Patent Description:
A clip apparatus for an endoscope is an endoscope medical device used to ligate and suture biological tissues, and may be used to ligate through a clip or suture a perforated site in all situations related to the bleeding of body tissues such as arterial rupture due to an ulcer of stomach and colon. To this end, it is important to fix the clip to an accurate position. Document <CIT>) relates to an endoscopic treatment tool inserted into the body cavity through an endoscope for performing a treatment, being capable of transmitting the turning effort to the treatment section at the forward end positively without thickening the sheath portion.

Hereinafter, a conventional clip apparatus <NUM> for an endoscope will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the conventional clip apparatus <NUM> for the endoscope is schematically composed of an outer sheath <NUM>, an inner sheath <NUM> which is disposed inside the outer sheath <NUM>, a wire <NUM> which is disposed inside the inner sheath <NUM>, a connection hook <NUM>, a base part <NUM>, a slider part <NUM>, and an outer support <NUM>.

The slider part <NUM> includes a base outer cylinder <NUM> and a slider <NUM>, the outer support <NUM> is slidably supported on the outside of the base outer cylinder <NUM>, and one end of the wire <NUM> is connected and fixed to the slider <NUM>.

One end of the outer sheath <NUM> is connected and fixed to the outer support <NUM> to be slid integrally, the base part <NUM> is provided with a fixed base <NUM> and a rotating base <NUM> which is rotatably supported thereby, and one end of the inner sheath <NUM> is connected and fixed to the center of the fixed base <NUM>.

The rotating base <NUM> is a means which regulates the position of the slider part <NUM>, and has a regulated position which regulates the slider part and an unregulated position which does not regulate the slider part. This will be described in detail below.

The connection hook <NUM> which is fixed to the front end of the wire <NUM> takes two states of an opened state and a closed state by cooperation with the inner sheath <NUM> so that the clip is coupled.

Next, a process of operating the conventional clip apparatus <NUM> for the endoscope will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The positions of the slider part <NUM> and the outer support <NUM> are determined by a plate spring and a positioning groove. A plate spring <NUM> is accommodated inside the slider <NUM>, and the positioning thereof is performed as the plate spring <NUM> is elastically locked to any one of positioning grooves 53a, 53b, 53c which are formed in the base part <NUM>. In addition, a plate spring <NUM> is also accommodated inside the outer support <NUM>, and the positioning thereof is performed as the plate spring <NUM> is elastically locked to positioning groove 63a or 63b which is formed in the base outer cylinder <NUM>.

First, as a preparing state for coupling the clip illustrated in <FIG>, the plating spring <NUM> of the slider becomes locked to the positioning groove 53a, the plating spring <NUM> of the outer support becomes locked to the positioning groove 63a, and the connection hook <NUM> becomes opened by protruding from the inner sheath <NUM>.

Next, as a step for coupling the clip illustrated in <FIG>, first, the rotating base <NUM> is rotated clockwise with respect to the fixed base <NUM> to set it to a regulated position. At the regulated position, the outer shape of the rotating base <NUM> does not overlap with a part of the outer shape of the base <NUM> and a part thereof protrudes, such that when the slider part <NUM> is pushed into the base part <NUM> side, the slider part <NUM> is slidable with respect to the fixed base <NUM>, but is not slidable with respect to the rotating base <NUM>. Accordingly, when the clip is disposed on the connection hook <NUM> so as to be gripped and the slider part <NUM> is slid to the base part <NUM> side, the sliding of the slider part <NUM> is forcibly stopped in contact with the rotating base <NUM>, the plate spring <NUM> of the slider is locked to the positioning groove 53b. As a result, the wire <NUM> connected to the slider and the connection hook <NUM> fixed to the front end of the wire are buried into the inner sheath <NUM>, and the connection hook <NUM> is closed, thereby coupling the clip. At this time, the clip protrudes from the front end of the inner sheath <NUM>.

Next, although not illustrated in the drawings, by sliding the outer support <NUM> to the clip side in order to insert the clip apparatus into the body so that the plate spring <NUM> of the outer support is locked to the positioning groove 63b, it is possible to integrally slide forward the outer sheath <NUM> which is connected to the outer support <NUM>. Accordingly, from the inner sheath <NUM> to the clip may be buried inside the outer sheath <NUM>, and after the clip enters the body, the outer support <NUM> is slid again to the slider part <NUM> side so that the plate spring <NUM> of the outer support is locked to the positioning groove 63a.

