Surgical Clamping Instrument

A clamping system having a clamp head, forceps, and a mechanical actuator. The clamp head has a first clamp or arm, a second clamp arm, a tubular neck, and a drive shaft that extends through the tubular neck. The first clamp arm is moved relative to the second clamp arm by selectively rotating the drive shaft. The forceps have a jaw section. The jaw section has a ring clamp that is sized to receive and retain the tubular neck on the clamp head. A mechanical actuator attaches to the forceps. The mechanical actuator has an elongated shaft that aligns with the drive shaft of the clamp head when the ring clamp is closed around the tubular neck of the clamp head. The alignment enables the mechanical actuator to engage the drive shaft and turn the drive shaft when the mechanical actuator is manipulated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to surgical clamping instruments. More particularly, the present invention relates to surgical clamping instruments that have clamp heads that detach from a handle inside the body. In this manner, a clamp head can be left within an incision while its handle is removed to make room for other surgical instruments.

2. Prior Art Description

There are many surgical procedures where a clamp is used deep within an incision. Traditional clamps have handles that are used to manipulate the clamp into position. The handles are also used to selectively open and close the clamp. The problem with such traditional clamps is that the handle of the clamp creates a physical barrier within the incision. The handle of the clamp can prevent a surgeon from viewing and accessing tissue of interest. The presence of the clamp handle also limits the room in which a surgeon can insert and manipulate other surgical instruments.

In the prior art, one solution to the clamp crowding problem involves utilizing a clamp with a clamp head that detaches from its handle. In this manner, the clamp head can be set in place using the handle, then the handle can be removed. The clamp head remains in place and the handle is no longer an obstruction. One such prior art clamping system is commonly referred to as a Glauber clamp and is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 8,409,229 to Wiedenbein.

There are certain disadvantages associated with prior art clamping systems, such as the Glauber clamp. One disadvantage is that once the clamp head is detached from the handle inside the body, it is often very difficult to reattach the handle to the clamp head inside the body. The clamp head and the handle must be specifically oriented before the clamp head and the handle can interconnect. Since the clamp head can, and often does, change orientations within the body, the clamp head rarely aligns with the handle when the handle is reinserted through an incision. The clamp head must then be manipulated into a better orientation using other surgical instruments. However, the presence of the other surgical instruments limits the room available to maneuver the clamp handle. Thus, the problem becomes self-complicating.

Another disadvantage of prior art Glauber-style clamping systems is that the clamps have large connection hubs. The connection hubs present large obstructions deep within surgical incisions. However, the connection hubs are required to receive the detachable handle and to transfer mechanical action from the handle to the clamp head to open and close the clamp head. If this connection cannot be made, the clamp must be surgically removed by other means. This adds significant complications to the surgical procedure.

A need therefore exists for an improved surgical clamping system that has a clamp head that detaches from a handle, wherein the parts can attach throughout a wide range of orientations. A need also exists for a detachable clamp head with a less bulky attachment hub and a detachable clamp to be easily opened and removed without the need of a specific detachable handle. These needs are met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a clamping system for use during a surgical procedure. The clamping system includes a clamp head, forceps, and a mechanical actuator. The clamp head has a first clamp arm, a second clamp arm, a tubular neck, and a drive shaft that extends through the tubular neck. The first clamp arm is articulable and can be moved relative to the second clamp arm by selectively rotating the drive shaft. The drive shaft has a hub that can also be rotated with a standard forceps for ease of adjustment, added convenience, or emergency situations.

The forceps have a jaw section that can be manually opened and closed. The jaw section has a ring clamp thereon that opens and closes with the jaw section. The ring clamp is sized to receive and retain the tubular neck on the clamp head. The ring clamp can be closed around the neck across a wide range of approach angles. This is achieved in part by a unique side bevel on both the neck and the forceps allowing for an off-center approach with a self-centering connection.

