Vessel occlusion clamp

A surgical clamp for occluding a body conduit includes first and second jaws moveable relative to each other in a generally parallel relationship. A handle assembly is operable to move the jaws relative to each other between a space position and proximate position. The first jaw has an elongate configuration characterized by a length and a width. First portions of the first jaw have in cross section a first shape which remains generally constant in area along the first jaw, while second portions have in cross section a second shape which varies in area along the length of the first jaw. The resulting clamp has a low profile jaw design which dimensional-shaped cross section which provide increased stiffness and reduced flexibility.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to surgical clamps, and more specifically to blood vessel occlusion clamps.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Surgical occlusion clamps are commonly used to close off or occlude body conduits, such as blood vessels. A common variety of vessel occlusion clamp is that referred to as a “Bahnson” clamp, which has small metal handles that operate a pair of opposing jaws. When the jaws are brought into close proximity on either side of a vessel, the vessel is squeezed against itself to achieve at least partial occlusion. It is of particular importance that the jaws of the clamp be stable, and sufficiently inflexible that the jaws do not cross over or scissor, but rather press directly against each other along their length to occlude any conduit disposed between the jaws.

It is also desirable to have a thin, low-profile jaw design that can access narrow areas. In the past, this desire for a low-profile design has worked against the need for stability in the jaws. Jaw inserts have been provided, but typically have had exposed edges, ends, and comers, which tend to entrap or entangle surgical sutures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a vessel occlusion clamp of the Bahnson type is provided with improved stability and reduced flexibility, while maintaining a low-profile jaw design. In a preferred embodiment of the clamp, the jaws are provided with a receding or tapered T-beam cross section, which greatly reduces the bendibility or flexibility of the jaws. Other dimensional-shaped cross sections of interest include a U-beam cross section, an I-beam cross section, a trapezoidal I-beam cross section, a continuous or whole-length T-beam cross section, a B-channel cross section, and an L-beam cross section. With the dimensional-shaped, greatly reduced. In addition, the transverse members forming the beam cross sections can be relied on to provide shielding of the jaw insert edges. This shielding prevents entrapment or entanglement of surgical sutures. Scallops or hollowed recesses can be provided in the jaws to facilitate installation and removal of the inserts without degrading structural jaw stability.

In one aspect of the invention a surgical clamp is adapted for use in occluding a body conduit. The clamp includes a first jaw, and a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw in a generally parallel relationship. A handle assembly is operable to move the first and second jaws relative to each other between a spaced position and a proximate position. The first jaw has an elongate configuration characterized by a length and a width. First portions of the first jaw have in radial cross section a first shape which remains generally constant in area along the length of the first jaw. Second portions of the first jaw have in cross section a second shape which changes in area along the length of the first jaw. The first portions will typically have a first width while the second portions will have a second width greater than the first width. An insert is adapted to be removably mounted on the first portions with the second portions extending laterally of the insert.

In a further aspect of the invention, the surgical clamp includes a handle assembly and a pair of opposing jaws movable by the handle assembly in a plane of operation between a spaced orientation, wherein the jaws are spread to recede the body conduit, and a proximal orientation wherein the jaws are substantially closed to occlude the body conduit. At least one of the jaws has in cross section a non-rectangular configuration. An insert having a first width is carried by first portions of the jaw which have a second width. Second portions of the jaw have a third width which defines with the first portions the thickness of the jaw. The first width of the insert is less than the third width of the second portions and greater than the second width of the first portions.

These and other features and advantageous of the invention will be better understood with a description of preferred embodiments and reference to the associated drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A vascular occlusion clamp of the Bahnson type is illustrated in FIG.1and designated generally by the referenced numeral10. The clamp10includes a pair of handles12and14with a ratchet lock16, which pivot on a fulcrum18to move jaws21and23in a generally parallel relationship. Disposable inserts25and27are removably mounted on the associated jaws21,23. InFIG. 2, the inserts25and27have been removed in order to illustrate the dimensional-shaped design of the jaws21and23. From this view it can be seen that the jaws21and23extend along a Z axis but move generally along an X axis. The width of the jaws is measured along a Y axis. Thus the jaws having a length along the Z axis, a width along the Y axis, and a thickness along the X axis.

This dimensional-shaped design is further illustrated in the side-elevation view of FIG.3and the associated cross sectional views ofFIGS. 4 and 5. The side elevation view ofFIG. 3is drawn in the YZ plane while the cross sectional views ofFIGS. 4 and 5are drawn in the XY plane. In all of the cross sectional views ofFIGS. 4-10, a preferred disposition of the associated insert25is illustrated in dotted lines.

