Surgical Clip Applicator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a surgical clip applicator that allows for a more convenient intestinal anastomosis by enabling the suturing of an incised intestine while a clip is withdrawn from the side of a shaft during surgery. The surgical clip applicator according to the present invention may include: a guide shaft having a clip storage chamber formed along the longitudinal direction in which a plurality of clips are arranged in a row, a clip insertion port formed open at the rear part of the clip storage chamber for inserting a clip, and a clip withdrawal port formed laterally open at one side of the front part of the clip storage chamber for withdrawing a clip; a clip fixing bar installed to move along the longitudinal direction within the clip storage chamber, which supports the clip at one side of the clip withdrawal port, releases the fixed state of the clip while moving forward, and fixes the clip while moving backward; and a clip expansion bar installed to move along the longitudinal direction within the clip storage chamber, which pushes the front part of the clip forward to cause the lower part of the clip to spread apart.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a surgical clip, and more specifically, to a surgical clip applicator that enables more convenient tissue suturing by suturing incised intestinal tissue as the clip is withdrawn from the side of the shaft during laparoscopic surgery or intestinal anastomosis surgery. Background Technology

[0002] During surgical procedures, preventing bleeding is crucial not only for maintaining a clear surgical field but also for the patient's prognosis. Therefore, effective prevention of bleeding and hemostasis at the incision site are fundamentally necessary.

[0003] Ligation methods used include coagulation, suture ligation, and clip ligation. Coagulation is simple and easy to operate, but it has the disadvantage that surrounding tissues are damaged by the coagulation, while suture ligation has the disadvantage of taking a relatively long time. On the other hand, clip ligation is widely used because it is simple to operate and is removed at the end of surgery, thus preventing tissue damage and aiding in wound healing.

[0004] Conventional clips are made of an elastic material and consist of a pair of legs configured such that one end is interconnected and the other end is spread apart; they are used by opening one side of the legs and inserting the ligation portion between the legs.

[0005] To install the clips as described above, the existing applicator developed and in use is designed to install only one clip at a time, which is inconvenient to use in situations where urgent measures are needed regarding bleeding at the incision site, and in cases where the incision site is long, multiple clips must be installed one by one, which has the disadvantage of taking a long time to install the clips.

[0006] US Published Patent US 2015 / 0080914 Al discloses a bioabsorbable clip and applicator capable of suturing an incision site by continuously withdrawing a plurality of clips in a roughly 'C' shape.

[0007] However, conventional clip applicators are structured such that a shaft containing multiple clips is positioned vertically over the suture site, and the clips are withdrawn axially through an outlet at the bottom of the shaft to perform the suture. This structure has a problem in that it makes the suturing process difficult, as the tissue area to be sutured may slip out without being accurately engaged by the clips during the process of the clips elastically opening and closing. Prior art literature

[0008] Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-2324552 (Registered Nov. 04, 2021) Republic of Korea Registered Patent No. 10-1898583 (Registered Sep. 07, 2018) U.S. Published Patent US 2024 / 0074754 Al (Published Mar. 07, 2024) U.S. Published Patent US 2015 / 0080914 Al (Published Mar. 19, 2015) The problem to be solved

[0009] The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problem, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a surgical clip applicator that allows for more convenient intestinal anastomosis by enabling the clip to be withdrawn from the side of the shaft during surgery and the incised intestine to be sutured. means of solving the problem

[0010] A surgical clip applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose may comprise: a guide shaft having a clip storage chamber formed along the longitudinal direction in which a plurality of clips are arranged in a row, a clip insertion port formed open at the rear portion of the clip storage chamber for inserting a clip, and a clip withdrawal port formed laterally open at one side of the front portion of the clip storage chamber for withdrawing a clip; a clip fixing bar installed to move along the longitudinal direction within the clip storage chamber, which supports the clip at one side of the clip withdrawal port, releases the fixed state of the clip while moving forward, and fixes the clip while moving backward; and a clip expansion bar installed to move along the longitudinal direction within the clip storage chamber, which pushes the front portion of the clip forward to cause the lower portion of the clip to spread apart.

[0011] The above clip is formed in a C shape, wherein a fork body portion branched into an inverted 'U' shape is formed at the rear, and a single body portion extending forward in a curved manner from the middle point of the fork body portion is formed at the front. Additionally, the inner surfaces of both sides of the fork body portion are supported by being caught on a clip holder formed at the front end of the clip fixing bar, and the front end of the clip extension bar passes between both sides of the fork body portion to press the inner surface of the single body portion forward.

