Abstract:
The clamp includes a passage adjacent to a pivot connection and into which a corresponding pivot pin is at least partially displaced from its original position into a position in which the circumcision clamp becomes inoperative. In one embodiment, the passage is located at one end of the latching member having a notch that is adjacent to a spur so that, when the clamp is moved to a closed position, the spur slips into the notch. The spur and notch resist movement of the latching member thereby causing the pivot pin to be forcibly displaced from its original position into an inoperative position. Select elements of the clamp may be formed of transparent plastic material for allowing a circumcision operator to monitor the glans penis therebeneath so that same is not damaged during a circumcision. Alternately, the clamp may be formed of aluminum and stainless steel. In such an embodiment, the passage is located at one end of the handle. As the handle moves to an open position from a closed position, the corresponding pivot pin at the end of the handle is forcibly displaced at least partially into the passage and thereby rendering the clamp inoperative. Such an embodiment of the clamp may be sent back to the manufacturer to be refurbished and resterilized for reuse.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not Applicable.  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not Applicable.  
         REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
         [0003]    Not Applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    1. Technical Field  
           [0005]    This invention relates to a circumcision clamp and, more particularly, to a circumcision clamp having a pivot pin that becomes offset after performing a circumcision procedure and thereby rendering the clamp inoperative to perform another circumcision.  
           [0006]    2. Prior Art  
           [0007]    Circumcision instruments are well known in the art. Such instruments are commonly used to remove prepuce from a penis for medical and/or religious reasons, for example. Some conventional circumcision instruments may be discarded after performing a circumcision procedure for ensuring that sterile and dependable circumcision instruments will be employed in subsequent procedures. As a result, hospitals and medical doctors are burdened with the higher costs associated with the manufacture and employment of a new circumcision instrument for each patient. Unfortunately, the costs of this shortcoming are ultimately passed on to the patients.  
           [0008]    A particularly popular circumcision clamp widely employed is disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. No. 287,763 to Porat et al. Such a circumcision clamp is known in the industry to be both reliable and safe. Porat et al.&#39;s clamp is made from stainless steel and is reusable after sterilization. Unfortunately, some shortcomings of such a circumcision clamp are its relatively high cost and heavy weight as well as wear on the cam lever which effects the proper functioning of the clamp during use.  
           [0009]    Other circumcision clamps employed in the industry are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,566,873, 3,706,312 and 3,669,115 to Melges. Such clamps may be relatively lightweight because they can be made from plastic materials. In addition, such clamps include a hook latch member that breaks off after each use thereby making the clamp inoperable and disposable. Unfortunately, a shortcoming of such prior art circumcision clamps is their inability to be refurbished for reuse.  
           [0010]    Yet other circumcision instruments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,649,933 and 5,797,921 to Singh and Cimini et al., respectively. Such clamps also may be made from plastic materials. Accordingly, such clamps weigh less than conventional stainless steel clamps. Unfortunately, similar to other prior art clamps, a shortcoming of these clamps is their inability to be refurbished for reuse.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight and dependable circumcision clamp having low manufacturing costs. Another object of the present invention is to provide a circumcision clamp that can be refurbished and resterilized for reuse. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, are provided by a circumcision clamp for performing a circumcision operation and including an engaging section for receiving prepuce to be removed during a circumcision procedure, securing means for tightly maintaining the engaging section in a closed position and for releasing the engaging section to be opened. The securing means includes a latching member and a handle movably connected thereto. The clamp also has a pair of pivot connections for respectively connecting a first end of the latching member to the engaging section and a second end of the latching member to the handle. Each of the pivot connections includes a pivot pin. A passage is adjacent to one of the pivot connections into which a corresponding one of the pivot pins is at least partially displaceable when force is exerted against the one pivot pin in a direction generally toward the passage for causing the one pivot pin to be displaced from its original position into a position in which the circumcision clamp becomes inoperative.  
           [0012]    The engaging section includes an elongate first member and an elongate second member and a main pivot connection adjacent a first end of each member for movably connecting the first and second members. The first and second members may be formed of transparent plastic material for allowing a circumcision operator to monitor the glans penis therebeneath so that same is not damaged during a circumcision.  
