Medical clips

Abstract

To provide a medical clip that balances ease of operation for medical professionals when opening and closing the medical clip with the ability to occlude an object with the medical clip. [Solution] In the medical clip 1, the first clip body 50, the rotating part 52, and the operated part 9 are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction DL of the first clip part 5. When the operated part 9 is opened, the first clip part 5 is configured to perform an opening operation in which the gap between the first tip 5B and the second tip 7B increases as the first clip part 5 rotates around the rotating part 52 with the rotating part 52 in contact with the rotated part 9. When the opening operation is released with an object OB placed between the first clip part 5 and the second clip part 7, the first clip part 5 is configured to perform a closing operation in which the gap between the first tip 5B and the second tip 7B decreases as the rotating part 52 moves away from the rotated part 9.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medical clip. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, medical clips have been used, for example, in surgical procedures to occlude tubular tissues (target objects) such as blood vessels and intestinal tracts (Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2023-538748 [Patent Document 2] Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2017-503535 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] As shown in FIG. 5 of Patent Document 1, the medical clip described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a pair of free ends (20, 22) positioned at the distal end of the medical clip open and close around a biasing member (24) positioned at the proximal end of the medical clip. Therefore, when a tubular tissue having a relatively large diameter such as an intestinal tract is clamped using the medical clip described in Patent Document 1, a gap is likely to occur in a portion of the tubular tissue that is clamped near the pair of free ends (20, 22) of the medical clip, and the tubular tissue may not be sufficiently occluded.

[0005] Since the medical clip described in Patent Document 2 is a clip intended for application to the left atrial appendage of the heart, when clamping a tubular tissue having a relatively large diameter such as an intestinal tract using the medical clip described in Patent Document 2, there is a problem in the operability of the opening operation for opening the medical clip.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a medical clip that can achieve both ease of operation for medical professionals when opening a medical clip, and occludability when occluding an object with the medical clip, even when the object being clamped is a relatively large diameter tubular tissue such as the intestines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A medical clip according to the first embodiment is for clamping an object, and the medical clip comprises a spring having a spring base end, a first arm portion extending from the spring base end, and a second arm portion extending from the spring base end; a first clip portion extending along the first arm portion and supported by the first arm portion; a second clip portion extending along the first clip portion and supported by the second arm portion; and an operated portion configured to receive an opening operation for opening the medical clip, wherein the first clip portion has a clip body capable of clamping the object together with the second clip portion, and a rotating portion, and the clip body, the rotating portion, and the operated portion are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction of the first clip portion. The second clip portion or the spring has a rotatable portion that rotatably supports the rotating portion, and when the operated portion receives the opening operation, the first clip portion is configured to perform an opening operation in which the gap between the first tip portion, which is the tip of the first clip portion, and the second tip portion, which is the tip of the second clip portion, increases as the first clip portion rotates against the elastic force of the spring with the rotating portion in contact with the rotatable portion, and when the opening operation is released with the object placed between the first clip portion and the second clip portion, the first clip portion is configured to perform a closing operation in which the gap between the first tip portion and the second tip portion decreases as the rotating portion moves away from the rotatable portion.

[0008] In this first embodiment, when the operated portion receives the opening operation, the first clip portion rotates around the rotating portion with the rotating portion in contact with the operated portion, thus stabilizing the opening operation of the first clip portion. Moreover, since the clip body, the rotating portion, and the operated portion are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction of the first clip portion, it is easy for a medical professional to perform the opening operation on the operated portion, which is located on the opposite side of the clip body from the rotating portion. Therefore, in this first embodiment, the operability is good when a medical professional performs the opening operation to open the medical clip. Furthermore, when the opening operation is released with the object placed between the first clip portion and the second clip portion, the first clip portion performs the closing operation by the elastic force of the spring while the rotating portion moves away from the operated portion, so that the first clip portion and the second clip portion can clamp the object in a position parallel or nearly parallel to each other. Therefore, in this first embodiment, the occlusion performance when the medical clip occludes the object is good. Thus, the medical clip according to the first embodiment can achieve both ease of operation when a medical professional performs an opening operation to open the medical clip, and occlusion performance when the medical clip occludes the object, even when the object being clamped by the medical clip is a relatively large diameter tubular tissue such as the intestine.

[0009] Furthermore, in the medical clip according to the first embodiment, since the opening and closing operations of the first clip portion are relative operations of the first clip portion with respect to the second clip portion, it goes without saying that in the opening and closing operations when the operated portion receives the opening operation, not only does the position of the first clip portion change in the space in which the medical clip 1 exists, but the position of the second clip portion may also change.

[0010] A medical clip according to a second embodiment preferably comprises the following additional configuration compared to a medical clip according to a first embodiment. That is, in a medical clip according to a second embodiment, the first clip portion has a first mounting portion attached to the first arm portion such that it restricts the displacement of the first arm portion relative to the first clip portion in the longitudinal direction of the first clip portion, and is configured to be displaceable relative to the first arm portion about the first mounting portion. In this second embodiment, when the opening operation is released, the first clip portion can perform the closing operation by the elastic force of the spring as the rotating portion moves away from the rotated portion by displacing the first arm portion about the first mounting portion.

[0011] A medical clip according to a third embodiment preferably has the following additional configuration compared to a medical clip according to a second embodiment. That is, in a medical clip according to a third embodiment, the first mounting portion is preferably located at the first tip of the first clip portion. In this third embodiment, the distance between the first mounting portion and the rotating portion is increased, so that the distance that the rotating portion can move away from the rotated portion when the opening operation is released can be increased. As a result, even when the thickness of the object is large, the first clip portion and the second clip portion can clamp the object in a position parallel or nearly parallel to each other, and the occlusion can be maintained well.

[0012] A medical clip according to the fourth embodiment preferably has the following additional configuration compared to a medical clip according to the third embodiment. That is, in the medical clip according to the fourth embodiment, the second clip portion is preferably fixed to the second arm portion at the base end of the second arm portion. In this fourth embodiment, the first clip portion is attached to the first arm portion at the first mounting portion located at the first tip portion, and the second clip portion is fixed to the second arm portion at the base end of the second arm portion. As a result, the force exerted by the first clip portion and the second clip portion on the object (i.e., the closing force that closes the object) is suppressed to vary in the width direction of the object (i.e., the longitudinal direction of the first clip portion). This makes it possible to further improve the closing performance.

[0013] A medical clip according to the fifth embodiment preferably further comprises the following configuration in addition to that of a medical clip according to any one of the first to fourth embodiments. That is, in a medical clip according to the fifth embodiment, the spring base end is preferably located between the rotating part and the operated part in the longitudinal direction. Of the first clip part, the part located on the opposite side of the operated part with respect to the rotating part (for example, the clip body) is preferably used to clamp the object. If the rotating part is located, for example, between the spring base end and the operated part in the longitudinal direction, the spring base end will be positioned in a position corresponding to the clip body, and therefore the object cannot be placed in the area of ​​the clip body where the spring base end is located. On the other hand, in this fifth embodiment, since the spring base end is located between the rotating part and the operated part in the longitudinal direction, the spring base end is less likely to get in the way compared to the case where the rotating part is located between the spring base end and the operated part, so that the portion that can grip the object can be made larger.