[0012] The clip holder of the clip fixing bar may include a clip receiving portion formed in an inverted 'U' shape at the front end of the clip fixing bar to accommodate a single body portion of the clip, and a clip support portion extending rearward from the lower end of the clip receiving portion to support while in contact with the inner surfaces of both sides of the fork body portion of the clip.

[0013] A bar catch groove, into which the tip of the clip extension bar is caught, may be concavely formed on the inner surface of the single body portion of the clip.

[0014] A main body portion that can be grasped and operated by a surgeon is provided at the rear end of the above guide shaft, and the main body portion may be provided with a release operating member that moves the clip fixing bar forward and backward by the surgeon's operation, and a separation operating member that moves the clip expansion bar forward and backward.

[0015] The above-mentioned release operating member and separation operating member are formed in the form of a trigger or lever rotatably installed on the main body and are elastically supported by an elastic member so that after the release operating member and separation operating member advance, they can automatically return to their original position by the elastic force of the elastic member.

[0016] The surgical clip applicator of the present invention may further include a clip push module installed to be pressed forward by a spring within the clip storage chamber of the guide shaft and pushing a plurality of clips arranged in a row forward.

[0017] A surgical clip applicator according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a clip push module that moves a plurality of clips arranged in a row within the clip storage chamber of the guide shaft forward a certain distance after the foremost clip located within the clip outlet is discharged through the clip outlet.

[0018] The clip push module may include: a clip push bar installed to slide along the longitudinal direction inside the main body and the clip storage chamber, with its front end connected to the rearmost clip among a plurality of clips; a push operating pin installed to move back and forth diagonally along a passage inclined at a predetermined angle in the main body, with its front end inserted into a push groove formed at regular intervals on the lower surface of the clip push bar, which advances the clip push bar by moving back and forth at an angle inclined by a surgeon's pressing operation; and a spring that elastically supports the push operating pin inside the passage of the main body.

[0019] In addition, a surgical clip applicator according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a curved clip guide located inside the front portion of the clip storage chamber, which guides the clip toward the clip outlet while contacting the upper portion of the clip on the opposite side of the clip outlet.

[0020] A surgical clip applicator according to another embodiment of the present invention is a surgical clip applicator for using a surgical clip that elastically sutures an incised tissue portion through an open lower end, wherein a fork body portion branched in an inverted 'U' shape is formed at the rear, and a single body portion extending forward in a curved manner from the middle point of the fork body portion is formed at the front, and the entire structure is in the shape of a C with an open lower end, and comprises: a main body portion; and a guide shaft installed to extend forward from the main body portion, wherein a clip storage chamber in which a plurality of clips are arranged in a row is formed along the longitudinal direction, a clip insertion port for inserting a clip is formed openly at the rear of the clip storage chamber, and a clip withdrawal port for withdrawing a clip is formed laterally open on one side of the front portion of the clip storage chamber. It may include: a clip fixing bar installed to move along the longitudinal direction within the clip storage chamber, with a clip holder provided at the front end that supports the fork body portion of the clip at one side of the clip outlet, which releases the fixed state of the clip while moving forward and fixes the clip while moving backward; and a clip expansion bar installed to move along the longitudinal direction within the clip storage chamber, which moves forward through the space between the two sides of the fork body portion of the clip to push the single body portion of the clip forward so that the lower end of the clip spreads out.

[0021] The clip holder may include a clip receiving portion formed in an inverted 'U' shape at the front end of the clip fixing bar to accommodate a single body portion of the clip, and a clip supporting portion extending rearward from the lower end of the clip receiving portion to support while in contact with the inner surfaces of both sides of the fork body portion of the clip.

[0022] A bar catch groove, into which the tip of the clip extension bar is caught, may be concavely formed on the inner surface of the single body portion of the clip.

[0023] The above main body may be provided with a release operating member that moves the clip fixing bar back and forth by the operator of the surgeon, and a separation operating member that moves the clip extension bar back and forth.

[0024] The above-mentioned release operating member and separation operating member are formed in the form of a trigger or lever rotatably installed on the main body and are elastically supported by an elastic member so that after the release operating member and separation operating member advance, they can automatically return to their original position by the elastic force of the elastic member.

