CLIP DELIVERY DEVICE

Abstract

A clip delivery device includes a clip, a first tube configured to store the clip when the clip is closed; a second tube coupled to a proximal end of the first tube; a hook configured to hook a proximal end portion of the clip; a wire coupled to the hook, the wire is configured to pull the hook in a longitudinal direction thereof; an elongated portion coupled to a proximal end of the second tube, the elongated portion having the wire inserted therethrough; and an operating portion coupled to a proximal end of the elongated portion, the operating portion being configured to operate the wire, wherein the hook includes at least one structural mechanism that is configured to suppress rattling that occurs when the proximal end portion of the clip is pulled into the second tube.

Claims

1. A clip delivery device, comprising: a clip; a tube configured to store the dip when the clip is closed; a hook configured to hook a proximal end portion of the clip; an elongated portion coupled to a proximal end of the tube, the elongated portion configured to be inserted by the hook; and an operating portion coupled to a proximal end of the elongated portion, the operating portion being configured to operate the hook, wherein the hook includes at least one structural mechanism that is configured to suppress rattling that occurs when the proximal end portion of the clip is pulled into the tube.

2. The clip delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one structural mechanism includes a snap-fit member.

3. The clip delivery device according to claim 2, wherein the snap-fit member is formed integrally with the hook.

4. The clip delivery device according to claim 3, wherein the snap-fit member extends from the hook and overlaps a part of the proximal end portion of the clip.

5. The clip delivery device according to claim 3, wherein the structure mechanism includes another snap-fit member which is integrally formed with and extends from the hook, and wherein the two snap-fit members are arranged symmetric with respect to a longitudinal axial line of the hook.

6. The clip delivery device according to claim 5, wherein the snap-fit members are wing-shaped.

7. The clip delivery device according to claim 6, wherein the snap-fit members press against the part of the proximal end portion of the clip after the clip and the hook are assembled together.

8. The clip delivery device according to claim 2, wherein the snap-fit member extends from the hook and overlaps a part of the proximal end portion of the clip.

9. The clip delivery device according to claim 2, wherein the structure mechanism includes another snap-fit member which is integrally formed with and extends from the hook, and wherein the two snap-fit members are arranged symmetric with respect to a longitudinal axial line of the hook.

10. The clip delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the hook includes a plurality of seating surfaces, which are configured to receive a lateral surface of the proximal end portion of the clip.

11. The clip delivery device according to claim 10, wherein the seating surfaces are each configured to be in conformity with a respective portion of a bottom lateral surface of the proximal end portion of the clip.

12. The clip delivery device according to claim 11, wherein at least one stepped portion is formed by the seating surfaces and corresponds to a stepped portion formed on the clip.

13. The clip delivery device according to claim 11, wherein the hook includes a second stepped portion that is configured to be in conformity with a respective portion of a top lateral surface of the proximal end portion of the clip.

14. The clip delivery device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one structure mechanism includes an extended body extending from the hook, wherein the clip includes an arm portion that is coupled to the hook, the arm portion including a locked portion which protrudes from a proximal end of the arm portion, wherein the tube includes a locking portion which protrudes from an inner circumferential surface of a proximal end of the second tube, and wherein the locked portion is located more proximally than the extended body of the hook.

15. The clip delivery device according to claim 14, wherein the locking portion is located more proximally than the extended body of the hook, even when the locked portion overcomes the locking portion by a force of pulling the clip by the operating portion.

16. The clip delivery device according to claim 15, wherein the extended body of the hook remains in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the locking portion, when the locked portions passes through the locking ring portion.

17. The clip delivery device according to claim 14, wherein the extended body of the hook has a height that is set to be slightly shorter than an inner diameter of the locking portion such that the extended body can be in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the locking portion, when the locked portions passes through the locking portion.

18. The clip delivery device according to claim 14, wherein the hook includes a plurality of seating surfaces, which are configured to receive a lateral surface of the proximal end portion of the clip.

19. The clip delivery device according to claim 18, wherein the seating surfaces are each configured to be in conformity with a respective portion of a bottom lateral surface of the proximal end portion of the clip.

