阅读说明：本技术 用于止血夹具的可重装施用器 (Reloadable applicator for hemostatic clamps ) 是由 约瑟夫·W·金 肖恩·赖安 拉蒙·埃斯特韦斯 于 2017-09-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于处理组织的系统,所述系统包括夹具组件和施用器；所述夹具组件包括一对夹具臂,所述夹具臂的近侧端部可滑动地收纳于封装体的通道内以在组织接收配置和组织夹持配置之间移动；并且所述施用器可释放地联接至所述夹具组件以使所述夹具组件在所述组织接收配置和所述组织夹持配置之间移动,所述施用器包括控制构件,所述控制构件具有沿着其延伸的多个节点,每个节点具有大于所述控制构件其余部分横截面积的横截面积并且配置成联接至所述夹具臂的所述近侧端部,所述节点的最远侧一者与所述节点的下一个紧邻的近侧一者可切断以当施加其上的力超出预定阈值时从所述施用器释放所述夹具组件。(The present invention relates to a system for treating tissue, the system comprising a clip assembly and an applicator; the clamp assembly includes a pair of clamp arms having proximal ends slidably received within the channels of the package for movement between a tissue receiving configuration and a tissue clamping configuration; and the applicator releasably coupled to the clip assembly to move the clip assembly between the tissue receiving configuration and the tissue grasping configuration, the applicator comprising a control member having a plurality of nodes extending therealong, each node having a cross-sectional area greater than a remaining portion of the cross-sectional area of the control member and configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the clip arm, a distal-most one of the nodes being severable from a next immediately proximal one of the nodes to release the clip assembly from the applicator when a force applied thereto exceeds a predetermined threshold.)

1. A reloadable gripping device comprising:

a clamp assembly including a pair of clamp arms, each of the clamp arms extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal ends of each of the clamp arms being connected to each other via a yoke received within a channel of a package to move the clamp arms between a tissue receiving configuration in which the distal ends of the clamp arms are separated from each other and a tissue clamping configuration in which the distal ends of the clamp arms are moved toward each other; and

an applicator having an opening insertable through the cartridge to couple to the distal portion of the clip assembly, the applicator including a catheter extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough, the distal end of the catheter configured to couple to a proximal end of the enclosure, and a control member extending through the lumen of the catheter and including a plurality of nodes extending along a distal portion thereof, each node having a cross-sectional area greater than a remaining portion of the control member cross-sectional area and configured to couple to the proximal end of the clip arm, a distal-most one of the nodes being severable from a proximal one of the next-adjacent ones of the nodes to release the clip assembly from the applicator when a force applied thereto exceeds a predetermined threshold.

2. The reloadable gripping device of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the enclosure is configured to be received within the conduit.

3. The reloadable gripping device of any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the clamp assembly is configured to be received within a cartridge.

4. The reloadable gripping device of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the enclosure comprises a flexible tab, the flexible tab being biased in a laterally outward position. .

5. The reloadable clip device of claim 4, wherein the flexible tab is formed via a cut through a wall of the enclosure, wherein the cut is biased to angle laterally outward. .

6. A re-mountable clamping arrangement according to claim 4 or 5 including the features of claim 3, wherein the flexible tab is compressed when the clamp assembly is received within the cassette such that the flexible tab is received within the conduit. .

7. The reloadable gripping device of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the flexible tab is constrained via an interior surface of the conduit when the flexible tab is received within the conduit.

8. The reloadable gripping device of any of claims 4-7, wherein configured such that the control member is movable distally such that it pushes the enclosure distally relative to the catheter such that the flexible tab moves distally through the distal end of the catheter such that the flexible tab allows for return to its laterally extended biased position.