[0025] A surgical clip applicator according to another embodiment of the present invention may further include a clip push module installed to be pressed forward by a spring within the clip storage chamber of the guide shaft and to push a plurality of clips arranged in a row forward. Effects of the invention

[0026] According to the present invention, a clip outlet is formed on the side of the front portion of the guide shaft, and the clip is discharged through the side of the guide shaft to suture the tissue, thereby ensuring that tissue suturing can proceed reliably and easily.

[0027] In particular, since the clip opens and closes on the inner side of the clip outlet and is released from the clip outlet after completely suturing the incision tissue, it has the effect of making the suturing of the incision tissue more certain and easy. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical clip according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a front view of the surgical clip illustrated in Figure 1. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a surgical clip applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view showing an enlarged view of the main part of the surgical clip applicator illustrated in FIG. 1. FIGS. 5a and FIGS. 5b are perspective views showing an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a clip fixing bar constituting the surgical clip applicator illustrated in FIG. 1. FIGS. 7a to 7d are drawings sequentially illustrating examples of operation of the surgical clip applicator illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a portion of a surgical clip according to another embodiment of the present invention cut open. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the surgical clip shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another part of the surgical clip shown in FIG. 8. FIGS. 11a and FIGS. 11b are cross-sectional views showing an example of operation of the surgical clip illustrated in FIG. 8. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0029] A surgical clip applicator according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Since the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and may take various forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Similar reference numerals have been used for similar components in the description of each drawing. In the attached drawings, the dimensions of the structures are depicted enlarged or reduced to the actual size to ensure clarity of the present invention or to allow for understanding of the schematic configuration.

[0030] Additionally, terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component. Meanwhile, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a surgical clip (10) used in a surgical clip applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to be suitable for use in a surgical clip applicator and to be suitable for use in a surgical clip applicator, and is configured to be in the shape of a C with an open lower end, so as to elastically suture the incised tissue portion through the open lower end.

[0032] For example, the clip (10) has a fork body part (11) branched into an inverted 'U' shape formed at the rear, and a single body part (12) extended forward in a curved shape from the upper middle point of the fork body part (11) formed at the front, and is formed in a C shape with an open lower end, so that the open lower end elastically opens and closes to elastically suture the cut tissue.

[0033] A fixing part (13a, 13b) in the shape of a circular rod extending in the width direction of the clip is integrally formed at the lower end of the fork body part (11) and the lower end of the single body part (12), and the fixing part (13a, 13b) sutures the incised area of ​​the tissue while applying pressure. When the fixing part (13a, 13b) in the shape of a circular rod is formed at the lower end of the fork body part (11) and the lower end of the single body part (12) in this manner, invasive damage does not occur when the tissue is sutured by the fixing part (13a, 13b), and as a result, the advantage of preventing barrier damage caused by inflammatory reactions, etc. can be obtained.

[0034] The fork body portion (11) is formed with a width greater than that of the single body portion (12), so that both sides protrude outward in the width direction of the single body portion (12), and the inner surfaces of both sides of the fork body portion (11) are supported by being caught on a clip holder (131) (see FIG. 4) formed at the front end of a clip fixing bar (130) (see FIG. 4) configured in the surgical applicator. In addition, since the two sides of the fork body portion (11) are spaced apart from each other to form a space, the front end of the clip expansion bar (140) (see FIG. 4) configured in the surgical applicator can pass through the space between the two sides of the fork body portion (11) and press the inner surface of the single body portion (12) forward.

[0035] On the inner surface of the single body part (12) of the clip (10), a bar catch groove (14) is formed concavely so that the tip of the clip extension bar (140) (see FIG. 4) is caught, so that when the clip extension bar (140) moves forward and pushes the single body part (12) forward, the single body part (12) is pushed forward smoothly without slipping, allowing the lower part of the clip (10) to open.

[0036] The clip (10) is made of a bioabsorbable material that naturally dissolves and disappears over time in the body, so it does not cause foreign body reactions or adhesions in the body. In addition, it is designed to have sufficient elasticity to fix the intestinal wall without affecting blood flow to the intestines.