20. The clip delivery device according to claim 19, wherein at east one stepped portion is formed by the seating surfaces and corresponds to a stepped portion formed on the clip.

21. The clip delivery device according to claim 19, wherein the hook includes a stepped portion that is configured to be in conformity with a respective portion of a top lateral surface of the proximal end portion of the clip.

22. The clip delivery device according to claim 21 wherein the stepped portion of the hook is formed at a proximal end portion of the hook.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0040] The following detailed description of preferred embodiments can be read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate like elements and in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional clip delivery device and system for ligaturing a living tissue.

[0042] FIG. 2A is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view schematically showing a clip unit in the conventional clip delivery device and system for ligaturing a living tissue shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B schematically shows a transverse sectional view taken along a line IIB-IIB in FIG. 2A.

[0043] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are longitudinal sectional views schematically showing sequential configurations of the clip unit in the clip delivery device of FIGS. 2A and 2B during an operation for ligaturing a desired region of a desired tissue in a body cavity of a living thing.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a sectional top view schematically showing another conventional clip delivery device and system for ligaturing a living tissue.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a sectional side view schematically showing the conventional clip delivery device and system of FIG. 4, with an enlarged view schematically showing connection between a clip and a connecting member.

[0046] FIG. 6A is a perspective view schematically showing a clip unit of the clip delivery device of FIG. 4 in a state in which a clip and a connecting member are pulled to a breakable position; FIG. 6B is a sectional view schematically showing one disadvantage situation of the clip delivery device of FIG. 4; and FIG. 6C is a sectional view schematically showing another disadvantage situation of the clip delivery device of FIG. 4.

[0047] FIG. 7A is a perspective view schematically showing a connecting member of a clip unit associated with a clip delivery device according to a first exemplary embodiment; and FIG. 7B is an enlarged view schematically showing a snap-fit structure according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0048] FIGS. 8A-8D are different schematic views illustrating the snap-fit structure in which a a clip and a connecting member are engaged with each other according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0049] FIG. 9A is a perspective view schematically showing a connecting member of a clip unit associated with a clip delivery device according to a second exemplary embodiment; and FIG. 9B is an enlarged view schematically showing an extended distal end portion of the connecting member according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0050] FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D are longitudinal sectional views schematically showing configurations of a clip unit associated with a clip delivery device according to the second embodiment.

[0051] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a structure of the clip unit of FIG. 10C according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0052] FIG. 12 schematically shows a transverse sectional view taken along a line B-B in FIG. 11 according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0053] FIG. 13 is an exemplary view after a breakable portion of the clip unit is successfully broken according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0054] For ease of viewing, in some instances only some of the named features in the figures are labeled with reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Hereinafter, 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. Throughout all of the drawings, ratios of the thicknesses or dimensions of respective constituent elements are appropriately adjusted for clarity.

[0056] Also, it should be noted that references throughout this disclosure to the terms “distal” and “distally” are to a direction away from the clip operating part 16 (see FIG. 1), while references to the terms “proximal” and “proximally” are to a direction towards the clip operating part 16.

First Embodiment

[0057] FIG. 7A is a prospective view schematically showing a snap-fit type clip unit of a clip delivery device according to a first exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged view schematically showing a snap-fit mechanism of the connecting member of FIG. 7A according to the exemplary embodiment. The clip delivery device according to the first exemplary embodiment is different from conventional clip delivery devices in that a clip unit has a different configuration.

[0058] The clip unit of this exemplary embodiment is a snap-fit type clip unit, in which a snap-fit member may be attached to a clip or to a connecting member. The snap-fit member is configured to control and stabilize the connection between the clip and the connecting member, so as to achieve a smooth and stable operation of the clip unit along a moving path in the direction of a longitudinal axial line of a clip projecting/retracting passage. The snap-fit member is able to suppress the rattling therebetween and associated relative motion that can occur during the projecting and retracting of the clip and the connecting member inside the clip projecting/retracting passage, and also able to minimize the deviation force and/or the bending moment generated during the operation of the clip unit as described above, and therefore a breaking force can be successfully applied to a breakable portion of the connecting member, which is required by the clip-delivering operation.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7A, in this exemplary embodiment, a connecting member 42 is configured to be disposed inside the clip holding member 18 and be movable in the extending direction of the clip holding member 18. The connecting member 42 includes a proximal end portion 42b that is connected to the clip connecting portion 16b of the clip operating part 16, and a distal end portion 42e has surfaces forming a hook, by which the proximal end portions 12b of the slender arms 12c of the clip 12 are hooked on the connecting member 42.