[0014] A medical clip according to the sixth embodiment preferably further comprises the following configuration in addition to that of a medical clip according to any one of the first to fifth embodiments. That is, in a medical clip according to the sixth embodiment, the operated portion preferably includes a first operated portion that protrudes from a first base end which is the base end of the first clip portion, and a second operated portion that protrudes from a second base end which is the base end of the second clip portion or from the spring base end. In this sixth embodiment, since the first operated portion protrudes from the first base end and the second operated portion protrudes from the second base end or the spring base end, medical personnel can easily perform the opening operation on the first operated portion and the second operated portion. This further improves the operability.

[0015] A medical clip according to the seventh embodiment preferably further comprises the following configuration in addition to that of a medical clip according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments. That is, in a medical clip according to the seventh embodiment, the first clip portion preferably has a plurality of walls, and the plurality of walls preferably define a space in which at least a part of the first arm portion can be received when the rotating portion separates from the rotated portion during the closing operation of the first clip portion. In this seventh embodiment, when the opening operation is released, the first clip portion can perform the closing operation while the rotating portion separates from the rotated portion as at least a part of the first arm portion is received in the space. This makes it possible to close the first clip portion without increasing the thickness of the first clip portion, and good occlusion can be maintained.

[0016] The medical clip according to the eighth embodiment preferably further comprises the following configuration in addition to the medical clip according to the seventh embodiment. That is, in the medical clip according to the eighth embodiment, the first clip portion has a shape that extends along the first arm portion, and the plurality of wall portions include a pair of side wall portions that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction which is perpendicular to the thickness direction which is the direction in which the first clip portion and the second clip portion face each other, and at least a part of the first arm portion preferably includes the first arm base end which is the base end of the first arm portion. Of the first clip portion, the portion that is displaced the largest relative to the first arm portion during the closing operation is the first arm base end. In other words, of the first arm portion, the portion that is displaced the largest relative to the first clip portion during the closing operation is the first arm base end. Therefore, in this eighth embodiment, the space is formed at a position in which the first arm base end can be received during the closing operation. As a result, the first base end of the first clip portion becomes more easily displaced relative to the first arm portion during the closing operation. In other words, the first base end of the first arm portion becomes more easily displaced relative to the first clip portion during the closing operation. Therefore, smooth closing operation of the first clip portion becomes possible without increasing the thickness of the first clip portion, and the closure performance can be maintained well.

[0017] A medical clip according to the ninth embodiment preferably has the following further configuration in addition to that of a medical clip according to the eighth embodiment. That is, in a medical clip according to the ninth embodiment, the first clip portion has a slit communicating with the space between the space and the second clip portion, and the slit is preferably configured to be able to receive the base end of the first arm when the rotating portion separates from the rotated portion during the closing operation of the first clip portion. In this ninth embodiment, the first clip portion further has not only the space that can receive the base end of the first arm during the closing operation, but also the slit that can receive the base end of the first arm during the closing operation. This makes it easier for the first base end of the first clip portion to be displaced relative to the first arm portion during the closing operation. In other words, it makes it easier for the first base end of the first arm portion to be displaced relative to the first clip portion during the closing operation. Therefore, even without increasing the thickness of the first clip portion, a smooth closing operation of the first clip portion becomes possible, and the occlusion performance can be maintained even better.

[0018] A medical clip according to the tenth embodiment preferably further comprises the following configuration in addition to that of a medical clip according to any one of the first to ninth embodiments. That is, in a medical clip according to the tenth embodiment, the rotating portion preferably includes a recess into which the rotating portion of the first clip portion is rotatably fitted. In this tenth embodiment, since the rotating portion includes the recess into which the rotating portion is rotatably fitted, the opening operation of the first clip portion becomes even more stable.

[0019] A medical clip according to the 11th embodiment preferably further comprises the following configuration in addition to that of a medical clip according to any one of the 1st to 10th embodiments. That is, in a medical clip according to the 11th embodiment, it is preferable that at least one of the first clip portion and the second clip portion has a limiting portion that restricts the displacement of the first clip portion relative to the second clip portion in the width direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clip portion and perpendicular to the thickness direction, which is the direction in which the first clip portion and the second clip portion face each other. In this 11th embodiment, the displacement of the position of the first clip portion relative to the second clip portion in the width direction can be suppressed during the opening and closing operations. This further stabilizes the opening and closing operations.

[0020] A medical clip according to the 12th embodiment preferably further comprises the following configuration in addition to that of a medical clip according to the 11th embodiment. That is, in a medical clip according to the 12th embodiment, the first clip portion has a first base side wall portion including a first base side surface facing the width direction at the first base end portion which is the base end portion of the first clip portion, the second clip portion has a second base side wall portion including a second base side surface facing the first base side surface at the second base end portion which is the base end portion of the second clip portion, and the restricting portion preferably includes the first base side wall portion and the second base side wall portion. In this 12th embodiment, the position of the first base end portion of the first clip portion relative to the second clip portion can be prevented from shifting in the width direction during the opening and closing operations. This further stabilizes the opening and closing operations.

[0021] A medical clip according to the 13th embodiment preferably further comprises the following configuration in addition to that of a medical clip according to the 11th or 12th embodiment. That is, in a medical clip according to the 13th embodiment, the first clip portion has a first tip sidewall portion including a first tip side facing the width direction at the first tip portion of the first clip portion, the second clip portion has a second tip sidewall portion including a second tip side facing the first tip side at the second tip portion of the second clip portion, and the restricting portion preferably includes the first tip sidewall portion and the second tip sidewall portion. In this 13th embodiment, the position of the first tip portion of the first clip portion relative to the second clip portion can be suppressed from shifting in the width direction during the opening and closing operations. This further stabilizes the opening and closing operations.

[0022] A medical clip according to the 14th embodiment preferably further comprises the following configuration in addition to a medical clip according to any one of the 11th to 13th embodiments. That is, in a medical clip according to the 14th embodiment, the limiting portion includes a single wall formed at one end of the first clip portion and the second clip portion, and a pair of wall portions formed at the other end of the first clip portion and the second clip portion, wherein the pair of wall portions are spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and the single wall portion preferably has a size that allows it to be positioned in the gap between the pair of wall portions when the first clip portion performs the closing operation, and to be positioned away from the gap between the pair of wall portions when the first clip portion performs the opening operation. In this 14th embodiment, the position of the first end of the first clip portion relative to the second clip portion can be prevented from shifting in the width direction during the opening and closing operations. This further stabilizes the opening and closing operations.

[0023] Preferably, the medical clip according to the fifteenth aspect further comprises the following configuration in the medical clip according to the fourteenth aspect. That is, in the medical clip according to the fifteenth aspect, it is preferable that the pair of wall portions have a shape such that the distance between the pair of wall portions increases as approaching the single wall portion when the medical clip is in an open state. In the fifteenth aspect, compared to a case where the distance between the pair of wall portions is constant, the distance of the entrance between the pair of wall portions can be increased, so that the single wall portion is easily inserted between the pair of wall portions during the closing operation started from the open state of the medical clip.

