Patent Description:
Pathologies of the gastrointestinal (GI) system, the biliary tree, the vascular system, and other body lumens and hollow organs are often treated through endoscopic procedures, many of which require hemostasis to control internal bleeding. Hemostasis clips grasp tissue surrounding a wound and hold edges of the wound together temporarily to allow natural healing processes to permanently close the wound. Specialized endoscopic clipping devices are used to deliver the clips at the desired locations within the body after which the clip delivery device is withdrawn, leaving the clip within the body.

For example, <CIT> discloses an open / close-capable clip for stopping bleeding during surgery. The open / close-capable clip comprises: a main body of the clip, wherein a pair of clip pieces are combined by a clip piece connector and an elastic body is provided inside the pair of clip pieces. The clip has first and second gripping portions formed by bending both end portions of each of the clip pieces at a predetermined angle.

The present disclosure relates to a system for treating tissue, comprising a clip assembly and an applicator. The clip assembly includes a pair of clip arms, a proximal end of the clip arms connected to a yoke, the clip assembly movable between a biased tissue receiving configuration, in which distal ends thereof are separated from one another to receive a target tissue therebetween, and a tissue gripping configuration, the clip arms including a locking mechanism for locking the clip arms in the tissue gripping configuration. The applicator includes a sleeve and a control member extending therethrough, the sleeve extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough, the control member extending from a proximal end to a distal end configured to be releasably coupled to the yoke to move the clip assembly between the tissue receiving configuration and the tissue gripping configuration, the clip arms being constrained toward the tissue gripping configuration via a surface of the lumen when the clip arms are drawn proximally thereinto.

In an embodiment, the locking mechanism may include corresponding mating features on each of the clip arms.

In an embodiment, a first one of the clip arms may include a male locking feature extending therefrom toward a second one of the clip arms and the second one of the clip arms includes a female locking feature.

In an embodiment, the male locking feature may be deformable to be received in the female locking feature.

In an embodiment, the female locking feature may be deformable to receive the male locking feature therein.

In an embodiment, the locking mechanism may include a pair of locking jaws extending from opposing longitudinal edges of a first one of the clip arms toward a second one of the clip arms, the pair of locking jaws including a gripping end that is configured to be snapped over the second one of the clip arms to lock the clip arms relative to one another.

In an embodiment, the yoke may include a longitudinal slot extending thereinto from a proximal opening to a distal space, the longitudinal slot defined via opposed portions that are deformable to permit an enlarged distal end of the control member to be moved distally past the proximal opening into the distal space.

In an embodiment, the yoke may be configured to be deformed when a force exerted thereon by the enlarged distal end exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

In an embodiment, the clip arms may be formed via a single piece of material bent to define the pair of arms.

In an embodiment, the system may further comprise a cartridge for housing the clip assembly, the cartridge including a groove formed therein to accommodate the clip assembly and an opening extending thereinto from an exterior of the cartridge in communication with the groove, the opening sized and shaped to receive a distal portion of the applicator.

In an embodiment, the applicator may include a flexible member extending proximally from the locking sleeve, a handle member connected to the proximal end of the flexible member, and an actuator coupled to the handle member for moving the clip assembly between the tissue receiving and tissue clipping configurations.

In an embodiment, the handle member may include a protrusion extending therefrom to interface with the actuator to provide tactile feedback to a user regarding a position of the distal end of the control member relative to the sleeve.

The present disclosure also relates to a clip assembly, comprising a pair of clip arms and a yoke. The clip arms are movable between a biased tissue receiving configuration, in which distal ends thereof are separated from one another to receive a target tissue therebetween, and a tissue gripping configuration, in which the distal ends of the clip arms are drawn toward one another to grip the target tissue therebetween, the clip arms including a locking mechanism for locking the clip arms in the tissue gripping configuration. The yoke is connected to a proximal end of the clip arms, the yoke including a distal portion engaging the clip arms and a proximal portion configured to releasably engage a control member of an applicator, the proximal portion including opposed portions defining a slot extending from a proximal opening to a distal space sized and shaped to hold a distal end of the control member therein.