[0060] The connecting member 42 is operated by the clip operating part 16 to project and retract together with the clip 12 inside the clip projecting/retracing passage 18a along a longitudinal direction thereof. The connecting member 42 includes a breakable portion 42a which is broken when a pulling force larger than a predetermined value is applied thereto by the clip operating part 16. The breakable portion 42a has a reduced cross-sectional area (relative to other portions of the connecting member, particularly those portions closer to the proximal end portion 42b) to preferential break at this location.

[0061] The connecting member 42 may be formed by injection molding of resin material with high intensity, such as poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), liquid crystal polymer, nylon, and the like. The breakable portion 42a may be a notch or slit which is cut from a part of an inner circumferential surface of the connecting member 42 outwardly in a radial direction of the clip holding member 18 and which extends in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction (or an extending direction) of the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a. In this notch or slit, as shown in FIG. 8B, the proximal end portions 12b, which are connected to each other in the slender arms 12c of the clip 12, are hooked at the breakable portion 42a by the distal end portion 42e of the connecting member 42.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 7B, the connecting member 42 further includes a plurality of seating surfaces 44, 45 and 46, which are formed to receive bottom (lateral) surfaces 122b (in FIG. 8D) of the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12. The seating surfaces 44, 45, and 46 are shaped to be in conformity with the configuration of the proximal end portions 12b, which includes a stepped portion 12f as shown in FIG. 8A. The seating surfaces 44, 45 and 46 are each formed to have a width that is equal to or greater than the thickness (T in FIG. 8B) of the proximal end portions 12b. The seating surfaces 44 and 45 form a stepped portion 42f corresponding to the stepped portion 12f of the proximal end portions 12b. The seating surface 46 is formed on the base of the breakable portion 42a around the hook (the distal end portion 42e). The stepped portion 42f has an angle α at the bottom of distal end portion 42e. The invention is not limited to the angle disclosed in this exemplary embodiment, and any suitable angle for the stepped portion 42f can be used, from greater than 90 degrees to 180 degrees. The sum of the angle α and an angle θ (in FIG. 8C) is 180 degrees or less. In exemplary embodiments, the angle α and an angle θ have the same value, i.e., stepped portion 42f of the seating surfaces is parallel to the complementary stepped portion 431 of the snap-fit member 43.

[0063] A proximal end portion 42b of the connecting member 42 may be branched into two sections, the proximal end portion 42b being closer to the distal end portion 10a of the insertion part 10 than the breakable portion 42a. Two branched sections 42b-1 and 42b-2 are close to each other with a longitudinally extending division line 42c interposed therebetween, and a connection hole 42d extending along a longitudinal center line of the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a is formed in closely facing ends of the branched sections. In the connection hole 42d at the two branched sections of the proximal end portion 42b of the connecting member 42, a substantially conically shaped engaging portion 16c of a projecting end of a projection projecting from the distal end of the clip connecting portion 16b of the clip operating part 16 in the longitudinal direction of the clip operating part 16 is pressed in, so that a rotational connection between the two branched sections of the proximal end portion 42b of the connecting member 42 and the clip connecting portion 16b of the clip operating part 16 is achieved.

[0064] A part of the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 42 may be flattened, and a part of the inner circumferential surface of the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a of the clip holding member 18, which corresponds to the flattened part of the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 42, may be also flattened. The flattened part of the inner circumferential surface of the clip projecting/retracing passage 18a extends in a moving range of the flattened part of the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 42 while the connecting member 42 moves in the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a.