Background

Pathologies of the Gastrointestinal (GI) system, biliary tree, vascular system and other body lumens, as well as hollow organs, are commonly treated by endoscopic surgery, many of which require hemostasis to control internal bleeding. Hemostatic clips grasp the tissue surrounding the wound and hold the edges of the wound together temporarily to allow the natural healing process to permanently close the wound. A dedicated endoscopic clamping device is used to deliver the clip to a desired location within the body, leaving the clip indwelling within the body after withdrawal of the clip delivery device.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a system for treating tissue, the system comprising a clip assembly and an applicator; the clamp assembly includes a pair of clamp arms, each of the clamp arms extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal ends of the clamp arms being received within the channels of the package for movement between a tissue receiving configuration in which the distal ends of the clamp arms are separated from one another and a tissue clamping configuration in which the distal ends of the clamp arms are moved toward one another; the applicator is configured to be coupled to the clip assembly to move the clip assembly between the tissue receiving configuration and the tissue grasping configuration, the applicator including a control member having a plurality of nodes, each node having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of a remainder of the control member and configured to be coupled to a proximal end of the clip arm, a distal-most one of the nodes being severable from a next immediately proximal one of the nodes to release the clip assembly from the applicator when a force applied thereto exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In one embodiment, the proximal ends of the clamp arms may be connected via a yoke that includes a longitudinal slot sized and shaped to receive each of the nodes. In one embodiment, the yoke may be configured to deform when a force exerted thereon by a most distal one of the nodes exceeds a predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, each node may be sized and shaped to allow coupling with the proximal end of the clamp arm while preventing disengagement therefrom. In one embodiment, the distal surface of each of the nodes may be rounded while the proximal surface of each of the nodes is generally flat.

In one embodiment, adjacent nodes of the plurality of nodes may be connected to each other via a connecting portion of the control member, each connecting portion being configured to separate from a proximal one of the nodes connected thereto when a force exerted thereon exceeds a predetermined threshold.

In one embodiment, each of the connection portions may taper from the distal end to the proximal end, the tapered thickness of each connection portion of the control member increasing incrementally from a distal one of the connection portions to a proximal one of the connection portions.

In one embodiment, each of the connecting portions may include at least one notch extending therearound, one of the number, size, depth and length of the at least one notch decreasing from a distal one of the connecting portions to a proximal one of the connecting portions.

In one embodiment, each of the connecting portions may be welded to a proximal one of the nodes connected thereto, the strength of the weld of each of the connecting portions increasing from a distal one of the connecting portions to the proximal one of the connecting portions.

In one embodiment, the applicator may further comprise a conduit at a distal end thereof, the conduit being releasably coupled to the package of the clip assembly.

In one embodiment, the conduit may be coupled to the package via one of a friction fit and a snap fit.

In one embodiment, the proximal end of the package can abut the distal end of the applicator as the clip assembly moves from the tissue receiving configuration to the upper tissue gripping configuration such that separation of the distal-most node from the next immediately adjacent side node also separates the package from the distal end of the applicator.

In one embodiment, the system can further include a torsion member coupled to the distal end of the applicator, the torsion member including an inclined surface along a portion of an interior thereof, such that when the proximal end of the package slides along the inclined surface, the clip assembly rotates relative to the applicator.

In one embodiment, the system can further comprise a cutting member movably housed within the distal portion of the applicator, the cutting member being movable between a non-cutting configuration and a cutting configuration, the cutting member being positioned between a distal-most one of the nodes and a next immediately proximal one of the nodes.

The invention also relates to a reloadable gripping device comprising a gripper assembly and an applicator. The clamp assembly includes a pair of clamp arms, each of the clamp arms extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal ends of each of the clamp arms being connected to each other via a yoke received within a channel of the package to move the clamp arms between a tissue receiving configuration in which the distal ends of the clamp arms are separated from each other and a tissue clamping configuration in which the distal ends of the clamp arms are moved toward each other; the applicator has an opening insertable through a cartridge to couple to a distal portion of the clip assembly, the cartridge housing the clip assembly, the applicator including a catheter extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lumen extending therethrough, the distal end of the catheter configured to couple to the proximal end of the enclosure, and a control member extending through the lumen of the catheter and including a plurality of nodes extending along a distal portion thereof, each node having a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of a remainder of the control member and configured to couple to the proximal end of the clip arm, a distal-most one of the nodes severable from a proximal one of a next-adjacent one of the nodes to release the clip assembly from the applicator when a force applied thereto exceeds a predetermined threshold.