In an embodiment, a first one of the clip arms may include a male locking feature extending therefrom toward a second one of the clip arms and the second one of the clip arms includes a female locking feature, the male and female locking features engagable with one another to lock the clip arms relative to one another, one of the male and female locking features being deformable to engage the other one of the male and female locking features.

The present disclosure also relates to a method for treating tissue, comprising loading a first clip assembly on an applicator by coupling a control member of the applicator to a yoke at a proximal end of clip arms of the first clip assembly by pushing an enlarged distal end of the control member into a socket of the yoke, inserting the loaded clip assembly to a target site within a living body via a working channel of an endoscope, moving the first clip assembly between an open configuration, in which distal ends of the clip arms are separated from one another, and a closed configuration, in which the distal ends of the clip arms are drawn toward one another, by moving the control member longitudinally relative to the locking sleeve until a target tissue is gripped between the distal ends, as desired, the clip arms constrained toward the closed configuration via an interior surface of the sleeve when the clip arms are drawn proximally thereinto, locking the clip arms in the closed configuration by drawing the control member further proximally until the first and second clip arms engage one another via a locking mechanism thereof, and releasing the first clip assembly from the applicator by drawing the control member even further proximally relative to the sleeve until the yoke contacts a shoulder in a lumen of the sleeve to prevent the yoke from moving proximally therepast, a proximal force exerted on the yoke by the control member exceeding a predetermined threshold value so that the control member disengages from the yoke to release the clip assembly from the applicator.

The present disclosure may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. The present disclosure relates to a clipping system and, in particular, relates to a reloadable endoscopic clipping system. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure describe a clip assembly that may be loaded onto a distal end of an applicator assembly prior to an endoscopic procedure. Once a clip has been deployed at a desired target area in the body, the applicator assembly may be reloaded with a new clip. In particular, the clip assembly includes a pair of arms, proximal ends of which are connected to a yoke that is configured to releasably engage a distal end of a control member of an applicator. Each of the clip arms include corresponding locking features so that, when it is desired to lock the clip arms in a tissue gripping configuration, the clip arms may be drawn toward one another until the corresponding locking features engage one another. Once the clip arms have been locked, a proximal force beyond a predetermined threshold value may be exerted on the control member, disengaging the control member from the yoke so that the control member may be coupled to a new clip assembly. It should be noted that the terms "proximal" and "distal," as used herein, are intended to refer to a direction toward (proximal) and away from (distal) a user of the device.

As shown in <FIG>, a system <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a clip assembly <NUM>, an applicator <NUM> and a cartridge <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the clip assembly <NUM> is loadable into a distal portion of the applicator <NUM> prior to insertion of the system <NUM> into a living body for the clipping of target tissue. The applicator <NUM> is configured such that, after deployment of the clip assembly <NUM> in the living body, a new clip assembly <NUM> may be loaded onto the applicator <NUM> so that the same applicator <NUM> may be used to deliver a new clip assembly <NUM> to a second portion of target tissue in the living body. Each clip assembly <NUM> according to this embodiment is stored in the cartridge <NUM>, which facilitates loading of the clip assembly <NUM> onto the applicator <NUM>. In particular, the applicator <NUM> includes a sleeve <NUM> at a distal end thereof and a control member <NUM> extending therethrough. The clip assembly <NUM> includes a pair of clip arms <NUM> including a proximal end <NUM> connected to a yoke <NUM> that is configured to releasably engage a distal end <NUM> of the control member <NUM>. Once the clip assembly <NUM> has been connected to the control member <NUM>, the clip assembly <NUM> may be moved between a tissue receiving configuration and a tissue gripping configuration by moving the clip arms <NUM> relative to the sleeve <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the applicator <NUM> includes the sleeve <NUM>, a flexible member <NUM> extending proximally therefrom, and the control member <NUM> extending through the sleeve <NUM> and the flexible member <NUM>. A proximal end of the flexible member <NUM> is connected to a handle member <NUM>, which includes an actuator such as, for example, a spool <NUM>, coupled thereto. In one example, the spool <NUM> is connected to a proximal end <NUM> of the control member <NUM> so that, once the clip assembly <NUM> is loaded onto the applicator <NUM>, the spool <NUM> may be slid longitudinally over the handle member <NUM> to move the clip assembly <NUM> between the tissue receiving and tissue gripping configurations. Specifically, sliding the spool <NUM> over the handle member <NUM> moves the control member <NUM>, and thereby the clip assembly <NUM>, relative to the sleeve <NUM> to move the clip assembly <NUM> between the tissue receiving and tissue gripping configurations, as will be described in further detail below.