[0065] A moving path of the clip 12 and the connecting member 42 inside the clip holding member 18 is adjacent to an inner surface of the clip holding member 18. In other words, a space (like the gap G1 as shown in FIG. 6B) exists between the outer surface of the connecting member 42 and the inner surface of the clip holding member 18. When the clip 12 and the connecting member 42 on which the clip 12 is hooked by the distal end portion 42e are advanced and retracted inside the clip holding member 18 by the external operation portion 16a, rattling and associated relative motion occurs between the clip 12 and the connecting member 42, and a deviating force BF generated by the rattling is applied around the base of the breakable portion 42a in a diameter expansion direction of the connecting member 42. Due to the deviating force BF, the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12 becomes easily coming off the distal end portion 42e (the hook) of the connecting member 42. Also, the deviating force BF conflicts with the longitudinal movement of the connecting member 42, thereby decreasing a pulling force that is necessary to successfully breaking the breakable portion 42a.

[0066] Also, by pulling the clip and the connecting member 42 by the external operating part 16, a bending moment M around the base of the breakable portion 42a is applied to the distal end portion 42e of the connecting member 42, thereby causing the distal end portion 42e to move in a diameter expansion direction of the connecting member 42. In this situation, a gap (like the gap G2 in FIG. 6C) between the base of the breakable portion 42a and a center of load received from the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12 increases, which causes an outer surface of the connecting member 42 to contact an inner surface of the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a. The bending moment M negatively affects the longitudinal movement of the clip 12 and the connecting member 42, thereby decreasing the force of successfully breaking the breakable portion 42a.

[0067] In order to prevent the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12 from coming off the distal end portion 42e (the hook) of the connecting member 42 and to effectively control (resist) the deviating force BF and the bending moment M, the connecting member 42 further includes a snap-fit mechanism.

[0068] As shown in, for example, FIGS. 8A-8D, the snap-fit mechanism is formed on the connecting member 42. In this exemplary embodiment, the snap-fit mechanism includes a pair of snap-fit members 43 projecting from two sides of a top surface 421e of the distal end portion 42e of the connecting member 42 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a (or the moving path of the connecting member 42).

[0069] The snap-fit members 43 may be each projected by a predetermined distance such that the snap-fit members 43 can cover and press against at least a part of the top surfaces 121b of the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12 when the part of the top surfaces 121b of the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12 are snap-fitted into the snap-fit members 43 during assembly process. In exemplary embodiments, the predetermined distance by which the snap-fit members 43 project is equal to the thickness (T) of the top (lateral) surfaces 122a (see FIG. 8B) of the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12. In still other exemplary embodiments, the predetermined distance by which the snap-fit members 43 project is at least equal to the thickness (T) of the top (lateral) surfaces of the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12, preferably greater than the thickness (T) of the top (lateral) surfaces of the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 8B, in this exemplary embodiment, the pair of snap-fit members 43 are formed to be line-symmetric with respect to an axial line C1 of the connecting member 42 (or the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a). The pair of snap-fit members 43 may be shaped like a pair of wings extending from the top surface 421e with a wingspan, which at least cover and press against part of, preferably the entire thickness (T) of, the top (lateral) surfaces 121b of the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12 when the proximal end portions 12b are engaged by the pair of snap-fit members 43.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 8C, the snap-fit member 43 may include a stepped portion 431, as seen in a side view. The stepped portion 431 of the snap-fit member 43 is configured to be in conformity with the stepped portion 12f of the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12 so as to achieve the snap fitting between the clip 12 and the connecting member 42. The stepped portion 431 can also be angled, as represented in FIG. 8C by angle θ. This invention is not limited to the angle disclosed in this exemplary embodiment, and any suitable angle for the stepped portion can be used, preferably from greater than 0 degrees to 90 degrees.

[0072] FIG. 8D is a transverse sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 8C. As shown in FIG. 8D, the snap-fit members 43 fully overlap with areas of the top surfaces 121b where the snap-fit members 43 contact the proximal end portions 12b. The stepped portion 431 may include projections that may be assembled into recesses formed on the proximal end portions 12b, thereby snap-fitting the clip 12 and the connecting member 22 together.

[0073] The snap-fit members 43 of the invention are not limited to the above-described wing shape configuration, and any configuration, which is able to achieve the securable hooking of the clip 12 on the connecting member 42, is suitable to the invention.

