A connector for connecting a clip and an elastic ring in an organ retractor.

Abstract

The present invention provides a connector for organ retractors that allows for easy connection between a clip and an elastic ring, while also reducing the risk of needle stick injuries. [Solution] The connector 1 connects a clip 2 for gripping organs in the organ retractor 10 and an elastic ring 3 equipped with a needle 4 that engages with the anchor portion. The connector 1 includes a first hook 11 that hooks onto the clip 2 and a second hook 12 provided on the opposite side of the first hook 11 that hooks onto the elastic ring 3. With this configuration, the clip 2 and the elastic ring 3 can be attached to the connector 1 simply by hooking them onto the first hook 11 and the second hook 12, respectively. This allows the clip 2 and the elastic ring 3 to be easily connected to each other via the connector 1, and also reduces the risk of needle stick injuries.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector that connects a clip and an elastic ring in an organ retractor used for retracting organs in surgical operations, particularly laparoscopic surgery and robot-assisted surgery.

Background Art

[0002] In surgical operations, in order to secure the visual field and the operative field, it may be necessary to lift or displace organs. Conventionally, such lifting and displacement have been performed by the hands of the surgeon or the surgical assistant. However, this causes the hands of the surgeon or the surgical assistant to be blocked, resulting in a decrease in operability. In addition, there are problems such as fatigue of the hands when the lifting and displacement are carried out for a long time. Further, in laparoscopic surgery, robot-assisted surgery, etc., it is impossible to lift or displace organs by hand.

[0003] Therefore, an organ retractor has been developed in which a clip for gripping an organ is attached to one end of an elastic ring, and a needle engaged with an anchor portion such as the abdominal wall is attached to the other end of the elastic ring (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such an organ retractor, for example, in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, grips the bottom of the gallbladder with a clip, engages the needle with the anchor portion so that tension is applied to the elastic ring, and retracts the gallbladder in a lifted state without using the hands of the surgeon or the surgical assistant.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the organ retractor described above, the elastic ring is attached to the clip by passing it through the spring portion of the ring-shaped clip and tying the elastic ring to the spring portion. Therefore, attaching the elastic ring to the clip is time-consuming, and there is a risk of needle stick injuries from the needle attached to the elastic ring during the attachment process.

[0006] This invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing a connector that allows a clip and an elastic ring to be easily connected to each other, and also reduces the risk of needle stick injuries. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention relates to a connector for connecting an organ-grasping clip and an elastic ring fitted with a needle that engages with an anchor portion, characterized by comprising a first hook that hooks onto the clip and a second hook provided on the opposite side of the first hook that hooks onto the elastic ring.

[0008] Preferably, the first hook and the second hook are arranged perpendicular to each other.

[0009] Preferably, the first hook and the second hook are formed in a square shape and a round shape, respectively.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is a connector for connecting a clip for grasping an organ and an elastic ring equipped with a needle that engages with an anchor portion, characterized by comprising a double ring that engages with the clip and a hook provided on the opposite side of the double ring that hooks onto the elastic ring. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this invention, the clip and the elastic ring can be attached to the connector simply by hooking them onto the first hook and the second hook, respectively. Therefore, the clip and the elastic ring can be easily connected to each other via the connector, and the risk of needle stick injuries can also be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] A perspective view of an organ retractor equipped with a connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] (a) and (b) are perspective views of the above-mentioned connector. [Figure 3] Plan view of the elastic rings that make up the organ retractor shown above. [Figure 4] (a) to (d) are perspective views showing the operation when using the organ retractor described above. [Figure 5] (a) and (b) are a plan view and a side view of a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention, respectively. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] A connector according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. As shown in Figure 1, the connector 1 connects the clip 2 and the elastic ring 3 to each other in the organ retractor 10. The connector 1 is made of a resin such as polypropylene or polystyrene, and includes a first hook 11 that hooks onto the clip 2 and a second hook 12 that hooks onto the elastic ring 3.

[0014] Clip 2 has a pair of tip jaws 21, a pair of gripping parts 22 connected to each of the tip jaws 21, and a spring 23 connecting the pair of gripping parts 22 to each other. The spring 23 is formed by processing a metal wire into a coil spring shape and has a ring-shaped portion 23a and an inner hole 23b surrounded by the ring-shaped portion 23a. The tip jaws 21 and gripping parts 22 intersect in an X shape so that the upper gripping part 22 in the figure interlocks with the lower tip jaw 21, and the lower gripping part 22 in the figure interlocks with the upper tip jaw 21.