Effects of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, there is provided a medical clip that can achieve both operability when a medical worker performs an opening operation to open the medical clip and occlusion performance when occluding an object with the medical clip, even when the object to be clamped by the medical clip is a tubular tissue having a relatively large diameter such as an intestinal tract.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the medical clip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing the medical clip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a side view showing a spring of the medical clip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing a first clip portion and a second clip portion of the medical clip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view showing a first clip portion and a second clip portion of the medical clip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] It is a plan view showing a first clip portion of the medical clip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a bottom view showing a first clip portion of the medical clip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8]This is a perspective view illustrating the opening and closing operations of a medical clip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a side view illustrating the opening and closing operations of a medical clip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the opening and closing operations of a medical clip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a rear view showing the first clip portion and the second clip portion of a medical clip according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view showing a medical clip according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a front view showing a medical clip according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view showing the first clip portion and the second clip portion of a medical clip according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] This is a plan view showing the first clip portion and the second clip portion of a medical clip according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] This is a perspective view illustrating the opening and closing operations of a medical clip according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the opening and closing operations of a medical clip according to a second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] A medical clip according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device for temporarily occluding tubular tissue (target object) by clamping it, for example, the intestines or blood vessels. The tubular tissue is an example of a target object in the present invention. The target object is not limited to the intestines and blood vessels, but may be other tubular tissues. Hereinafter, a medical clip according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0027] [First Embodiment] Figures 1 to 11 are diagrams relating to a medical clip 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figures 1 to 7 and 11 are diagrams showing the medical clip 1 or its components according to the first embodiment, and Figures 8 to 10 are diagrams illustrating the opening and closing operations of the medical clip 1. As shown in Figures 1 to 11, the medical clip 1 comprises a spring 3, a first clip portion 5, a second clip portion 7, and an operated portion 9.

[0028] In the diagram, the longitudinal direction DL is the longitudinal direction of the first clip portion 5, that is, the direction in which the first clip portion 5 extends; the thickness direction DT is the direction in which the first clip portion 5 and the second clip portion 7 face each other; and the width direction DW is the direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction DL and the thickness direction DT.

[0029] The spring 3 is obtained by forming an elastic material (e.g., metal) into a predetermined shape such as a U-shape, J-shape, or V-shape. The material constituting the spring 3 can be any material that is elastic, and is not limited to metal; it may be other materials such as resin. The spring 3 shown in Figure 3 has a J-shape, but the spring in the present invention is not limited to the specific example shown in Figure 3 and may have other shapes. The spring 3 maintains a standard state as shown in Figure 3 when no external force other than gravity is acting on it, deforms when such an external force is applied, and returns to almost its original standard state when the external force is removed.

[0030] The spring 3 has a spring base end 30, a first arm portion 31, and a second arm portion 32. The spring base end 30 is the portion of the spring 3 that extends along the thickness direction DT. The first arm portion 31 is the portion that extends along the longitudinal direction DL from one end of the spring base end 30. The second arm portion 32 is the portion that extends along the longitudinal direction DL from the other end of the spring base end 30. The first arm portion 31 and the second arm portion 32 are spaced apart from each other in the thickness direction DT. In the specific example in Figure 3, the angle between the spring base end 30 and the first arm portion 31 is approximately a right angle, but it may be an obtuse or acute angle. Similarly, in the specific example in Figure 3, the angle between the spring base end 30 and the second arm portion 32 is approximately a right angle, but it may be an obtuse or acute angle.

[0031] The first arm portion 31 has a first arm base end portion 31A, which is the end connected to one end of the spring base end portion 30, and a first arm tip portion 31B, which is the end opposite to the first arm base end portion 31A. The first arm portion 31 may have a shape that extends straight from the first arm base end portion 31A to the first arm tip portion 31B, but it may also have a shape that bends in the arm intermediate portion 312 between the first arm base end portion 31A and the first arm tip portion 31B, as shown in the specific example in Figure 3, or it may have a curved shape (not shown), or it may have any other shape.

[0032] In the specific example shown in Figure 3, the first arm portion 31 has a base portion 311 from the base end 31A of the first arm to the middle portion 312 of the arm, and a tip portion 313 from the middle portion 312 of the arm to the tip 31B of the first arm. As shown in the upper diagram of Figure 9 (diagram of the initial state (A)), when the state of the spring 3 is the reference state, the tip portion 313 is slightly bent relative to the base portion 311 at the middle portion 312 of the arm, such that the tip portion 313 is positioned closer to the second clip portion 7 than the base portion 311.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the first arm tip 31B of the first arm portion 31 has a curved portion. As shown in Figure 1, the first arm tip 31B has a shape (for example, a hook shape) that can hook onto the first mounting portion 54 (described later) of the first clip portion 5. The curved portion of the first arm tip 31B curves away from the second clip portion 7 as it approaches the tip of the first arm tip 31B.

[0034] The first arm portion 31 is slightly bent at the middle portion 312 of the arm, and the tip portion 31B of the first arm has the curved portion described above. This enhances the effect of limiting the displacement of the first arm portion 31 in the longitudinal direction DL relative to the first clip portion 5 when the tip portion 31B of the first arm portion 31 is attached to the first mounting portion 54 of the first clip portion 5.

[0035] The second arm portion 32 has a second arm base end portion 32A, which is the end connected to the other end of the spring base end portion 30, and a second arm tip portion 32B, which is the end opposite to the second arm base end portion 32A. The second arm portion 32 may have a shape that extends straight from the second arm base end portion 32A to the second arm tip portion 32B, as shown in the specific example in Figure 3, but it may also have a shape that includes a bent portion, a curved portion, or any other shape.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the length of the second arm portion 32 is shorter than the length of the first arm portion 31. In this embodiment, the second arm portion 32 is fixed to the second base end portion 7A (described later), which is the base end portion of the second clip portion 7. The reason why the second arm portion 32 can be short is that the second arm portion 32 does not need to be displaced relative to the second clip portion 7. On the other hand, the first arm portion 31 is configured to be displaceable relative to the first clip portion 5, as will be described later.

[0037] The first clip portion 5 is supported by the first arm portion 31. The first clip portion 5 has a first base portion 5A and a first tip portion 5B. The first clip portion 5 extends longitudinally DL along the first arm portion 31 from the first base portion 5A to the first tip portion 5B.

[0038] The second clip portion 7 is supported by the second arm portion 32. The second clip portion 7 has a second base portion 7A and a second tip portion 7B. The second clip portion 7 extends longitudinally DL along the first clip portion 5 from the second base portion 7A to the second tip portion 7B. When the operated portion 9 is not being opened, the second clip portion 7 faces the first clip portion 5 in the thickness direction DT. In each of Figures 8 to 10, in the initial state (A), the first tip portion 5B of the first clip portion 5 and the second tip portion 7B of the second clip portion 7 are depicted as being separated from each other, but it is preferable that they are in contact with each other due to the elastic force of the spring 3.

[0039] The operated part 9 is configured to be able to receive an opening operation to open the medical clip 1.