After entering the body as described above, the clip is disposed at a suitable position for ligating the clip. When the position of the clip is completely adjusted, the rotating base <NUM> is rotated counterclockwise with respect to the fixed base <NUM> to set it to the non-regulated position. At the non-regulated position, the outer shape of the rotating base <NUM> and the outer shape of the fixed base <NUM> overlap with each other to form the same shape, such that when the slider part <NUM> is pushed to the base part <NUM> side, the slider part <NUM> is slidable with respect to the rotating base <NUM> as well as the fixed base <NUM>.

In addition, when the slider part <NUM> is slid to the base part <NUM> side, as illustrated in <FIG>, the slider part <NUM> is slid to the rotating base <NUM> as well as the fixed base <NUM>, such that the plate spring <NUM> of the slider is locked to the positioning groove 53c. As a result, the wire <NUM> which is connected to the slider is additionally drawn into the inner sheath <NUM> and the clip is also buried into the inner sheath <NUM>. Accordingly, similarly to the closed state of the connection hook, the clip is also in the closed state, thereby ligating the clip.

Finally, when the ligation of the clip is completed, as illustrated in <FIG>, the slider part <NUM> is slid to the distal end side of the base part <NUM>, that is, in the opened state of the connection hook <NUM> and the operation is terminated by opening and separating the grip of the clip by the connection hook <NUM>.

As may be seen in the above process, in order to couple, separate, or ligate the conventional clip, a method is used, in which the conventional clip apparatus is driven by sliding the slider part and the wire connected thereto or the outer support and the outer sheath connected thereto so that the plate spring is locked to the suitable positioning groove.

However, there are problems in that not only the configuration of the conventional clip apparatus is complicated because the conventional clip apparatus includes the plurality of plate springs and positioning grooves, but also the operation process thereof is very cumbersome because the conventional clip apparatus has the rotating base, in addition to the fixed base, to rotate them in the proper direction according to the operation process. In addition, there are problems in that, in order to separate the clip, the slider part is needed to be slid back to the distal end side of the base part, it is cumbersome to separate the clip because the clip is separated through the separate opening of the connection hook, and it is not possible to attempt to open and close the clip several times in order to ligate the clip to an accurate position because it is difficult to repeatedly open and close the clip.

The present disclosure is intended to solve the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a clip apparatus for an endoscope having a simple driving part and enabling accurate and easy clip ligation and separation.

An embodiment of the present disclosure for achieving the object provides a clip apparatus for an endoscope including a handle part which is formed with a moving hole, a handle slider which is installed to be slidable on the handle part through the moving hole, an inner sheath which is connected rotatably to the inside of the handle part and extend to the outside of the handle part, a wire which is connected to the handle slider and disposed inside the inner sheath, an outer sheath which is disposed to surround the inner sheath, an outer handle which is coupled to the outer sheath to move the outer sheath along the longitudinal direction of the inner sheath, and a clip coupling part which is connected to one end of the wire and configured to couple a clip.

In addition, the clip apparatus for the endoscope may further include a stopper which is provided detachably between the handle part and the outer handle.

The stopper may have a detachable part which may be spread and contracted to surround the outer sheath at both sides thereof.

The clip coupling part according to the invention includes a connection part connected to one end of the wire and a bending part configured to detachably couple the clip.

The bending part may be composed of a pair of coupling arm parts which extend to face each other, and one coupling arm part may be bent to contact the other coupling arm part.

The connection part may include an insertion hole into which the wire may be inserted.

In addition, the clip apparatus for an endoscope further includes a clip which is coupled to the clip coupling part, and the clip includes a pair of clip arm parts which may extend in a spreading configuration to be openable and closable, gripping parts which are formed to protrude from the ends of the pair of clip arm parts to the inside of the pair of clip arm parts and are placed opposite to each other to be engaged with each other, and a tightening ring which adjusts the opening and closing of the pair of clip arm parts.

The pair of clip arm parts may be each formed with a protrusion part, and as the tightening ring is press-fitted into the protrusion part, the clip may be gripped.

The tightening ring may adjust the opening and closing of the clip while moving on the pair of clip arm parts and until the tightening ring is press-fitted into the protrusion part.

The inner width of the tightening ring at a location where the pair of clip arm parts is disposed may be formed to be greater than the width of a portion where the tightening ring moves on the pair of clip arm parts, and may be formed to be equal to or smaller than the width of the protrusion part.

The pair of clip arm parts may be formed of an elastic body to have a spreading property.

An outer diameter (L1) of the tightening ring may be formed to be greater than an inner diameter (L2) of the inner sheath.