In one embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the handle member <NUM> includes a positioning feature <NUM> interfacing with the spool <NUM> to provide tactile feedback to a user of the system <NUM> regarding a position of the yoke <NUM> with respect to the sleeve <NUM>. In one example, the positioning feature <NUM> includes a deformable protrusion extending laterally outward from an exterior surface therefrom. The protrusion is deformable so that the spool <NUM> may be slid thereover when a force exerted thereon exceeds a predetermined threshold value. As will be described in further detail below, the spool <NUM> may be slid thereover during initial loading of the clip assembly <NUM>. However, when a distal surface <NUM> of the spool <NUM> abuts a portion of the protrusion, the positioning feature <NUM> provides a tactile feedback to the user indicating that the yoke <NUM> is at a distal-most position with respect to the sleeve <NUM>, without extending entirely distally past the sleeve <NUM>. In other words, the clip assembly <NUM> is at a maximum open configuration without extending entirely out of the sleeve <NUM> (e.g., separated from the sleeve <NUM>).

The flexible member <NUM> may be formed as a coil of wire through which the control member <NUM> extends from the distal end <NUM> to the proximal end <NUM>. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, the coil of wire preferably has sufficient flexibility to be passed through even tortuous paths of living body and, in this embodiment, is sized and shaped to permit it to be passed through a working channel of an endoscope or other insertion device. Although the flexible member <NUM> is shown and described as a coil of wire, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that any other suitable flexible structure may be employed so long as the flexible member <NUM> is capable of providing a force in compression sufficient to counter the tension to be placed on the control member <NUM> from the clip assembly <NUM>. Although the applicator <NUM> is described as including the spool <NUM>, the applicator <NUM> may include any of a variety of actuating mechanisms for moving the control member <NUM> to control movement of the clip arms <NUM>.

The control member <NUM> extends from the distal end <NUM> releasably coupleable to the yoke <NUM> to the proximal end <NUM> connected to the spool <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> is sized and shaped to be releasably coupled to a corresponding feature of the yoke <NUM>. In one embodiment, the distal end <NUM> may be shaped as an enlarged ball that is received within a correspondingly shaped socket of the yoke <NUM>. It will be understood by those of skill in the art, however, that the distal end <NUM> may have any of a variety of shapes and sizes so long as the distal end <NUM> is releasably coupleable with the yoke <NUM>.

The sleeve <NUM> extends longitudinally from a proximal end <NUM> connected to a distal end <NUM> of the flexible member <NUM> to a distal end <NUM> and including a lumen <NUM> extending therethrough. The lumen <NUM> may be sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the clip assembly <NUM> therein. The lumen <NUM> includes a shoulder <NUM> along a proximal portion thereof which reduces a cross-sectional area of the lumen <NUM> proximally thereof so that, the yoke <NUM> is prevented from passing proximally past the shoulder <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> may be configured as a hypotube attached to the distal end <NUM> of the flexible member <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> may be laser cut to increase a flexibility thereof. For example, the sleeve <NUM> may include a helically extending cut therealong so that the sleeve <NUM> may be flexed along a length thereof.