[0040] The first clip portion 5 comprises a first clip body 50 and a rotating portion 52. The second clip portion 7 comprises a second clip body 70 and a rotating portion 72. The first clip body 50 of the first clip portion 5 and the second clip body 70 of the second clip portion 7 are parts that can cooperate to clamp the object OB. The first clip body 50 occupies most of the first clip portion 5 and is the part of the first clip portion 5 excluding the first base end portion 5A. The first clip body 50 is an example of a clip body in the present invention. The second clip body 70 occupies most of the second clip portion 7 and is the part of the second clip portion 7 excluding the second base end portion 7A.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first clip body 50 has an inner surface 58S facing the second clip body 70 in the thickness direction DT, and the second clip body 70 has an inner surface 78S facing the inner surface 58S in the thickness direction DT. In the initial state (A) shown in Figures 9 and 10, the operated part 9 has not been opened and the state of the spring 3 is the reference state. In this initial state (A), the inner surface 58S of the first clip body 50 and the inner surface 78S of the second clip body 70 are positioned at a distance from each other in the thickness direction DT, in a position where they are approximately parallel to each other. As described above, in the initial state (A), the first tip 5B of the first clip part 5 and the second tip 7B of the second clip part 7 may be in contact with each other due to the elastic force of the spring 3, and in this case, the inner surface 58S of the first clip body 50 and the inner surface 78S of the second clip body 70 do not necessarily have to be positioned approximately parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the inner surface 58S of the first clip body 50 and the inner surface 78S of the second clip body 70 are planes parallel to the width direction DW, but they may also be curved surfaces such as convex or concave surfaces.

[0042] The rotating portion 52 of the first clip portion 5 is located at the first base end 5A of the first clip portion 5. The rotated portion 72 of the second clip portion 7 is located at the second base end 7A of the second clip portion 7. The rotated portion 72 rotatably supports the rotating portion 52.

[0043] The first clip body 50, the rotating part 52, and the operated part 9 are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction DL. The second clip body 70, the rotating part 72, and the operated part 9 are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction DL. The operated part 9 is located on the opposite side of the first clip body 50 and the second clip body 70 with respect to the rotating part 52. In this embodiment, the operated part 9 is located at the end of the longitudinal direction DL in the medical clip 1.

[0044] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, when the operated part 9 receives an opening operation, the first clip part 5 rotates against the elastic force of the spring 3 around the rotation axis AX of the rotating part 52 (see Figures 1 and 2) with the rotating part 52 in contact with the rotated part 72, thereby performing an opening operation that increases the gap between the first tip 5B of the first clip part 5 and the second tip 7B of the second clip part 7. As a result, the medical clip 1 changes from the initial state (A) to the open state (B), as shown in Figures 8 to 10.

[0045] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, when the medical clip 1 is in the open position, the medical professional moves the medical clip 1 so that the object OB is positioned between the first clip body 50 of the first clip section 5 and the second clip body 70 of the second clip section 7, thereby releasing the opening operation on the operated section 9.

[0046] When the opening operation is released with the object OB positioned between the first clip portion 5 and the second clip portion 7, the first clip portion 5 performs a closing operation in which the rotating portion 52 moves away from the rotated portion 72 in the thickness direction DT, and the elastic force of the spring 3 reduces the distance between the first tip portion 5B and the second tip portion 7B. As a result, the medical clip 1 changes from an open state (B) to a closed state (C), as shown in Figures 8 to 10.

[0047] In this embodiment, when the operated portion 9 is opened, the rotating portion 52 contacts the rotated portion 72, and the first clip portion 5 rotates around the rotating portion 52, thus stabilizing the opening operation of the first clip portion 5. Moreover, since the first clip body 50, the rotating portion 52, and the operated portion 9 are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction DL of the first clip portion 5, medical personnel can easily perform an opening operation on the operated portion 9, which is located on the opposite side of the first clip body 50 with respect to the rotating portion 52. Therefore, in this embodiment, the operability is good when medical personnel perform an opening operation to open the medical clip 1. Furthermore, when the opening operation is released with the object OB positioned between the first clip portion 5 and the second clip portion 7, the first clip portion 5 performs a closing operation in which the rotating portion 52 moves away from the rotated portion 72 in the thickness direction DT, and the elastic force of the spring 3 reduces the distance between the first tip portion 5B and the second tip portion 7B. As a result, the first clip portion 5 and the second clip portion 7 can clamp the object OB in a position parallel or nearly parallel to each other, as shown in the closed state (C) in Figures 8 to 10. Therefore, in this embodiment, the occlusion performance when the object OB is closed by the medical clip 1 is good. In other words, the medical clip 1 according to this embodiment can reliably close the object OB even if the object OB is a relatively large diameter tubular tissue such as the intestine.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first clip portion 5 has a first mounting portion 54 attached to the first arm portion 31 so as to restrict the displacement of the first arm portion 31 relative to the first clip portion 5 in the longitudinal direction DL of the first clip portion 5, and is capable of being displaced relative to the first arm portion 31 about the first mounting portion 54. In this embodiment, the first clip is capable of rotating slightly relative to the first arm portion 31 about the first mounting portion 54. Therefore, when the opening operation on the operated portion 9 is released in the open state (B) shown in Figures 8 to 10, the first clip portion 5 can be displaced relative to the first arm portion 31 about the first mounting portion 54, causing the rotating portion 52 to move away from the rotated portion 72, and a closing operation by the elastic force of the spring 3, that is, a closing operation in which the distance between the first tip portion 5B and the second tip portion 7B becomes smaller.

[0049] The relative displacement of the first arm portion 31 and the first clip portion 5 will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, in the process of the medical clip 1 changing from the initial state (A) to the open state (B), the first arm portion 31 is displaced so as to rotate outward relative to the first clip portion 5 around the tip portion 31B of the first arm, as indicated by the dashed arrow AR1. In other words, in the process of the medical clip 1 changing from the initial state (A) to the open state (B), the first clip portion 5 is displaced so as to rotate inward relative to the first arm portion 31 around the first mounting portion 54, as indicated by the dashed arrow AR2.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, during the process in which the state of the medical clip 1 changes from an open state (B) to a closed state (C), the first arm portion 31 rotates inward relative to the first clip portion 5 around the tip portion 31B, as indicated by the dashed arrow AR3. In other words, during the process in which the state of the medical clip 1 changes from an open state (B) to a closed state (C), the first clip portion 5 rotates outward relative to the first arm portion 31 around the first mounting portion 54, as indicated by the dashed arrow AR4.

[0051] Focusing solely on the operation of spring 3, during the process in which the state of medical clip 1 changes from the initial state (A) to the open state (B), the first arm portion 31 is displaced so as to rotate relative to the spring base end portion 30. In the specific example shown in Figure 10, during the process in which the state of medical clip 1 changes from the initial state (A) to the open state (B), the first arm portion 31 rotates around the connection portion between the spring base end portion 30 and the second arm portion 32. Furthermore, focusing solely on the operation of the first clip portion 5, as shown in Figure 9, during the process in which the state of medical clip 1 changes from the initial state (A) to the open state (B), the first clip portion 5 rotates in the same direction as the first arm portion 31 around the pivot portion 52.