           [0013]    The first end of the latching member includes a spur for resisting movement of the securing means from a closed position to an open position. The first member includes a notch generally at a second end thereof and adjacent to the spur so that, when the securing means is moved to a closed position, the spur slips into the notch. The spur and notch resist movement of the securing means and cause the one pivot pin to be forcibly displaced from its original position into the inoperative position.  
           [0014]    The notch is generally midway between upper and lower surfaces of the second end of the first member and has a generally smooth shoulder for guiding the spur therein when the latching member is moved to a closed position. The one pivot connection is formed of deformable material so that the one pivot pin at least partially enters the passage when the latching member is moved to an open position after a circumcision.  
           [0015]    The passage has a width narrower than the diameter of the one pivot pin so that same can only partially enter the passage when sufficient pressure is applied to the one pivot pin in a general direction of the passage. The passage is juxtaposed to the one pivot connection and both are located at the second end of the first member. The passage extends from the one pivot connection towards an outer edge of the first member. The second end of the first member is bifurcated and has an upper portion and a lower portion for receiving the first end of the latching member therebetween. The passage is located in at least one of the bifurcated upper and lower portions of the first member. The latching member and pins are formed of steel and remaining elements of the clamp are formed of plastic material. Advantageously, the present invention will be lighter, yet just as strong as prior art circumcision instruments made from stainless steel, for example, as well as more affordable for the patient.  
           [0016]    In an alternate embodiment, a circumcision clamp includes an engaging section for receiving prepuce to be removed during a circumcision procedure, securing means for tightly maintaining the engaging section in a closed position and for releasing the engaging section to be opened. The securing means includes a latching member and an elongated handle movably connected thereto. A pair of pivot connections respectively connects a first end of the latching member to the engaging section and a second end of the latching member to one end of the handle. Each of the pivot connections includes a pivot pin. The one end of the handle includes a passage into which one of the pivot pins is at least partially displaceable when force is exerted against the one pivot pin in a direction generally toward the passage to cause the one pivot pin to be displaced from its original position into a position in which the circumcision clamp becomes inoperative.  
           [0017]    The one end of the handle is bifurcated and has an upper portion and a lower portion for receiving the latching member therebetween. The passage is located in at least one of the upper and lower portions of the bifurcated end and is adjacent to one of the pivot connections. The passage at least partially receives the one pivot pin from the original position when the securing means is moved to an open position after a circumcision. The passage has a width narrower than the diameter of the one pivot pin so that the one pivot pin can only partially enter the passage when sufficient pressure is applied to the one pivot pin in a general direction of the passage.  
           [0018]    The engaging section includes an elongate first member and an elongate second member and a main pivot connection adjacent a first end of each member for movably connecting the first and second members. The one pivot connection is formed of deformable material so that the one pivot pin at least partially enters the passage when the securing means is moved to an open position after a circumcision. Further, the latching member and pins are formed of steel and the remaining elements of the clamp are formed of aluminum. Advantageously, the inoperable clamp may be returned to the manufacturer for refurbishing the handle and/or the one pivot pin and for resterilizing the circumcision clamp for resale and/or reuse. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0019]    The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a circumcision clamp in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the circumcision clamp shown in FIG. 1, excluding the latching member;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the handle shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the handle shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a reduced top plan view of the upper member shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the upper member shown in FIG. 5;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is a reduced top plan view of the lower member shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the lower member shown in FIG. 7;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 9 is an enlarged top plan view of the latching member shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the circumcision clamp in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 11 is an enlarged front elevational view of the circumcision clamp shown in FIG. 10;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the handle shown in FIG. 10;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the handle shown in FIG. 12;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 14 is a reduced perspective view of the second member shown in FIG. 10;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 15 is an enlarged front elevational view of the second member shown in FIG. 14;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 16 is a reduced perspective view of the first member shown in FIG. 10;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 17 is an enlarged front elevational view of the first member shown in FIG. 16;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 18 is a reduced perspective view of the latching member shown in FIG. 10; and  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 19 is an enlarged top plan view of the latching member shown in FIG. 18. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0039]    The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime and double prime notations are used to indicate similar elements in the two embodiments set forth herein.  
