Vascular clamps and surgical retractors with directional filaments for tissue engagement

• US 6,461,368 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2001
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vitalitec International Inc. (Péters Surgical SAS)
• Original Assignee: Novare Surgical Systems, Inc. (Péters Surgical SAS)
• Inventors: Whittemore, Joshua S., Hermann, George D., Howell, Thomas A., Fogarty, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US09/810,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20010029390A1
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 300/20, 300/21, 264/243, 151/911
• US Class Current: 606/151
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0243 for immobilizing local areas of the heart, e.g. while it beats trocars attached to inner organs or inner body tissue A61B2017/3488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2825 Inserts of different material in jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2837 with a locking ratchet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320012 Brushes

Abstract

Surgical clamps, tissue retractors and surgical stabilizers are disclosed having gripping surfaces from which extend resilient filaments. The distal ends of some of the resilient filaments abut against engaged vessels, tissues or organs to restrict movement of the vessels, tissue or organs relative to the gripping surfaces. In the preferred embodiment, the resilient filaments are arranged in rows and oriented at particular angles relative to the gripping surfaces. Methods of applying resilient filaments to pads for attachment to a surgical clamp, tissue retractor or surgical stabilizer are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of forming a surgical clamp pad configured for attachment to the jaw of a surgical clamp, said pad having resilient filaments extending from the pad surface, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a mold having a mold space corresponding to desired dimensions of a surgical clamp pad configured for attachment to the jaw of a surgical clamp;

(b) providing one or more arrays of resilient filaments, said arrays configured for incorporation into a surgical clamp pad configured for attachment to the jaw of a surgical clamp;

(c) placing the arrays in the mold such that a portion of the resilient filaments extends out of the mold space;

(d) injecting an elastomer into the mold space;

(e) allowing the elastomer to harden to form the surgical clamp pad configured for attachment to the jaw of a surgical clamp; and

(f) removing the formed surgical clamp pad configured for attachment to the jaw of a surgical clamp from the mold.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said one or more arrays includes a spine having resilient filaments and secured thereto.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said arrays are arranged in interlocking fashion.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said resilient filaments are comprised of polypropylene.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the elastomer comprises silicone or silicone foam.