[0052] Focusing solely on the operation of spring 3, during the process in which the state of medical clip 1 changes from an open state (B) to a closed state (C), the first arm portion 31 is displaced so as to rotate relative to the spring base end portion 30. In the specific example shown in Figure 10, during the process in which the state of medical clip 1 changes from an open state (B) to a closed state (C), the first arm portion 31 rotates around the connection portion between the spring base end portion 30 and the second arm portion 32. Furthermore, focusing solely on the operation of the first clip portion 5, as shown in Figure 9, during the process in which the state of medical clip 1 changes from an open state (B) to a closed state (C), the first clip portion 5 rotates in the same direction as the first arm portion 31.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first mounting portion 54 is located at the first tip portion 5B of the first clip portion 5, and the rotating portion 52 is located at the first base end portion 5A of the first clip portion 5. In this case, the distance between the first mounting portion 54 and the rotating portion 52 in the longitudinal direction DL is increased, so that the distance that the rotating portion 52 can move away from the rotated portion 72 when the opening operation on the operated portion 9 is released can be increased. As a result, even when the thickness of the object OB is large, the first clip portion 5 and the second clip portion 7 can clamp the object OB in a position that is parallel or nearly parallel to each other, and good closure can be maintained.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first mounting portion 54 is attached to the tip portion 31B of the first arm.

[0055] When the first clip portion 5 and the second clip portion 7 clamp the object OB, as shown in Figure 10, in the process of the state of the medical clip 1 changing from an open state (B) to a closed state (C), the part of the object OB closest to the spring base end 30 (the right end of the object OB in Figure 10) and the contact point between the first clip portion 5 and the object OB become the fulcrum, and the first mounting portion 54 becomes the point of force application, causing the first clip portion 5 to rotate around the first mounting portion 54 relative to the first arm portion 31. The first mounting portion 54 only needs to have a structure that allows the first clip portion 5 to rotate relative to the first arm portion 31 as described above, and the specific structure of the first mounting portion 54 is not particularly limited.

[0056] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4 to 10, the first clip portion 5 has an inner wall portion 58, a pair of side wall portions 56, and an outer wall portion 59. The inner wall portion 58 is the portion facing the second clip portion 7 in the thickness direction DT, and is the portion located at the bottom of the first clip portion 5 in Figure 2. The inner wall portion 58 includes the inner surface 58S of the first clip body 50 described above. The pair of side wall portions 56 are portions that rise from both sides of the inner wall portion 58 in the thickness direction DT, respectively, in the width direction DW. The pair of side wall portions 56 are spaced apart from each other in the width direction DW. The outer wall portion 59 is the portion located on the opposite side of the inner wall portion 58 in the thickness direction DT, and is the portion located at the top of the first clip portion 5 in Figure 1.

[0057] Inside the first clip portion 5, a space SP is formed, defined by an inner wall portion 58, a pair of side wall portions 56, and an outer wall portion 59. The first arm portion 31 can be positioned within the space SP of the first clip portion 5, for example, as shown in the closed state (C) of Figure 10.

[0058] As shown in Figures 1, 4, and 7, a first opening AP1 is formed in the outer wall portion 59 of the first clip portion 5. The first opening AP1 is formed in a range from the first base end portion 5A of the first clip portion 5 to a position corresponding to the first tip portion 5B, or a position corresponding to the vicinity of the first tip portion 5B. The first opening AP1 is an opening that penetrates the outer wall portion 59 in the thickness direction DT. Of the first arm portion 31, the portion excluding the first arm tip portion 31B is movable between the inside and outside of the space SP of the first clip portion 5 through the first opening AP1. For example, in the open state (B) of Figure 10, the portion of the first arm portion 31 excluding the first arm tip portion 31B is located outside the space SP of the first clip portion 5.

[0059] A second opening AP2 is formed in the outer wall portion 59 of the first clip portion 5. The second opening AP2 is located between the tip of the first clip portion 5 and the first opening AP1. A first mounting portion 54 is interposed between the first opening AP1 and the second opening AP2. The first mounting portion 54 extends in the width direction DW so as to span between a pair of side wall portions 56. As shown in Figure 10, the hook-shaped portion of the first arm tip portion 31B is hooked onto this first mounting portion 54. This allows the first clip portion 5 to rotate relative to the first arm portion 31 around the first mounting portion 54. The tip of the first arm tip portion 31B may be positioned in the second opening AP2.

[0060] As shown in Figure 10, the second clip portion 7 is fixed to the second arm portion 32 at the second arm base end portion 32A of the second arm portion 32. In other words, the second clip portion 7 is fixed to the second arm portion 32 at the second base end portion 7A of the second clip portion 7. The first clip portion 5 is attached to the first arm portion 31 at the first mounting portion 54 located at the first tip portion 5B, and the second clip portion 7 is fixed to the second arm portion 32 at the second arm base end portion 32A. Therefore, the force that the first clip portion 5 and the second clip portion 7 exert on the object OB, i.e., the closing force that closes the object OB, is suppressed to vary in the width direction of the object OB (the longitudinal direction DL of the first clip portion 5). This makes it possible to further improve the closing performance.

[0061] As shown in Figures 1, 9, and 10, the spring base end 30 is located between the rotating part 52 and the operated part 9 in the longitudinal direction DL. It is desirable that the portion of the first clip part 5 located on the opposite side of the operated part 9 with respect to the rotating part 52, i.e., the first clip body 50, is used to clamp the object OB. If the rotating part 52 is located, for example, between the spring base end 30 and the operated part 9 in the longitudinal direction DL, the spring base end 30 will be positioned in the first clip body 50, and therefore the object OB cannot be positioned in the region of the first clip body 50 where the spring base end 30 is positioned. On the other hand, in this fifth embodiment, since the spring base end 30 is located between the rotating part 52 and the operated part 9 in the longitudinal direction DL, the spring base end 30 is less likely to get in the way compared to the case where the rotating part 52 is located between the spring base end 30 and the operated part 9, so the portion that can clamp the object OB can be made larger.

[0062] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4-10, the operated portion 9 includes a first operated portion 91 that protrudes longitudinally DL from the first base end 5A of the first clip portion 5, and a second operated portion 92 that protrudes longitudinally DL from the second base end 7A of the second clip portion 7. Since the first operated portion 91 protrudes longitudinally DL from the first base end 5A and the second operated portion 92 protrudes longitudinally DL from the second base end 7A, medical personnel can easily open the first operated portion 91 and the second operated portion 92. This further improves operability.

[0063] The first operated portion 91 may be molded integrally with the first clip portion 5, or it may be molded as a separate component from the first clip portion 5 and then attached to the first clip portion 5. Similarly, the second operated portion 92 may be molded integrally with the second clip portion 7, or it may be molded as a separate component from the second clip portion 7 and then attached to the second clip portion 7. In this embodiment, the second operated portion 92 is composed of two parts spaced apart from each other in the width direction DW, but it may also be composed of a single part.

[0064] As described above, the first clip portion 5 has multiple wall portions, namely an inner wall portion 58, a pair of side wall portions 56, and an outer wall portion 59. These wall portions define a space SP that can receive a part of the first arm portion 31, including the base end portion 31A, when the rotating portion 52 separates from the rotated portion 72 during the closing operation of the first clip portion 5. Therefore, when the opening operation for the operated portion 9 is released, the first clip portion 5 can perform the closing operation while the rotating portion 52 separates from the rotated portion 72 as the aforementioned part of the first arm portion 31 is received in space SP. This makes it possible to close the first clip portion 5 without increasing the overall thickness of the medical clip 1, and the thickness of the medical clip 1 can be made compact while maintaining good occlusion.