As shown in <FIG>, the clip assembly <NUM> includes the pair of arms <NUM>, proximal ends <NUM> of which are connected to the yoke <NUM>. In one embodiment, the pair of arms <NUM> is formed of a single piece of material <NUM> bent in half at a center point <NUM> to form the two arms <NUM>. The yoke <NUM> may be connected to the single piece of material at the point at which the material bends (e.g., center point <NUM>) to form the two arms <NUM>. In one example, as shown in <FIG>, the material <NUM> includes an elongated slot <NUM> extending through the center point <NUM> along a length thereof. During a manufacturing process of the clip assembly <NUM>, a locking rod <NUM> of the yoke <NUM> may be inserted through the elongated slot <NUM> so that the locking rod <NUM> is received between proximal ends <NUM> of the clip arms <NUM>. Once inserted, the locking rod <NUM> may be rotated to lock the yoke <NUM> relative to the material <NUM> of the clip arms <NUM>. Although the clip arms <NUM> are described and shown as being formed of the single piece of material <NUM>, in another embodiment, the pair of arms <NUM> may be formed via two separate pieces of material, proximal ends of which are connected to one another via the yoke <NUM>.

The clip arms <NUM> of this embodiment are biased so that distal ends <NUM> thereof move apart from one another into an open tissue receiving configuration when not drawn into the sleeve <NUM>. When drawn into the sleeve <NUM>, the sleeve <NUM> constrains the clip arms <NUM>, holding the distal ends <NUM> thereof together in a closed tissue gripping configuration. The yoke <NUM> is longitudinally slidable with the lumen <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> to move the clip arms <NUM> between the tissue receiving configuration and the tissue gripping configuration. The distal ends <NUM> of each of the clip arms <NUM> may project laterally inward toward the distal end <NUM> of the other of the clip arms <NUM> to facilitate gripping of target tissue therebetween. The distal ends <NUM> may further include other gripping features such as, for example, teeth and/or protrusions.

The clip arms <NUM> include corresponding mating features <NUM>, <NUM> for locking the clip arms <NUM> in the closed tissue gripping configuration. In one embodiment, a first one of the arms <NUM> includes a male lock feature <NUM> while a second one of the arms <NUM> includes a female lock feature <NUM>. In particular, the male lock feature <NUM> extends from the first one of the arms <NUM> toward the second one of the arms <NUM> and includes a pair of prongs <NUM> including locking tabs <NUM> extending laterally outward therefrom. The female mating feature <NUM> includes an opening <NUM> extending laterally through the second one of the arms <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is sized and shaped to permit the pair of prongs <NUM> to be received therein. The pair of prongs <NUM> are deformable (i.e., movable toward one another) to permit the locking tabs <NUM> to be passed through the opening <NUM>. Once the locking tabs <NUM> pass through the opening <NUM>, the pair of prongs <NUM> revert to their original configuration, locking the male locking feature <NUM> within the opening <NUM>. The locking tabs <NUM> may be configured to permit the locking tabs <NUM> through the opening <NUM> in one direction (i.e., toward the locked configuration) while being prevented from passing thereoutof in the opposite direction. For example, surfaces of the locking tabs <NUM> facing away from the first one of the clip arms <NUM> are angled or curved while surfaces of the locking tabs <NUM> facing toward the first one of the clip arms <NUM> are substantially planar. Thus, once the locking tabs <NUM> have passed into the opening <NUM>, planar surfaces of the locking tabs <NUM> engage the second one of the clip arms <NUM>, locking the clip arms <NUM> relative to one another in tissue gripping configuration. The male and female lock features <NUM>, <NUM> are specifically configured so that the male and female lock features <NUM>, <NUM> engage one another only when the pair of clip arms <NUM> are drawn toward one another beyond a predetermined threshold distance. Thus, the pair of arms <NUM> may be moved between the tissue receiving and tissue gripping configurations multiple times, as desired, prior to locking of the clip assembly <NUM> in the tissue gripping configuration.

