Tissue clamp

• US 20070106314A1
• Filed: 11/02/2006
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University Of Massachusetts
• Original Assignee: University Of Massachusetts
• Inventors: Dunn, Raymond
• Granted Patent: US 7,901,420 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1128 of nerves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1227 Spring clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2812 with a single pivotal connection A61B17/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2833 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1103 Approximator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1107 for blood vessels

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tissue clamp, a tool for grasping the clamp and a method of using the clamp for surgical procedures. The clamp has a fixture or fixtures positioned on the proximal end of the arms of the clamp so that a tool can be used by the surgeon to securely grasp the clamp during placement thereof on the vasculature or other tissue of the patient. The fixture can have a plurality of channels so that the user can select the angular orientation of the tool relative to the damp.

Claims

1. A tissue clamp comprising:

a first arm and a second arm that are attached at a hub such that the first arm and the second arm rotate relative to each other, the first arm and the second arm each having a distal tip that grasps tissue of a patient, and a fixture on a proximal end of the first arm for grasping of the clamp by the user.

2. The tissue clamp of claim 1 further comprising a second fixture on the second arm of the clamp.

3. The tissue clamp of claim 1 wherein the fixture further comprises a top, a sidewall, and a base, the fixture being attached to the first arm at the base.

4. The tissue clamp of claim 3 wherein the sidewall comprises a channel.

5. The tissue clamp of claim 3 wherein the sidewall comprises a plurality of vertically extending channels.

6. The tissue clamp of claim 1 further comprising a tool for grasping the clamp with the fixture.

7. The tissue clamp of claim 6 wherein the tool comprises a forceps.

8. The tissue clamp of claim 6 wherein the tool has a member that engages a channel on the fixture.

9. The tissue clamp of claim 1 wherein the fixture has a circular cross-section.

10. The tissue clamp of claim 7 wherein the forceps comprises an eyelet having a plurality of inner ridges that mate with channels on a sidewall of the fixture.

11. The tissue clamp of claim 1 wherein the fixture comprises an opening in the first arm.

12. A method of performing a surgical procedure comprising:

grasping a clamp fixture with a tool at one of a plurality of selectable orientations;

positioning the clamp at a surgical site;

attaching the clamp to tissue at the site;

releasing the clamp from the tool; and

performing a surgical procedure.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising occluding a vascular lumen with the clamp.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising grasping nerve tissue with the clamp.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising aligning a pair of body lumens with a plurality of connected clamps.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising using forceps to grasp the clamp.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising providing a clamp fixture having a plurality of features that can mate with the tool.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising using a plurality of clamps to grasp tissue at a surgical site.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising providing a first clamp connected to a second clamp.

20. The method of claim 12 further comprising locking the clamp in an open position while positioning the clamp at the surgical site.