The invention also relates to a method for treating tissue, comprising the steps of: loading the first clip assembly onto the applicator by coupling a distal-most node of the control member to a proximal end of a clip arm of the first clip assembly, inserting the loading clip assembly into a target site within a living body via a working channel of the endoscope, moving the first clip assembly from a tissue receiving configuration (in which the distal ends of the clip arms are separated from each other) to a tissue grasping configuration (in which the distal ends of the clip arms are moved toward each other) as desired by moving the control member proximally relative to the applicator until the target tissue is grasped therebetween, and releasing the first clip assembly from the applicator by pulling the control member further proximally to separate the distal-most node from the next immediately adjacent proximal node.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section of an applicator according to the system of fig. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the system according to FIG. 1 in a deployed configuration;

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the coupling between the applicator and the clip assembly of the system of FIG. 1;

fig. 5 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the coupling between the applicator and the clip assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of a distal portion of a control member of an applicator according to the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of a distal portion of a control member according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of a distal portion of a control member according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a torsion member of the system of FIG. 9; and

fig. 11 shows a longitudinal section of a system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are referred to by the same reference numerals. The present invention relates to clamping systems, and in particular to reloadable endoscope clamping systems. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention describe a clip assembly that can be loaded onto the distal end of an applicator assembly prior to an endoscopic procedure. Once the clip has been deployed to the desired target area in the body, the applicator assembly may be reassembled with the new clip. In particular, the applicator assembly includes a control member having a plurality of nodes, each of the nodes configured to be coupled to the proximal end of the clip. The distal-most node may be coupled to the first clamp. The first clamp can be used to clamp tissue and then deployed into the body as desired. Deployment of the first clip breaks a portion of the control member between the most distal node and the next node immediately proximal thereto so that the next node can then be coupled to the second clip, and the clipping process can repeat. The applicator can be reloaded with as many clips as there are nodes. It should be noted that the terms "proximal" and "distal" (as used herein) are intended to refer to directions toward (proximal) and away from (distal) a user of the device.

As shown in fig. 1-4, a system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a clip assembly 102 and an applicator 104. As shown in fig. 1, the clip assembly 102 can be reattached to the distal portion of the applicator 104 prior to insertion of the system 100 into a living body for clamping of the target tissue. As shown in fig. 2, the applicator 104 is configured such that, following deployment of the clip assembly 102 in a living body, a new clip assembly 102 can be loaded onto the applicator 104 such that the same applicator 104 can be used to deliver the new clip assembly 102 to a second portion of the target tissue in the living body. In particular, the applicator 104 includes a control component 106 having a plurality of nodes 108, each of the nodes 108 configured to be coupled to a portion of the clamp assembly 102. In use, the distal-most node 108a can be coupled to the clamp assembly 102. Once the clip assembly 102 has been used to clamp the target tissue, the control member 106 can be pulled proximally relative to the applicator 104 until a predetermined threshold is exceeded, causing the control member 106 to break at a point between the distal-most node 108a and the next-adjacent proximal node 108b (as shown in fig. 3) to deploy the clip assembly 102 into the body. The next immediately proximal node 108b may then be coupled to the new clip assembly 102 such that the new clip assembly 102 may be applied to a second target tissue. The number of nodes 108 of the control member 106 corresponds to the number of times the applicator 104 may be reloaded with the clip assembly 102.

The clamp assembly 102 includes a pair of clamp arms 110, with proximal ends of the clamp arms 110 being slidably received within the enclosure 116 to move the clamp assembly 102 between the tissue receiving configuration and the tissue clamping configuration. The proximal ends 112 of the clamp arms 110 may be connected to one another via a yoke 114, the yoke 114 being slidably received within the channel 142 of the package 116. The clamp arms 110 of this embodiment are biased such that the distal ends 118 of the clamp arms 110 move apart from each other to a tissue receiving configuration when not pulled into the enclosure 116. When pulled into the capsule 116, the capsule 116 constrains the clamp arms 110, thereby holding their distal ends 118 together in a tissue gripping configuration. Yoke 114 is longitudinally slidable within enclosure 116 to move clamp arm 110 between a tissue receiving configuration and a tissue clamping configuration.