[0065] Furthermore, the first clip portion 5 has a shape that extends along the first arm portion 31, and the plurality of wall portions include a pair of side wall portions 56 that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction DW, and the aforementioned portion of the first arm portion 31 includes the first arm base end portion 31A of the first arm portion 31. This produces the following effect: Of the first clip portion 5, the portion that is displaced the largest relative to the first arm portion 31 during the closing operation is the first base end portion 5A. In other words, of the first arm portion 31, the portion that is displaced the largest relative to the first clip portion 5 during the closing operation is the first arm base end portion 31A. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 10, a space SP is also formed at a position in which the first arm base end portion 31A can be received during the closing operation. This makes it easier for the first base end portion 5A of the first clip portion 5 to be displaced relative to the first arm portion 31 during the closing operation. In other words, during the closing operation, the base end 31A of the first arm portion 31 becomes more easily displaced relative to the first clip portion 5. Therefore, even without increasing the thickness of the first clip portion 5, smooth closing operation of the first clip portion 5 becomes possible, and good closure performance can be maintained.

[0066] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2, 5, 6, 7, and 10, in this embodiment, the first clip portion 5 has a slit SL communicating with the space SP between the space SP and the second clip portion 7, and the slit SL is configured to be able to receive the first arm base end 31A when the rotating portion 52 separates from the rotated portion 72 during the closing operation of the first clip portion 5. That is, the first clip portion 5 has not only a space SP that can receive the first arm base end 31A during the closing operation, but also a slit SL that can receive the first arm base end 31A during the closing operation. As a result, as shown in Figure 10, the first base end 5A of the first clip portion 5 becomes more easily displaced relative to the first arm portion 31 during the closing operation. In other words, the first arm base end 31A of the first arm portion 31 becomes more easily displaced relative to the first clip portion 5 during the closing operation. Therefore, even without increasing the thickness of the first clip portion 5, a smooth closing operation of the first clip portion 5 becomes possible, and the closure performance can be maintained even better.

[0067] The slit SL may be formed, for example, by a hole that penetrates the inner wall portion 58 of the first clip portion 5 in the thickness direction DT. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the slit SL may be formed by an elongated hole that penetrates the inner wall portion 58 of the first clip portion 5 in the thickness direction DT and extends in the longitudinal direction DL of the first clip portion 5. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 10, it is preferable that the slit SL is formed in a portion of the inner wall portion 58 that includes the region corresponding to the base end portion 31A of the first arm portion 31. In the specific examples shown in Figures 7 and 10, the slit SL is formed in the region between the middle portion of the longitudinal direction DL in the inner wall portion 58 of the first clip portion 5 (for example, the center of the longitudinal direction DL) and the base end of the first clip portion 5.

[0068] As shown in Figures 4 and 9, the rotating portion 72 of the second clip portion 7 includes a recess into which the rotating portion 52 of the first clip portion 5 is rotatably fitted. Since the rotating portion 72 includes a recess into which the rotating portion 52 is rotatably fitted, the opening operation of the first clip portion 5 is further stabilized. As shown in the specific example in Figures 4 and 9, if the rotating portion 52 has an arc-shaped (e.g., circular arc-shaped) curved surface that contacts the recess of the rotating portion 72 during the opening operation, it is preferable that the recess of the rotating portion 72 has an arc-shaped (e.g., circular arc-shaped) curved surface into which the curved surface of the rotating portion 52 contacts during the opening operation.

[0069] In the specific examples shown in Figures 5 and 11, the rotating portion 52 of the first clip portion 5 includes a pair of protrusions 52A that project from the ends of a pair of side wall portions 56, and the rotated portion 72 includes a pair of recesses 72A into which the pair of protrusions 52A are rotatably fitted. In this case, the opening operation of the first clip portion 5 is further stabilized.

[0070] In the specific examples shown in Figures 5 and 11, each of the pair of sidewalls 56 is formed from a first base end 5A to a first tip end 5B. Each sidewall 56 includes a first base sidewall 56A located at the first base end 5A and the portion other than the first base sidewall 56A. The pair of first base sidewalls 56A are spaced apart from each other in the width direction DW. The rotating portion 52 protrudes from the end of the first base sidewall 56A toward the rotated portion 72. The thickness direction DT dimension of each first base sidewall 56A is greater than the thickness direction DT dimension of the portion other than the first base sidewall 56A. This increases the strength of the first base sidewall 56A including the rotating portion 52.

[0071] The medical clip 1 has a limiting portion that restricts the displacement of the first clip portion 5 relative to the second clip portion 7 in the width direction DW. This prevents the position of the first clip portion 5 relative to the second clip portion 7 from shifting in the width direction DW, and prevents the first clip portion 5 from twisting relative to the second clip portion 7, during opening and closing operations. This further stabilizes the opening and closing operations.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the limiting portion includes a base-side limiting portion. The base-side limiting portion includes a pair of first base-side wall portions 56A and a second base-side wall portion 76. The second base-side wall portion 76 extends toward the first clip portion 5 in the thickness direction DT from a portion located between a pair of recesses 72A of the rotating portion 72 of the second clip portion 7. In the width direction DW, this second base-side wall portion 76 is located between a pair of protrusions 52A of the rotating portion 52 of the first clip portion 5. In the width direction DW, this second base-side wall portion 76 is located between a pair of first base-side wall portions 56A. That is, one first base-side wall portion 56A, the second base-side wall portion 76, and the other first base-side wall portion 56A are arranged in this order in the width direction DW.

[0073] As shown in Figure 11, the second base side wall portion 76 has a pair of second base side surfaces 76S located on both sides in the width direction DW. One first base side wall portion 56A has a first base side surface 56S that faces the other second base side surface 76S in the width direction DW, and the other first base side wall portion 56A has a first base side surface 56S that faces the other second base side surface 76S in the width direction DW. Therefore, during opening and closing operations, the displacement of the position of the first clip portion 5 relative to the second clip portion 7 in the width direction DW can be suppressed. This makes the opening and closing operations even more stable.

[0074] As shown in Figures 5, 10, and 11, the second base end side wall portion 76 includes a first portion that extends toward the first clip portion 5 in the thickness direction DT from the portion located between the pair of recesses 72A of the rotatable portion 72 in the second clip portion 7, and a second portion that extends in the longitudinal direction DL from this first portion. In this case, as shown in Figure 10, in the closed state (C), the second base end side wall portion 76 has increased rigidity to support the base end portion 31A of the first arm.

[0075] [Second Embodiment] Figures 12 to 17 are diagrams relating to a medical clip 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the medical clip 1 according to the second embodiment, and Figure 13 is a front view thereof. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the first clip portion 5 and the second clip portion 7 of the medical clip 1 according to the second embodiment, and Figure 15 is a plan view showing the first clip portion 5 and the second clip portion 7 of the medical clip 1 according to the second embodiment. Figures 16 and 17 are diagrams illustrating the opening and closing operations of the medical clip 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0076] The medical clip 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that its limiting portion further includes a tip-side limiting portion. That is, the limiting portion of the medical clip 1 according to the second embodiment includes a base-side limiting portion and a tip-side limiting portion. The base-side limiting portion in the second embodiment is the same as the base-side limiting portion in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the other configurations in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the following will mainly describe the features of the tip-side limiting portion in the second embodiment, and the other features of the medical clip 1 according to the second embodiment will not be described.

