Single Stage Hemostasis Clipping Device

Abstract

A tissue clipping apparatus comprises a clip including a proximal end received within a capsule. The clip includes a clip locking member biased to engage a first locking structure of the capsule to lock the clip in the capsule in a closed configuration. The apparatus also comprises a tension member releasably coupling the clip to a proximal end of the device which, during use, remains accessible to a user. The tension member is coupled to the clip by a joint designed to release when subject to a predetermined load to separate the clip from the device, release of the joint releasing the locking member to engage the first locking structure.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method for treating tissue, comprising:
 inserting a distal end of a flexible insertion member to a target site within a living body such that a handle coupled to a proximal end of the insertion member remains outside the body accessible to a user, the distal end of the insertion member releasably coupled to a capsule housing a clip including a plurality of clip arms, proximal portions of each of the arms being received within the capsule;   moving a tension member distally relative to the insertion member, the tension member extending through the insertion member to releasably couple the clip to the handle, movement of the tension member distally moves the arms to an open configuration in which the arms are separated from one another to receive a target tissue therebetween;   moving the tension member proximally relative to the flexible member to draw the arms to the closed configuration gripping target tissue therebetween; and   drawing the tension member farther proximally to release the distal end of the tension member from the clip, releasing the proximal end of a first arm such that a locking member thereof engages a first locking structure of the capsule to lock the clip within the capsule in the closed configuration.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the distal end of the insertion member is releasably coupled to the capsule via the bushing. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein drawing the tension member farther proximally moves a plunger coupled to the tension member proximally relative to the capsule to dislodge a bushing support received within the bushing, wherein, when the support is received within the bushing, a bushing locking feature is urged into engagement with a second locking structure of the capsule and, when the support is dislodged therefrom, the bushing is separated from the capsule. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein drawing the tension member farther proximally moves a plunger coupled to the tension member proximally relative to the capsule to push an interlocking tube into the bushing, displacing a first tab of the capsule from a corresponding window of the bushing to separate the bushing from the capsule. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein drawing the tension member farther proximally moves a plunger coupled to the tension member proximally relative to the capsule so that a constraint tab extending distally from a distal end of the plunger disengages a corresponding slot at a proximal end of the clip, releasing the first arm from a constrained position to a biased configuration in which the first locking structure is moved laterally outward. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein drawing the tension member farther proximally to release the distal end of the tension member from the clip includes releasing a joint that couples the tension member to the clip, the joint configured to fail when subject to a predetermined force. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein drawing the tension member farther proximally to release the distal end of the tension member from the clip includes straightening of a curved distal end of the tension member to release the tension member from a corresponding space of the clip, the tension member straightening when subject to a predetermined force. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein, when in the curved configuration, the tension member passes through each of the arms to interlock the arms to one another. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising rotating the clip about a longitudinal axis thereof so that the arms of the clip are in a desired configuration relative to the target tissue. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein rotating the clip includes rotating a rotation actuator of the handle, which is rigidly connected to the tension member, so that the clip is rotated relative to the flexible insertion member. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein rotating the clip includes rotating a rotation actuator of the handle, which is movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, longitudinally relative to a body of the handle, when the rotation actuator is in the locked configuration, so that rotation of the flexible insertion member also rotates the clip. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein moving the tension member includes moving a spool of the handle, which is coupled to a proximal end of the tension member, longitudinally relative to a body of the handle.