The clamp arm 110 can include clamping features configured to facilitate clamping of tissue therebetween. For example, the distal ends 118 of the clamp arms 110 can include pointed tips (extending laterally inward toward each other) and/or teeth, protrusions, spikes, or other structures configured to clamp tissue between the distal ends 118 of the clamp arms 110. The clamp arm 110 can also include a locking feature configured to lock the clamp arm 110 in the tissue clamping configuration once the desired target tissue has been clamped by the clamp arm 110. In one embodiment, the clamp arm 110 may include a locking tab extending laterally outward therefrom. The locking tab may be configured to engage a portion of the enclosure 116 when the gripper arm 110 has been pulled a predetermined distance into the enclosure 116. For example, the locking tabs may be received within locking windows of corresponding size, shape, and position settings that extend transversely through the walls of the enclosure 116 to lock the clamp arm 110 relative to the enclosure 116 in a tissue clamping configuration.

As described above, the yoke 114 connects the proximal ends 112 of the clamp arms 110 and is slidably received within the package 116. The yoke 114 includes a longitudinal slot 120, the longitudinal slot 120 extending longitudinally from a proximal opening 122 at a proximal end 124 of the yoke 114 to a distal portion 126, the distal portion 126 sized and shaped to receive the node 108 of the control member 106 of the applicator 104. Each of the nodes 108 is enlarged relative to the rest of the control member 106. A proximal portion 128 of the slot 120 extending between the proximal opening 122 and the distal portion 126 has a cross-sectional area (e.g., diameter) that is less than a cross-sectional area of the distal portion 126, wherein opposing portions 136 of the proximal portion 128 are expandable to receive the node 108 and are biased toward each other such that, once the node 108 is threaded distally into the distal portion 126, the opposing portions 136 of the proximal portion 128 spring back to lock the node 108 in the distal portion 126, thereby coupling the control member 106 to the yoke 114. Thus, longitudinal movement of the control member 106 relative to the enclosure 116 can control movement of the clamp arm 110 between the tissue receiving configuration and the tissue clamping configuration.

According to this embodiment, the node 108 of the control member 106 is insertable into the distal portion 126 via the proximal opening 112 of the yoke 114. When control member 106 is pushed distally into yoke 114 beyond a predetermined threshold, proximal opening 122 of slot 120 deforms to allow node 108 to pass through proximal portion 128 into distal portion 126. In particular, opposing portions 136 of yoke 114 defining slot 120 may be separated from one another to allow node 108 to pass through proximal portion 128 into distal portion 126. Once node 108 is received within distal portion 126, proximal portion 128 of slot 120 returns to its original size, thereby retaining node 108 of control member 106 in distal portion 126.

The nodes 108 and distal portion 126 may have any of a variety of corresponding shapes. In one exemplary embodiment, each of the nodes 108 may be configured as a ball that is received within a correspondingly sized and shaped socket of the distal portion 126. In another exemplary embodiment, each of the nodes 108 may be shaped to facilitate distal insertion of the node 108 into the slot 120 of the yoke 114, but prevent disengagement therefrom (once the node 108 has been received within the distal portion 126). For example, distal surface 130 of node 108 may be rounded to facilitate insertion into slot 120, while proximal surface 132 of node 108 may be generally flat such that, once node 108 has been received within distal portion 126, proximal surface 132 engages corresponding proximal surface 134 of distal portion 126. In other words, the engagement between the planar proximal surfaces 132,134 of the node 108 and the distal portion 126, respectively, does not cause the opposing portions 136 to separate from one another, thereby preventing the node 108 from passing proximally through the proximal portion 128 of the slot 120.

The capsule 116 extends longitudinally from a proximal end 138 to a distal end 140 and includes a channel 142 extending longitudinally therethrough. The channel 142 is sized and shaped to receive the yoke 114 and at least a proximal portion of the clamp arm 110 therein. The proximal end 138 of the encapsulation 116 may be configured to releasably engage the applicator 104. According to this exemplary embodiment, the encapsulation 116 engages the applicator 104 in a manner that allows the clamp arms 110 to move distally relative to the encapsulation 116 from an initial insertion configuration generally similar to the tissue-grasping configuration (where the clamp arms 110 are constrained via the interior surface of the encapsulation 116 such that their distal ends 118 are adjacent to and/or in contact with each other) toward the tissue-receiving configuration. However, distal movement of the clamp arm 110 relative to the capsule 116 toward the tissue receiving configuration can cause the capsule 116 to disengage from the applicator 104. Thus, as the clamp arm 110 is pulled proximally after receiving the target tissue therebetween, the capsule 116 will also move proximally until the capsule 116 contacts the distal end of the applicator 104. Once the capsule 116 abuts the distal end of the applicator 104, the clamp arm 110 may be pulled further proximally relative to the capsule 116 toward the tissue gripping configuration.