[0037] In a clip (10) having this configuration, while the inner surface of the rear fork body part (11) is supported by the clip fixing bar (130) (see FIG. 4) of the surgical applicator, the single body part (12) is pressed forward by the front end of the clip expansion bar (140) (see FIG. 4) of the surgical applicator that passes between the two sides of the fork body part (11), causing the lower ends of the fork body part (11) and the single body part (12) to spread apart.

[0038] At this time, the gap between the fork body part (11) and the lower part of the single body part (12) is positioned on the tissue to be sutured, and the clip expansion bar (140) (see FIG. 4) is retracted to remove the external force applied to the single body part (12), so that the single body part (12) is closed back to its original state by elastic force, and the fixing parts (13a, 13b) of the lower part firmly suture the tissue.

[0039] Conventional suturing methods that suture the walls of the large or small intestine with needles or wires, or conventional clips (e.g., the clip disclosed in US Patent Publication US 2015 / 0080914 Al), inevitably cause invasive damage to the intestinal wall, and as a result, may cause damage to the intestinal wall accompanied by inflammatory reactions, etc. However, the clip (10) of the present invention sutures the tissue with a fixing part (13a, 13b) in the shape of a round rod at the bottom, so there is an advantage that invasive damage to the intestinal wall does not occur and damage to the intestinal wall caused by inflammatory reactions, etc.

[0040] In addition, since the clip (10) has a structure suitable for use in the surgical clip applicator of the present invention, a plurality of clips (10) can be easily sutured to tissue using the surgical clip applicator of the present invention.

[0042] FIGS. 3 to 7 show a surgical clip applicator (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention having a structure suitable for using the clip (10) described above.

[0043] A surgical clip applicator (100) may include a main body (110), a guide shaft (120) formed to extend forward of the main body (110), a clip fixing bar (130) and a clip extension bar (140) installed parallel to each other to move along the longitudinal direction within the guide shaft (120), a release operating member (150) installed on the main body (110) to move the clip fixing bar (130) forward and backward by operation of a surgeon, and a separation operating member (160) to move the clip extension bar (140) forward and backward.

[0044] The main body (110) has a size and shape that can be grasped and operated by a surgeon and supports the guide shaft (120), the release operating member (150), and the separation operating member (160). The guide shaft (120) is formed to extend forward at the front end of the main body (110).

[0045] The guide shaft (120) is formed in the shape of a long circular or polygonal rod along the longitudinal direction, in which a clip storage chamber (121) in which a plurality of clips (10) are arranged in a row is formed. A clip insertion port (122) is formed open at the rear portion of the guide shaft (120) and communicates with the rear portion of the clip storage chamber (121), and a clip withdrawal port (123) for withdrawing the clip (10) is formed open laterally on one side of the front portion of the clip storage chamber (121).

[0046] The clip fixing bar (130) is formed in the shape of a long bar in the front-rear direction and is installed to move along the longitudinal direction within the clip storage chamber (121) of the guide shaft (120). The rear end of the clip fixing bar (130) is connected to a release operating member (150) within the main body (110) and moves in a straight reciprocating motion in the front-rear direction by the release operating member (150). A clip holder (131) is formed at the front end of the clip fixing bar (130) to support the clip (10) located at the foremost among the clips (10) immediately inside the clip outlet (123). Accordingly, as the clip fixing bar (130) moves forward, the clip holder (131) separates from the clip (10), and the clip (10) is discharged to the outside of the clip outlet (123). And when the clip fixing bar (130) moves backward, the clip holder (131) supports and fixes the clip (10) that has moved into the clip outlet (123).

[0047] A guide groove (133) may be formed concavely along the longitudinal direction on the lower side of one side of the clip fixing bar (130), into which one end of the fixing part (13a, 13b) of the lower part of the clip (10) is inserted and guided.

[0048] The clip holder (131) is formed in an inverted 'U' shape at the front end of the clip fixing bar (130) and includes a clip receiving portion (131a) that accommodates the single body portion (12) of the clip, and a clip supporting portion (132) that extends a certain distance backward from the lower end of the clip receiving portion (131a) and supports the clip while contacting the inner surfaces of both sides of the fork body portion (11) of the clip (10). The end portion of the clip supporting portion (132) is curved and adheres to the inner surfaces of both sides of the fork body portion (11) of the clip (10), thereby fixing the clip (10) inside the clip outlet (123).