         [0040]    Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a circumcision clamp  20  for performing a circumcision operation is shown. Clamp  20  includes an upper or first elongate member  21  and a lower or second elongate member  22 , latching member  23 , handle  24 , and a plurality of pivot connections  107 ,  101 ,  34  secured by a plurality of pivot pins  28 - 30 , respectively. First and second elongate members  21 ,  22  define the engaging section of clamp  20 . Latching member  23  and handle  24  define the securing means for tightly maintaining the engaging section in a closed position during use.  
         [0041]    All parts of clamp  20 , except latching member  23  and plurality of pivot pins  28 - 30 , are preferably made from tough rigid plastic materials. Such plastic materials may include nylon, polypropylene and polycarbonates, for example. Advantageously, clamp  20  may be manufactured by injection molding processes known in the industry, for example, and thereby reduce manufacturing costs. Latching member  23  and plurality of pivot pins  28 - 30  are preferably made from durable and non-corrosive materials such as stainless steel and titanium, for example. It is noted that conventional circumcision procedures to be performed with the present invention are known in the art and will not be discussed herein.  
         [0042]    First and second members  21 ,  22  are connected at main pivot connection  34  at a first end of each member. Accordingly, such members cooperate with each other for opening and closing the engaging section. A portion of respective second ends of first and second members  21 ,  22  is curved so that v-shaped aperture  47  is formed when faces  35 ,  36  engage. When clamp  20  is in a closed position, engaging faces  35 ,  36  abut each other along a horizontal axis thereof. The spatial relationship of such faces increases as clamp  20  is moved to an open position. When first and second members  21 ,  22  are pivoted apart from each other, the distance between opposing faces  35 ,  36  is greatest at ends  41 ,  42  and linearly decreases along faces  35 ,  36  towards main pivot connection  34 .  
         [0043]    For performing a circumcision procedure, the engaging section must be in a fully closed position with a prepuce (not shown) engaged therebetween. Accordingly, the portion of the prepuce extending above faces  35 ,  36  preferably is removed from a penis (not shown). Bowed sections  32 ,  33  extend generally along the length of first and second members  21 ,  22  and form a symmetric cavity  37  when at a closed position. The cavity has a substantially conical shape similar to the shape of clamp  20  and extends from top surface  38  downward in a sloped angle towards each other and terminating at engaging faces  35 ,  36 . Cavity  37  extends from ends  41 ,  42  of corresponding first and second  21 ,  22  members along the length of clamp  20  and stops before arcuate portions  39 ,  40 .  
         [0044]    The width of cavity  37  is most thin at engaging faces  35 ,  36  and gradually tapers upward and away therefrom to about midway of first and second members  21 ,  22 , respectively. Accordingly, cavity  37  provides a concave surface for accessing a prepuce engaged between opposing faces  35 ,  36 . Because faces  35 ,  36  each have thin cross-sections, such faces only engage a minimum portion of a prepuce for blocking blood flow therethrough. Advantageously, more prepuce may be extended and severed above cavity  37  for ensuring that unnecessary prepuce portions do not remain attached to a penis after completing a circumcision procedure. In addition, because clamp  20  is preferably formed from plastic materials, a physician may monitor the location of the glans penis (not shown) with respect to engaging faces  35 ,  36  by simply looking through clamp  20  from above. Such an advantage will alleviate the necessity of lifting clamp  20  for monitoring the location of the glans penis and not severing same.  
         [0045]    Arcuate portions  39 ,  40  have respective stepped sections  43 ,  44  interfaced and aligned with each other. Such sections cooperate with each other for opening and closing the engaging section about pivot connection  34 . Hole  45  is provided through the center of sections  43 ,  44  for receiving pivot pin  30  therethrough. Such a pivot pin extends above top surface  38  of arcuate portion  40  and has a flattened top end  31  for securing same in place. Likewise bottom end  50  of pivot pin  30  is flattened.  