[0015] When no external force is applied, the spring 23 positions a pair of gripping portions 22, which are formed in a nearly flat shape, parallel to each other, and the pair of tip jaws 21 are engaged with each other. When an external force is applied to bring the pair of gripping portions 22 closer together, the pair of tip jaws 21 move away from each other and open, allowing the clip to grip an organ. When the external force is removed, the biasing force of the spring 23 returns the pair of gripping portions 22 to a parallel state, and the pair of tip jaws 21 close again. This action allows the clip 2 to reversibly grip an organ during surgery.

[0016] The elastic ring 3 is formed in an annular shape and is made of, for example, silicone rubber. The elastic ring 3 is fitted with a needle 4 that engages with an anchor portion such as the abdominal wall during surgery. In the illustrated example, the needle 4 consists of two needles 4a and 4b of the same shape. The needles 4a and 4b are formed by bending a linear member and have an attachment portion 41 that is attached to the elastic ring 3, a straight portion 42 that extends linearly from the attachment portion 41, and a curved portion 43 that curves from the tip of the straight portion 42 toward the attachment portion 41. The attachment portion 41 is formed in an annular shape so that the elastic ring 3 can be inserted through it.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the first hook 11 is provided on one side of the rectangularly shaped main body 13. The second hook 12 is provided on the other side of the main body 13, that is, on the opposite side from the first hook 11.

[0018] The first hook 11 has an extension portion 11a extending from one end of the main body portion 13 along one side of the main body portion 13, an opposing portion 11b extending from the end of the extension portion 11a so as to face the main body portion 13, and a return portion 11c extending from the end of the opposing portion 11b toward the main body portion 13. A gap G is formed between the return portion 11c and the main body portion 13, through which the ring-shaped portion 23a of the spring 23 can be passed. The distance from the opposing portion 11b to the main body portion 13 is configured to be greater than the thickness of the ring-shaped portion 23a.

[0019] The second hook 12 has a base portion 12a extending from the main body portion 13 in parallel with the extension portion 11a, and an arc portion 12b formed in an arc shape from the end of the base portion 12a. The arc portion 12b is formed such that its tip 12c and base end 12d face each other, and a gap g through which the elastic ring 3 can be inserted is formed between the tip 12c and the base end 12d.

[0020] The first hook 11 and the second hook 12 are arranged orthogonally to each other, that is, the plane formed by the extension portion 11a, the opposing portion 11b, and the return portion 11c of the first hook 11 and the plane formed by the arc portion 12b of the second hook 12 are arranged orthogonally to each other.

[0021] When the annular portion 23a is inserted through the gap G into the first hook 11, the opposing portion 11b and the return portion 11c are inserted into the inner hole 23b, and the spring 23 (clip 2) is hooked on the first hook 11 (see also FIG. 1). At this time, since the return portion 11c is provided, it is difficult for the clip 2 to fall off from the first hook 11. Also, since the distance from the opposing portion 11b to the main body portion 13 is larger than the thickness of the annular portion 23a, there is a degree of freedom (play) between the annular portion 23a and the first hook 11, and the mechanical load applied to the first hook 11 by the annular portion 23a is reduced. On the other hand, when the elastic ring 3 is inserted through the gap g into the second hook 12, the inner circumference of the arc portion 12b fits onto the outer circumference of the elastic ring 3, and the elastic ring 3 is hooked on the second hook 12.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the elastic ring 3 has large-diameter portions 31 and small-diameter portions 32 alternately provided along its circumference. The large-diameter portion 31 is formed to be slightly thicker than the inner diameter of the mounting portion 41 of the needle 4. The small-diameter portion 32 is formed to have a thickness that just fits the inner circumference of the mounting portion 41 or is slightly thinner than the inner diameter of the mounting portion 41.

[0023] The organ retractor 10, equipped with the connector 1 configured as described above, is suitably used to retract organs in an elevated or compressed state during conventional open surgery or endoscopic surgery. The operation of the organ retractor 10 in laparoscopic surgery will be described below with reference to Figures 4(a) to (d).

[0024] First, as shown in Figure 4(a), the clip 2 and elastic ring 3 are attached to the connector 1, and the clip 2 and elastic ring 3 are connected to each other via the connector 1. Then, the organ O, such as the gallbladder or liver, is grasped with the clip 2, and the curved portion 43 of the needle 4a is engaged with the anchor portion A, such as the abdominal wall, using forceps C. If the organ O can be sufficiently elevated or compressed in this state, the surgery can be continued as is. On the other hand, if the distance between the organ O and the anchor portion A is too short and the organ O cannot be sufficiently elevated or compressed, proceed to the steps shown in Figures 4(b) to (d).