The yoke <NUM> includes the locking rod <NUM> at a distal end thereof and a proximal portion <NUM> extending proximally therefrom to receive the distal end <NUM> of the control member <NUM> therein. The proximal portion <NUM> includes a longitudinal slot <NUM> defined via opposed portions <NUM> that are spreadable to receive the distal end <NUM> of the control member <NUM>. The longitudinal slot <NUM> extends from a proximal opening <NUM> to a space <NUM> sized and shaped to receive the distal end <NUM>. In one exemplary embodiment, the distal end <NUM> may be configured as a ball received within a correspondingly sized and shaped socket of the space <NUM>. The proximal opening <NUM> of the slot <NUM> has a smaller cross-sectional area (e.g., diameter) than a cross-sectional area of the space <NUM>. The opposed portions <NUM> are spreadable to receive the distal end <NUM> of the control member <NUM> and biased toward one another so that, once the distal end <NUM> passes distally into the space <NUM>, the opposed portions <NUM> of the proximal portion <NUM> spring back to lock the distal end <NUM> within the space <NUM>, coupling the control member <NUM> to the yoke <NUM>. Thus, longitudinal movement of the control member <NUM> relative to the sleeve <NUM> may control movement of the clip arms <NUM> between the tissue receiving and the tissue clipping configurations.

According to this embodiment, the distal end <NUM> of the control member <NUM> may be inserted into the proximal portion <NUM> of the yoke <NUM> via the proximal opening <NUM>. When the control member <NUM> is pushed distally into the yoke <NUM> beyond a predetermined threshold value, the proximal opening <NUM> of the longitudinal slot <NUM> deforms to permit the distal end <NUM> to be passed through the proximal opening <NUM> into the space <NUM>. In one embodiment, opposed portions <NUM> defining the longitudinal slot <NUM> may be separated from one another to permit the distal end <NUM> to be passed through the proximal opening <NUM> into the space <NUM>. Once the distal end <NUM> is received within the space <NUM>, the longitudinal slot <NUM> reverts to its original size, holding the distal end <NUM> of the control member <NUM> therein.

As shown in <FIG>, prior to being loaded on the applicator <NUM>, the clip assembly <NUM> is stored in a cartridge <NUM>, which may be configured, for example, as a storage container comprising a base <NUM> and a lid <NUM>. The base <NUM> and the lid <NUM> include features for coupling the base <NUM> and the lid <NUM> to one another so that the clip assembly <NUM> may be securely stored therein. In one embodiment, each of the base <NUM> and the lid <NUM> includes a groove <NUM> which, when the base <NUM> and the lid <NUM> are assembled with one another, forms a space for housing the clip assembly <NUM>. The clip assembly <NUM> may be stored in the assembled cartridge <NUM> in the tissue receiving configuration. In communication with the groove <NUM>, the assembled base and lid <NUM>, <NUM> may include a proximal opening <NUM> through which a distal portion of the applicator <NUM> (e.g., the distal end <NUM> of the control member <NUM> and the distal end <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>) may be inserted into the cartridge <NUM> to load the clip assembly <NUM> thereon. Once the distal end <NUM> of the control member <NUM> has been coupled to the yoke <NUM> of the clip assembly <NUM>, the clip assembly <NUM> may be drawn toward the tissue gripping configuration to remove the clip assembly <NUM> from the cartridge <NUM>.

An exemplary method for loading the clip assembly <NUM> housed within the cartridge <NUM> to the applicator <NUM> comprises inserting the control member <NUM> and/or the sleeve <NUM> of the applicator <NUM> through the proximal opening <NUM> of the cartridge <NUM>. The distal end <NUM> of the control member <NUM> is moved with respect to the cartridge <NUM> by, for example, moving the spool <NUM> distally against the yoke <NUM> until a distal force of the distal end <NUM> against the yoke <NUM> exceeds a predetermined threshold value, deforming the proximal opening <NUM> of the slot <NUM> of the yoke <NUM> to permit the distal end <NUM> to pass therethrough into the space <NUM> of the yoke <NUM>. As the distal end <NUM> is moved distally with respect to the sleeve <NUM>, the spool <NUM> may slide distally over the positioning feature <NUM> of the handle member <NUM>, providing tactile feedback to the user that the distal end <NUM> of the control member <NUM> has been extended distally past the distal end <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> to be coupled to the yoke <NUM>. Once the distal end <NUM> is received within the space <NUM>, the yoke <NUM> reverts to its original shape, holding the distal end <NUM> therewithin. Upon coupling of the yoke <NUM> and the control member <NUM>, the clip assembly <NUM> has been successfully loaded onto the applicator <NUM>.