         [0046]    Gap  46  exists between opposing arcuate portions  39 ,  40  when clamp  20  is at a closed position. Gap  46  is preferably about ¼″ wide so that, when clamp  20  is moved to an open position, the distance between engaging faces  35 ,  36  at the same radial distance from the center of pivot connection  34  is also about ¼″. Such a spatial relationship between faces  35 ,  36  prevents a glans penis from being engaged therebetween and thereby only allowing a prepuce to fit between such faces. Advantageously, the risk of engaging and damaging a glans penis during a circumcision procedure is substantially reduced.  
         [0047]    After a prepuce is introduced between opposing faces  35 ,  36 , it is important to tightly maintain such faces in a closed position. Doing so will assist to reduce blood flow in a prepuce section to be severed and thereby reduces the likelihood of excessive bleeding and infection after the procedure is completed. Also, the likelihood of having to stitch along the circumcision line is reduced because blood flowing thereto is substantially reduced.  
         [0048]    Now referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, handle  24  has substantially arcuate ends  60 ,  61  with planar top and bottom surfaces  62 ,  63  extending along its length. Slot  64  is formed in arcuate end  61  generally midway between top and bottom surfaces  62 ,  63 . Slot  64  is formed generally from perimeter  67  of arcuate end  61  and extends therefrom along the diameter of arcuate end  61  terminating at  70 . Such a slot has a cross-section sufficient for allowing latching member  23  to be inserted therein and become pivotally connected to handle  24  via pivot connection  101 .  
         [0049]    Therefore, the width of handle  24  is greater than the width of latching member  23  and has substantially the same width as sides  43 ,  44  of first and second members. Hole  65  is spaced from the center of arcuate end  61  and closer to its perimeter  67  so that a communication is provided when closing the clamp. Pivot pin  29  is inserted into hole  65  and extends from top surface  62  of handle  24  through latching member  23  and down to bottom surface  63  of handle  24 . Accordingly, pivot pin  29  secures latching member  23  and handle  24  together in a pivoting relationship.  
         [0050]    Handle  24  extends adjacent to side  43  of second member  22  when clamp  20  is in a closed position. Further, handle  24  maintains a spatial relationship with side  43  when clamp  20  is in a closed position. Accordingly, arcuate portion  60  is spaced from side  43  and thereby forms gap  68 . Such a gap extends from arcuate portion  60  and linearly decreases along the length of handle  24  until closely approaching arcuate portion  61 . Arcuate end  61  forms the pivoting cam end of handle  24  and is of a larger diameter than arcuate end  60 . Therefore, perimeter  67  of handle  24  maintains an engaged relationship with side  43  as handle  24  is pivoted about pivot connection  101  for initially opening and closing clamp  20 . As handle  24  pivots about pivot connection  101 , perimeter  67  of arcuate end  61  rolls along side  43  of second member  21 .  
         [0051]    For tightly maintaining clamp  20  in a closed position, a force must be exerted transverse to handle  24  and generally towards side  43  and in a clockwise direction until gap  68  wanes and arcuate portion  60  contacts side  43  of second member  22 . This allows arcuate end  61  of handle  24  to serve as a cam and forcibly pull latching member  23  transversely across first and second members  21 ,  22 . By doing so, first and second faces  35 ,  36  are firmly pressed against each other for tightly maintaining clamp  20  in a closed position.  
         [0052]    Referring now to FIGS.  5 - 9 , the shape of first member  21  is substantially symmetrical to the shape of second member  22 . First and second members  21 ,  22  each have substantially planar bottom surfaces  79 ,  80 . Each of such members has a slot  82 ,  83  for receiving a portion of latching member  23  as the securing means tightly maintains clamp  20  in a closed. Such slots extend from sides  43 ,  44  inwardly towards faces  35 ,  36  and have generally rectangular shapes with a cross-section sufficient for receiving latching member  23  therein. Slot portions  84 ,  85  respectively extend onto cavity portions  32 ,  33  but do not reach engaging faces  35 ,  36 . Such slot portions allow latching member  23  to slide into and out of slots  82 ,  83  as latching member  23  pivots about pivot connection  107 .  