In this embodiment, the jaw21has an engagement section29with a generally constant profile along its length. This engagement section29is intended to occupy a channel within the associated insert26. The jaw21also includes a support section31which, in cross section forms a T with the elongate section29. It as this support section31that provides this embodiment with its dimensional-shaped structure. In this case, the support section31tapers from a narrow width it the distal end of the jaw21to a maximum width near the proximal end of the jaw21. The engagement section or upper portion29also has an upper surface29aand the support section or lower portion31has a lower surface31aand a bottom surface31b. With this dimensional-shaped configuration, the cross section of the jaw21is provided with substantially increased beam stiffness along the X axis and reduced transverse deflection along the Y axis.

The support section31can also be relied on to shield the edges, ends, and comers of the insert25that can entrap or entangle surgical sutures. With the shielding provided by these transverse elements, the edges, ends, and comers are not as prominent. While this prevents entrapment of surgical sutures, it can also make it more difficult to remove the inserts25and27for disposal. It is for this reason that the embodiment ofFIG. 3is provided with scallops or hollow recesses33and35, which provide shallow access to a proximal edge of each insert. With these recesses33and35provided in proximity to counterbored pin recesses37,39(FIG.2), the inserts25and27can be easily engaged and removed.

Other dimensional-shaped cross sectional designs providing these advantages are illustrated inFIGS. 6-10. Each of these non-rectangular shaped cross sections provide increased beam stiffness and reduce transverse deflection, compared to the rectangular cross sections of prior designs.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, the jaw21has a trapezoidal I-beam shape characterized by an inner flange41joined to an outer flange43by a center flange45. In this case, the inner flange41and the center flange45formed the engagement section29which is disposed in the channel of the insert25. The outer flange43forms the support section31and maintains an abutting relationship with the insert25. This I-beam shape has a trapezoidal configuration in that the inner flange41has a width less than the outer flange43.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 7, the jaw21in cross section has a generally U-shaped configuration. A center flange50is supported by two side flanges52and54which extend to outwardly directed flanges56and58respectively. In this embodiment, the center flange50and side flanges52and54form the engagement section29while the outwardly directed flanges56and58form the support section31. As in previously embodiments, the engagement section29is received within a center channel of the insert25while the support section31is disposed in an abutting relationship with the insert25.

The embodiment ofFIG. 8includes a jaw21having in cross section a V-shaped configuration. This embodiment includes a top flange61supported by side flanges63and65which extend to outwardly directed flanges67and69, respectively. In this embodiment, the side flanges63and65are disposed at an acute angle with respect to the top flange61and are also disposed at an angle with respect to each other. The top flange61and side flanges63and65form the engagement section29and are adapted to be disposed within a channel of the insert25. The outwardly directed flanges67and69form the support section31and are disposed in an abutting relationship with the insert25.

The embodiment ofFIG. 9includes a jaw21, having in cross section an I-Beam shape similar to that of FIG.6. Thus, the jaw21has a top flange72, joined to a bottom flange74by a center flange76. In this embodiment, the top flange72has the same width as the bottom flange74, but a greater thickness than the bottom flange74. Also, the flanges72,74and76are all disposed within the channel of the insert25. Accordingly, these three flanges in the illustrated embodiment form the engagement section29of the jaw21.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 10, the jaw21in cross section has a U-shaped configuration. This embodiment is characterized by a bottom flange81, side flanges83and85, and a center flange87. The side flanges83and85are equally spaced from the bottom flange87and extend from a side of the bottom flange81, opposite to that of the center flange87. Outwardly directed flanges89and91extend from the bottom flange81outwardly of the side flanges83and85. In this embodiment, portions of the bottom flange81together with the side flanges83and85form the engagement section29. The remaining portions-of the bottom flange81together with the outwardly directed flanges89and91and the bottom flange87form the support section31.

The resulting clamp10maintains the desired low profile jaw design, while the dimensional-shaped cross sections provide increased stiffness and reduced flexibility. As a result, transverse deflection is substantially avoided. The dimensional-shaped cross section also provides shielding to prevent entanglement of surgical sutures, while the scalloped and hollowed recessed33and35facilitate removal of the inserts25and27.

Many alterations and modifications can be made to the foregoing preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only by way of example, and should not be taken as limiting the invention. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the claims set forth below recite certain elements and combinations, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are not disclosed above even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

In addition, the words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but also in the sense of any special definitions used in this specification, which may extend beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, than its use in the claims must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in the specification to include not only the combination of the elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or method steps for performing substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to obtain substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what essentially incorporates the idea of the invention.

Many alterations and modifications can be made to the foregoing preferred embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only by way of example, and should not be taken as limiting the invention. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the claims set forth below recite certain elements and combinations, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are not disclosed above even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

In addition, the words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but also in the sense of any special definitions used in this specification, which may extend beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, than its use in the claims must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in the specification to include not only the combination of the elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or method steps for performing substantially the same function, in substantially the same way, to obtain substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what essentially incorporates the idea of the invention.