[0074] Also, the snap-fit mechanism may further include any additional snap-fit member, which, for example, may be extended from the top surface 121b in a longitudinal direction of the connecting member 42, so that the additional snap-fit member can at least partially cover a connection part 122b that connects the proximal end portions 12b, thereby further strengthening the stability of the hooking of the clip 12 on the connecting member 42.

[0075] The snap fit members may be formed integrally with the connecting member 42, which may be formed by a molding process.

[0076] The snap-fit member may either be designed as a permanent snap or a multiple snap (which may be used multiple times). In the exemplary embodiment, the snap-fit members are permanent fits which cannot be disassembled because it is used in the clip unit as a disposable part.

[0077] As described above, by such a snap-fitting configuration, the connection between the clip 12 and the connecting member 22 can be regulated and stabilized, and the deviating force BF and the bending moment M can be effectively controlled, thereby preventing the proximal end portions 12b from coming off the distal end portion 22e and enhancing the hooking stability and also strengthening the pulling force of successfully breaking the breakable portion 22a.

Second Embodiment

[0078] FIG. 9A is a prospective view schematically showing a connecting member of a clip delivery device according to a second exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 9B is an enlarged view schematically showing the connecting member of FIG. 9A according to the second exemplary embodiment. The clip delivery device according to the second exemplary embodiment is different from the clip delivery devices of the first exemplary embodiment in that a clip unit has a different configuration.

[0079] The clip delivery device according to the second exemplary embodiment includes an extended type connecting member 52, which is disposed inside the clip holding member 18 and be movable in the extending direction of the clip holding member 18. The connecting member 52 includes a proximal end portion 52b that is connected to the clip connecting portion 16b of the clip operating part 16, and a distal end portion 52e which has surfaces forming a hook, by which the proximal end portions 12b of the slender arms 12c of the clip 12 are hooked on the connecting member 52.

[0080] The connecting member 52 is operated by the clip operating part 16 to move together with the clip 12 in the above described extending direction in the clip projecting/retracing passage 18a. The connecting member 52 has a breakable portion 52a, which can be broken when a pulling force larger than a predetermined value is applied thereto by the clip operating part 16. The breakable portion 52a has a reduced cross-sectional area (relative to other portions of the connecting member, particularly those portions closer to the proximal end portion 52b) to preferential break at this location.

[0081] The connecting member 52 may be formed by injection molding of resin material with high intensity, such as poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), liquid crystal polymer, nylon, and the like. The breakable portion 52a may be a notch or slit, which is cut from a part of an inner circumferential surface of the connecting member 52 outwardly in a radial direction of the clip holding member 18 and which extends in a direction crossing the extending direction of the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a. In this notch or slit, the proximal end portions 12b connected to each other in the slender arms 12c of the clip 12 are hooked by the distal end portion 52e of the connecting member 52.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 9B, the connecting member 52 further includes seating surfaces 54 and 55, which are formed to receive bottom (lateral) surfaces 122b (in FIG. 8D) of the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12. The seating surfaces 54 and 55 are shaped to be in conformity with the configuration of the proximal end portions 12b, which are each formed to have a width that is equal to or greater than the thickness (T in FIG. 8B) of the proximal end portions 12b. The seating surfaces 54 and 55 form a stepped portion 52f corresponding to a stepped portion of the proximal end portions 12b. The seating surface 54 is formed inclined toward the bottom of the distal end portion 52e, and the seating surface 55 is formed on the base of the breakable portion 52a around the hook (the distal end portion 52e). Angles disclosed with respect to the stepped portion 42f can also be used for the stepped portion 52f.

[0083] The proximal end portion 52b of the connecting member 52 may be branched into two sections, the proximal end portion 52b being closer to the distal end portion 10a of the insertion part 10 than the breakable portion 52a. Two branched sections 52b-1 and 52b-2 are close to each other with a longitudinally extending division line 52c interposed therebetween, and a connection hole 52d extending along a longitudinal center line of the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a is formed in closely facing ends of the branched sections. In the connection hole 52d at the two branched sections of the proximal end portion 52b of the connecting member 52, a substantially conically shaped engaging portion 16c of a projecting end of a projection projecting from the distal end of the clip connecting portion 16b of the clip operating part 16 in the longitudinal direction of the clip operating part 16 is pressed in, so that a rotational connection between the two branched sections of the proximal end portion 52b of the connecting member 52 and the clip connecting portion 16b of the clip operating part 16 is achieved.