[0049] The clip fixing bar (130) is configured to move along the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) of the guide shaft (120) by the force exerted by the user operating the release operating member (150) provided in the main body (110). For example, the clip fixing bar (130) is in the form of a trigger or lever and is connected via a connecting pin (152) to the upper end of the release operating member (150), which is installed to rotate around the first hinge axis (151) in the front part of the main body (110), so that it moves along the longitudinal direction of the guide shaft (120) as the release operating member (150) rotates around the first rotation axis (151). The release operating member (150) or the clip fixing bar (130) is elastically supported by a spring not shown in the drawing, so that when the user removes the force pressing the release operating member (150), the clip fixing bar (130) retracts and returns to its original position due to the elastic force of the spring.

[0050] The clip extension bar (140) is installed to move along the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) within the clip storage chamber (121) and acts to push the single body portion (12) formed at the front of the clip (10) forward, thereby causing the lower end of the clip (10) to spread open. A clip catch projection (141) may be formed to protrude forward at the lower end of the clip extension bar (140), which is inserted into and caught in the bar catch groove (14) formed on the inner surface of the single body portion (12) of the clip (10).

[0051] The clip extension bar (140) is in the form of a trigger or lever and advances along the longitudinal direction of the guide shaft (120) by means of a separation operating member (160) installed to rotate around a second hinge axis (161) on the main body (110). The separation operating member (160) may be positioned behind the release operating member (150) on the main body (110), and its upper end may be connected to the rear end of the clip extension bar (140) or connected by a pin, etc. Accordingly, when the surgeon presses the separation operating member (160), the upper end of the separation operating member (160) presses the rear end of the clip extension bar (140), causing the clip extension bar (140) to advance. The separation operating member (160) or the clip extension bar (140) is elastically supported by a spring not shown in the drawing, so that when the user removes the force pressing the separation operating member (160), the clip extension bar (140) moves backward by the elastic force of the spring and returns to its original position.

[0053] A surgical clip applicator (100) made of such a configuration can operate as follows.

[0054] When a plurality of clips (10) are inserted one by one through the clip insertion port (122) formed at the rear end of the clip storage chamber (121) of the guide shaft (120), the plurality of clips (10) are arranged in a line within the clip storage chamber (121). At this time, the inner surface of the fork body part (11) of the foremost clip (10) is supported by the clip holder (131) right inside the clip outlet (123), and in this state, a set of two fixing parts (13a, 13b) formed at the bottom of the foremost clip (10) protrude to the outside of the clip outlet (123) (see FIG. 5).

[0055] When the surgeon inserts the guide shaft (120) into the body and aligns the fixing portions (13a, 13b) of the clip (10) protruding outward from the clip outlet (123) with the incision tissue to be sutured, and then presses the separation operating member (160), the clip expansion bar (140) advances. As shown in FIG. 7a, when the clip expansion bar (140) advances, the tip of the clip expansion bar (140) passes between the two sides of the fork body portion (11) of the foremost clip (10) and contacts the inner surface of the single body portion (12), thereby pressing the single body portion (12) forward. At this time, the clip catch projection (141) at the tip of the clip expansion bar (140) is inserted into and catches on the inner surface of the single body portion (12).

[0056] In this state, when the clip expansion bar (140) advances a certain distance further, the single body part (12) and the fixing part (13b) at the bottom of the single body part (12) are pushed forward, causing the fixing parts (13a, 13b) at the bottom of the clip (10) to spread apart. After inserting the tissue to be sutured between the two sets of fixing parts (13a, 13b) that have spread apart, and then removing the force pressing the separation operating member (160), the clip expansion bar (140) moves backward and returns to its original position by the elastic force of a spring (not shown) as shown in FIG. 7b. Accordingly, the force pressing the single body part (12) of the clip (10) is released, causing the fixing parts (13a, 13b) to close, and the incised tissue is caught between the two fixing parts (13a, 13b) and sutured. At this time, as described above, the fixing part (13a, 13b) is in the shape of a circular rod, so the incised tissue is not invasively damaged.

[0057] When the clip (10) opens and closes and the tissue is sutured by the fixing parts (13a, 13b), the surgeon presses the release operating member (150). When the release operating member (150) is pressed, the clip fixing bar (130) moves forward, and as shown in FIG. 7c, the rear end of the clip holder (131) and the inner surface of the fork body part (11) of the clip (10) are separated from each other, and the clip (10) becomes free. At this time, when the surgeon lifts the guide shaft (120), the clip (10) comes out of the clip outlet (123) as shown in FIG. 7d.