When the handle slider is slid to the handle part side, the tightening ring may be press-fitted into the protrusion part by being pushed and moved to the protrusion part side by the inner sheath.

When the tightening ring is press-fitted into the protrusion part and then the handle slider is slid to the handle part side, the bending part may be unfolded and the clip may be separated.

A space part where the outer sheath may be disposed may be formed between the handle part and the inner sheath.

In addition, the clip apparatus for the endoscope may further include a spring which is disposed within the moving hole to surround the wire.

When the spring is not compressed, the clip coupling part may be positioned inside the inner sheath.

A handle ring may be formed at one end of the handle part, and a handle part may be formed on the outer surface of the handle slider along the circumferential direction.

The sliding movement of the handle slider may be limited within a length of the moving hole of the handle part.

In addition, the present disclosure provides a clip including a pair of clip arm parts which extends in the form spread to be openable and closable, gripping parts which are formed to protrude from the ends of the pair of clip arm parts to the insides opposite to each other to be engaged with each other, a protrusion part which is formed on each of the pair of clip arm parts, and a tightening ring which adjusts the opening and closing of the pair of clip arm parts, and the gripping parts may be engaged with each other to be gripped as the tightening ring is press-fitted into the protrusion part.

According to the clip apparatus of the present disclosure, by driving, with one handle slider, the wire connected thereto, the clip may be ligated and separated, such that the structure of the driving part is simple and the operation thereof is easy.

In addition, since the wire may also be rotated based on the rotation of the handle part, the clip which is connected to the wire may be rotated, thereby easily determining the direction of the clip, and other structures are not affected by the rotation.

In addition, since the opening and closing of the clip may be repeatedly performed until the clip is completed ligated, that is, until the tightening ring is press-fitted into the protrusion part, the opening and closing of the clip may be attempted several times to ligate the clip to the accurate position.

In addition, the clip apparatus of the present disclosure enters the target point inside the body and then removes the stopper so that the outer handle and the outer sheath connected thereto are pushed back to prevent the clip from being opened when the clip apparatus enters the body, thereby making the clip apparatus easily and safely enter the body.

In addition, the clip coupling part is not exposed to the outside of the inner sheath because the spring is included, thereby preventing the clip from being separated by the side load when the clip apparatus enters, and the spring is compressed to push the handle slider after the clip apparatus enters, thereby correcting the opening angle of the clip to be wider.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, but should be understood to include all the effects inferable from the configurations of the disclosure described in the detailed description or claims of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a clip apparatus for an endoscope according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG>.

In addition, terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present disclosure, which may vary according to intentions or customs of users or operators, and the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure but are merely illustrative of the components recited in the claims of the present disclosure.

In order to clearly describe the present disclosure, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and the same or like components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the specification. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to "include" a component, it means that it may further include other components rather than excluding the other components unless otherwise stated.

<FIG> is a front diagram illustrating a clip apparatus for an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present, <FIG> is a partial cross-sectional diagram of <FIG>, <FIG> is a front diagram illustrating a state of the clip apparatus for an endoscope illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective diagram in which a part of <FIG> is separated, <FIG> is a cross-sectional diagram of a portion A of <FIG>, <FIG> is a front diagram illustrating a state of the clip apparatus for an endoscope illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective diagram separately illustrating a clip coupling part and a clip in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> are side diagrams illustrating before and after coupling the clip coupling part and the clip of <FIG>, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state where the clip is separated in <FIG>, and <FIG> is a front diagram illustrating a clip apparatus for an endoscope according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

First, a structure of the clip apparatus for an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The clip apparatus for an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be configured to largely include a clip part, a sheath part which may operate the clip part by the relative movement, a driving part which is connected to the sheath part to drive the movement of the sheath part.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the driving part may be configured to include a handle part <NUM>, a handle slider <NUM>, and an outer handle <NUM>, and the sheath part may be configured to include an inner sheath <NUM>, a wire <NUM>, and an outer sheath <NUM>, and the clip part may include a clip coupling part <NUM> and a clip <NUM> which is detachably coupled to the clip coupling part <NUM>.

The handle part <NUM> forms the body of the clip apparatus and is formed of an elongated cylindrical rod in the present embodiment.

A part of the handle part <NUM> may be formed with a moving hole <NUM> along the longitudinal direction, and the handle slider <NUM> to be described later may be provided to be slidable on the handle part <NUM> through the moving hole <NUM>.

