Clip applier working head with laterally-sliding replaceable clip cartridge and clip applier

Abstract

Disclosed are a clip applier working head with a laterally-sliding replaceable clip cartridge and a clip applier. The clip applier working head comprises an adapter shell mated with a body of the clip applier, and the adapter shell is driven by a driving element located at a distal end of the body to generate corresponding actions. A holding unit is arranged at a distal end of the adapter shell, and scissor-type hinged jaw heads are pivotally arranged on the holding unit. A proximal end of the adapter shell comprises a laterally penetrating accommodating space, and the accommodating space is configured to accommodate the clip cartridge capable of being inserted in a laterally sliding manner. Ligation clips are sequentially arranged in the clip cartridge from a distal end to a proximal end, and a distal end of a push rod located in the body abuts against the ligation clip at a most proximal end. The push rod sequentially pushes the ligation clips from the distal end of the clip cartridge into the holding unit, and the ligation clip located in the holding unit is pushed out and fixedly placed in the jaw heads in an open state.

Description

Clip applier working head with side-sliding replaceable clip cartridge and clip applier

[0001] This disclosure claims priority from application number 202311739831.6 filed with the China Patent Office on December 18, 2023; the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this disclosure. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of surgical robots, and in particular to a clip applier working head with a side-sliding replaceable clip cartridge and a clip applier. Background Art

[0003] The benefits of minimally invasive surgery are well known and include less trauma to the patient, less blood loss and faster recovery time compared to traditional open incision surgery. In minimally invasive surgery, the patient is required to use a clip applier to clamp the blood vessels and arteries in case of bleeding to stop the bleeding.

[0004] A clip applier is a commonly used surgical instrument used to apply hemolok ligatures during surgery. It's often used to clamp blood vessels and stop bleeding. Therefore, it's sometimes called a hemostat. Clip appliers work the same way as clamps, but they're sterilized. They come in various shapes, including large and small, with or without teeth, and in straight and curved styles. Different types of clip appliers are used depending on the area being operated on.

[0005] Most existing clip appliers are single-barrel, single-shot clip appliers. Especially those inserted into the abdominal cavity require multiple reloading of the ligation clip, resulting in low surgical efficiency. Missing the optimal ligation time is a serious loss, so making reloading more convenient is crucial. During laparoscopic surgery, single-shot clip appliers can perform the clipping function and can be used multiple times after sterilization. However, the instrument must be passed between the surgeon and nurses multiple times during the procedure. After the surgeon completes a ligation, the clip applier must be removed from the patient, passed to a nearby nurse for reloading, and then passed back to the surgeon, who then inserts the reloaded clip applier into the patient for the final clipping operation. Using these single-shot clip appliers to ligate blood vessels takes a long time and can even cause shock or death due to excessive bleeding, increasing surgical risk. Therefore, in clinical practice, doctors and patients prefer continuous-shot clip appliers, which can reduce operative time and risk.

[0006] In view of this, Chinese patents 201980051943.8 and 202111376487.X disclose different forms of continuous-fire clip applicators, in which several ligation clips are pre-installed in the ligation clip accommodating chamber, and the driving rod causes the feed rod to slide relative to the magazine housing, thereby extending into the ligation clip accommodating chamber to push the ligation clip, so that the ligation clips are pushed out in sequence, thereby achieving continuous clamping. Since the ligation clips are arranged in sequence in the ligation clip accommodating chamber, the ligation clip accommodating chamber will become too long, and the overall length of the clip applicator will also become longer. Chinese patent 202222820091.6 discloses a clip applicator with a replaceable clip magazine assembly, which adopts a press-type installation method, resulting in a relatively complex structure of the clip magazine assembly.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] On the one hand, the present disclosure provides a clamp working head with a side-sliding replaceable clamp magazine, including a joint shell matched with the body of the clamp, the joint shell is driven by a driving element located at the distal end of the body to produce corresponding movements, a holding unit is provided at the distal end of the joint shell, and a scissor-shaped hinged clamp head is pivotally arranged on the holding unit, and the proximal end of the joint shell includes a laterally penetrating receiving space, the receiving space is configured to accommodate a clamp magazine that can be plugged in in a side-sliding manner, and ligation clips are arranged in sequence from far to near in the clamp magazine, the distal end of the push rod located in the body abuts against the nearest ligation clip, and the ligation clips are pushed from the distal end of the clamp magazine into the holding unit in sequence, and the ligation clips located in the holding unit are pushed out and fixed in the clamp head in an open state.

