[Design and In Vitro Experimental Study of an Endoscopic Multiple-clip Applier]

Considering the problems such as reposition limited, easily detached and singly fired of the existing clip products, we developed an endoscopic multiple-clip applier which can apply 4 clips fired successively at a time. Th instrument also equipped with an independent grasper which can be used to clamp target tissues. In order to explor its feasibility and effectiveness of endoluminal closure of gastric perforation, 22 pig stomachs were making a 1 cm full-thickness incision from outside and closed by multiple-clip applier (n = 12) in vitro. Outcome was measured by bursting pressure and compared with negative control (n = 5) and hand suture (n = 5). We set a threshold pressure value (10 mm Hg) for a secure closure. Except 2 cases of invalid data, the mean bursting pressures of negative control, multiple-clip applier, hand suture were (1.5 ± 0.3) mm Hg, (46.0 ± 7.1) mm Hg, and (72.5 ± 7.7) mm Hg, respectively. The results showed that bursting pressure of multiple-clip applier was significantly higher than that of negative control (P < 0.05) and threshold value. Multiple-clip applier can be served as an effective and safe device to perform the endoluminal closure of gastric perforation.