A handle ring <NUM> may be formed at one end of the handle part <NUM>. Accordingly, a user may easily fix the clip apparatus according to the present disclosure by inserting his/her finger into the handle ring <NUM>.

At this time, a friction groove may also be formed on the partial outer surface of the handle part <NUM> to prevent the handle slider <NUM> from being moved relatively with respect to the handle part <NUM> by a weak force.

The handle slider <NUM> is installed to be slidable on the handle part <NUM> through the moving hole <NUM>. Specifically, the handle slider <NUM> may be fitted to penetrate the moving hole <NUM> and may be formed of a cylindrical column like the handle part <NUM>.

The handle slider <NUM> may be formed in two separable structures to be fitted to penetrate both sides of the moving hole <NUM> of the handle part, and may be assembled when the clip apparatus is assembled.

A handle part <NUM> may be formed on the outer surface of the handle slider <NUM> in the circumferential direction. In the present embodiment, the handle part <NUM> may be formed of a groove which is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the handle slider <NUM> in the circumferential direction, thereby easily gripping the handle part <NUM> by hand. That is, the thumb may be fitted into the handle ring <NUM> and the handle part <NUM> may be gripped with the index finger and the middle finger, thereby easily moving the handle slider <NUM> back and forth with respect to the handle part <NUM>.

Hereinafter, by defining, based on <FIG>, the left, that is, the side where the handle part <NUM> is formed as the rear and the right, that is, the side where the clip <NUM> is coupled as the front, pushing the handle slider <NUM> into the clip <NUM> side will be described as forward movement, and the pulling the handle slider <NUM> to the handle ring <NUM> side will be described as backward movement.

At this time, the inside of the handle slider <NUM> may be formed with a coupling groove <NUM> configured to couple the wire <NUM> to be described later, and in the present embodiment, the coupling groove <NUM> is formed in a combination of a Z shape and a straight shape. The coupling structure of the wire <NUM> will be described in detail below.

In addition, the handle slider <NUM> is slidable within the moving hole <NUM> of the handle part, and the sliding movement thereof may be limited within the length of the moving hole <NUM>.

That is, the handle slider <NUM> may move as forward as possible as illustrated in <FIG>, and move as backward as possible as illustrated in <FIG>. This will be described in detail in the operation process of the clip apparatus according to the present disclosure.

The inner sheath <NUM> is rotatably connected to the inside of the handle part <NUM> and is formed to extend to the outside of the handle part <NUM>.

Specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the inner sheath <NUM> is connected to the inside of the handle part <NUM> and the sliding movement is not possible forward or backward, but is connected to have a gap with the inner surface of the handle part <NUM> through an inner sheath ring <NUM> and is relatively rotatable with respect to the handle part <NUM>.

The inner sheath <NUM> may be formed in a hollow long tubular shape having flexibility, and is formed of a coil tube in the present embodiment. In addition, an inner pipe tip <NUM> made of a rigid material may also be formed at the end of the inner sheath <NUM>. Accordingly, as will be described in detail later, the inner pipe tip <NUM> may easily push a tightening ring <NUM> of the clip <NUM>.

The outer sheath <NUM> is disposed to surround the inner sheath <NUM>, and the outer sheath <NUM> is slidable along the longitudinal direction from the outside of the inner sheath <NUM>. The outer sheath <NUM> may be formed in a hollow long tube shape having flexibility.

Specifically, a space part <NUM> in which the outer sheath <NUM> may be disposed may be formed between the handle part <NUM> and the inner sheath <NUM>. Accordingly, one end portion of the outer sheath <NUM> may be moved within the space part <NUM>. At this time, the end of the outer sheath <NUM> is preferably formed to be movable within the range of the space part <NUM>.

To this end, the end of the outer sheath <NUM> may be formed with a locking part which is locked to the inside of the handle part <NUM> to prevent the outer sheath <NUM> from being separated to the outside.

In addition, the outer sheath <NUM> may be coupled to the outer handle <NUM> configured to move the outer sheath <NUM> along the longitudinal direction of the inner sheath <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the outer handle <NUM> is formed of a cylindrical rod which is coupled to surround a part of the outer sheath <NUM>, and as described in detail below, may be coupled to a position which is spaced a certain length apart from the end of the outer sheath <NUM> in order to form a portion where a stopper <NUM> is detached, that is, to form one end portion of the outer sheath <NUM> for movement in the space part <NUM>.

Specifically, the outer handle <NUM> is preferably coupled to be spaced apart from the end of the outer sheath <NUM> by a length at which the outer sheath <NUM> may be disposed within the space part <NUM>. That is, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the outer handle <NUM> contacts the handle part <NUM>, one end portion of the outer sheath <NUM> may be disposed within the space part <NUM>.