[0058] Then, when the operator removes the force pressing the release operating member (150), the clip fixing bar (130) moves backward by the elastic force of the spring (not shown) and returns to its original position, moving into the inside of the clip outlet (123) and then supporting the inner surfaces of both sides of the fork body part (11) of the clip (10).

[0059] Next, when the clip (10) slides along the inside of the clip storage chamber (121) toward the clip outlet (123), the inner surfaces of both sides of the fork body (11) of the clip (10) come into contact with the rear end of the clip holder (131) and are supported, just as described above, and are fixed inside the clip outlet (123).

[0060] When a clip push module is not configured in the clip applicator (100), a plurality of clips (10) arranged inside the clip storage chamber (121) naturally slide forward by their own weight by tilting the front end of the guide shaft (120) downward, so that the foremost clip (10) moves into the clip outlet (123) and is fixed by the clip holder (131), and a suturing operation using the next clip (10) can be prepared.

[0061] The surgeon can use multiple clips (10) to suture the incised tissue while repeating these actions continuously.

[0062] As such, the surgical clip applicator of the present invention provides the advantage of being able to perform tissue suturing reliably and easily, as the clip outlet (123) is formed on the side of the front portion of the guide shaft (120) and the clip (10) is discharged through the side of the guide shaft (120) to suture the tissue.

[0063] In addition, the clip (10) opens and closes inside the clip outlet (123) and, after completely suturing the tissue, is released from the fixed state and discharged from the clip outlet (123), so the suturing of the incision tissue can be performed more reliably and easily.

[0065] FIGS. 8 to 11 show a second embodiment of a surgical clip applicator (100) according to the present invention. The surgical clip applicator (100) of this second embodiment differs from the surgical clip applicator (100) of the first embodiment described above in that a handle (112) is formed to extend downward so that a user can grasp it with their hand on the main body (110), a clip push module is installed on the main body (110) to push a plurality of clips (10) stored in a guide shaft (120) forward one by one, and a clip guide (190) is installed on the front end of the clip storage chamber (121) of the guide shaft (120) to guide the clip (10) to the clip outlet (123).

[0066] A clip fixing bar (130) and a clip expansion bar (140) are installed within the clip storage chamber (121) of the guide shaft (120) to fix and release the foremost clip (10) located inside the clip outlet (123) and to forcibly spread the clip (10). Additionally, a release operating member (150) and a separation operating member (160) are installed in the main body (110) to advance the clip fixing bar (130) and the clip expansion bar (140) by operation of the surgeon.

[0067] The configuration and operation of the clip fixing bar (130), clip extension bar (140), release operating member (150), and separation operating member (160) are identical to the configuration and operation of the clip fixing bar (130), clip extension bar (140), release operating member (150), and separation operating member (160) configured in the surgical clip applicator (100) of the first embodiment described above, so a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0068] The above clip push module is configured to push a plurality of clips (10) aligned in a row inside the clip storage chamber (121) of the guide shaft (120) forward at a certain pitch, and after the foremost clip (10) located inside the clip outlet (123) is discharged through the clip outlet (123), it moves the next clip (10) to the clip outlet (123).

[0069] For example, the clip push module may include a clip push bar (170) that is slidably installed along the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction) inside the clip storage chamber (121) of the guide shaft (120) and connected to the clip (10) positioned at the rearmost among a plurality of clips (10); a push operating pin (180) that is installed to move back and forth diagonally along a pin guide passage (115) inclined at a predetermined angle in the main body (110), and whose tip end is inserted into a push groove (172) formed at regular intervals on the lower surface of the clip push bar (170) to advance the clip push bar (170) while moving back and forth inclined at a predetermined angle by the operator's pressing operation; and a spring (185) that elastically supports the push operating pin (180) inside the pin guide passage (115) of the main body (110).

[0070] The push operating pin (180) is configured to bend or move to a certain degree while advancing, so that the clip push bar (170) can advance as the push operating pin (180) advances in a diagonal direction.