In one embodiment, the package 116 may engage the catheter 144 at the distal end of the applicator 104 via a friction fit. In another embodiment, the package 116 may engage the conduit 144 via a loose snap fit. For example, as shown in fig. 4, the proximal end 138 of the package body 116 may include a flexible tab 146, the flexible tab 146 including a protrusion extending radially inward toward a longitudinal axis thereof. The catheter 144 includes a correspondingly shaped groove 148 extending therearound along an outer surface 150 thereof such that the proximal end 138 of the package 116 may be loosely mounted on a distal end 152 of the catheter 144. The enclosure 116 also pushes the conduit 144 open as the gripper arm 110 moves from the inserted configuration toward the open configuration. As the clamp arm 110 moves proximally toward the tissue gripping configuration, the encapsulation 116 abuts the distal end 152 of the catheter 144 such that the clamp arm 110 can move proximally relative to the encapsulation 116. Because the encapsulation 116 only abuts the catheter 144, disengagement of the distal-most node 108a from the remainder of the control member 106 will also release the encapsulation 116 from the applicator 104 when it is desired to deploy the clip assembly 102 in the body.

In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, the package 116 'of the clip assembly 102' may be loosely coupled to the conduit 144 'of the applicator 104' in a manner generally similar to the package 116 and conduit 144 as described above. However, rather than being mounted on the distal end 152' of the catheter 144', the proximal end 138' of the package 116' is received within the catheter 144 '. The package 116' may include a flexible tab 146', the flexible tab 146' being biased in a laterally outward position. In one example, the flexible tab 146 'may be formed via a cut through a wall of the package body 116', which is biased to angle laterally outward. As will be described in further detail below, the clip assemblies 102 and 102' may be housed within a cassette that is used to load the clip assemblies 102,102' onto the applicators 104,104 '. When the clip assembly 102 'is received within the cassette, the flexible tab 146' is compressed such that the tab 146 'can be received within the conduit 144'. When the tabs 146 'are received within the conduit 144', they are constrained via their inner surfaces. The clamp assembly 102' is movable toward the insertion configuration for removal from the cassette and/or insertion into the living body. Once at the target site within the body, the control member 106 'connected to the clamp arm 110' may be moved distally relative to the applicator 104 'to move the clamp arm 110' toward the tissue receiving configuration. Moving the control member 106 'distally also pushes the package 116' distally relative to the catheter 144 'such that the flexible tab 146' moves distally through the distal end 152 'of the catheter 144' such that the flexible tab 146 'is no longer constrained by the catheter 144' and is allowed to return to its laterally extended biased position. Thus, when the clamp arm 110' is subsequently moved proximally toward the tissue gripping configuration, the capsule 116' will also move proximally until the laterally extending tab 146' contacts the distal end 152' of the catheter 144 '. The tab 146 'of the package 116' abuts the conduit 144 'such that the clamp arm 110' can be further pulled proximally relative thereto toward the tissue-grasping configuration. Thus, when the distal-most node 108a ' is disengaged from the remainder of the control member 106', the package 116' is also released from the applicator 104' to deploy the clip assembly 102' in the body.

The exemplary embodiments describe and illustrate an encapsulation that abuts the catheter when the clip assembly is moved from the tissue receiving configuration to the tissue grasping configuration such that breaking/disengaging the distal-most node from the remainder of the control member deploys the entire clip assembly. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the package and catheter may be releasably coupled to one another in any of a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the package may be coupled to the catheter in a manner that requires a separate release mechanism with respect to the fracture of the most distal node. For example, the breaking/detachment of the distal-most node from the rest of the control member may cause a subsequent action that releases the engagement between the encapsulation and the catheter.