As described above, as the outer sheath <NUM> moves forward or backward through the outer handle <NUM>, the clip <NUM> may be disposed within the outer sheath <NUM> or exposed to the outside of the outer sheath <NUM>, thereby facilitating the entry of the clip apparatus. This will be described in detail in the operation process of the clip apparatus according to the present disclosure.

In addition, an outer pipe tip made of a rigid material may also be formed at the end of the outer sheath <NUM>. Accordingly, the outer pipe tip may help the clip apparatus to easily enter upon entry.

The wire <NUM> is connected to the handle slider <NUM> and disposed inside the inner sheath <NUM>.

Accordingly, the wire <NUM> may move forward and backward integrally with the handle slider <NUM>, and the wire <NUM> is also rotated integrally as the handle part <NUM> and the handle slider <NUM> rotate.

As described above, the wire <NUM> may also rotate together based on the rotation of the handle part <NUM>, and accordingly, the direction of the clip may be easily determined by the rotation of the clip <NUM> which is connected to the wire <NUM>, and other structures are not affected by the rotation.

The wire <NUM> is composed of a wire having flexibility, is disposed to penetrate the inside of the inner sheath <NUM>, and is slidable inside the inner sheath <NUM>. To this end, the wire <NUM> is preferably formed longer in length than the inner sheath <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the wire <NUM> is coupled to the coupling groove <NUM> of the handle slider <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, and formed to extend to the outside of the handle part <NUM> with being disposed inside the inner sheath <NUM> by penetrating the handle part <NUM>. Specifically, the wire <NUM> may be fixed by being locked to the Z-shaped portion of the coupling groove <NUM>.

In addition, since the wire <NUM> has a flexible property, a sus pipe may be further provided to surround the wire <NUM> to reinforce the straightness thereof. Specifically, the sus pipe may be formed to surround one end portion of the rear side of the wire <NUM>, that is, one end portion of the portion of the wire <NUM> which is coupled to the coupling groove <NUM> of the handle slider, and formed to have a length of about <NUM> to <NUM>.

In addition, the clip apparatus may further include the stopper <NUM> which is detachably provided between the handle part <NUM> and the outer handle <NUM>.

The stopper <NUM> is provided between the handle part <NUM> and the outer handle <NUM> so that the outer handle <NUM> and the outer sheath <NUM> connected thereto are not moved backward, when the clip apparatus according to the present disclosure enters a target point inside the body through an endoscope. Accordingly, when the clip apparatus enters the body, the outer handle <NUM> and the outer sheath <NUM> connected thereto are pushed back so that the clip <NUM> which is disposed inside the outer sheath <NUM> is not exposed to the outside, thereby enabling safer and easier entry.

The stopper <NUM> may be removed after the clip apparatus according to the present disclosure enters the target point inside the body. This will be described in detail in the operation process of the clip apparatus according to the present disclosure.

The stopper <NUM> is formed to have a detachable part which may be spread and contracted to surround the outer sheath <NUM> at both sides thereof, and in the present embodiment, the stopper <NUM> is formed of a structure in which four detachable parts <NUM>, which surround one side of the outer sheath <NUM> alternately at both sides of the outer sheath <NUM>, are connected to one, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Next, the clip coupling part <NUM> configured to couple the clip <NUM> is connected to one end of the wire <NUM>.

The clip coupling part <NUM> includes a connection part <NUM> which is connected to one end of the wire <NUM> and a bending part <NUM> configured to detachably couple the clip <NUM>.

The bending part <NUM> is composed of a pair of coupling arm parts <NUM> extending to face each other, and one coupling arm part 742a may be bent to contact the other coupling arm part 742b. That is, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the bending part <NUM> is composed of the pair of coupling arm parts <NUM> extending to face each other, and in the present embodiment, the one coupling arm part 742a is formed longer in length than the other coupling arm part 742b.

Accordingly, the one coupling arm part 742a is adapted to be bent toward the inside facing the other coupling arm part 742b to couple one end portion of the clip <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and the one coupling arm part 742a may have a flexible property to be bendable, and at the same time, have a constant strength, thereby keeping the clip <NUM> coupled.

As described above, the clip <NUM> may be coupled as the one coupling arm part 742a is bent to contact the other coupling arm part 742b, and at this time, the other coupling arm part 742b may be made of a rigid material.

