Surgical clamp with improved traction

• US 6,579,304 B1
• Filed: 09/04/1997
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Inventors: Gadberry, Donald L., Chi-Sing, Eduardo, Fishburn, Robert, Yawata, Haruyasu, Hart, Charles C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US08/923,211
• Time in Patent Office: 2,112 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/205-211, 606/174, 606/50-52, 606/151-158, 606/107, 606/139-148, 813/00--275, 294/87-2-, 294/99--10, 294/103--11
• US Class Current: 606/207
• 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 17/1227 Spring clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2825 Inserts of different material in jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2829 with a removable cover

Abstract

A surgical clamp includes opposing jaws and a covering enhancing traction between the jaws and a body conduit. A multiplicity of fibers oriented to extend longitudinally between the clamp and conduit may be composed of filaments and either woven or non-woven to form a fabric. A variety of weaves are contemplated to provide different textures, each having its own traction characteristics. The nature of the weave can control characteristics such as smoothness, absorption, and texture. The fibers or filaments may be formed from any solid or semi-solid material, adding its own characteristics to the resulting fabric insert or clamp.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for at least partially occluding a body conduit, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw opposing the first jaw and movable relative to the first jaw to at least partially occlude the body conduit;

a first layer carried by the first jaw and facing the second jaw, the first layer having first compliant characteristics and first absorption characteristics; and

a second layer carried by the first jaw in juxtaposition to the first layer, the second layer having second compliant characteristics and second absorption characteristics, the second compliant characteristics of the second layer being less than the first compliant characteristics of the first layer, and the second absorption characteristics of the second layer being greater than the first absorption characteristics of the first layer.

2. The surgical instrument recited in claim 1, further comprising an insert having a substrate, the first layer and the second layer, wherein the first layer is disposed in contact with the substrate and the second layer.

3. The surgical instrument recited in claim 2, wherein the second layer comprises a fabric.

4. The surgical instrument recited in claim 3 wherein the fabric is woven.

5. The surgical instrument recited in claim 3, wherein the fabric is non-woven.

6. The surgical instrument recited in claim 3, wherein the fabric has properties that absorb fluids from the body conduit so as to enhance traction between the insert and the body conduit.

7. The surgical instrument recited in claim 3 wherein the fabric comprises a tube and at least the first layer of the insert is disposed in the tube.

8. The surgical instrument recited in claim 7 wherein the substrate of the insert is disposed in the tube.

9. The surgical instrument recited in claim 2, wherein the second layer comprises a multiplicity of fibers.

10. A surgical clamp for at least partially occluding a body conduit, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw opposing the first jaw and movable relative to the first jaw to at least partially occlude the body conduit;

a first layer carried by the first jaw and facing the second jaw, the first layer having first compliant characteristics and first absorption characteristics;

a second layer carried by the first jaw in juxtaposition to the first layer, the second layer having second compliant characteristics and second absorption characteristics, the second compliant characteristics of the second layer being less than the first compliant characteristics of the first layer;

the second absorption characteristics of the second layer being greater than the first absorption characteristics of the first layer; and

a multiplicity of fibers included in the second layer and being oriented to extend generally in a common plane.

11. The surgical clamp recited in claim 10, wherein:

the common plane is a first plane;

the first jaw and the second jaw are oriented in a second plane; and

the second plane of the jaws is generally perpendicular to the first plane of the fibers.

12. The surgical clamp recited in claim 11, wherein the multiplicity of fibers form a fabric.

13. The surgical clamp recited in claim 12, wherein the fabric is non-woven.

14. The surgical clamp recited in claim 12, wherein the fabric is woven.

15. The surgical clamp recited in claim 12, wherein the multiplicity of fibers further comprises:

a first set of the fibers having a first orientation;

a second set of the fibers having a second orientation; and

the first orientation of the first fibers is different than the second orientation of the second fibers.