To remove the loaded clip assembly <NUM> from the cartridge <NUM>, the clip arms <NUM> are drawn proximally with respect to the sleeve <NUM> of the applicator <NUM> to move the clip arms <NUM> toward the tissue gripping configuration. The spool <NUM> may be drawn proximally with respect to the handle member <NUM> until the spool <NUM> is drawn proximally of the positioning feature <NUM>. As described above, an interior surface of the lumen <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> constrains the clip arms <NUM> as they are drawn thereinto, to move the clip assembly <NUM> toward the tissue gripping configuration. The clip assembly <NUM> may then be drawn out of the cartridge <NUM> via the opening <NUM>.

In use, after the clip assembly <NUM> has been loaded onto the applicator <NUM>, the clip assembly <NUM> is inserted through a working channel of an endoscope (or any other insertion device) and inserted into the body (e.g., through a natural body lumen) to a site adjacent to a target portion of tissue to be clipped. The clip assembly <NUM> is inserted to the target tissue in the closed configuration to facilitate its passage through the working channel. Upon reaching the site of the target tissue, the clip assembly <NUM> is advanced out of the distal end of the working channel and the clip arms <NUM> are extended out of the sleeve <NUM> of the applicator <NUM> to move the clip arms <NUM> toward the tissue receiving configuration by, for example, sliding the spool <NUM> distally over the handle member <NUM>. Abutment of the distal surface <NUM> of the spool <NUM> with the positioning feature <NUM> provides tactile feedback to the user, indicating that the clip arms <NUM> are at the maximum open configuration, and that moving the spool <NUM> any further distally would result in the yoke <NUM> extending distally out of the sleeve <NUM>.

The clip arms <NUM> may be repeatedly moved between the tissue receiving and the tissue gripping configurations until a target portion of tissue is received between the distal ends <NUM> of the clip arms <NUM>, as desired. Once the target portion of tissue is received between the arms <NUM>, the clip assembly <NUM> is moved toward the tissue gripping configuration by moving the control member <NUM> proximally relative to the clip assembly <NUM>. When it is confirmed that the desired portion of tissue is gripped between the clip arms <NUM> (e.g., portions of tissue on opposite sides of a bleeding wound), the control member <NUM> is drawn further proximally relative to the clip assembly <NUM> (via the spool <NUM>) to lock the clip assembly <NUM> in the closed configuration. That is, the clip arms <NUM> are drawn further proximally into the sleeve <NUM> until the male and female locking features <NUM>, <NUM> engage one another, locking the clip arms <NUM> relative to one another. The control member <NUM> is drawn proximally with respect to the locking sleeve <NUM> until the yoke <NUM> comes into contact with and abuts the shoulder <NUM> of the lumen <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM>. The shoulder <NUM> prevents the yoke <NUM> from moving proximally therepast while a continued proximal force is exerted on the control member <NUM>. When the distal end <NUM> of the control member <NUM> exerts a force on the yoke <NUM> beyond a predetermined threshold value, the yoke <NUM> deforms (e.g., the proximal opening <NUM> expands) to permit the distal end <NUM> to be released from the longitudinal slot <NUM>. Once the distal end <NUM> is released from the yoke <NUM>, the applicator <NUM> may be withdrawn from the living body, leaving the clip assembly <NUM> in the body over the target tissue. If so desired, a new clip assembly <NUM> is then loaded onto the applicator <NUM>, in the same manner as described above, so that the device may then be used to clip a second portion of tissue. This process may be repeated using the same applicator <NUM> as many times as needed or desired.