A mechanical actuator is attached to the forceps. The mechanical actuator has an elongated shaft that aligns with the drive shaft of the clamp head when the ring clamp is closed around the tubular neck of the clamp head. The alignment enables the mechanical actuator to engage the drive shaft and turn the drive shaft when part of the mechanical actuator is manually turned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the present invention clamping system can be embodied in many ways, only one exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The exemplary embodiment is shown for the purposes of explanation and description. The exemplary embodiment is selected in order to set forth one of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiment, however, is merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, a clamping system10is shown. The clamping system10includes a specialized forceps12, a mechanical actuator14, and a clamp head16. The specialized forceps12supports the mechanical actuator14. The specialized forceps12is also designed to selectively engage and release the clamp head16. As such, the specialized forceps12is used to both insert the clamp head16into an incision and remove the clamp head16from an incision. The mechanical actuator14is used to selectively open and close the clamp head16when the clamp head16is engaged with the specialized forceps12.

Referring toFIG.3in conjunction withFIG.1andFIG.2, it can be seen that the specialized forceps12has two shanks18,20that are joined together at a common scissor joint22. The specialized forceps12is symmetrically disposed about a center line24that bisects the scissor joint22. The first shank18has a first end26and an opposite second end27. Likewise, the second shank20has a first end28and an opposite second end29. The scissor joint22divides the specialized forceps12between a handle section30and a jaw section32. The handle section30extends from the scissor joint22to the first ends26,28of the shanks18,20. The first ends26,28of the shanks18,20terminate with finger loops34. This allows the handle section30of the specialized forceps12to be gripped and manipulated in a traditional manner. The shanks18,20can also include ratcheted extensions36that enable the two shanks18,20to be selectively locked together at different angles.

The jaw section32of the specialized forceps12extends from the scissor joint22to the second ends27,29of the two shanks18,20. At the second ends27,29of the shanks18,20, each of the shanks18,20terminates with a half ring38,39. Each half ring38,39extends away from the shanks18,20at a perpendicular to the bisecting centerline24. When the jaw section32is closed and the shanks18,20abut, the two half rings38,39align to form a two-part ring clamp40with an internal radius R1. The two-part ring clamp40has a central axis42that is parallel to the bisecting centerline24.

A guide tube44is mounted to the first shank18near the scissor joint22. When the jaw section32is closed and the shanks18,20abut, the guide tube44concentrically aligns with the two-part ring clamp40, wherein both the guide tube44and the two-part ring clamp40share the same central axis42.

The mechanical actuator14includes a handle46. An elongated shaft48extends from the handle46, wherein the elongated shaft48terminates at an engagement head50. The engagement head50is cylindrical in shape and terminates at a distal end52. A receptacle54is formed in the distal end52of the engagement head50that has a keyed shape, such as a hex shape or a spline shape. The purpose for the receptacle54is later explained. The engagement head50passes through, and is supported by, the guide tube44on the specialized forceps12. The result is that the elongated shaft48is aligned with the central axis42of the guide tube44. The mechanical actuator14is attached to the specialized forceps12in a manner where the elongated shaft48is still free to rotate about the central axis42. The elongated shaft48can be selectively rotated by manually turning the handle46.

Referring toFIG.4andFIG.5, in conjunction withFIG.3, it can be seen that the clamp head16has a housing56. The housing56has a first end58and an opposite second end60. A tubular neck62is formed at the first end58of the housing56. At the opposite second end60of the housing56, two clamp arms64,66extend from the housing56. The clamp arms64,66are mirrored in shape. The clamp arms64,66include a base clamp arm64and an articulating clamp arm66. The base clamp arm64is affixed to the second end60of the housing56and does not move relative to the housing56. In operation, the base clamp arm64remains static. The articulating clamp arm66moves relative to the base clamp arm64, therein causing the clamp head16to open and close.

