

20aand20dis smaller than the diameter of thesmall diameter section21a. When thelink member20 is further pushed, the pentagon shaped bent section passes through thesmall diameter section21a, and is restored in thelarge diameter section21b. Then, the restored section is engagingly fixed to a step between thesmall diameter section21aand thelarge diameter section21b.

Other operations and advantageous effects of the third embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted here.

FIG. 11A toFIG. 11C andFIG. 12 each show a fourth embodiment according to the present invention. The present embodiment relates to a method of fixing theclip unit1 to theclip manipulating device5 according to the first embodiment. These embodiments are identical to each other in configuration except that thelink member3 of theclip unit1 and thehook section12 of theclip manipulating device5 are shaped differently.

In the fourth embodiment, as shown inFIG. 11A, alink member22 is composed of afirst link member23 processed from a metal plate material and asecond link member24 obtained by bending and molding a metal plate material such as a plate spring material.

As shown inFIG. 1C, a claw shapedclaw hook23ais provided at a tip end side of thefirst link member23 so as to be engaged with theclip2. In addition, a T-shapedT hook23bis provided to be fixed to the second link member at the proximal end side of thefirst link member23. At thesecond link member24, as shown inFIG. 11B, there are provided: aslit section24ato be fixed to thefirst link member23; and

arm sections

24band24chaving closing properties, the arm sections being fixed to thehook section25. Thehook section25 is formed in a cone shape having aninclined face25aat its tip end side as shown inFIG. 12.

Now, an operation of the fourth embodiment will be described here. When thelink member22 is pushed at the tip end side of thehook section25, the ends of the

arm sections

24band24cof thesecond link member24 abut against theinclined face25aof thehook section25, and the

arm sections

24band24care elastically deformed and opened along theinclined face25a. When thelink member22 is further pushed, the

arm sections

24band24care closed, and thelink member22 is engagingly fixed to thehook section25.

Otherwise, operation and advantageous effect of the fourth embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted here.

FIG. 13A andFIG. 13B each show a fifth embodiment according to the present invention. The present embodiment relates to a method of fixing theclip unit1 to theclip unit5 according to the first embodiment. These embodiments are identical to each other in configuration except that thelink member3 of theclip unit1 is different.

In the fifth embodiment, as shown inFIG. 13A, thelink member25 is composed of the previously describedfirst link member23 and asecond link member26 obtained by bending and molding a metal plate member such as a plate spring.

Thesecond link member26 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

26band26care molded. In addition, aslit section26ato be fixed to thefirst link member23 is provided in the same way as thelink member24 according to the fourth embodiment.

Now, an operation of the fifth embodiment will be described here. When thelink member25 is pushed at the tip end side of thehook section12, an end of thesecond link member26 abuts against theinclined face12eof thehook section12. The

elastic arms

12aand12bof thehook section12 are elastically opened, and the

arm sections

26band26cof thesecond link member26 are elastically closed. Then, when thelink member25 is further pushed, where the end of thesecond link member26 passes through the

pinch sections

12cand12dof thehook section12, the

elastic arms

12aand12band the

arm sections

26band26care restored, and are engagingly fixed.

According to the present embodiment, both of thehook section12 and thesecond link member26 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

12aand12bcan be reduced in length, and an amount of advancing and retracting force of thehook section12 can be reduced. In addition, the

elastic arms

12aand12bare reduced in length, and the strength can be increased.

Other operations and advantageous effects of the fifth embodiment are identical to those of the first embodiment. A duplicate description will be omitted here.

FIG. 14 shows a sixth embodiment according to the present invention. The present embodiment is composed of aclip unit1 and aclip case30, as shown inFIG. 14. Theclip case30 is manufactured by molding a resin with its good smoothness such as polyacetal. Alarge diameter hole31 greater than an outer diameter of acoil pipe8 of aclip manipulating device5 is provided at theclip case30. Theclip unit1 is housed in theclip case30 so that anarrowhead hook3bof alink member3 of theclip unit1 orients thelarge diameter hole31.

In theclip case30, asmall diameter section32 that is smaller than an inner diameter of thecoil pipe8 and greater than an external dimension of astop tube4 are provided more deeply of thelarge diameter hole31. In addition, aninclined section34 is provided between ahousing section33 having theclip unit1 housed therein and thesmall diameter section32. Thisinclined section34 is provided in order to reduce aprotrusion4aof the previously stoptube4 when theclip unit1 is pulled out of theclip case30. In order to smoothly reduce thisprotrusion4a, it is desirable that theinclined section34 be set at an angle of 30 degrees or less.

Now, an operation of the sixth embodiment will be described here. As shown inFIG. 14, while thecoil pipe8 is inserted into thelarge diameter hole31 of theclip case30, theslider11 is manipulated to be pushed out against the tip end side, whereby thehook section12 is extruded into theclip case30. Then, thearrowhead hook3bof thelink member3 is pinched and fixed to thehook section12 in the same way as in the first embodiment.

At this time, thecoil pipe8 andclip unit1 are fixed at their predetermined positions by theclip case30, and thus, thehook section12 abuts against thelink member3 straight. Because of this, the mounting of thehook section12 and thelink member3 is reliably carried out without a need for positioning in particular. When theslider11 is then pulled toward the proximal end side, theclip unit1 pinched and fixed to thehook section12 as well is pulled toward the proximal end side, and is pulled toward thelarge diameter hole31 of theclip case30. At this time, the protrusion4bof thestop tube4 abuts against theinclined face34 of theclip case30, is elastically deformed along theinclined face34, and is pushed into thestop tube4.

Then, theclip unit1 is pulled into thesheath section6 of theclip manipulating device5 through thesmall diameter section32 of theclip case30. At this time, theprotrusion4aof thestop tube4 comes into contact with an inner face of thesmall diameter section32 of theclip case30, and is pushed into thestop tube4. Thus, theclip unit1 is pulled into acoil sheath9 without being caught by an end face of thecoil pipe8. Further, the

arm sections

2aand2bof theclip unit1 each are closed along theinclined section34, and thus, theclip unit1 is smoothly housed in thesheath section6 as shown inFIG. 3C.