As shown in <FIG>, a clip assembly <NUM> according to another exemplary embodiment may be substantially similar to the clip assembly <NUM>, comprising a pair of clip arms <NUM> connected to a yoke <NUM> at a proximal end thereof. The clip assembly <NUM> may be used with the applicator <NUM> in a manner substantially similar to the system <NUM> described above. Similarly to the clip assembly <NUM>, the clip assembly <NUM> comprises a male locking feature <NUM> and a corresponding female locking feature <NUM> for locking the clip arms <NUM> relative to one another. Rather than the male locking feature <NUM> deforming to be passed through an opening <NUM> of the female locking feature <NUM>, the opening <NUM> is lined with a deformable material <NUM> that deforms to permit a locking tab <NUM> of the male locking feature <NUM> to be passed therethrough. Once the locking tab <NUM> has been moved therethrough, the deformable material <NUM> of the opening <NUM> reverts to its original shape, holding the male locking feature <NUM> therein. The locking tab <NUM> is shaped to permit the locking tab <NUM> to be passed through the opening <NUM> in one direction (i.e., toward the locked configuration) while preventing the locking tab <NUM> from being passed therethrough in the opposite direction. Thus, once the male and female locking features <NUM>, <NUM> engage one another to lock the clip arms <NUM> relative to one another, the male and female locking features <NUM>, <NUM> cannot be easily disengaged.

As shown in <FIG>, a clip assembly <NUM> according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be substantially similar to the clip assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> described above. The clip assembly <NUM> may be utilized with the applicator <NUM> in a manner substantially similar to the system <NUM> described above. The clip assembly <NUM> similarly comprises a pair of clip arms <NUM> connected to a yoke <NUM> at a proximal end <NUM> thereof. Rather than male and female locking features, however, a first one of the clip arms <NUM> includes a pair of locking jaws <NUM> extending therefrom. Each of the locking jaws <NUM> extends laterally from a longitudinal edge <NUM> of the first one of the arms <NUM> toward a second one of the arms <NUM>. Each of the locking jaws <NUM> extends from opposing longitudinal edges <NUM>. The jaws <NUM> extend from the first one of the clip arms <NUM> toward gripping ends <NUM> which extend inward toward one another so that, when the clip arms <NUM> are drawn toward one another to a locked configuration, the gripping ends <NUM> snap over opposing sides of the second one of the clip arms <NUM> to grip the second clip arms <NUM> and lock the clip arms <NUM> relative to one another. The gripping ends <NUM> are shaped to permit the clip arms <NUM> from being moved toward one another to the locked configuration, while preventing the gripping ends <NUM> from disengaging the second one of the clip arms <NUM> upon locking. For example, a first surface <NUM> of the gripping ends <NUM> facing away from the first one of the clip arms <NUM> may be curved while a second surface <NUM> facing toward the first one of the clip arms <NUM> is substantially planar.

Although the clip assemblies <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are described as including specific locking features, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that a clip assembly of the present disclosure may include any of a variety of corresponding mating features for locking the clip arms relative to one another.

Claim 1:
A clip assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a pair of clip arms (<NUM>), biased into a tissue receiving configuration, in which distal ends of the clip arms are separated from one another to receive a target tissue therebetween, and movable into a tissue gripping configuration, in which the distal ends of the clip arms are drawn toward one another to grip the target tissue therebetween, the clip arms including a locking mechanism for locking the clip arms in the tissue gripping configuration, wherein the locking mechanism includes
a male locking feature (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending from a first one of the clip arms toward a second one of the clip arms, and a female locking feature (<NUM>, <NUM>) included in the second one of the clip arms, the male and female locking features engageable with one another to lock the clip arms relative to one another, one of the male and female locking features being deformable to engage the other one of the male and female locking features; and
a yoke (<NUM>) connected to a proximal end of the clip arms, the yoke including a distal portion engaging the clip arms and a proximal portion configured to releasably engage a control member (<NUM>) of an applicator (<NUM>), the proximal portion including opposed portions defining a slot (<NUM>) extending from a proximal opening (<NUM>) to a distal space (<NUM>) sized and shaped to hold a distal end of the control member therein.