The clip assembly 102 (or clip assembly 102') of the present invention can be housed in a cassette prior to loading on the applicator 104. The cartridge may be configured as a storage container defining an interior space thereof that is sized and shaped to receive the clamp assembly 102. The clamp assembly 102 may be housed within a cassette in a tissue-receiving configuration. The cartridge includes a proximal opening through which the distal portion 154 of the control member 106 and the guide tube 144 are insertable to couple to the clamp arm 110 and the enclosure 116, respectively.

The applicator 104 may include a catheter 144, a flexible member (not shown) extending proximally therefrom, and a control member 106. The proximal end of the flexible member may be coupled to the handle portion. Control member 106 extends through conduit 144 and a flexible member from a distal portion 154 including node 108 to a proximal end of an actuator connected to the handle portion. The flexible member may be formed, for example, as a coil of wire (which has sufficient flexibility to traverse even tortuous paths of a living body), and in this embodiment is sized and shaped to pass through a working channel of an endoscope or other insertion device.

The distal portion 154 includes a plurality of nodes 108. As discussed above, each of the nodes 108 is configured to engage the yoke 114 of the clamp arm 110 of the clamp assembly 102. The distal-most one of the nodes 108a engages the yoke 114 such that the control member 106 is longitudinally movable relative to the applicator 104 to move the clip assembly 102 between the tissue receiving configuration and the tissue grasping configuration. When it is desired to deploy the clip assembly 102 in a living body, the control member 106 can be pulled proximally relative to the applicator 104 until the distal-most node 108a is disconnected or disengaged from the remainder of the control member 106. Once the distal-most node 108a is disengaged from the remainder of the control member 106, the immediately proximal node 108b may be coupled to the new clip assembly 102.

To ensure disengagement of each of the nodes 108 from the remainder of the control member 106 in an order from the most-distal node 108a to the most-proximal node 108c, a portion of the control member 106 connecting each of the nodes 108 may be configured to facilitate disengagement of the nodes 108 in that order. In one example, as shown in fig. 6, the connecting portion 156 of the control wire 106 connecting adjacent nodes 108 may taper from its distal end 158 to proximal end 160. The tapered thickness of each connecting portion 156 increases incrementally for each adjacent proximal node 108. In one exemplary embodiment, the first connecting portion 156a (which connects the distal-most node 108a to the adjacent proximal node 108b) has a tapered thickness that is less than the tapered thickness of the second connecting portion 156b (which connects the adjacent proximal node 108b to the next immediately adjacent proximal node 108 c). Thus, when a proximal force is applied to the control member 106, the first connection portion 156a will break before the second connection portion 156 b. Although the exemplary embodiment is shown and described as including three nodes 108, the control component 106 may include any number of nodes, the number of nodes 108 determining the number of times the applicator 104 may be reloaded with a new clip assembly. Each connecting portion 156 will have a tapered thickness greater than the adjacent distal connecting portion. The connecting portion 156 having the smallest tapered thickness will break or break away first.

According to another exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 7, the connecting portion 256 along the distal portion 254 of the control member 206 connecting the nodes 208 may include more than one notch 262 extending therearound. The notches 262 weaken the connecting portion 256 to facilitate its breaking when a predetermined force is applied thereto. Each connecting portion 256 may have fewer, thinner, and/or shallower notches 262 than adjacent distal connecting portions 256. The connecting portion 256 having the largest, thickest, and/or deepest notch 262 (i.e., the distal-most connecting portion 256a) will be the weakest, causing the connecting portion 256 to break or break away first.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, as shown in fig. 8, a connecting portion 356 connecting nodes 308 along a distal portion 354 of control member 306 may be welded to at least one of nodes 308 connected thereto. Each connecting portion 356 connects two adjacent nodes 308, a distal end 358 of connecting portion 356 connected to a distal one of adjacent nodes 308a and a proximal end 360 of connecting portion connected to a proximal one of adjacent nodes 308 b. According to one example, distal end 358 may be integrally formed with a distal one of nodes 308a, while proximal end 360 is connected to a proximal one of nodes 308b via weld 362. Each connecting portion 356 may have a stronger, stronger weld 362 than adjacent distal connecting portion 356, the weld 362 connecting the connecting portions of one of the nodes 308. In other words, for each immediately adjacent distal connecting portion 356, the weld 362 of the connecting portion 356 becomes progressively less strong. Thus, the connecting portion 356 attached to the currently most distal one of the nodes 308 will first break away or break from the rest of the control member 306.