[0084] A part of the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 52 may be flattened, and a part of the inner circumferential surface of the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a of the clip holding member 18, which corresponds to the flattened part of the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 52, may be also flattened. The flattened part of the inner circumferential surface of the clip projecting/retracing passage 18a extends in a moving range of the flattened part of the outer circumferential surface of the connecting member 52 while the connecting member 52 moves in the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a.

[0085] A moving path of the clip 12 and the connecting member 52 inside the clip holding member 18 is adjacent to the inner surface of the clip holding member 18. In other words, a space (like the gap G1 as shown in FIG. 6B) exists between the outer surface of the connecting member 52 and the inner surface of the clip holding member 18. When the clip 12 and the connecting member 52, on which the clip 12 is hooked by the distal end portion 52e, are advanced or retracted inside the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a along the longitudinal direction thereof by the external operation portion 16a, rattling and associated relative motion occurs between the clip 12 and the connecting member 52, and a deviating force BF is applied around the base of the breakable portion 52a in a diameter expansion direction of the connecting member 52. Due to the deviating force BF, the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12 becomes easily coming off the distal end portion 52e (the hook) of the connecting member 52. Also, the deviating force BF conflicts with the longitudinal movement of the connecting member 52, thereby decreasing the pulling force that is necessary to successfully break the breakable portion 52a.

[0086] Also, by pulling the clip 12 and the connecting member 52 by the external operating part 16, a bending moment M around the base of the breakable portion 52a is applied to the distal end portion 52e of the connecting member 52, thereby causing the distal end portion 52e to move in a diameter expansion direction of the connecting member 22. In this situation, another gap (like the gap G2 in FIG. 6C) between the base of the breakable portion 52a and a center of load received from the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12 increases, which could cause an outer surface of the connecting member 52 to contact an inner surface of the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a. The bending moment M could negatively affect the longitudinal movement of the clip 12 and the connecting member 52, thereby decreasing the force of successfully breaking the breakable portion 52a.

[0087] In order to prevent the proximal end portions 12b of the clip 12 from coming off the distal end portion 52e (the hook) of the connecting member 52 and to effectively control (resist) the deviating force BF and the bending moment M, the connecting member 52 (as shown in FIG. 9B) further includes an extended body 521e which is extended from a main body 520e of the distal end portion 52e. Thus, the distal end portion 52e of this exemplary embodiment includes the extended body 521e and the main body 520e (shown and identified in FIG. 9B by a dashed line separating the extended body 521e and the main body 520e).

[0088] The extended body 521e has a height H which is substantially the same as a height of the main body 520e of the distal end portion 52e. As shown in FIG. 12 and as will further described below, the height H of the extended body 521e is set to be slightly shorter than an inner diameter D of the locking ring portion 32, such that when the extended body 521e passes through the locking ring portion 32, the extended body 521e comes into contact with the inner circumference surface of the locking ring portion 32, thereby preventing the connecting member 52 and the clip 12 which is hooked thereon from moving in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a.

[0089] FIGS. 10A-10D are longitudinal section views showing sequential configurations of the clip delivery device in which the clip 12 is hooked on the connecting member 52 by the extended-type distal end portion 52e of FIGS. 9A and 9B.

[0090] FIG. 10A shows one configuration in which the projected clip 12 opens the arms 12c outward in the radial direction of the clip projecting/retracing passage 18a. The connecting member 52 including the extended body 521e of the distal end portion 52e is located inside the clip projecting/retracing passage 18a, and the distal end portion 52e has a taper shape from a top view which gradually narrows toward the distal end of the clip projecting/retracing passage 18a in the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0091] In this configuration, the extended body 521e is located more distally than the locked portions 25, 26, and also located more distally than the locking ring portion 32. Alternatively, the locked portions 25, 26 and the locking ring portion 32 are located more proximally than the extended body 521e. Or the locked portions 25 are located closer to the locking ring portion 32 than the extended body 521e.