[0025] Figure 4(b) shows the needle 4b being grasped by forceps C. From this position, as shown in Figure 4(c), the curved portion 43 of the needle 4b is engaged with the anchor portion A, which is a predetermined distance from the needle 4a, so that tension is applied to the elastic ring 3. As a result, the elastic ring 3 deforms into a triangular shape, reducing the distance between the needle 4a and the clip 2, allowing for greater elevation or retraction of the organ O compared to the state shown in Figure 4(a). To further elevation or retract the organ O, as shown in Figure 4(d), the needle 4b can be engaged at a location further away from the needle 4a, thereby further reducing the distance between the needle 4a and the clip 2.

[0026] As described above, with the connector 1, the clip 2 and the elastic ring 3 can be attached to the connector 1 simply by hooking them onto the first hook 11 and the second hook 12, respectively, so the clip 2 and the elastic ring 3 can be easily connected to each other via the connector 1. In addition, by providing the connector 1, it becomes unnecessary to tie the elastic ring 3 to the clip 2, so the risk of needle stick injuries caused by the needle 4 attached to the elastic ring 3 can also be reduced.

[0027] Furthermore, since the first hook 11 and the second hook 12 are arranged perpendicular to each other, in the example shown in Figure 1, the clip 2 is hooked onto the connector 1 from the left side of the paper, while the elastic ring 3 is hooked onto the connector 1 from below the paper. By making the hooking directions perpendicular in this way, for example, if the clip 2 is hooked onto the connector 1 first, and then the elastic ring 3 is hooked, the clip 2 is less likely to fall off the connector 1 when the elastic ring 3 is hooked, thereby improving operability.

[0028] Furthermore, since the first hook 11 is formed in a square shape to fit the spring 23, and the second hook 12 is formed in a round shape to fit the elastic ring 3, the first hook 11 and the second hook 12 can be easily distinguished at a glance. Therefore, when connecting the clip 2 and the elastic ring 3 to the connector 1, it is difficult to mistakenly orient the connector 1.

[0029] Furthermore, by adjusting the distance between needles 4a and 4b, the distance between needle 4a and clip 2 can be changed, so that organ O can be traction in an elevated or compressed state regardless of the distance between organ O and anchor part A. At this time, the mounting portion 41 of needle 4 fits into the small diameter portion 32 of elastic ring 3 and is restricted by the large diameter portion 31 so that it does not slide freely along elastic ring 3. This prevents needle 4 from unintentionally shifting position along elastic ring 3.

[0030] Next, a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 5. The connector 1a is made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel or titanium, or an elastic hard resin, and comprises a double ring 14 that engages with the clip 2, and a hook 15 that hooks onto the elastic ring 3.

[0031] The double ring 14 has a diameter approximately the same as the ring portion 23a of the clip 2. The clip 2 engages with the double ring 14 by prying open the end 14a on the side opposite to the hook 15 on the double ring 14 and screwing in the ring portion 23a from there. The hook 15 is configured similarly to the second hook 12 described above, except that a guide portion 15b for guiding the elastic ring 3 into the gap g is provided at the end 15a on the side opposite to the double ring 14. The double ring 14 and the hook 15, both formed in a circular shape, are arranged parallel to each other.

[0032] With the connector 1a configured as described above, the clip 2 will not detach from the double ring 14 even if the angle of the double ring 14 is changed. Therefore, it is easier to hook the elastic ring 3 onto the connector 1a and to pull on organs, improving operability.

[0033] It should be noted that the connector according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in various ways. For example, the first hook and the second hook do not necessarily have to be arranged orthogonally to each other, and may be arranged in the same direction. Also, the first hook and the second hook do not necessarily have to be formed in a square shape and a round shape, and may both be formed in a round shape, for example. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 1, 1a Connector 11. First Hook 12. Second hook 14 Double ring 15 hooks 2 clips 3 Elastic ring 4, 4a, 4b needles A Anchor section O organ

Claims

1. A connector that connects an organ-grasping clip and an elastic ring fitted with a needle that engages with an anchor portion, A connector characterized by comprising a first hook that can be hooked onto a clip, and a second hook provided on the opposite side of the first hook that can be hooked onto an elastic ring.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the first hook and the second hook are arranged perpendicular to each other.

3. The connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first hook and the second hook are formed in a square shape and a round shape, respectively.

4. A connector that connects an organ-grasping clip and an elastic ring fitted with a needle that engages with an anchor portion, A connector characterized by comprising a double ring that engages with a clip, and a hook provided on the opposite side of the double ring that hooks onto an elastic ring.

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