[0077] As shown in Figures 12 to 15, in the medical clip 1 according to the second embodiment, the first clip portion 5 has a single first tip sidewall portion 60, and the second clip portion 7 has a pair of second tip sidewall portions 80. The tip side limiting portion includes the first tip sidewall portion 60 and the pair of second tip sidewall portions 80. The pair of second tip sidewall portions 80 is an example of a pair of walls in the present invention.

[0078] The first tip side wall portion 60 is located on the first tip portion 5B, which is the tip of the first clip body 50 of the first clip portion 5. The pair of second tip side wall portions 80 are located at intervals from each other in the width direction DW at the second tip portion 7B, which is the tip of the second clip portion 7.

[0079] As shown in Figure 13, the first tip side wall portion 60 has a first tip side surface 60S which is a side surface facing the width direction DW and is opposite to one of the second tip side wall portions 80, and a first tip side surface 60S which is a side surface facing the width direction DW and is opposite to the other second tip side wall portion 80. One of the second tip side wall portions 80 has a second tip side surface 80S which is a side surface of the first tip side wall portion 60 that is opposite to one of the first tip side surfaces 60S of the first tip side wall portion 60 in the width direction DW. The other second tip side wall portion 80 has a second tip side surface 80S which is a side surface of the first tip side wall portion 60 that is opposite to the other first tip side surface 60S of the first tip side wall portion 60 in the width direction DW. Therefore, during opening and closing operations, the position of the first tip portion 5B of the first clip portion 5 relative to the second clip portion 7 can be suppressed to shift in the width direction DW. This makes the opening and closing operations even more stable.

[0080] The first tip side wall portion 60 has a size (size in the thickness direction DT) that allows it to be positioned in the gap between the pair of second tip side wall portions 80 when the first clip portion 5 performs a closing operation, and also allows it to be positioned outside the gap between the pair of second tip side wall portions 80 when the first clip portion 5 performs an opening operation. This allows the object OB to be placed between the first clip portion 5 and the second clip portion 7 when the medical clip 1 is in the open state.

[0081] In the second embodiment, the first tip portion 5B, which is the tip of the first clip portion 5, has a first mounting portion 54 and a first tip side wall portion 60 formed thereon. The first mounting portion 54 is formed at the tip of the first clip body 50, and the first tip side wall portion 60 is formed to protrude from the tip of the first clip body 50 in the longitudinal direction DL.

[0082] In the second embodiment, the first clip body 50 of the first clip portion 5 has an inner surface 58S facing the second clip body 70 in the thickness direction DT, similar to the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the second clip body 70 of the second clip portion 7 has an inner surface 78S facing the inner surface 58S in the thickness direction DT, similar to the first embodiment. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 14, the second clip body 70 of the second clip portion 7 has an outer surface 79S located on the opposite side of the inner surface 78S in the thickness direction DT.

[0083] As shown in Figures 12 and 14, the first tip side wall portion 60 has a curved shape (bent shape) that protrudes longitudinally DL from the tip of the first clip body 50 and extends in the thickness direction DT (specifically, in the direction approaching the outer surface 79S of the second clip body 70). Each of the pair of second tip side wall portions 80 is formed to protrude longitudinally DL from the tip of the second clip body 70. Specifically, as shown in Figures 12 and 14, each second tip side wall portion 80 has a curved shape (bent shape) that protrudes longitudinally DL from the tip of the second clip body 70 and extends in the thickness direction DT (specifically, in the direction approaching the outer wall portion 59 of the first clip body 50). This makes it easier for the first tip side wall portion 60 and each of the pair of second tip side wall portions 80 to overlap in the width direction DW.

[0084] The pair of second end-side wall portions 80 have a shape such that, when the medical clip 1 is in an open state, the distance between the second end-side wall portions 80 increases as they approach the first end-side wall portion 60. Therefore, in this medical clip 1, the distance between the entrances of the pair of second end-side wall portions 80 can be increased compared to when the distance between the pair of second end-side wall portions 80 is constant. This makes it easier for the first end-side wall portion 60 to be inserted between the pair of second end-side wall portions 80 during a closing operation that starts from an open state of the medical clip 1.

[0085] Since the first tip side wall portion 60 has the curved shape described above, and the second tip side wall portion 80 has the curved shape described above, in the closed state (C) where the medical clip 1 closes the object OB as shown in Figures 16 and 17, even if an external force is applied to the medical clip 1 in the longitudinal direction DL, specifically, if an external force is applied to the medical clip 1 in the direction from the first tip portion 5B to the first base portion 5A, the first tip side wall portion 60 and the second tip side wall portion 80 will come into contact with the object OB. As a result, the displacement of the object OB in the longitudinal direction DL relative to the medical clip 1 is limited, and the object OB is prevented from coming off the medical clip 1.

[0086] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, in the initial state (A), the medical clip 1 is configured such that the first tip sidewall portion 60, which has a bent shape, fits into the gap between the pair of second tip sidewall portions 80. Therefore, for example, in the process of the medical clip 1 changing from an open state (B) to a closed state (C), the second tip side surface 80S of the second tip sidewall portion 80 does not interfere with the movement of the first tip sidewall portion 60.

[0087] [Differentiation] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and includes, for example, the following modifications.

[0088] (A) Variation 1 In the above embodiment, the second clip portion 7 is made of a separate component from the spring 3, but it may also be made of a portion that is integrally molded with the second arm portion 32 of the spring 3, or it may be molded using the same material as the spring 3.

[0089] (B) Variation 2 In the above embodiment, the rotating portion 52 is rotatably supported by the rotated portion 72 of the second clip portion 7. However, if the spring 3 has a rotated portion, the rotating portion 52 may be rotatably supported by the rotated portion of the spring 3.

[0090] (C) Variation 3 In the present invention, the first mounting portion may include a shaft portion or a hole portion (not shown) formed in the first clip portion 5. When the first mounting portion is the shaft portion, this shaft portion is inserted through a hole portion (not shown) formed in the first arm portion 31, thereby allowing the first clip portion 5 to rotate relative to the first arm portion 31 about the shaft portion as the first mounting portion. When the first mounting portion is the hole portion, this hole is inserted through the shaft portion (not shown) formed in the first arm portion 31. As a result, the first clip portion 5 can rotate relative to the first arm portion 31 about the hole portion as the first mounting portion.

[0091] (D) Modification 4 In the above embodiment, the rotating portion 52 of the first clip portion 5 includes a protrusion 52A, and the rotated portion 72 of the second clip portion 7 includes a recess 72A, but the invention is not limited to the specific example of the above embodiment. In the present invention, it is sufficient that one of the rotating portion and the rotated portion rotates relative to the other, so the rotating portion 52 of the first clip portion 5 may include a recess, and the rotated portion 72 of the second clip portion 7 may include a protrusion that fits into the recess.

[0092] (E) Variation 5 In the above embodiment, the second operated portion 92 of the operated portion 9 protrudes from the second base end portion 7A of the second clip portion 7, but it may also protrude from, for example, the spring base end portion 30.