[0009] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a clip applier having a body and the clip applier working head as described above located at a distal end of the body.

[0010] The beneficial effects of the present disclosure are mainly reflected in:

[0011] (1) The clip compartment can be taken out and placed in a side-sliding manner. The clip compartment structure is simple, which improves convenience. In actual operation, only enough clip compartments are needed;

[0012] (2) The arrangement of the ligation clips in the clip compartment is simple and easy to assemble;

[0013] (3) The integrated holding unit integrates functions and makes the overall structure more compact, ensuring that the overall diameter of the working head of the clamp becomes smaller, making it suitable for surgical operations in narrow spaces. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The technical solution of the present disclosure is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective diagram of some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 2: A front view of some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG3 is a perspective view of some embodiments of the present disclosure from a second direction, wherein the clip cartridge is removed;

[0018] FIG4 is a perspective view of some embodiments of the present disclosure from a second perspective, wherein the clamping compartment is placed and the connector housing is hidden;

[0019] Figure 5: A cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction in Figure 2;

[0020] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of a holding unit according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of some embodiments of the present disclosure during operation;

[0022] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the main viewing direction of some embodiments of the present disclosure during operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments are not limited to the present disclosure, and any structural, methodological, or functional modifications made by a person skilled in the art based on these embodiments are included within the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the description of the scheme, it should be noted that the direction close to the operator is referred to as the proximal end, and the direction away from the operator is referred to as the distal end.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1 , some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a working head of a clip applier. Similar to the related art, the clip applier comprises a body 1 and a working head of the clip applier located at the distal end of the body 1 .

[0025] The working head of the clip applier includes a joint housing 2 coupled to the body 1 of the clip applier, and the joint housing 2 is driven by a driving element at the distal end of the body 1 to produce corresponding movements. For example, in some examples, the joint housing 2 can rotate around its own axis or swing.

[0026] 4 , the driving element includes a set of cables 73 , the distal ends of which are fixed to the joint housing 2 , and the cables 73 are configured to drive the joint housing 2 to swing. To better achieve the swinging, a joint ring 8 may be provided between the joint housing 2 and the body 1 .

[0027] One of the features of the present disclosure is that a holding unit 6 is provided at the distal end of the connector housing 2, and the scissor-shaped hinged forceps head 3 is pivotally provided on the holding unit 6. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, one of the purposes of the holding unit 6 is to provide a ligating clip 40 fixed therein, ready for firing and ejection.

[0028] As shown in Figure 6, the holding unit 6 can be an integrated hollow shell structure. The holding unit 6 can include a shell 60 with a hollow structure. The distal end and proximal end of the shell 60 are both provided with the same opening 61. The ligation clip 40 is pushed in from the proximal end and subsequently pushed out from the distal end.

[0029] Slots 62 are provided on the left and right side surfaces of the shell 60 to form an elastic piece 63 whose end is integrated with the proximal end of the shell 60. When the ligation clip 40 retained in the holding unit 6 is located in the empty shell of the holding unit 6, since the ligation clip 40 itself is in a pre-stressed state, its two free ends tend to be stretched outward, and the elastic piece 63 will generate a corresponding counterforce, and the generated friction force can effectively fix the ligation clip 40 in the empty shell of the holding unit 6.

[0030] A pivot column 64 is coaxially arranged on the outer sides of the upper and lower end surfaces of the housing 60, the purpose of which is to provide a pivot axis for the two separate structures of the pliers head 3; the selective opening process of the pliers head 3 is described in detail later.

[0031] In some examples, through holes can be set on the upper and lower end surfaces of the shell 60, and pivot shafts can be set on the two split structures of the pliers head 3, and the pivot shafts are inserted into the through holes to achieve a pivotal connection between the pliers head 3 and the shell 60.

[0032] The distal end of the housing 60 may be provided with two guide pieces 65 that are arranged obliquely relative to each other, and the minimum distance between the two guide pieces 65 matches the thickness of the ligation clip 40 .