[0071] Accordingly, immediately after the foremost clip (10) sutures the incision tissue and is discharged through the clip outlet (123) by the operation of the clip expansion bar (140) and the clip fixing bar (130), when the surgeon presses the rear part of the push operating pin (180) protruding from the rear end of the main body (110), the clip push bar (170) advances in an upwardly inclined direction at a certain angle and pushes the clip push bar (170) forward, and as the clip push bar (170) advances a certain distance, it pushes the row of clips (10) forward a certain distance. Accordingly, the foremost clip (10) moves into the clip outlet (123) and is fixed by the clip holder (131) of the clip fixing bar (130).

[0072] When the operator removes the force pressing the push operating pin (180), the push operating pin (180) returns to its original position by the elastic force of the spring (185), and its tip is inserted into the inner side of another push groove (172) arranged on the lower surface of the clip push bar (170), thereby supporting the clip push bar (170) so that it does not slide backward.

[0073] In order to accurately transport the foremost clip (10) to a predetermined position inside the clip outlet (123) when the clip (10) is transported forward by the clip push module as described above, a curved clip guide (190) is installed on the opposite side of the clip outlet (123).

[0074] The clip guide (190) guides the clip (10) toward the lower clip outlet (123) while in contact with the front part of the clip (10) that is moved by the clip push module, i.e., the single body part (12).

[0075] Although the detailed description of the present invention described above has been explained with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art or those with ordinary knowledge in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and technical scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Explanation of the symbols

[0076] 10 : Clip 11 : Fork body 12: Single body part 13a, 13b: Fixed part 14 : Hook groove 100 : Clip applicator 110: Main body 120: Guide shaft 121 : Clip storage chamber 122 : Clip input port 123 : Clip outlet 130 : Clip fixing bar 131 : Clip holder 131a : Clip receiving part 132 : Clip support part 140 : Clip extension bar 141 : Clip locking projection 150 : Release operating member 151 : First hinge axis 152 : Connecting pin 160 : Separation operating member 161 : Second hinge axis