According to the present embodiment, the mounting between theclip unit1 and clip manipulatingdevice5 is completed merely by inserting thesheath section6 of theclip manipulating device5 into the large diameter hole of theclip case30, and then, advancing and retracting theslider11 forward and backward once. The work of positioning thehook section12 and thelink member3 and of pushing theprotrusion4aof thestop tube4 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.

FIG. 15A toFIG. 17C each show a seventh embodiment according to the present embodiment. A clipping apparatus according to the present embodiment is composed of a clip unit40 a shown inFIG. 15A andFIG. 15B and aclip manipulating device47 as shown inFIG. 16.

Theclip unit40 has aclip2, alink member41, a pair ofslide plates42, aslide bar43, alink pipe44, astop tube45 as a tightening ring, and aclip cover46 that houses theclip2. Theclip2 is shaped in the completely same way as theclip2 according to the first embodiment.

Thelink member41 is molded by photo-etching or press-processing a metal plate material. A claw shapedclaw hook41ais formed at a tip end part of thislink member41 as shown inFIG. 15. This claw hook41ahooks anend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip2 so as to removably engage theclip2. Further, aslit section41bfor penetrating theslide bar43 described later is provided at thelink member41.

Theslide bar43 is manufactured by molding a material with its certain flexibility such as a resin, the material being capable of being cut. Theslide bar43 has an outer diameter capable of passing through asmall hole42aof theslide plate42 described later, aslit section45cof thestop tube45, aslit section44aof thelink pipe44, and asmall hole46aof theclip cover46, and is formed in a cylindrical shape having a length that is slightly greater than an outer diameter of theclip cover46.

Theslide plate42 is molded by photo-etching and press-processing a metal plate material in the same was as in thelink member41. Thesmall hole42afor passing theslide bar43, thelarge diameter hole42bto be linked with theclip manipulating device47, and thesmall diameter hole42cdisposed so as to communicate with thelarge diameter hole42bare provided at theslide plate42 in the same way as in theslit section41bof thelink member41.

Thestop tube45 is made of a substantially cylindrical shape, and an outer diameter of thestop tube45 is composed of alarge diameter section45aat a tip end side and asmall diameter section45bat a proximal end side. Further, theslit section45cpassing theslide bar43 is provided at thestop tube45 in the same way as in theslit section41bof thelink member41.

Thelink pipe44 for linking between thestop tube45 and theclip manipulating device47 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and aslit section44afor passing theslide bar43 is provided in the same way as in theslit section41bof thelink member41. Ablade44bfor cutting a slide bar15 is provided at proximal end part of theslit section44a.

The clip cover46 for housing theclip2 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 theclip2. Asmall hole46afor passing theslide bar43 is provided at theclip cover46 in the same way as in theslit section41bof thelink member41.

Therefore, in order to fabricate theclip unit1 in the state shown inFIG. 15A andFIG. 15B, first, while theclaw hook41aof thelink member41 is engaged with theend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip2, thestop tube45 is engaged with thelink member41 until abutment against theend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip2 has been obtained. Further, while thelink member41 is pinched between the pair ofslide plates42 at a position at which thesmall hole42aof theslide plate42 is coincident with the tip end part of theslit section41aof thelink member41, thelink pipe44 is engaged with thelink member41, the pair ofslide plates42, and thesmall diameter section45bof thestop tube45 until the tip end part of theslit section44aof thelink pipe44 is coincident with the tip end part of theslit section45c.

In this state, while theclip cover46 is further engaged with theclip2 until thesmall hole46aof theclip cover46 has been coincident with the tip end part of theslit section44aof thelink pipe44, theslide bar43 is further passed through thesmall hole46aof theclip cover46, theslit section44aof thelink pipe44, theslit section45cof thestop tube45, thesmall hole42aof theslide plate42, and theslit section41bof thelink member41, whereby theslide plate42 and clip cover46 are linked with each other to be slidably mounted to thelink member41 and thelink pipe44 so that theclip unit40 can be assembled in a state as shown inFIG. 15A andFIG. 15B.

A configuration of theclip manipulating device47 is identical to that of another element except that thehook section12 of theclip manipulating device5 according to the first embodiment is different. At ahook section48 of theclip manipulating device47 according to the present embodiment, a recessedcutout49 is formed at the tip end side of a bar shaped element as shown inFIG. 16. On a bottom face of thiscutout49, apin50 is protruded vertical to the advancing and retracting direction of a manipulatingwire7. Acircular head51 and asmall diameter section52 smaller than thishead51 in diameter are molded at thispin50. Thehead51 of thepin50 is smaller than thelarge diameter hole42bof theslide plate42 shown inFIG. 15C, and is greater than thesmall diameter hole42c. Further, the small diameter section52aof thepin50 is smaller than thesmall diameter section42cof theslide plate42 in dimensions.

Now, an operation of the seventh embodiment will be described here. As shown inFIG. 17A, in order to mount theclip unit40 on theclip manipulating device47, first, theslider11 is manipulated to be pushed out against the tip end side, whereby thehook section48 is extruded into thecoil pipe8.

Then, thehook section48 is engaged with thelarge diameter section42bof theslide plate42 of theclip unit40, and thereafter, theentire clip unit40 is pulled toward the tip end side.

Then, thehead51 of thepin50 is engaged with thesmall diameter section42cof theslide plate42. Theslider11 is manipulated to be pulled into the proximal end side, whereby thehook section48 is pulled into thesheath section6, thelink pipe44 abuts against thecoil pipe8, and the mounting of theclip unit40 is completed.

Theclip2 of theclip unit40 is housed in advance in theclip cover46, and thus, theclip unit40 is introduced into a cavity via a forceps channel of an endoscope, whereby the clip unit can be guided to a target site.

Next, when theslider11 is pulled toward the proximal end side, thereby pulling the manipulatingwire7 to be retracted to the proximal end side, theslide plate42 and theslide bar43 passed through thesmall hole42aof theslide plate42 is pulled. Theslide bar43 passes through thesmall hole46aof theclip cover46. Thus, theslide bar43 is pulled, whereby theclip cover46 as well is pulled toward the proximal end side, and theclip2 is protruded from theclip cover46.