         [0053]    First member  21  further includes notch  25  formed generally midway between top and bottom surfaces  86 ,  87  of first member  21 . Such a notch  25  extends from wall  89  of slot  83  in an upwardly sloped direction towards engaging face  36 . Notch  25  is sufficiently deep for receiving spur  26  therein. Such a spur  26  protrudes from first end  90  of latching member  23  in such a direction so that spur  26  is aligned to fit into notch  25  when latching member  23  pivoted from its full open position  23 ″ about pivot connection  107  into its full line position shown in FIG. 1. To assist in such an insertion, small smooth shoulder  92  provides a curved path for directing spur  26  into notch  25  so that the shoulder  92  spur  26  does not break off until the latching member  23  is thereafter pivoted to open the clamp after use.  
         [0054]    In particular, shoulder  92  has an arc-like shape for spur  26  to slide thereagainst as latching member  23  is fully moved into slots  82 ,  83  for tightly maintaining clamp  20  in a closed position. For connecting latching member  23  to first member  21  and handle  24 , latching member  23  has substantially planar top surface  93  and a bottom surface (not shown) and includes a pair of holes  109 ,  65  at respective ends  90 ,  91  passing through such surfaces. Such holes are aligned with corresponding hole  109  in first member  21  and hole  65  in handle  24  for receiving respective pivot pins  28 ,  29  therethrough.  
         [0055]    First member  21  further includes passage or channel  27  adjacent or juxtaposed to pivot connection  107 . The second end of the first member  21  is bifurcated and has upper portion  115  and lower portion  116 . Such portions have passage  27 . In alternate embodiments, at least one of upper and lower portions  115 ,  116  may have passage  27 . Passage  27  extends generally downward from pivot connection  107  and provides a line of weakness for displacing pivot pin  28  and rendering clamp  20  inoperative after completing a circumcision procedure.  
         [0056]    The width of passage  27  is narrower than the diameter of pivot pin  28  so that same will not prematurely become offset from its original position before a circumcision procedure is completed. Preferably, after first and second member  21 ,  22  move to an open position to receive prepuce between faces  35 ,  36 , clamp  20  is then tightly maintained in a closed position by pressing handle  24  against sidewall  43 . Spur  26  locks into notch  25  after latching member  23  has been pivoted about pivot connection  107  to position member  23  and into slots  82 ,  83  for closing clamp  20 .  
         [0057]    After a circumcision procedure is finished the handle  24  is pivoted about pivot connection  29  and latching member  23  is moved forwardly about pivot connection  107  from its stressed position to an open position and thereby disengages faces  35 ,  36 . Such a pivoting movement about pivot connection  107  is resisted by spur  26  in notch  25 . In particular, a resistive force opposes movement of latching member  23  to an open position. Such an opposing force applies a force to pivot pin  28  generally in the same direction of passage  27  or line of weakness. Accordingly, as latching member  23  is moving toward its broken line position  23 ″ of FIG. 1, pin pivot  28  is forced outwardly at least partly into passage  27  and displaced from its original position. During this process, spur  26  may even fracture off shoulder  92 .  
         [0058]    The effect of displacing pivot pin  28  renders clamp  20  inoperative to be used again because the securing section can no longer tightly maintain the engaging section of the clamp in a tightly closed position. In particular, because pivot pin  28  is displaced from its original position, the pivoting axis at pivot connection  107  becomes loose, rather than firmly in place, and does not allow faces  35 ,  36  to be tightly maintained in a secure position.  
         [0059]    It is noted that clamp  20  may be repeatedly opened and closed without displacing pivot pin  28  from its original position. However, latching member  23  should not be pivoted beyond the threshold point where spur  26  is moved past shoulder  92  and enters notch  25 . If latching member  23  is pivoted beyond such a point, the risk of exerting pressure on pivot pin  28  and prematurely displacing pivot pin  28  from its original position likely may render the clamp inoperative for its intended purpose.  