In addition, as illustrated in <FIG>, the connection part <NUM> may include an insertion hole <NUM> into which the wire <NUM> may be inserted. Accordingly, the wire <NUM> may be fixed by the welding with being inserted into the insertion hole <NUM>.

As described above, when the clip <NUM> is coupled by the bending of the bending part <NUM> and then a tensile force is applied to the bending part <NUM>, that is, when, as described later, a force of pulling the wire <NUM>, connected to the handle slider <NUM>, backward is applied to the bending part <NUM> by moving the handle slider <NUM> backward in a state where the clip <NUM> is ligated to the lesion site, the bending part <NUM> is unfolded in the original state and the coupled state of the clip <NUM> is released as illustrated in <FIG>, such that as illustrated in <FIG>, the clip <NUM> may be separated from the clip coupling part <NUM>. This will be described in detail in the operation process of the clip apparatus according to the present disclosure.

Next, describing the clip <NUM> in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the clip <NUM> is connected to one end portion of the wire <NUM> through the clip coupling part <NUM>. Specifically, the clip <NUM> may include a pair of clip arm parts <NUM> which extends in the form which is spread to be openable and closable, gripping parts <NUM> which are formed to protrudes from the ends of the pair of clip arm parts <NUM> to the insides opposite to each other to be engaged with each other, and the tightening ring <NUM> which adjusts the opening and closing of the pair of clip arm parts <NUM>.

A protrusion part <NUM> is formed on each of the pair of clip arm parts <NUM>, and the clip <NUM> may be gripped as the tightening ring <NUM> is forcibly press-fitted into the protrusion part <NUM>.

The pair of clip arm parts <NUM> is formed side by side in a substantially U shape and then extend while being spread to both sides thereof to be openable and closable, and are generally formed of a metal plate having elasticity. As described above, the pair of clip arm parts <NUM> may be formed of an elastic body and may have a spreading property when no external physical force is applied thereto.

At this time, each of the arm parts <NUM> may also be formed with a hole to allow tissues to escape when the tissues are excessively picked up. By forming the hole as described above, even when the tissues are excessively picked up, it is possible to prevent the case where the clip is not ligated well or the clip is spread again.

The protrusion part <NUM> is formed on each of the pair of clip arm parts <NUM>, and in the present embodiment, the protrusion parts <NUM> are formed side by side in a U shape at each of the clip arm parts <NUM>, and then partially spread to both sides thereof.

The tightening ring <NUM> is disposed to be movable forward and backward on the pair of clip arm parts <NUM> until being press-fitted into the protrusion part <NUM>, and may be made of metal. Accordingly, until the tightening ring <NUM> is press-fitted into the protrusion part <NUM>, the tightening ring <NUM> may adjust the opening and closing of the clip <NUM> while moving on the pair of clip arm parts <NUM>, and the opening and closing of the clip <NUM> may be repeatedly performed, thereby attempting to the opening and closing of the clip <NUM> several times in order to ligate the clip <NUM> to the accurate position.

When the tightening ring <NUM> is located at the rear with respect to the pair of clip arm parts <NUM>, the pair of clip arm parts <NUM> are opened, and when the tightening ring <NUM> is located at the front with respect to the pair of clip arm parts <NUM>, the pair of clip arm parts <NUM> are closed.

At this time, referring to <FIG>, the inner width at the position where the pair of clip arm parts <NUM> are disposed in the tightening ring <NUM> is preferably formed to be greater than the width of a portion where the tightening ring <NUM> moves in the pair of clip arm parts <NUM>, and equal to or smaller than the width of the protrusion part <NUM>.

That is, the inner width at each position where the pair of clip arm parts <NUM> are disposed side by side inside the tightening ring <NUM> may be formed greater than the U-shaped portion where the tightening ring <NUM> moves in the pair of clip arm parts <NUM>, thereby easily performing the forward and backward movements of the tightening ring <NUM>, and may be formed to be equal to or smaller than the width of the protrusion part <NUM> to be forcibly press-fitted, thereby enabling the ligation of the clip <NUM>.

The clip arm part <NUM> from the protrusion part <NUM> to the gripping part <NUM> may be formed to have the width greater than the protrusion part <NUM> to prevent the tightening ring <NUM> press-fitted into the protrusion part <NUM> from being separated forward.

In addition, as illustrated in <FIG>, an outer diameter (L1) of the tightening ring <NUM> is formed greater than an inner diameter (L2) of the inner sheath <NUM>. Accordingly, when the handle slider <NUM> is moved backward and the wire <NUM> connected thereto is pulled backward, the tightening ring <NUM> does not enter the inner sheath <NUM> but is pushed by the inner sheath <NUM>, thereby moving forward from the clip <NUM>.

