Surgical clamps

• US 7,329,266 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2002
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Research Surgical Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Research Surgical Pty Limited
• Inventors: Berry, David, Kerr, Michael, Hamilton, Brett, Royse, Alistair
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes; Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GETTMAN, CHRISTINA DANIELLE
• Application Number:
  US10/521,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20060129170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,027 Days
• Field of Search: 606/158, 606/151, 606/157, 251/10
• US Class Current: 606/158
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206

Abstract

An arterial clamp has opposed clamping posts arranged to lie at opposite sides of an artery to clamp the artery between opposed clamping faces of the posts. The posts are carried by a pair of arms pivotally movable one relative to the other to move the posts into clamping relationship with the artery. A ratchet device releasably locks the arms in a selected clamping position. The clamp including posts, arms, and ratchet device is formed as a one-piece plastics moulding.

Claims

1. A clamp for surgical use, the clamp comprising a pair of arms pivotally interconnected at adjacent ends for pivotal movement in a plane between an open configuration in which the arms define a V-shaped configuration and a closed configuration in which the arms are approximately parallel, and a ratchet device located generally opposite of the interconnection of the arms and operative during closing movement to retain the arms in a selected, closed condition, wherein each arm has a clamping member in the form of a post located on the arm between the interconnection of the arms and the ratchet device and extending therefrom substantially perpendicularly to the plane of pivotal movement whereby distal ends of the posts extend outside of the plane, each of the two posts having a clamping face whereby an artery can be clamped between the respective clamping faces of the two posts as the arms are moved to the closed configuration.

2. A clamp according to claim 1, wherein the clamping faces are each inclined relative to the axis of the post by an angle of approximately 4°

to 6°

so as to converge at an included angle of approximately 8°

to 12°

.

3. A clamp according to claim 1, wherein the clamping faces of the clamping posts converge in a direction towards the distal ends of the posts.

4. A clamp according to claim 3, wherein the clamping faces are of substantially planar form.

5. A clamp according to claim 4, wherein the clamping posts are each of a tapered shape, narrowing towards its distal end.

6. A clamp according to claim 4, wherein the clamp is formed as a one-piece plastics moulding with the pivot being formed by a hinge consisting of a flexible web of plastics material interconnecting the adjacent ends of the two arms, and the ratchet device is formed by interengageable ratchet teeth formed on the respective arms, the teeth being disengageable to release the clamp by flexing movement permitted by the inherent flexibility of the plastics material from which the clamp is formed.

7. A clamp for surgical use, the clamp comprising a pair of arms pivotally hinged at adjacent ends for pivotal movement in a plane between an open configuration in which the arms define a V-shaped configuration and a closed configuration in which the arms are approximately parallel, and a ratchet device spaced from the hinge and operative during closing movement to retain the arms in a selected, closed, condition, wherein each arm has a clamping member in the form of a post having a clamping face, wherein each post is positioned between the hinge and the ratchet device and extends from the arm substantially perpendicularly to the said plane of pivotal movement whereby the posts with their clamping faces extend beneath the arms whereby an artery lying beneath the arms can be clamped between the clamping faces of the two posts as the arms are moved to their closed position.

8. A surgical clamp comprising:

a pair of arms connected at a hinge located at a first end of said clamp, said arms pivotally movable in a plane between an open configuration in which said arms define a V-shaped configuration and a closed configuration in which said arms are approximately parallel;

a ratchet device located at a second end of said clamp generally opposite said hinge, said ratchet device operable during closing movement of said arms to retain said arms in a selected, closed, condition;

said arms each including a clamping member comprising a post having a clamping face and extending from said arm substantially perpendicularly to said plane, said post located intermediate said hinge and said ratchet; and

wherein a vessel can be clamped between the respective clamping faces of said posts as said arms are moved to their closed position.