[0033] In some examples, the minimum distance between the two guide pieces 65 may be the same as, close to, or approximately equal to the thickness of the ligation clip 40 .

[0034] This is because of inevitable processing errors, which cannot ensure that the clamp chamber 4 and the clamp head 3 can be coaxially aligned. The guide piece 65 plays a guiding role to ensure that the ligation clamp 40 can stably enter the clamp head 3.

[0035] The proximal end of the connector housing 2 includes a laterally penetrating receiving space 5, as shown in FIG3 . The receiving space 5 is a frame through slot configured to accommodate a slidably plugged-in clip 4. The clip 4 can be slidably pushed into the receiving space 5.

[0036] The clamping chamber 4 is a plate-like structure having a plate body 45 that can be configured to accommodate the ligating clip 40. A first stopper 41 extending in the height direction is formed on one side of the plate body 45, and a second stopper 42 extending in the height direction is formed on the other side of the plate body 45. The first stopper 41 and the second stopper 42 match the two opening contours of the receiving space 5 of the joint housing 2. When the clamping chamber 4 is slidably pushed into the receiving space 5, the clamping chamber 4 and the joint housing 2 form a nearly complete shape.

[0037] In some examples, an elastic buckle 43 may be provided on the first stopper 41. The elastic buckle 43 may be configured to snap into the joint housing 2.

[0038] In some examples, after the clip 4 is slidably pushed into the receiving space 5, the elastic latch 43 can engage with the matching structure on the connector housing 2, ensuring that the clip 4 does not easily slide out. When the clip 4 needs to be replaced, the second stopper 42 can be manually pushed to release the engagement, and the clip 4 can be smoothly removed from the connector housing 2.

[0039] As shown in FIG4 , a through hole may be provided on the joint housing 2, and the through hole may be consistent in size with the pivot post 64, so that the pivot post 64 can be inserted into the joint housing 2. The joint housing 2 has a slot 21, and the slot 21 may extend along the axial direction of the joint housing 2. The slot 21 may be configured to accommodate a pull rod 71. The pull rod 71 may slide along the axial direction of the joint housing 2 in the slot 21; the proximal end of the pull rod 71 is fixed to the flexible shaft joint 72 of the driving element, and the distal end of the pull rod 71 is respectively connected to the two split-structured inclined slots 31 of the pliers head 3. When the pull rod 71 and the flexible shaft joint 72 are pulled and moved by the driving element in the body, the pliers head 3 may be driven to rotate simultaneously around the pivot post 64 to present an open state ( FIG7 ); or a closed state.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2-5 , the ligating clips 40 are arranged sequentially from farthest to nearest within the clip compartment 4. The first and second stoppers 41 and 42 have corresponding pairs of grooves 44, each configured to engage the ends of the ligating clips 40. Initially, the ligating clips 40 are pre-compressed and accommodated within the clip compartment 4. The sequential arrangement of the ligating clips 40 ensures simplified assembly during processing. Furthermore, the ligating clips are prevented from becoming stuck due to sideways tilt.

[0041] In some embodiments, the distal end of the push rod 10 within the body 1 abuts the proximal ligating clip 40. The distal end of the push rod 10 forms a Y-shaped pusher. The push rod 10 slides within the flexible shaft connector 72. As shown in Figures 7 and 8 , after the clip cartridge 4 is inserted into the connector housing 2, the flexible shaft within the body pushes toward the distal end, driving the flexible shaft connector 72 forward, which in turn drives the pull rod 71 forward, causing the clamp head 3 to open. Then, the push rod 10 pushes the ligation clip 40 toward the distal end. When the ligation clip 40 is out of the clamp position, it is pushed from the distal end of the clamp chamber 4 into the holding unit 6. Then, the ligation clip 40 in the holding unit 6 is pushed out and fixed in the clamp head 3. This is because the clamp head 3 is also provided with a clamping groove 30 for clamping the two ends of the ligation clip 40. The ligation clip 40' is restored to an open state; and a new ligation clip 40 is retained in the holding unit 6. After the ligation clip in the clamp head 3 is completed, the push rod 10 pushes the next ligation clip into the clamp head 3 of the clamp head to complete the second ligation task.