Claims

Claim 1 A surgical clip applicator comprising: a guide shaft having a clip storage chamber formed along the longitudinal direction in which a plurality of clips are arranged in a row, a clip insertion port formed open at the rear of the clip storage chamber for inserting a clip, and a clip withdrawal port formed laterally open at one side of the front of the clip storage chamber for withdrawing a clip; a clip fixing bar installed to move along the longitudinal direction within the clip storage chamber, which supports the clip at one side of the clip withdrawal port, releases the fixed state of the clip while moving forward, and fixes the clip while moving backward; and a clip expansion bar installed to move along the longitudinal direction within the clip storage chamber, which pushes the front part of the clip forward to cause the lower part of the clip to spread apart. Claim 2 A surgical clip applicator according to claim 1, wherein the clip is formed in a C shape, with a fork body portion branched into an inverted 'U' shape formed at the rear and a single body portion extended forward in a curved manner from the middle point of the fork body portion, and wherein the inner surfaces of both sides of the fork body portion are supported by being caught on a clip holder formed at the front end of the clip fixing bar, and the front end of the clip extension bar passes between both sides of the fork body portion to press the inner surface of the single body portion forward. Claim 3 A surgical clip applicator according to paragraph 2, wherein the clip holder of the clip fixing bar is formed in an inverted 'U' shape at the front end of the clip fixing bar and includes a clip receiving portion that accommodates a single body portion of the clip and a clip supporting portion that extends rearward from the lower end of the clip receiving portion and supports while contacting the inner surfaces of both sides of the fork body portion of the clip. Claim 4 A surgical clip applicator according to paragraph 2, wherein a bar catch groove is concavely formed on the inner surface of the single body portion of the clip, into which the tip of the clip extension bar is caught. Claim 5 A surgical clip applicator according to claim 1, wherein a main body portion that can be grasped and operated by a surgeon's hand is provided at the rear end of the guide shaft, and the main body portion is provided with a release operating member that moves the clip fixing bar forward and backward by the surgeon's operation and a separation operating member that moves the clip expansion bar forward and backward. Claim 6 A surgical clip applicator according to claim 5, wherein the release operating member and the separation operating member are formed in the form of a trigger or lever rotatably installed on the main body and are elastically supported by an elastic member, so that after the release operating member and the separation operating member advance, they automatically return to their original position by the elastic force of the elastic member. Claim 7 A surgical clip applicator according to claim 5, further comprising a clip push module that moves a plurality of clips arranged in a row within the clip storage chamber of the guide shaft forward a certain distance after the foremost clip located within the clip outlet is discharged through the clip outlet. Claim 8 In claim 7, the clip push module comprises: a clip push bar installed to slide along the longitudinal direction inside the main body and the clip storage chamber, with its front end connected to the rearmost clip among a plurality of clips; a push operating pin installed to move back and forth diagonally along a passage inclined at a predetermined angle in the main body, with its front end inserted into a push groove formed at regular intervals on the lower surface of the clip push bar, thereby advancing the clip push bar by moving back and forth at a predetermined angle through a pressing operation by a surgeon; and a spring that elastically supports the push operating pin inside the passage of the main body; comprising a surgical clip applicator. Claim 9 A surgical clip applicator according to claim 1 or 7, further comprising a curved clip guide on the inner side of the front portion of the clip storage chamber that guides the clip toward the clip outlet while contacting the upper portion of the clip on the opposite side of the clip outlet. Claim 10 A surgical clip applicator for using a surgical clip that elastically sutures an incised tissue portion through an open lower end, wherein the clip body portion branched into an inverted 'U' shape is formed at the rear, and a single body portion extending forward in a curved manner from the middle point of the fork body portion is formed at the front, and the entire structure is in a C shape with an open lower end, comprising: a main body portion; a guide shaft installed to extend forward from the main body portion, wherein a clip storage chamber in which a plurality of clips are arranged in a row is formed along the longitudinal direction, a clip insertion port for inserting a clip is formed open at the rear of the clip storage chamber, and a clip withdrawal port for withdrawing a clip is formed laterally open on one side of the front portion of the clip storage chamber; and a clip fixing bar installed to move along the longitudinal direction within the clip storage chamber, wherein a clip holder supporting the fork body portion of the clip at one side of the clip withdrawal port is provided at the front end, and the clip fixing bar releases the fixed state of the clip while moving forward and fixes the clip while moving backward. A surgical clip applicator comprising: a clip expansion bar installed to move along the longitudinal direction within the clip storage chamber and moving forward through the space between the two sides of the fork body portion of the clip to push the single body portion of the clip forward so that the lower portion of the clip spreads apart. Claim 11 A surgical clip applicator according to claim 10, wherein the clip holder is formed in an inverted 'U' shape at the front end of a clip fixing bar and includes a clip receiving portion that accommodates a single body portion of the clip, and a clip supporting portion that extends rearward from the lower end of the clip receiving portion and supports while contacting the inner surfaces of both sides of the fork body portion of the clip. Claim 12 A surgical clip applicator according to claim 10, wherein a bar catch groove is concavely formed on the inner surface of the single body portion of the clip, into which the tip of the clip expansion bar is caught. Claim 13 A surgical clip applicator according to claim 10, wherein the main body is equipped with a release operating member that moves the clip fixing bar forward and backward by the operator of the surgeon, and a separation operating member that moves the clip expansion bar forward and backward. Claim 14 A surgical clip applicator according to claim 13, wherein the release operating member and the separation operating member are formed in the form of a trigger or lever rotatably installed on the main body and are elastically supported by an elastic member, so that after the release operating member and the separation operating member advance, they automatically return to their original position by the elastic force of the elastic member. Claim 15 A surgical clip applicator according to claim 10, further comprising a clip push module that moves a plurality of clips arranged in a row within the clip storage chamber of the guide shaft forward a certain distance after the foremost clip located within the clip outlet is discharged through the clip outlet. Claim 16 In claim 15, the clip push module comprises: a clip push bar installed to slide along the longitudinal direction inside the main body and the clip storage chamber, with its front end connected to the rearmost clip among a plurality of clips; a push operating pin installed to move back and forth diagonally along a passage inclined at a predetermined angle in the main body, with its front end inserted into a push groove formed at regular intervals on the lower surface of the clip push bar, thereby advancing the clip push bar by moving back and forth at a predetermined angle through a pressing operation by a surgeon; and a spring that elastically supports the push operating pin inside the passage of the main body; comprising a surgical clip applicator. Claim 17 A surgical clip applicator according to claim 10 or 15, further comprising a curved clip guide on the inner side of the front portion of the clip storage chamber that guides the clip toward the clip outlet while contacting the upper portion of the clip on the opposite side of the clip outlet.

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