While the exemplary embodiment describes and illustrates a connecting portion 156,256,356 having particular features, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the nodes along the control member of the present invention can be connected to each other in any of a variety of ways, so long as a proximal force applied to the control member that exceeds a predetermined threshold force disengages the currently most distal node from the immediately proximal node.

An exemplary method for loading the clip assembly 102 to the applicator 104 includes pushing the distal-most node 108a of the control member 106 (or the distal-most one of the nodes 208, 308) distally against the yoke 114 of the clip assembly 102 until a distal force thereagainst exceeds a predetermined threshold, causing the opposing portions 136 thereof to separate. Separation of the opposing portions 136 allows the distal-most node 108a to pass through the proximal portion 128 and into the distal portion 126. Once the distal-most node 108a is received within the distal portion 126, the yoke 114 returns to its original shape (e.g., under its natural bias), thereby retaining the distal-most node 108a therein. The catheter 144 may be moved distally to couple to the package 116 prior to coupling the control member 106 to the yoke 114 or after coupling the control member 106 and the yoke 114.

As described above, in the instance in which the clip assembly 102 is housed within the cassette, the catheter 144 and the distal portion 154 of the control member 106 may be inserted through the proximal opening of the cassette to couple to the clip assembly 102. Once the applicator 104 has been coupled to the clip assembly 102 (as described above), the clip assembly 102 can be removed from the cassette by pulling the control member 106 proximally relative to the catheter 144 to pull the clip arm 110 into the enclosure 116 toward the insertion/tissue gripping configuration. Once the clamp arm 110 is in the insertion/tissue gripping configuration, the entire applicator 104 may be moved proximally relative to the cassette to pull the clamp assembly 102 out of the cassette via the proximal opening.

In use, after the clip assembly 102 has been loaded onto the applicator 104, the clip assembly 102 is inserted through the working channel of an endoscope (or any other insertion device) and into the body (e.g., through a natural body lumen) to a site adjacent a target portion of tissue to be clipped. The clip assembly 102 is inserted into the target tissue in an insertion configuration to facilitate its passage through the working channel. After reaching the site of the target tissue, the clamp assembly 102 is advanced out of the distal end of the working channel and the clamp arm 110 extends out of the enclosure 116 to move the clamp arm 110 to the tissue receiving configuration. Once the target tissue has been received between the clamp arms 110, the clamp assembly 102 can be moved toward the tissue clamping configuration such that the target tissue is clamped between the distal ends 118 thereof. By pulling the control member 106 proximally relative to the catheter 144, the clamp arm 110 is moved toward the tissue clamping configuration. Once the clamp assembly 102 is in the tissue clamping configuration, the control member 106 can be further pulled proximally to lock the clamp arm 110 relative to the enclosure 116.

To deploy the clip assembly 102, the control member 106 is pulled even further proximally until the force exerted thereon exceeds a predetermined threshold, causing the distal-most node 108a received within the yoke 114 to break or disengage from the remainder of the control member 106, as described above. Once the distal-most node 108a is separated from the remainder of the control member 106, the clip assembly 102 can be deployed in the body.