The articulating clamp arm66has a pinion gear68formed at its base. Within the housing56, a pivot pin70passes through the center of the pinion gear68, wherein the pinion gear68is free to rotate about the pivot pin70. The articulating clamp arm66rotates with the pinion gear68. This selectively changes the angle of the articulating clamp arm66relative to the base clamp arm64.

A drive shaft72extends into the housing56through the tubular neck62at the first end58. The drive shaft72is elongated and has a long axis74that extends from a proximal end76to a distal end78. The proximal end76of the drive shaft72has a keyed shape that mates with the shape of the receptacle54in the engagement head50of the elongated shaft48. The drive shaft48has an axle nub80at its distal end78. Within the housing56, the axle nub80is received in a recess82within the housing56. The drive shaft72is supported in the housing56both by the tubular neck62of the housing56and by the engagement of the axle nub80in the recess82. Although supported by the housing56, the drive shaft72is still free to rotate about its long axis74.

A worm gear84is formed on the drive shaft86within the housing56. The worm gear84intermeshes with the pinion gear68on the articulating clamp arm66. As a consequence, when the drive shaft72rotates about its long axis74, the worm gear84turns and rotates the pinion gear68and the articulating clamp arm66about the pivot pin70.

Referring to all figures, it will be understood that to use the clamping system10, the clamp head16is attached to the specialized forceps12and is advanced into an incision. The clamp head16is attached to the specialized forceps12, by closing the jaw section32about the clamp head16. More particularly, as the jaw section32is closed, the two-part ring clamp40closes over the tubular neck62on the clamp head16. The engagement of the two-part ring clamp40around the tubular neck62aligns the tubular neck62and the drive shaft86with the elongated shaft48of the mechanical actuator14. That is, the central axis42of the elongated shaft48and engagement head50is aligned with the long axis74of the drive shaft86. Since the two-part ring clamp40is circular and the tubular neck62is circular, the two-part ring clamp40can engage the tubular neck62of the clamp head16from most any direction. Once the two-part ring clamp40is closed around the tubular neck62, the two-part ring clamp40will automatically align the central axis42of the elongated shaft48with the long axis74of the drive shaft72. This automatic alignment is of great benefit to a surgeon who need only grab the tubular neck62on the clamp head16with the two-part ring clamp40to achieve proper alignment.

Once the central axis42of the elongated shaft48and the engagement head50is aligned with the long axis74of the drive shaft72, then the proximal end76of the drive shaft72is aligned with the receptacle54in the engagement head50. The handle46can then be manually manipulated to advance the engagement head50toward the drive shaft72. The keyed receptacle54on the engagement head50receives the keyed shape of the drive shaft72at its distal end78. This creates a mechanical interconnection between the mechanical actuator14and the drive shaft72. As a consequence, when the handle46of the mechanical actuator14is manually turned, the drive shaft72in the clamp head16will turn. As the drive shaft72turns, the worm gear84turns. The worm gear84turns the pinion gear68. The rotation of the pinion gear68causes the articulating clamp arm to rotate about the pivot pin70. This selectively opens and closes the clamp arms64,66as directed by the manipulations of the handle46by a surgeon.

The clamp arms64,66on the clamp head16can be adjusted as needed. Once the clamp head16is properly adjusted, the engagement head50can be retracted away from the drive shaft72. The shanks18,20of the specialized forceps12can be spread, whereby the clamp head16will detach from the specialized forceps12. The specialized forceps12and the mechanical actuator14are removed from the incision, leaving the clamp head16within the incision. To retrieve the clamp head16from an incision, the process is reversed. The specialized forceps12is advanced into the incision. The two-part ring clamp40is closed around the tubular neck62of the mechanical actuator14. This automatically aligns the drive shaft72of the clamp head16with the engagement head50. The mechanical actuator14can then be advanced and turned to mechanically open the clamp head16. The clamp head16can then be removed along with the specialized forceps12as a unit.

It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and described is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to that embodiment. For instance, the size and shape of the specialized forceps and the clamp head can be altered to meet the needs of a particular surgical procedure. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.