At this time, thelink member41 is maintained as is without being pulled toward the proximal end side because theslide bar43 slides on theslit section41b. When theslider11 is further pulled toward the proximal end side, theslide bar43 abuts against the proximal end part of theslide section41bof thelink member41, and thelink member41 as well is pulled toward the proximal end side. Then, theend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip2 is crashed by being pulled into thestop tube14, and the

arm sections

2aand2bare opened significantly in the outward direction, as shown inFIG. 17B.

In this state, as is the case with the first embodiment, the arm sections are guided to a target physiological tissue, and further, theslider11 is pulled toward the proximal end side. Then, theslider bar43 abuts against the proximal end part of theslit section44aof thelink pipe44. When theslider11 is further pulled toward the proximal end side, theslide bar43 is cut by theblade44bprovided at the proximal end part of theslide section44a, and theslide bar43 is released from theclip cover46. When theslider11 is continuously pulled as is, the

arm sections

2aand2bof theclip2 are pulled onto thestop tube45. Then, the

arm sections

2aand2bare closed, and a target tissue is pinched between these arm sections. In this state, theslider11 is further pulled toward the proximal end side, whereby theclaw hook41aof thelink member41 is deformed and expanded. Then, theclip2 is disengaged from thelink member41, is released from theclip manipulating device47, and is left in a body while the physiological tissue is pinched.

The advantageous effect of the seventh embodiment is as follows. That is, theclip2 is housed in advance in the clip cover4.6. Theslider11 is advanced and retracted, whereby the forceps channel of the endoscope can be inserted immediately after mounting theclip unit1, thus simplifying preparation. In addition, in ligating theclip unit1 as well, theclip unit1 is protruded from theclip cover46 merely by pulling theslider11, and ligation can be carried out as is, thus simplifying operation.

In addition, a structure is provided such that theslide car43 is cut, whereby a length of theslit section44aof thelink pipe44 is equal to a retraction length of theclip cover46. Thus, the entire length of theclip unit40 can be reduced, and the properties of passing into a forceps channel is improved.

Further, theclip manipulating device5 can be easily processed and assembled, and can be processed and assembled inexpensively because of its simple construction.

FIG. 18A toFIG. 18C each show an eighth embodiment according to the present invention. A clipping apparatus according to the present embodiment is composed of aclip unit50 shown inFIG. 18A toFIG. 18C and aclip manipulating device47 that is identical to that according to the seventh embodiment. Theclip unit50 is composed of: aclip2 formed in the completely identical shape to that of the first embodiment; alink member51 as a link member; astop tube52 of a clip tightening ring; and aclip cover53.

At a tip end part of thelink member51, as shown inFIG. 18B, a claw shapedclaw hook51ais formed so as to be engaged with theend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip2. On the other hand, at the proximal end side of thelink member51, as in the proximal end side of theslide plate42 according to the seventh embodiment, thelarge diameter hole51bandsmall diameter hole51care provided so as to be removably engaged with theclip manipulating device47.

Theclip cover53 is molded by a material to be easily torn such as paper, for example, and is engaged in advance with theclip unit5 while theclip2 is closed shown inFIG. 18A. Asnapaway perforation53ais provided at both sides of a side face of theclip cover53.

Theclip unit50 is mounted on theclip manipulating device47, and is introduced into a cavity in the same way as in the seventh embodiment. After the clip unit has entered the cavity, when theslider11 is pulled toward the proximal end side, the

arm sections

2aand2bof theclip2 are opened significantly in an outward direction. At this time, theclip cover53 breaks and snaps-open along theperforation53a, as shown inFIG. 18C so that a target site can be ligated by the

arm sections

2aand2bof theclip2.

Other operations and advantageous effects are similar to those of the seventh embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted here.

FIG. 19A toFIG. 19D each show a ninth embodiment according to the present invention. A clipping apparatus according to the present embodiment is composed of: aclip unit50 and aclip cover54 shown inFIG. 19A; and the previously describedclip manipulation device47.

Theclip cover54 is fabricated by molding a soft resin such as silicon, for example, and is covered in advance on theclip unit50 while theclip2 is opened, as shown inFIG. 19A. Theclip cover54 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.

Theclip unit50 is mounted on theclip manipulating device47, and is introduced into a cavity in the same manner as in the seventh embodiment.

After the clip unit has been introduced into the endoscope, theclip unit50 and clip cover54 are projected from the forceps channel of the endoscope into the cavity as shown inFIG. 19B. In this state, the entirety of theclip manipulating device47 is pulled toward the proximal end side. Then, theclip unit50 is pulled into the forceps channel of the endoscope. At this time, theclip cover54 is caught into a tip end face of the forceps of the endoscope as shown inFIG. 19, and slips out of theclip unit50. In this state, the entirety of theclip manipulating device47 is pushed out again against the tip end side, whereby theclip unit50 can be ligated.

Other operations and advantageous effects are identical to those according to the seventh embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted here.

FIG. 20A toFIG. 20 each show a tenth embodiment according to the present invention. A clipping apparatus according to the present embodiment is composed of: aclip unit50, aclip cover55, and the previously describedclip manipulating device47 as shown inFIG. 20A.

Theclip cover55 is fabricated by molding a resin having proper flexibility such as Teflon, for example. At theclip cover55, as shown inFIG. 20A, there are provided: acylindrical fixing section55ahaving an outer diameter slightly smaller than that of astop tube52 of theclip unit50; and acover section55bhaving a semi-cylindrical cross section, the cover section being greatly opened at the tip end side. Theclip cover55 is fixed to be pressed into thestop tube52 of theclip unit50 while the cover is engaged with thestop tube52, as shown inFIG. 20B.

Theclip unit50 is mounted on theclip manipulating device47 in the same manner as in the seventh embodiment. After the clip unit has been mounted, as shown inFIG. 20, while thecover section55bof theclip cover55 is closed so as to engage the

arm sections

2aand2bof theclip2 of theclip unit50, theclip unit50 is inserted into the forceps channel of the endoscope, and is introduced into a cavity. After theclip unit50 has been introduced, when theclip unit50 is protruded from the forceps channel, thecover section55bof theclip cover55 is molded in an opened shape, and thus, is automatically opened, whereby theclip unit50 can be ligated.

