Clip applier

A clip applier for applying a clip to an affected area to ligate the affected area, the clip integrally comprising a hinge portion, a pair of clip portions and a pair of connecting portions respectively connecting opposite ends of the hinge portion to the pair of clip portions, the connecting portions intersecting with each other, the pair of clip portions being biased to be closed by an elastic force of the hinge portion,

• wherein the clip applier comprises:
• an applier body;
• an insertion tube extending from the applier body and inserted through a channel of an endoscope;
• a clamp mechanism disposed at a distal end of the insertion tube;
• an operation member disposed on the applier body;
• and
• a wire passing through the insertion tube to connect the clamp mechanism and the operation member,
• the clamp mechanism comprising a support member fixed at the distal end of the insertion tube and a pair of clamp members rotatably supported by the support member,
• the pair of clamp members respectively comprising gripping portions protruded from the support member, the gripping portions respectively comprising receiving grooves in surfaces of the gripping portions facing each other, the pair of connecting portions of the clip respectively received in the receiving grooves of the gripping portions of the clamp members and the clip portions of the clip protruded from the gripping portions in a condition where the clip is held by the clamp members wherein the pair of clamp members intersect with each other, the clamp members being supported by the support member at the intersecting portions of the clamp members such that the clamp members are rotatable about a common shaft, the clamp members respectively comprising link portions integrally formed with the gripping portions, the clamp mechanism further comprising a pair of links, one ends of the links being respectively rotatably connected to the link portions of the clamp members, the other ends of the links being rotatably connected to the distal end of the wire, the link portions of the pair of clamp members and the pair of links constituting a pantograph-type link mechanism,
• the pair of clamp members being connected to the operation member via the link mechanism and the wire,
• when the wire is pulled by operating the operation member, the the pair of clamp members being rotated via the link mechanism against the elastic force of the hinge portion of the clip, thereby causing the gripping portions of the pair of clamp members to press the pair of connecting portions of the clip, thereby opening the clip portions.