After the clip assembly 102 is deployed in the body, the next immediately adjacent proximal node 108b may be used to couple the applicator 104 to the new clip assembly 102 in the same manner as described above. The new clamp assembly can be used to clamp a second portion of tissue. The process may be repeated as many times as the nodes using the same applicator 104.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, a system 400 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be generally similar to the system 100, including a clamp assembly 402 and an applicator 404. Similar to the system 100, the control member 406 of the applicator 404 includes a plurality of nodes 408a,408b along a distal portion of the control member 406, each of the nodes 408 configured to be coupled to a portion of the clamp assembly 402. However, the system 400 also includes a torsion member 464, which torsion member 464 can be coupled to the distal end 452 of the catheter 444 of the applicator 404. When it is desired to deploy the clip assembly 402 in the body, the clip assembly 402 can be locked in the tissue gripping configuration by pulling the control member 406 proximally relative thereto (generally as described above with respect to the system 100). After locking of the clamp assembly 402, further proximal movement of the control member 406 causes the proximal end 438 of the enclosure 416 to interface with the torsion member 464, thereby causing the enclosure 416, and thus a portion of the control member 406 coupled thereto, to rotate about its longitudinal axis relative to the torsion member 464. As will be described in further detail below, rotation of the encapsulation 416 causes torsional stress along a portion of the control member 406 to cause the control member 406 to break at a point between the distal-most node 408a and the next immediately proximal node 408b, thereby releasing the clip assembly 403 from the applicator 404 to deploy the clip assembly 402 in the body.

As shown in fig. 10, the torsion member 464 extends longitudinally from a proximal end 466 to a distal end 468 and includes a channel 470 extending therethrough. The channel 470 may include a pair of ramped surfaces 472 along a distal portion thereof, each of the ramped surfaces 472 encircling about half way around a surface of the channel 470 such that the capsule 416 may rotate about a longitudinal axis relative to the torsion member 464 when the corresponding proximal end 438 of the capsule 416 is mated therewith. The proximal end 438 can, for example, include radially extending tabs for interfacing with the ramped surface 472 such that as the package 416 moves proximally relative to the torsion member 464, the tabs of the package 416 slide along the ramped surface 472 to rotate the package 416 about the longitudinal axis. Because the clamp arm 410 is locked in the locked tissue clamping configuration relative to the enclosure 416, the distal-most node 408a connected to the clamp arm 410 also rotates with the rotation of the enclosure 416. The proximal end 466 of the torsion member 464 is configured to prevent rotation of the next immediately proximal node 408b such that rotation of the encapsulation 416 and the distal-most node 408a connected to the clamp assembly 402 results in a torsional stress along a portion of the control member between the distal-most node 408a and the next immediately proximal node 408 b. As the control member 406 continues to move proximally, the control member 406 breaks due to the combined loading of torsion and tension.

As shown in fig. 11, a system 500 according to another exemplary embodiment may be generally similar to the system described above, including an applicator 504 on which a clamp assembly 502 may be loaded. The applicator 504 and the clamp assembly 502 may be generally similar to the applicator 104 and the clamp assembly 102 described above with respect to the system 100. However, the system 500 may also include a stressing mechanism that includes a cutting member 580, the cutting member 580 being movably received within the distal end 552 of the channel 545 of the catheter 544 of the applicator 504. The cutting member 580 is pivotable between a non-cutting configuration and a cutting configuration; the cutting member 580 is generally aligned with the interior surface 582 of the conduit 544 (e.g., generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the conduit 544) in the non-cutting configuration; the cutting end 584 of the cutting member 580 extends toward the longitudinal axis of the conduit 544 in the cutting configuration. In the cutting configuration, the cutting end 584 of the cutting member 580 contacts a portion of the control member 506 immediately adjacent the distal-most node 508a to sever the distal-most node 508a from the remainder of the control member 506. As described above with respect to system 100, separating the distal-most node 508a from the rest of the control member 506 causes the clip assembly 502 to be deployed in the body.

The clamp assembly 502 is then moved from the tissue receiving configuration to the tissue clamping configuration, and proximal movement of the control member 506 relative to the catheter 544 causes the cutting member 580 to pivot toward the cutting configuration. For example, the cutting member 580 may be movable between a cutting configuration and a non-cutting configuration via a pull wire 586 connected thereto. As the control member 506 moves proximally, the next immediately adjacent proximal node 508b may engage the end 588 of the pull wire 586, causing proximal movement of the pull wire 586 toward the cutting configuration and pivoting of the cutting member 580. The cutting end 584 of the cutting member 580 contacts a portion of the control member 506 between the distal-most node 508a and the next-adjacent proximal node 508 b. Contact between the cutting end 584 and the portion of the control member 506 causes shear stress thereto, thereby cutting the control member 506 therealong. Thus, the distal-most node 508a is separated from the remainder of the control member 506, thereby deploying the clamp assembly 502.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.