The other operation and advantageous effect are identical to those according to the seventh embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted here.

FIG. 21 shows an eleventh embodiment according to the present invention. A clipping apparatus according to the present embodiment is composed of: aclip unit50; aclip cover56; and the previously describedclip manipulating device47 as shown inFIG. 21.

Theclip cover56 is fabricated by molding a material such as oblate, which is dissolved when the cover comes into contact with water. Theclip cover56 is engaged in advance with theclip unit50 while theclip2 is closed as shown inFIG. 21, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having an outer diameter smaller than the forceps channel of the endoscope.

Theclip unit50 is mounted on theclip manipulating device47, and is introduced into a body in the same manner as in the seventh embodiment. After theclip unit50 has been introduced, theclip cover56 is dissolved when the cover comes into contact with the water content in the cavity so that theclip unit50 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 theclip cover56 can be dissolved.

FIG. 22A toFIG. 22C each show a twelfth embodiment according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 22A, aclip unit60 is composed of: aclip61; astop tube62 for closing theclip61 by being engagingly mounted on theclip61; and the previously describedlink member51.

Theclip61 is formed in a shape substantially similar to theclip2 shown in the first embodiment. As shown inFIG. 22A, there are provided:

arm sections

2aand2b; a substantially circularproximal end2c; and

protrusions

63 and64 of 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm in height in parallel to a plate face of a base material between the

arm sections

2aand2beach and theproximal end2c. The

protrusions

63 and64 are formed in a triangular shape as shown inFIG. 22C. Thestop tube62 is formed in a shape similar to thestop tube14 according to the second embodiment.

Now, an operation of the twelfth embodiment will be described here. After theclip unit1 has been introduced, when thelink member51 is pulled toward the proximal end side, theend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip2 is pulled into thestop tube62, and theclip61 opens. At this time, as shown inFIG. 22B, the

protrusions

63 and64 of theclip61 are engaged with each other, and theclip61 is fixed in an opened state. When thelink member51 is further strongly pulled toward the proximal end side in this state, the

protrusions

63 and64 that are in engagement with each other slide along mutual inclined faces63aand64a, and are eventually disengaged each from the other. Further, thelink member51 is pulled toward the proximal end side, whereby theclip61 can be closed.

According to advantageous effect of the present embodiment, at the

protrusions

63 and64 provided at theclip61, theclip61 is temporarily engagingly fixed in the maximum opened state. Thus, an operator can set theclip61 to the maximum opened state merely by pulling thelink member51 to the proximal end side until theclip61 has been engagingly fixed without worrying about the opened state of theclip61, which simplifies manipulation.

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.

FIG. 23A andFIG. 23B each show a thirteenth embodiment according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 23A, aclip unit65 is composed of: aclip66; the previously describedstop tube62; and the previously describedlink member51.

Theclip66 is formed in a shape substantially similar to theclip2 shown in the first embodiment. As shown inFIG. 23A, there are provided:

arm sections

2aand2b; a substantially circularproximal end part2c; and a steppedsection67 of 0.5 mm to 1.5-mm in height between the

arm sections

2aand2beach and theproximal end part2c.

Now, an operation according to the thirteenth embodiment will be described here. After theclip unit65 has been introduced into a cavity, when thelink member51 is pulled against the proximal end side, theend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip65 is pulled into thestop tube61, and theclip2 is opened. At this time, as shown inFIG. 23B, a steppedsection67 of theclip65 is engaged with the tip end side face of thestop tube61, and the clip is fixed to be an opened state. When thelink member51 is further strongly pulled in this state, the steppedsection67 is deformed, and is disengaged from thestop tube61, whereby theclip2 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.

FIG. 24 shows a fourteenth embodiment according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 24, theclip unit67 is composed of: the previously describedclip2; astop tube68; and the previously describedlink member51.

Thestop tube68 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and the shape of the outer face is identical to that of thestop tube14 according to the second embodiment. Alarge diameter section68bsmaller than an ellipse section dimension W of theclip2 and asmall diameter section68ahaving a diameter smaller than thelarge diameter section68bare provided on an internal cavity of the outer face, and a steppedsection68ais provided between thesmall diameter section68aand thelarge diameter section68b.

Now, an operation according to the fourteenth embodiment will be described here. After theclip unit67 has been introduced into a cavity, when thelink member51 is pulled, aproximal end part2cof theclip2 is pulled into thestop tube68, and theclip2 opens. At this time, theend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip2 abuts against the steppedsection68c, and the clip is fixed in an opened state. When thelink member51 is further strongly pulled in this state, theend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip2 is pulled over the steppedsection68cof thestop tube68 so that theclip2 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.

FIG. 25 shows a fifteenth embodiment according to the present embodiment. A clipping apparatus according to the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 25, is composed the previously describedclip2, the previously stoptube68 and alink member69.

Thelink member69 is formed in the same shape as thelink member51 according to the ninth embodiment except that a circular orelliptical protrusion69ais provided at the proximal end side of a claw shapedhook51a. Theprotrusion69aof thelink member69 is smaller than thelarge diameter section68aof the previously describedstop tube68, and is slightly smaller than the diameter of thesmall diameter section68b.

Therefore, when thelink member69 is pulled toward the proximal end side in order to open theclip unit67, theprotrusion69aof thelink member69 abuts against the steppedsection68cof thestop tube68, and theclip2 is fixed in an opened state. When thelink member69 is further strongly pulled in this state, theprotrusion69aof thelink member69 is deformed, and is pulled into thesmall diameter section68aof thestop tube68, whereby theclip2 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.

FIG. 26 shows a sixteenth embodiment according to the present invention. A clipping apparatus according to the present embodiment is composed of aclip70, the previously describedstop tube68, and the previously describedline member51 as shown inFIG. 26.

Theclip70 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 inFIG. 26. Therefore, a length L of an arm of theclip70 ranges from 2 mm to 20 mm.