         [0060]    Now referring to FIGS.  10 - 16 , a second embodiment  20 ′ of clamp  20  is preferably made from aluminum. Aluminum may be processed with automated machinery, which is less expensive than conventional hand-milling procedures employed by some of the prior art. Advantageously, clamp  20 ′ will be less expensive to manufacture than similar prior art clamps made from stainless steel, for example. Clamp  20 ′ includes passage or channel  100  for permitting displacement of pivot pin  28 ′ from its original position and for rendering clamp  20 ′ useless until handle  24 ′ and/or pivot pin  29 ′ are replaced. Similar to clamp  20 , clamp  20 ′ includes first and second members  21 ′,  22 ′, latching member  23 ′, and handle  24 ′. A main pivot connection  30 ′ attaches first and second members  21 ′,  22 ′ to each other at one end and a pair of pivot connections  28 ′,  29 ′ attach first member  21 ′ to latching member  23 ′, and latching member  23 ′ to handle  24 ′, respectively.  
         [0061]    Such an embodiment operates substantially the same as the previous embodiment for tightly maintaining faces  35 ′,  36 ′ in a closed position with prepuce engaged therebetween. However, in this embodiment pivot pin  29 ′ is displaced from its original position rather than pivot pin  28  in the previous embodiment. In particular, after latching member  23 ′ is positioned substantially in a vertical direction and inside slots  82 ′,  83 ′, handle  24 ′ pivots about pivot connection  101 ′ for moving clamp  20 ′ to a closed position. Similar to handle  24 , handle  24 ′ also has gap  68 ′ between itself and sidewall  43 ′ of second member  22  when resting in a closed position. Accordingly, handle  24 ′ should be pressed firmly against side  43 ′ for tightly maintaining faces  35 ′,  36 ′ in a closed position. As a result, pressure is exerted against pivot pin  29 ′ in the general direction of passage  100  thereby moving pivot pin  29 ′ at least partially into passage  100 .  
         [0062]    Arcuate end  61 ′ is bifurcated and has upper and lower portions  115 ′,  116 ′. Such portions have passage  100 . In alternate embodiments, at least one of upper and lower portions  115 ′,  116 ′ may have passage  100 . Passage  100  is adjacent pivot connection  101 ′ and extends in a generally parallel direction to the length of latching member  23 ′ when clamp  20 ′ is in a closed position. In alternate embodiments, passage  100  may be juxtaposed to pivot connection  101 ′.  
         [0063]    Accordingly, as handle  24 ′ is pivoted in a counter clockwise motion from a closed position to an open position after the circumcision, a force is exerted on pivot pin  29 ′ and in the general direction of passage  100  so that pivot pin  29 ′ will be displaced along passage  100  and away from its original position. After pivot pin  29 ′ has been displaced from its original position, clamp  20 ′ becomes useless due to the inoperability of pivot connection  101 ′. Pivot connection  101 ′ becomes inoperable thereby not providing a secure pivoting point for the cam of handle  24 ′ to exert a sufficient closing force on the clamp  20 ′. Similar to passage  27  in clamp  20 , passage  100  may have a width that is narrower than the diameter of pivot pin  29 ′ for preventing same from prematurely being displaced from its original position before a circumcision operation is performed.  
         [0064]    Advantageously, although clamp  20 ′ is not operable after pivot pin  29 ′ is displaced from its original position, such a clamp may be refurbished and sterilized for further use. In particular, clamp  20 ′ may be reused after handle  24 ′ is replaced with a new handle (not shown). The pivot connection  101 ′ may also be replaced by a new pivot pin (not shown). To replace handle  24 ′, clamp  20 ′ preferably should be returned to the manufacturer. The manufacturer may than properly replace handle  24 ′ and sterilized clamp  20 ′ for resale and/or reuse. Replacing handle  24 ′ is a fairly simple task but should be performed by the manufacturer for ensuring proper functioning and sterilization, prior to each reuse of clamp  20 ′. Such a feature of clamp  20 ′ assists in the reduction patients&#39; costs and prevents unnecessary disposal of the entire clamp  20 ′.  
         [0065]    While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.