16. The surgical clamp recited in claim 15, wherein the first set of fibers and the second set of fibers intersect in a repetitive pattern.

17. The surgical clamp recited in claim 10, wherein:

the fibers have a width;

the second layer has a thickness; and

the thickness of the second layer is not greater than two-times the width of the fibers.

18. The surgical clamp recited in claim 10, wherein the first layer and second layer form at least a portion of an insert removably attachable to the first jaw.

19. A surgical instrument for at least partially occluding a body conduit, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw opposing the first jaw and movable relative to the first jaw to at least partially occlude the body conduit;

an insert having a base;

a first layer having first compliant characteristics and first absorption characteristics, the first layer being carried by the base and facing the second jaw;

a second layer having second compliant characteristics and second absorption characteristics, the second compliant characteristics being less than the first compliant characteristics of the first layer, the second absorption characteristics being greater than the first absorption characteristics of the first layer, the second layer being carried by the first layer;

a multiplicity of fibers included in the second layer, the fibers each having an elongate configuration and a side-surface extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end; and

the side-surface of at least one of the fibers being uneven in order to provide the second layer with improved traction relative to the body conduit.

20. The surgical clamp recited in claim 19, wherein the uneven surface has peaks and valleys which provide the surface with a roughened texture.

21. The surgical clamp recited in claim 19, wherein the uneven surface comprises a ridge extending at least partially between the first end and second end of the fiber.

22. The surgical clamp recited in claim 21, wherein the fiber is twisted so that the ridge spirals around the surface.

23. The surgical clamp recited in claim 19, wherein the fibers are hollow.

24. The surgical clamp recited in claim 19, wherein the multiplicity of fibers form a fabric having characteristics for absorbing fluids.

25. The surgical clamp recited in claim 24, wherein at least one of the fibers has characteristics for absorbing fluids.

26. The surgical clamp recited in claim 19, wherein the second layer has a first area of contact with the body conduit when the clamp initially contacts the body conduit, and a second area of contact greater than the first area of contact when the clamp at least partially occludes the body conduit.

27. A surgical clamp for at least partially occluding a body conduit, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw opposing the first jaw and movable relative to the first jaw to at least partially occlude the body conduit; and

an insert carried by the first jaw and facing the second jaw, the insert having a first layer and a second layer in juxtaposition to the first layer, the first layer having first compliant characteristics and first absorption characteristics, the second layer having second compliant characteristics and second absorption characteristics, the second compliant characteristics of the second layer being less than the first compliant characteristics of the first layer, and the second absorption characteristics of the second layer being greater than the first absorption characteristics of the first layer.

28. The surgical clamp recited in claim 27, wherein the second layer of the insert comprises a multiplicity of fibers forming a fabric.

29. The surgical clamp recited in claim 28, wherein the fibers are arranged in a random orientation.

30. The surgical clamp recited in claim 28, wherein the fibers form a woven fabric.

31. The surgical clamp recited in claim 30, wherein the fabric is woven in a three-dimensional weave.

32. The surgical clamp recited in claim 30, wherein the fabric is woven with more than one of the fibers following the same path in the fabric.

33. The surgical clamp recited in claim 28, wherein the fibers form a non-woven fabric.

34. A surgical clamp for at least partially occluding a body conduit, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw opposing the first jaw and movable relative to the first jaw to at least partially occlude the body conduit;

a first layer carried by the first jaw and facing the second jaw, the first layer having first compliant characteristics and first absorption characteristics;

a second layer carried by the first jaw in juxtaposition to the first layer, the second layer having second compliant characteristics and second absorption characteristics;

the second compliant characteristics of the second layer being less than the first compliant characteristics of the first layer;

the second absorption characteristics of the second layer being greater than the first absorption characteristics of the first layer;

a multiplicity of hollow fibers included in the second layer, the fibers having an elongate configuration and having a side-surface extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end; and

the side-surface of at least one of the fibers being uneven in order to provide the second layer with improved traction relative to the body conduit.