In addition, at this time, an opening width H of theclip70, 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 theclip70. For example, when the opening width H is equal to 3 mm, the length L of the arm of theclip70 is 2 mm (=ribbon length: 4 mm). When the opening length H is equal to 25 mm, the length L of the arm of theclip70 is 15 mm.

Now, an operation according to the sixteenth embodiment will be described here. When theclip70 is introduced into a cavity, theclip70 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 theclip70 is required to be opened to 3 mm to 25 mm in opening width sufficient to ligate tissues in a cavity, theclip70 is made of SEA Alloy which is wide in an elastic area. Thus, theclip70 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.

When the endoscope is tightly curved, the arm sections of theclip70, 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 theclip70 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 theclip70 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 theclip70 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 theclip70, an amount of ligation force is reduced, and a sufficient hemostatic effect cannot be achieved.

Now, the advantageous effect according to the present embodiment will be described here. Theclip70 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, theclip70 is stored to be closed to 3 mm or less in diameter over a long period of time.

However, theclip70 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.

FIG. 27A toFIG. 27C each show a seventeenth embodiment according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 27A toFIG. 27C, these figures each relates to a method of fixing theclip unit1 and theclip manipulating device5 to each other according to the first embodiment. The other configuration is the same as that according to the first embodiment except that thelink member3 of theclip unit1 and thehook section12 of theclip manipulating device5 are different in shape.

According to the seventeenth embodiment, thehook section80 is manufactured by molding/processing a resin having high strength such as a liquid crystal polymer or polyimide, for example. Thehook section80 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and aslit80ais provided at a tip end side as shown inFIG. 27A. Thus,

arm sections

80band80ccapable of being elastically deformed are formed at both sides of theslit80a.

In addition, a structure is provided such that arrowhead hooks80fand80geach having an outer diameter than that of the

arm sections

80band80ceach are provided whose tip end is formed in a semi-cone shape having inclined faces80dand80eat the tip end side of the

arm sections

80band80c, and the outer diameter of the arrowhead hooks80fand80gcan be expanded/contracted due to elastic deformation of the

arm sections

80band80c.

In addition, a link member81 is formed in a hollow pipe shape at its proximal end side as shown inFIG. 27A. There are provided: alarge diameter section81bhaving an inner diameter greater than that of the arrowhead hooks80fand80geach of the previously describedlink member80; and asmall diameter section81ahaving an inner diameter small than that of the previously described arrowhead hooks80fand80geach, and having an inner diameter greater than that of the

arm sections

80band80cat the more proximal end side than the large diameter section. In addition, a claw hook81csimilar to that of the first embodiment is provided at a tip end side of the link member81, and is hooked on theend part2cat the proximal end side of theclip2 so as to engage theclip2.

Now, an operation according to the seventeenth embodiment will be described here. When the link member81 is pushed at the tip end side of thehook section80, the inclined faces80dand80eof the arrowhead hooks80gand80fof thehook section80 abut against an internal face of thesmall diameter section81aof the link member81 as shown inFIG. 27B. When the link member is further pushed, the outer diameter of the arrowhead hooks80gand80feach is reduced along the inclined faces80dand80e. At this time, the

arm sections

80band80care elastically deformed. When the

arrowheads

80gand80fpass through thesmall diameter section81aof the link section81, as shown inFIG. 27C, the

arm sections

80band80care restored in thelarge diameter section81bof the link member81. Then, the arrowhead hooks80gand80fare engagingly fixed to a step between thesmall diameter section81aand thelarge diameter section81b. 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.

FIG. 29 toFIG. 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 aclip unit120 according to the present embodiment changes thelink member3 of theclip unit1 according to the first embodiment, and adds astop pipe122.

In aclip manipulating device130 according to the present embodiment, as shown inFIG. 33, thecoil sheath9 of theclip manipulating device5 according to the first embodiment is composed of: alarge diameter coil135; asmall diameter coil136; and aconnection portion137. Further, a centeringtube131, anarrowhead hook132, and afixing chip133 are added onto a manipulatingwire7.

Theclip unit120 is composed of aclip2, astop tube4, alink member121, and astop pipe122 as shown inFIG. 29. Ahook section121aengaged with theclip2 is provided at a tip end side of thelink member121 as shown inFIG. 30 andFIG. 31.

Further, anelastic arm section121b, aninclined face section121dwith an angle of 10 degrees to 90 degrees, and asmall hole section121chaving an inner diameter greater than that of anaxle section132cof anarrowhead hook132 described later are provided at the proximal end side of thelink section121. Therefore, thearrowhead hook132 is pushed at the proximal end side of thelink member121, whereby theelastic arm section121bis deformed and opened. When the hook is further pushed, thesmall hole section121ccan be engagingly fixed while theaxle section132cis pinched.

Afracture section12leof 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm in outer diameter is provided at thelink member121. Thelink member121 is pulled from a state of theclip unit120 shown inFIG. 29 toward the proximal end side, whereby theclip2 is closed. When theclip unit120 is further pulled, thefracture section121ebreaks at about 2.5 kg to 4 kg.

In addition, aprotrusion121fthat protrudes more greatly than the inner diameter of thestop tube4 is provided at thelink member121, theprotrusion121fis pressed into the inner diameter of thestop tube4 in a state of theclip unit120, and thus, thestop tube4 and thelink member121 are loosely fixed.

In addition, anaxle section121gis provided at thelink member121. As shown inFIG. 32, when theprotrusion4aprovided at thestop tube4 is protruded and recessed inside of thestop tube4, a cylindrical shape of 0.6 mm to 1 mm in outer diameter is formed to prevent interference. Astop pipe122 has an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter at the tip end side of thestop tube4, and is provided so as to be engaged at the tip end side of thestop tube4.

As shown inFIG. 33 andFIG. 34, thecoil sheath9 is composed of: alarge diameter coil135 having an inner diameter capable of housing theclip unit122; asmall diameter coil136 having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the manipulatingwire7; and aconnection portion137 for connection thelarge diameter coil135 and thesmall diameter coil136. Theconnection portion137 has an inner diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the manipulatingwire7 and smaller than the outer diameter of a fixing chip.