[0092] FIG. 10B shows a configuration in which the external operation portion 16a is operated to move the insertion part 10 in its longitudinal direction. As a result, when the arms 12c of the clip 12 are pulled into the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a of the clip holding member 18, the outside surfaces of the arms 12c slidingly contact the periphery of the opening of the clip projecting/retracing passage 18a at the projecting end of the clip holding member 18 and are pushed inward in the radial direction of the opening, so that the distal ends 12a of the arms 12c of the clip 12 can hold the desired region DR (not shown) of the desired tissue (not shown). The extended body 521e of the distal end portion 52e is pulled close to the locking ring portion 32 inside the clip projecting/retracing passage 18a. In this configuration, the distal end portion 52e including the extended body 521e is in contact with the inner circumferential surface 32a of the locking ring portion 32 during the pulling operation of the clip unit, thereby enhancing the stability of the movement of the clip unit and resisting the deviating force BF and the bending moment M that could negatively decrease the pulling force that is necessary to break the breakable portion 52a.

[0093] FIG. 10C shows a configuration in which the connecting member 52 is pulled by the external operation portion 16a furthermore, a pulling resistance generated in the desired region DR of the desired tissue and a frictional resistance generated on the outside surface of the arms 12c of the clip 12 with respect to the periphery of the opening of the clip projecting/retracing passage 18a are increased. These increased resistances and the pulling force applied to the base of the breakable portion 52a of the connecting member 52 could cause the rattling and associated relative motion between the clip 12 and the connecting member 52 at their connection area where the proximal end portions 12b are hooked by the distal end portion 52e. However, such rattling and associated relative motion can be effectively suppressed by the extended body 521e, because the extended body 521e remains in contact with the inner circumferential surface 32a of the locking ring portion 32 even when the connecting member 52 and the clip 12 are pulled by the clip operating part 16 to a position at which the pulling force reaches a predetermined value by which the breakable portion of the connecting member is to be broken. In this configuration, the extended body 521e is still located more distally than the locking ring portion 32.

[0094] FIG. 11 shows an enlarged sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of the extended-type connecting member of FIG. 10C. As shown in FIG. 11, the extended body 521e of the distal end portion 52e of the connecting member 52 has a tapered shape so as not to regulate the movement of the locked portions (protrusions) 25 and 26 as the protrusions 25 and 26 pass through the locking ring portion 32. The tapered shape of the expanded body 521e extends in the axial direction of the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a. Also the extended body 521e has the height H, which is set to be slightly shorter than the inner diameter D of the locking ring portion 32 so that the extended body 521e can be in contact with the inner circumferential surface 32a of the locking ring portion 32. As shown in FIG. 12, the contact between the extended body 521e and the inner circumference surface of the locking ring portion 32 can prevent the connecting member from moving in any direction that is different from the longitudinal direction of the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a, thereby effectively suppressing the rattling and associated relative motion between the clip 12 and the connecting member 52. Also, the contact between the extended body 521e and the inner circumference surface of the locking ring portion 32 can effectively resist against the deviating force BF and the bending moment M which could decrease the pulling force necessary to successfully break the breakable portion 52a.

[0095] FIG. 10D shows a configuration in which the breakable portion 52a is broken, after the connecting member 52 is being pulled furthermore into the clip projecting/retracting passage 18a of the clip holding member 18, the pulling force applied to the base of the breakable portion 52a of the connecting member 52 by the clip operating part 16 reaches a predetermined value that is set to break the base of the breakable portion 52a.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 13, after the breakable portion 52a is successfully broken, the distal end portion 52e is separate from the connecting member 52, and is left with the clip 12 in the cavity of the living body.

[0097] While various embodiments of the disclosed technology have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example schematic or other configuration for the disclosed technology, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the disclosed technology. The disclosed technology is not restricted to the illustrated example schematic or configurations, but the desired features can be implemented using a variety of alternative illustrations and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical locations and configurations can be implemented to implement the desired features of the technology disclosed herein.

[0098] Although the disclosed technology is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed technology, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the technology disclosed herein should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[0099] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

[0100] The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.

[0101] Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary schematics, block diagrams, and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular configuration.