[0093] (F) Modification 6 In the medical clip 1 according to the second embodiment shown in Figures 12 to 17, the tip-side limiting portion includes a single first tip-side wall portion 60 and a pair of second tip-side wall portions 80, but is not limited to the specific example of the second embodiment. For example, the tip-side limiting portion may include a pair of first tip-side wall portions 60 formed on the first tip portion 5B of the first clip portion 5 and a single second tip-side wall portion 80 formed on the second tip portion 7B of the second clip portion 7.

[0094] (G) Variation 7 In the above embodiment, the first clip portion 5 has a slit SL, but the slit SL is not an essential component in the medical clip 1 and may be omitted. Also, in the above embodiment, the first clip portion 5 has a space SP, but the space SP is not an essential component in the medical clip 1 and may be omitted.

[0095] [Regarding the second invention] The problem that the second invention aims to solve (the second problem) is that, during the opening and closing operations of the first clip portion 5 relative to the second clip portion 7, the position of the first clip portion 5 relative to the second clip portion 7 is shifted in the width direction DW.

[0096] The means to solve the second problem described above are as follows:

[0097] The medical clip (1) to solve the second problem is, A spring (3) having a spring base end (30), a first arm portion (31) extending from the spring base end (30), and a second arm portion (32) extending from the spring base end (30), A first clip portion (5) extends along the first arm portion (31) and is supported by the first arm portion (31), The device comprises a second clip portion (7) that extends along the first clip portion (5) and is supported by the second arm portion (32), At least one of the first clip portion (5) and the second clip portion (7) has a limiting portion that restricts the displacement of the first clip portion (5) relative to the second clip portion (7) in the width direction (DW), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clip portion (5) and perpendicular to the thickness direction in which the first clip portion (5) and the second clip portion (7) face each other.

[0098] In this second invention, the position of the first clip portion (5) relative to the second clip portion (7) in the width direction (DW) can be suppressed during the opening and closing operations. This stabilizes the opening and closing operations.

[0099] This second invention may further include at least one of the various features of the medical clip 1 according to the second embodiment described with reference to Figures 12 to 15. Furthermore, this second invention may further include at least one of the various features of the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1: Medical clip 3: Spring 30: Spring base 31: First arm section 31A: Base end of the first arm 31B: Tip of the first arm 32: Second arm section 5: First clip section 5A: 1st proximal end 5B: 1st tip 52: Rotating part 52A: Convex part 54: First mounting section 56: Side wall section 56A: First proximal side wall part 56S: 1st proximal side 60: First tip side wall section 60S: 1st tip side 7: Second clip section 70: Second clip body 72: Rotated part 72A: Recess 76: Second proximal side wall part 76S: 2nd proximal side 80: Second tip side wall section 80S: Second tip side 9 :Operated part 91: 1st operated part 92: 2nd operated part AX: Rotary axis DL: Longitudinal direction DT: Thickness direction DW: Width direction OB: Object SL: Slit SP: Space

Claims

1. A medical clip for holding an object, A spring having a spring base end, a first arm portion extending from the spring base end, and a second arm portion extending from the spring base end, A first clip portion extending along the first arm portion and supported by the first arm portion, A second clip portion extending along the first clip portion and supported by the second arm portion, It comprises an operable part configured to receive an opening operation for opening the medical clip, The first clip portion has a clip body capable of clamping the object together with the second clip portion, and a rotating portion, and the clip body, the rotating portion, and the operated portion are arranged in this order along the longitudinal direction of the first clip portion. The second clip portion or the spring has a rotatable portion that rotatably supports the rotating portion, When the operated part receives the opening operation, the first clip part is configured to perform an opening operation in which the gap between the first tip, which is the tip of the first clip part, and the second tip, which is the tip of the second clip part, increases as the first clip part rotates against the elastic force of the spring around the rotating part while the rotating part is in contact with the rotated part. A medical clip, wherein when the opening operation is released with the object positioned between the first clip portion and the second clip portion, the first clip portion is configured to perform a closing operation in which the rotating portion moves away from the rotated portion and the distance between the first tip portion and the second tip portion decreases.

2. The medical clip according to claim 1, wherein the first clip portion has a first mounting portion attached to the first arm portion so as to restrict the displacement of the first arm portion relative to the first clip portion in the longitudinal direction of the first clip portion, and is configured to be displaceable relative to the first arm portion with respect to the first mounting portion.

3. The medical clip according to claim 2, wherein the first mounting portion is located at the first tip of the first clip portion.

4. The medical clip according to claim 3, wherein the second clip portion is fixed to the second arm portion at the base end of the second arm portion, which is the base end of the second arm portion.

5. The medical clip according to claim 1, wherein the spring base end is located between the rotating portion and the operated portion in the longitudinal direction.

6. The operated part is, A first operated portion protruding from the first base end, which is the base end of the first clip portion, The medical clip according to claim 1, further comprising a second operating portion that protrudes from the base end of the second clip portion or the spring base end.

7. The medical clip according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first clip portion has a plurality of walls, the plurality of walls define a space in which the first clip portion can receive at least a portion of the first arm portion when the rotating portion separates from the rotated portion during the closing operation of the first clip portion.

8. The plurality of wall portions include a pair of side wall portions that are spaced apart from each other in the width direction, which is perpendicular to the thickness direction, which is the direction in which the first clip portion and the second clip portion face each other, and is in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clip portion. The medical clip according to claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the first arm portion is the base end of the first arm portion, including the base end of the first arm portion.

9. The first clip portion has a slit between the space and the second clip portion that communicates with the space, The medical clip according to claim 8, wherein the slit is configured to receive the base end of the first arm when the rotating part separates from the rotated part during the closing operation of the first clip part.

10. The medical clip according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable portion includes a recess into which the rotatable portion of the first clip portion is rotatably fitted.

11. The medical clip according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first clip portion and the second clip portion has a limiting portion that restricts the displacement of the first clip portion relative to the second clip portion in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first clip portion and in a width direction perpendicular to the thickness direction in which the first clip portion and the second clip portion face each other.

12. The first clip portion has a first base end side wall portion that includes a first base end side surface facing the width direction at the first base end portion which is the base end portion of the first clip portion, The second clip portion has a second base side wall portion at the base end of the second clip portion, which is the base end of the second clip portion, including the second base side surface that faces the first base side surface. The medical clip according to claim 11, wherein the limiting portion includes the first base side wall portion and the second base side wall portion.

13. The first clip portion has a first tip side wall portion including a first tip side surface facing the width direction at the first tip portion of the first clip portion, The second clip portion has a second tip side wall portion at the second tip portion of the second clip portion, which includes a second tip side surface facing the first tip side surface. The medical clip according to claim 11, wherein the limiting portion includes the first tip side wall portion and the second tip side wall portion.

14. The aforementioned limiting section is A single wall portion formed at one of the ends of the first clip portion and the second clip portion, Including a pair of wall portions formed on the other end of the first clip portion and the second clip portion, The pair of wall sections are arranged with a distance between them in the width direction, The medical clip according to claim 11, wherein the single wall portion has a size that allows it to be positioned in the gap between the pair of wall portions when the first clip portion performs the closing operation, and allows it to be positioned away from the gap between the pair of wall portions when the first clip portion performs the opening operation.

15. The medical clip according to claim 14, wherein the pair of wall portions have a shape such that, when the medical clip is open, the distance between the pair of wall portions increases as it approaches the single wall portion.

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