The gripping parts <NUM> are formed to protrude from the ends of the pair of clip arm parts <NUM> to the insides opposite to each other to be engaged with each other, and are engaged with each other until the pair of clip arm parts <NUM> are closed. At this time, it is preferable that one gripping part is formed with a portion of protruding in a certain shape, and the other gripping part is formed with a portion which includes a groove having a certain shape corresponding thereto, so that the gripping parts are engaged with each other.

Next, a clip apparatus for an endoscope according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The clip apparatus for an endoscope according to another embodiment of the present disclosure has the same structure as the clip apparatus for an endoscope described above, but further includes a spring <NUM> which is disposed within the moving hole <NUM> to surround the wire <NUM>.

The present embodiment is particularly applicable to the case where the clip apparatus according to the present disclosure is used in the procedure through a windingly twisted path rather than straight, such as the oral cavity and anus of the body.

As described above, since the sheath part of the clip apparatus according to the present disclosure is also twisted when the procedure is performed along the windingly complicated path and the wire <NUM> is wound around the inside of the inner sheath <NUM> in a wider radius than when the procedure is performed through a straight section, the wire <NUM> may be pulled backward and the clip <NUM> coupled thereto may also be pulled backward, thereby reducing the opening angle.

In order to compensate for this, the wire <NUM> may be applied longer in preparation for the case where the sheath part according to the present disclosure is looped. That is, in the aforementioned embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the handle slider <NUM> is disposed at the maximum forward position, the clip coupling part <NUM> is formed to be positioned inside the inner sheath <NUM>, but in the present embodiment, when the handle slider <NUM> is disposed at the maximum forward position, the clip coupling part <NUM> may be formed to be exposed to the outside of the inner sheath <NUM>.

At this time, although the wire <NUM> is formed lengthily, the spring <NUM> may be further included as in the present embodiment in order to prevent the clip coupling part <NUM> from being exposed to the outside of the inner sheath <NUM>.

That is, the spring <NUM> maintains the handle slider <NUM> not to be disposed at the maximum forward position when no force is applied thereto, and as a result, the clip coupling part <NUM> is positioned inside the inner sheath <NUM> when the spring <NUM> is not compressed.

Thereafter, when the clip <NUM> approaches the lesion site for the procedure, the narrowed opening angle of the clip <NUM> may be corrected by pushing the handle slider <NUM> to the maximum forward position while compressing the spring <NUM>.

Accordingly, even when the wire <NUM> is formed lengthily in preparation for the procedure through the winding path, the clip coupling part <NUM> may be prevented from being exposed to the outside of the inner sheath <NUM>, thereby preventing the clip <NUM> from being separated by the side load when the clip apparatus enters, and after the clip apparatus enters, the opening angle of the clip may be corrected to be widened by compressing the spring <NUM> and pushing the handle slider <NUM>.

Next, a process will be described, in which the clip apparatus for an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is operated to stop the bleeding of or suture the biological tissues.

First, the state for entering the clip apparatus for an endoscope according to the present disclosure into the body will be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

This is a state where both the handle slider <NUM> and the outer handle <NUM> are moved to the maximum forward position. Accordingly, the wire <NUM> which is connected to the handle slider <NUM> is also positioned as forward as possible, and at this time, the clip coupling part <NUM> is disposed inside the inner sheath <NUM> and the pair of clip arm parts <NUM> of the clip are opened.

In addition, the outer sheath <NUM> which is connected to the outer handle <NUM> is also positioned as forward as possible to all surround from the inner sheath <NUM> to the clip <NUM>. At this time, the clip <NUM> is in the opened state but becomes spread because the clip <NUM> is not ligated by the outer sheath <NUM>. As will be described later, when the outer sheath <NUM> is moved backward again, the clip <NUM> returns to the opened state.

In addition, since the stopper <NUM> is provided between the handle part <NUM> and the outer handle <NUM>, the outer handle <NUM> and the outer sheath <NUM> connected thereto are not pushed backward, and accordingly, the clip <NUM> is not exposed to the outside, and accordingly, the clip apparatus according to the present disclosure may more safely and easily enter the body.

Next, a state where the clip <NUM> is exposed to the outside of the outer sheath <NUM> after the clip apparatus enters the body will be described with reference to <FIG>.