Acoil chip8 is formed in a substantially tubular shape having an inner diameter identical to that of thecoil sheath9. In addition, thecoil chip8 is hard whereas thecoil sheath9 is flexible. In order to reduce a change of flexibility more significantly, a length of thecoil chip8 is about 0.5 to 3 times of an element line width of thecoil sheath9. In addition, the outer diameter at the tip end side of thecoil chip8 is contracted to be tapered in shape in consideration of endoscope insert properties. Thecoil chip8 and thecoil sheath9 are connected to each other by laser welding in an abutted state without any special engagement structure.

In addition, thearrowhead hook132 is fixed at a tip end of the manipulatingwire7, and is formed in a cone shape having theinclined face132aat its tip end. The maximum outer diameter of thearrowhead hook132 is defined as 1.0 mm to 1.4 mm in diameter in consideration of a deformation quantity of the elastic arm sections of thelink member121. In addition, it is desirable that theinclined face132ais set to 30 degrees or less in order to smoothly ensure engagement with thelink member121.

Theaxle section132chaving an outer diameter smaller than the maximum outer diameter of theinclined face132ais provided at the proximal end side of theinclined face132aof thearrowhead hook132, and a step is formed between theinclined face132aand theaxle section132cso as to be reliably engaged with theelastic arm section121bof thelink member121.

In addition, avertical face132dis provided at the further rear end side of theaxle section132cso that the force applied to the manipulatingwire7 when theclip unit120 housed in thelarge diameter coil135 is pushed forwardly of thelarge diameter coil135 can be conveyed efficiently to thelink member121.

The centeringtube131 has an inner diameter greater than that of the manipulatingwire7 and an outer diameter smaller by about 0.05 mm to 0.3 mm than the inner diameter of each of thecoil pipe8 and thelarge diameter coil135. This centering tube is provided so as to be covered over the manipulatingwire7 in the range of 0 mm to 300 mm at the tip end side of the manipulatingwire7, and is fixed by adhesive bonding or press-in to thefixing chip133 provided on thearrowhead hook132 and the manipulatingwire7.

Thelink member121 is fabricated by ejection molding a resin having high strength such as a liquid crystal polymer or nylon and having proper elasticity. Thestop pipe122 is fabricated by processing a metal pipe made of stainless or the like.

Thearrowhead hook132 and thefixing chip133 are fabricated by a metal such as stainless. The centeringtube131 is fabricated by a soft material such as Teflon or polyethylene.

According to the previously described eighteenth embodiment, as compared with the first embodiment, thelink member121 of thedisposable clip unit120 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 theclip manipulating device130 is repeatedly used, the device can be hardly broken.

In addition, thestop pipe122 is engaged with the tip end side of thestop tube4, whereby when theclip2 is pulled into thestop tube4, and a tissue is ligated, thestop tube4 is prevented from being deformed or broken at its tip end part, thereby enabling reliable ligation.

According to the present embodiment, when theclip unit120 is mounted on thearrowhead hook132, theslider11 is manipulated, and the manipulatingwire7 and thearrowhead hook132 are protruded from thecoil sheath9. At this time, a gap between the inner diameter of thelarge diameter coil135 and the outer diameter of the manipulatingwire7 is filled with the centeringtube131. Thus, even if thelarge diameter coil135 is formed in any curved shape, the manipulatingwire7 is positioned at the axial center of thelarge diameter coil135. Therefore, thearrowhead hook132 protruded from the tip end of thelarge diameter coil135 as well is positioned at the axial center of thelarge diameter coil135.

Therefore, as shown inFIG. 14, when theclip unit120 is sealed in aclip case30, and thelarge diameter coil135 and theclip unit120 are positioned in axial direction, even when thelarge diameter coil135 is formed in any shape, thearrowhead hook132 is positioned at the axial center of thelarge diameter coil135 merely by extruding the arrowhead hook132 from the tip end of thelarge diameter coil135, and thus, can be reliably engaged with thelink member121. In this way, in order to ensure that reliable alignment with the axial center is obtained whatever thelarge diameter coil135 may be shaped, it is required to cover over the manipulatingwire7 the centeringtube121 at least by 20 mm or more or desirably by 50 mm or ore from a position very close to thearrowhead hook132.

In addition, when theclip unit120 housed in thelarge diameter coil135 is extruded frontally of thelarge diameter coil135, the manipulatingwire7 can push theclip unit120 directly, without bending the inside of thelarge diameter coil135. Thus, theclip unit120 can be extruded efficiently with a smaller amount of force. Such positioning of thecoil sheath9 and the manipulatingwire7 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.

In addition, an inner diameter of theconnection portion137 is smaller than an outer diameter of thefixing chip133. Thus, when the manipulatingwire7 is pulled, the wire interferes with theconnection portion137, whereby the manipulatingwire7 can be prevented from being pulled into the coil sheath134 than necessary. In addition, thecoil ship9 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.

In addition, processing of thecoil chip8 andcoil sheath8 is simplified, and the chip and sheath can be manufactured inexpensively.

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 centeringtube131 according to the eighteenth embodiment is merely changed.

That is, as shown inFIG. 35, instead of the centeringtube131 shown in the eighteenth embodiment, a total of two centeringchips140 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 thearrowhead hook132. In this way, a plurality of centeringchips140 are provided over a predetermined range, thereby making it possible to stably position the manipulatingwire7.

The centeringchip140 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 manipulatingwire7 and smaller than the inner diameter of thelarge diameter coil135.

The centeringchip140 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 manipulatingwire7.

The operations and advantageous effects according to the present embodiment are similar to those according to the eighteenth embodiment.

FIG. 36 andFIG. 37 each show a twentieth embodiment according to the present invention. This embodiment relates to a manipulatingsection150 of theclip manipulating device130 according to the eighteenth embodiment.

The manipulatingsection150 is composed of a manipulating sectionmain body151, aslider152, a manipulatingpipe153, alock154, alock spring155, and aslider spring156. Thecoil sheath9 is mounted at the tip end side of the manipulating sectionmain body151. Theslider152 is slidably provided in the horizontal direction in the figure at the manipulating sectionmain body151. The manipulatingpipe153 is mounted on theslider152, and further, the manipulatingwire7 is mounted on the manipulatingpipe153. Thelock154 is slidably provided in the vertical direction in the figure at the manipulating sectionmain body151, and is always biased upwards in the figure by thelock spring155.