[0042] It should be understood that although this specification is described in terms of implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each implementation method can also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0043] The series of detailed descriptions listed above are only specific descriptions of feasible implementation methods of the present disclosure. They are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Any equivalent implementation methods or changes that do not deviate from the technical spirit of the present disclosure should be included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A clamp working head with a side-sliding replaceable clamp magazine, comprising a joint housing (2) matched with a body (1) of the clamp, the joint housing (2) being driven by a driving element located at the distal end of the body (1) to produce a corresponding action, a holding unit (6) being arranged at the distal end of the joint housing (2), a pliers head (3) being hinged in a scissor-like manner being pivotally arranged on the holding unit (6), and a lateral through-hole receiving space (5) being arranged at the proximal end of the joint housing (2). The storage space (5) is configured to accommodate a clip compartment (4) that can be inserted in a side-sliding manner. The clip compartment (4) has ligation clips (40) arranged in sequence from far to near. The distal end of the push rod (10) located in the body (1) abuts against the nearest ligation clip (40), and the ligation clips (40) are pushed from the distal end of the clip compartment (4) into the holding unit (6) in sequence. The ligation clips (40) located in the holding unit (6) are pushed out and fixedly placed in the clamp head (3) in an open state.

2. The clip applier working head with a side-sliding replaceable clip cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The holding unit (6) is an integrated hollow shell structure, comprising a shell (60) with a hollow structure, the distal end and the proximal end of the shell (60) are both provided with the same opening (61), the left and right side surfaces of the shell (60) are both provided with slots (62) to form an elastic sheet (63) whose end is integrated with the proximal end of the shell (60), and the upper and lower end surfaces of the shell (60) are coaxially provided with pivot columns (64) on the outer sides, and the pivot column (64) is configured to be pivotally connected with the two split structures of the clamp head (3); the distal end of the shell (60) is also provided with two guide sheets (65) arranged in a relatively oblique direction, and the minimum distance between the two guide sheets (65) matches the thickness of the ligation clamp (40).

3. The clip applier working head with a side-sliding replaceable clip cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: A through hole is provided on the joint housing (2), and the size of the through hole matches the size of the pivot column (64), so that the pivot column (64) can be inserted into the joint housing (2); the joint housing (2) has a notch (21), and the notch (21) is configured to accommodate a pull rod (71) so that the pull rod (71) slides in the notch (21); the proximal end of the pull rod (71) is fixed to the flexible shaft joint (72) of the driving element, and the distal end of the pull rod (71) is respectively connected to the two split-structured inclined grooves (31) of the pliers head (3) to drive the two to rotate around the pivot column (64) at the same time to present an open state.

4. The clip applier working head with a side-sliding replaceable clip cartridge according to claim 3, wherein: The distal end of the push rod (10) is a Y-shaped push head.

5. The clip applier working head with a side-sliding replaceable clip cartridge according to claim 3, wherein: The push rod (10) is slidably disposed in the flexible shaft joint (72).

6. The clip applier working head with a side-sliding replaceable clip cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The clamping bin (4) is of a plate-like structure and comprises a plate body (45). The plate body (45) is configured to place a ligation clamp (40). One side of the plate body (45) comprises a first stopper (41) extending in a height direction, and the other side of the plate body (45) comprises a second stopper (42) extending in a height direction. The first stopper (41) and the second stopper (42) match two opening contours of a receiving space (5) of the joint housing (2). The first stopper (41) is also provided with an elastic buckle (43), and the elastic buckle (43) is configured to clamp the joint housing (2).

7. The clip applier working head with a side-sliding replaceable clip cartridge according to claim 6, wherein: The first stopper (41) and the second stopper (42) are provided with a plurality of pairs of grooves (44) respectively, and the grooves (44) are configured to clamp the two ends of the ligation clip (40).

8. The clip applier working head with a side-sliding replaceable clip cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The clamp head (3) is provided with a clamping slot (30).

9. A clip applier comprising a body (1) and a clip applier working head as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 located at the distal end of the body (1).

10. The clip applier of claim 9, wherein: The driving element comprises a group of cables (73), the distal ends of the cables (73) are fixed to the joint housing (2), and the cables (73) are configured to drive the joint housing (2) to swing.

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