When the clip apparatus completely enters the body as described above, the position of the clip <NUM> is needed to be properly adjusted to ligate the clip <NUM> to the lesion site inside the body. To this end, the clip <NUM> is needed to be exposed to the outside of the outer sheath <NUM>, and the outer sheath <NUM> is needed to be moved backward.

To this end, the stopper <NUM> may be removed and the outer handle <NUM> and the outer sheath <NUM> connected thereto may be pulled and moved backward, and accordingly, the clip <NUM> is opened while coming out to the outside of the outer sheath <NUM>.

Accordingly, in such a state, the pair of clip arm parts <NUM> are positioned at a target position, and the direction of the clip <NUM> which is connected through the wire <NUM> may also be properly adjusted by rotating the handle part <NUM>.

That is, by gripping the outer handle <NUM> and integrally rotating the handle part <NUM> and the handle slider <NUM>, the wire <NUM>, the clip coupling part <NUM>, and the clip <NUM> which are connected to the handle slider <NUM> may be rotated.

Next, the state where the clip <NUM> is ligated will be described with reference to <FIG>.

As described above, when the position of the clip <NUM> is completely adjusted, the clip <NUM> may be ligated by pulling the handle slider <NUM> backward.

Specifically, when the handle slider <NUM> is pulled backward, the wire <NUM> and the clip coupling part <NUM> which are connected thereto are also pulled backward. At this time, since the outer diameter of the tightening ring <NUM> of the clip is greater than the inner diameter of the inner sheath <NUM> and the tightening ring <NUM> may not enter the inner sheath <NUM>, only the pair of clip arm parts <NUM> which are coupled by the bending part <NUM> of the clip coupling part <NUM> are pulled backward, and accordingly, the tightening ring <NUM> moves forward on the pair of clip arm parts <NUM>, thereby making the clip <NUM> closed.

Until the tightening ring <NUM> is forcibly press-fitted into the protrusion part <NUM> of the pair of clip arm parts <NUM>, the tightening ring <NUM> may adjust the opening and closing of the clip <NUM> while moving the handle slider <NUM> forward or backward.

In order to ligate the clip <NUM>, when an operator feels the feeling which is locked to the handle slider <NUM>, that is, when the operator feels that the tightening ring <NUM> is locked to the protrusion part <NUM>, the tightening ring <NUM> is forcibly press-fitted into the protrusion part <NUM> by applying a force to and pulling the handle slider <NUM>, and the clip <NUM> is ligated.

Lastly, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the clip <NUM> is ligated and then the handle slider <NUM> is pulled as backward as possible by applying a force thereto, the clip <NUM> is ligated and fixed to the lesion site, such that only the wire <NUM> and the clip coupling part <NUM> are moved backward and a tensile force is generated in the bending part <NUM> of the clip coupling part.

Accordingly, the one coupling arm part 742a which has been bent to couple the clip <NUM> is unfolded and the clip <NUM> may be separated as illustrated in <FIG>. Finally, the clip apparatus for an endoscope escapes to the outside with the clip <NUM> positioned as it is.

According to the clip apparatus for an endoscope according to the present disclosure, by driving, with one handle slider, the wire connected thereto, the clip may be ligated and separated, such that not only the structure of the driving part is simple but also the operation thereof is easy.

Claim 1:
A clip apparatus for an endoscope comprising:
a handle part (<NUM>) formed with a moving hole (<NUM>);
a handle slider (<NUM>) slidably installed on the handle part (<NUM>) through the moving hole (<NUM>);
an inner sheath (<NUM>) rotatably connected to the inside of the handle part (<NUM>) and extending to the outside of the handle part (<NUM>);
a wire (<NUM>) connected to the handle slider (<NUM>) and disposed inside the inner sheath (<NUM>);
an outer sheath (<NUM>) disposed to surround the inner sheath (<NUM>);
an outer handle (<NUM>) coupled to the outer sheath (<NUM>) to move the outer sheath (<NUM>) along a longitudinal direction of the inner sheath (<NUM>); and
a clip coupling part (<NUM>) connected to one end of the wire (<NUM>) and configured to couple a clip (<NUM>),
characterized in that:
the clip coupling part (<NUM>) comprises:
a connection part (<NUM>) connected to one end of the wire; and
a bending part (<NUM>) configured to detachably couple the clip (<NUM>),
wherein the bending part (<NUM>) includes a pair of coupling arm parts (<NUM>) which extend to face each other, wherein one coupling arm part (742a) is adapted to be bent toward the inside facing the other coupling arm part (742b) to couple one end portion of the clip (<NUM>).