Aninclined face152ahaving an acute angle (from about 10 degrees to 90 degrees) and aninclined face152bhaving an obtuse angle (greater than an angle of theinclined face152a) are provided at the tip end side of theslider152. An inner diameter of thelock154 is greater than an outer diameter of theinclined face152aof theslider152.

Now, an operation according to the twentieth embodiment will be described here.

When theslider152 is slid to the tip end side, theinclined face152aof theslider152 abuts against the proximal side end face154aof the inner diameter of thelock154. If theslider152 is further slid to the tip end side in this state, thelock154 is pushed down by theinclined face152aof theslider152. At this time, theinclined face152ais an acutely angled inclined face, and thus, thelock154 can be pushed down with a small amount of force.

When theslider152 is further slid to the tip end side, theinclined face152aof theslider152 moves to the tip end side over thelock154. Then, thelock154 abuts against asmall diameter section152cof theslider152 by thelock sprint155. At this time, although theslider152 is pushed against the proximal end side at theslider spring156, theinclined face152bis obtusely angled. Thus, an amount of push force of theslider spring156 is smaller than that of thelock154 rolling over the tip endside end face154b, and theslider152 is temporarily fixed.

When theslider152 is strongly pulled toward the proximal end side in this state, thelock154 is pushed down by theinclined face152b, and theslider152 slips out of thelock154, thus making it possible to release theslider152 from a fixed state.

According to the present embodiment, two

inclined faces

152aand152bwith different angles are provided at the tip end side of theslider152, whereby an amount of force of vertically sliding thelock154 can be changed. Theslider152 is pushed against the tip end side, whereby theslider152 can be fixed with a gentle push, and can be released by pulling it strongly. Therefore, theslider152 itself can be fixed/released merely by manipulation of theslider152 without providing a mechanism such as specially fixed ON/OFF button, and theclip unit120 can be mounted/removed easily and speedily.

In addition, aslider spring156 for biasing theslider152 at the proximal end side is provided, whereby theclip unit120 is engaged with a tip end of thecoil sheath9, as shown inFIG. 37, and theclip unit120 can be automatically engaged with thecoil sheath9 while the clip unit is approached to a target physiological tissue, and stable manipulation can be carried out.

According to a first modified example of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 38, two

inclined faces

154aand154bwith different angles may be provided at thelock154. Further, according to a second modified example, as shown inFIG. 39, thelock154 may be provided on theslider152, and two

inclined faces

151aand151bwith different angles may be provided at the manipulating sectionmain body151.

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.

FIG. 40 toFIG. 43 each show a twenty first embodiment according to the present invention. The present embodiment relates to aclip case160 for sealing theclip unit120 according to the eighteenth embodiment. That is, theclip case160 is composed of two parts, a casemain body161 and acase cover162 as shown inFIG. 40. The casemain body161 and thecase cover162 are manufactured by ejection molding a properly hard and transparent resin such as ABS or polystylene, for example. As shown inFIG. 41, a total of sixengagement claws161aare provided on the internal face of the casemain body161. These claws are engaged withengagement holes162aprovided at thecase cover162 over a total of six parts that correspond to theengagement claws161a, whereby the claws are assembled in the state shown inFIG. 40. Therefore, theclip unit120 is assembled after being disposed between the casemain body161 and thecase cover162, whereby theclip unit120 can be sealed into theclip case160.

At the casemain body161 and thecase cover162,

semi-circular grooves

161band162bare 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 inFIG. 40, acircular hole163 is formed by asemi-circular groove161bof the casemain body161 and asemi-circular groove162bof thecase cover162, as shown inFIG. 42. Thecircular hole163 has an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of thecoil sheath9 of the previously describedclip manipulating device130. In addition, on the end face, there is formed afunnel section163adiverged in a funnel shape up to a diameter that is 1.5 times to 3 times as large as the inner diameter of thecircular hole163.

At the center of the casemain body161 and thecase cover162, as shown inFIG. 43A andFIG. 43B, asmall diameter section164 smaller than an inner diameter of thecoil pipe9 and greater than an outer diameter of thestop tube4 are provided at the upper left side on the paper face of the previously describedcircular hole163. Aninclined face section165 is provided at the further left side of thesmall diameter section164, and communicates with a linkmember storage section166. An elastic arm section of thelink member121 is formed at the linkmember storage section166 in sufficient width free of interference even when the arm section is deformed by insertion of the arrowhead hook.

A stoptube storage section167 having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of thestop tube4 is provided at the further left side of the linkmember storage section166. Aclip storage section168 for storing theclip2 is provided at the further left side of the stoptube storage section167.

In addition,

coil fixing arms

169 and170 are provided in the vicinity of thesmall diameter section164 on thecircular hole163. As shown inFIG. 42, the coil fixing arm is composed of:

coil fixing sections

169aand170athat are protruded by about 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm in the inner diameter direction of thecircular hole163; and

arm sections

169band170bthat are protruded by about 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

Now, an operation according to the twenty first embodiment will be described here.

First, theslider152 of theclip manipulating device150 according to the eighteenth to twentieth embodiments is pushed out toward the tip end side, and thearrowhead hook131 is protruded from the tip end of thecoil sheath9. At this time, theslider152 is fixed by thelock154. In this state, a tip end of thecoil sheath9 is inserted into thecircular hole163 through thefunnel section163aof theclip case160. When thecoil sheath9 reaches the

coil fixing arms

169 and170, the

arm sections

169band170bare deformed by the pushing force of thecoil sheath9, and thecoil fixing sections169aand179abroaden.

In this state, thecoil sheath9 is pushed until the end part at the tip end side of thecoil sheath9 abuts against a step between thecircular hole163 and thesmall diameter section164. At this time, the

arm sections

169band170bare elastically deformed, and thecoil sheath9 is sandwiched between the

coil fixing sections

169aand170a. Thus, thecoil sheath9 is loosely fixed to theclip case160.

When thecoil sheath9 is pushed until the sheath has abutted against the inside of theclip case160, thearrowhead hook131 is protruded from the tip end of thecoil sheath8. Thus, the arrowhead hook131 passes through thesmall diameter section164 of theclip case160, and is pushed into the linkmember storage section166. At this time, thecircular hole163 and the stoptube storage section167 are aligned at the axial center. Thus, thearrowhead hook131 is reliably pushed against the proximal end side of thelink member121 disposed in the linkmember storage section166, and thelink member21 and thearrowhead hook131 are engaged with each other.

At this time, theinclined face section121dis provided at thelink member121. Thus, even when thearrowhead hook131 is displaced slightly vertically, the hook abuts against theinclined face section121d, and is reliably engaged after the displacement has been corrected in the center direction.

In addition, theclip case160 is manufactured by a transparent material. Thus, the presence or absence of theclip unit120 in theclip case160 or a state of engagement between thelink member121 and thearrowhead hook131 can be visually checked.

After checking thelink member121 and thearrowhead hook131 for engagement, if theslider152 is pulled toward the proximal end side, the manipulatingwire7 is pulled, and thearrowhead hook131 and theclip unit120 are pulled into thecoil sheath9. At this time, theprotrusion4aof thestop tube4 abuts against theinclined face section165 of the casemain body161 and thecase cover162. Theprotrusion4ais pushed into the direction inside of thestop tube4, and can be pulled into thecoil sheath9 without being engaged with an end face of thecoil pipe8. Then, thecoil sheath9 is strongly pulled, and is pulled out of theclip case160.

According to the present invention, theclip unit160 can be easily assembled by merely pushing the clip casemain body161 into thecase cover162, and manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, the

coil fixing arms

169 and170 are provided, whereby theclip case160 and thecoil sheath9 can be fixed to each other. In addition, theclip unit120 can be easily mounted without the need to have both of thecoil sheath9 and theclip case160. Further, theclip unit120 is composed of a transparent material, thereby making it possible to check theclip unit120 in theclip case160 for presence or absence or check thelink member121 and thearrowhead hook131 for engagement. In this manner, theclip unit120 can be reliably mounted.

FIG. 44 shows a twenty second embodiment according to the present invention. According to the present embodiment,

coil fixing protrusions

180 and181 are provided at the inner diameter side of thecircular hole163 by eliminating the

coil fixing arms

169 and170 according to the twenty first embodiment. Thecoil sheath9 is fixed by elastic deformation of the casemain body161 and thecase cover162 themselves, instead of deformation of the

arm sections

169band170b.

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.

FIG. 45 shows a twenty third embodiment according to the present invention. According to the present embodiment,

arm sections

169band170bare provided at an angle protruded in the inner diameter direction of thecircular hole163 by eliminating the

coil fixing sections

169aand170aof the

coil fixing arms

169 and170 according to the twenty first embodiment. The

arm sections

169band170bare deformed in direct abutment against thecoil sheath9, thereby fixing thecoil sheath9. The advantageous effect of the present embodiment is the same as that of the twenty first embodiment.

FIG. 46 shows a twenty fourth embodiment according to the present invention. According to the present embodiment, a soft resin basedO ring182 such as silicon is provided at the inner diameter side of thecircular hole163 by eliminating the

coil fixing arms

169 and170 according to the twenty first embodiment. Thecoil sheath9 is fixed by elastic deformation of theO ring182 instead of deformation of the arm section.

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, thecoil sheath8 is fixed at its entire periphery by theO ring182, and thus, an amount of fixing force is stabilized.

FIG. 47 toFIG. 51 each show a twenty fifth embodiment according to the present invention. The present invention relates to aframe170 for arranging and sealing a plurality of clip cases shown in the twenty first to twenty fourth embodiments.

At theframe170, a total of12 case insert holes171 are provided while one side into which theclip case160 can be inserted is closed. It is desirable that 3 to 24 case insert holes171 be provided in consideration of the size of theentire frame170. In addition, a height H of theframe170 is defined to be greater than the height of theclip case160. At thecase insert hole171 of theclip case160, as shown inFIG. 49, a fixingprotrusion171afor fixing theclip case160 is provided to be pressed-in and fixed by inserting theclip case160. Theclip case160 can be fixed more securely by providing an engagement groove at a position that corresponds to the fixingprotrusion171aof theframe170 on theclip case160.

Theclip case160 having theclip unit120 sealed therein is pushed into thecase insert hole171 of theframe170 while thefunnel section164 of theclip case160 is oriented to the opening side of thecase insert hole171. After theclick case160 has been pushed into all the case insert holes171, as shown inFIG. 50 andFIG. 51, the sealingpaper171 is heat-sealed so as to close thecase insert hole171.

This sealingpaper172 is heat-sealed in a panel shape so as to seal a respective one of the case insert holes171 independently. The sealingpaper172 is made of a material that passes sterilization gas (ethylene oxide gas), and perforation is provided on the sealingpaper172 along the panel shaped sealingsection172bso as to open the case insert holes171 one by one. In addition, apeeling section172ais provided while a part of the sealingpaper172 is extruded from theframe170. In this state, sterilization is carried out by ethylene oxide gas or the like. Theframe170 is fabricated by blow molding polypropylene or ejection molding ABS or polystylene.

The above described peelingsection172ais peeled by hand in order to mount theclip unit120 on theclip manipulating device5. At this time, the sealingpaper172 is peeled while the paper is cut along the perforation. Thus, only thecase insert hole171 having the desiredclip unit120 sealed therein can be opened. Then, theclip unit120 can be mounted on theclip manipulating device5 in the same way as the twenty first embodiment.

According to the present embodiment, theclip case120 is sealed in theframe170, whereby theframe170 can be stably placed on a work board such as desk, for example. Theclip manipulating device5 is merely gripped and manipulated without taking theclip case120, whereby theclip unit120 can be mounted on theclip manipulating device5. In addition, thepeeling section172aand perforation are provided at the sealingpaper172, whereby the sealingpaper172 can be peeled reliably one by one corresponding to the case insert holes171, and manipulation is simplified.

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.