Abstract:
The present invention relates to vascular clamps, in particular, a clamp designed to clamp a vein or artery such as an umbilical vascular, without severing the vasculature.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/349,334, filed on May 28 2010 and entitled “NOVEL VASCULAR CLAMP”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to vascular clamps, in particular, a clamp designed to occlude a vein or artery such as an umbilical cord, without severing the vasculature. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to vascular clamps, in particular, a clamp designed to occlude a vein or artery such as an umbilical cord, without severing the vasculature. This invention offers multiple improvements over those know in the art. First, the width of the finger grip is enlarged to accommodate larger hands or hands with gloves. Second, this widening prevents the user&#39;s fingers from slipping off the vascular clamp when closing the clamp because of fluids making the gloves slimy. Third, there are larger teeth which permit improved grasping of the umbilical cord. Fourth, the increased length of the device provides better accommodation for electronic devices which may be optionally attached. Further, the increased length better accommodates thicker umbilical cords, and accordingly, provides for easier closure of the device. 
         [0004]    General hospital-based obstetric practice introduces artificial clamping as early as 1 minute after the birth of the child. Clamping is followed by cutting of the vascular, which is painless due to the lack of any nerves. The vascular is extremely tough, like thick sinew, and so cutting it requires a suitably sharp instrument. Provided that umbilical severance occurs after the vascular has stopped pulsing (5-20 minutes after birth), there is ordinarily no significant loss of either venous or arterial blood while cutting the vascular. 
         [0005]    After the vascular is clamped and cut, the newborn wears a plastic clip on the navel area until the compressed region of the vascular has dried and is sealed sufficiently. The remaining umbilical stub remains for up to 7-10 days as it dries and then falls off. 
         [0006]    U.S. Patent Application No. 20040199178 is directed to a releasably locking umbilical cord clamp including one or more of: a gender-identifying color, a grasping portion to facilitate closing and locking the clamp on the remaining umbilical cord, a fluid removal channel, a separable measurement portion to facilitate positioning of the clamp at a suitable location on an umbilical cord, and an operatively associated key to unlock and reposition or remove the clamp. Also included are methods relating to using a gender-identifying color on an umbilical cord clamp to facilitate gender and identity recognition and methods of applying the clamp at the proper distance. The length is 1 to 4 cm. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,247,852 discloses an inexpensive, disposable, and widely used umbilical cord clamp for closing the umbilical cord of a newborn infant. The clamp is formed of flexible plastic, has a pair of arms joined by an integral hinge, and is provided with locking means in the form of a hook portion receivable in a recess when the clamp is closed. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,303 discloses a V-shaped umbilical cord clamp having a lock construction of a flexible tongue on one arm and a forwardly-facing recess for receiving the tongue as the clamp is closed. A pair of projections extend inwardly from opposite sides of the recess and define sloping ramp surfaces for engaging the tip of the tongue and for flexing the tongue forwardly as the arms of the clamp are squeezed into the closed position. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,374 discloses a pair of spaced apart umbilical cord clamping members and a tool for closing and cutting the same. The tool locks when closed and must be deactivated to open the tool. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,831 discloses a plastic umbilical cord clamp having a tongue with a hook on one arm and a body with a transverse groove on the other arm for engaging with the hook. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,830 discloses a conventional umbilical cord clamp including an identification system to deter the unauthorized removal of a newborn from a defined area. The system uses identification marks including a serial code, bar code, color code, or letter combination, each of which has a different distinctive mark thereon. Merritt also teaches a groove present in a portion of each arm along a portion of the length of each arm to prevent the clamp from slipping off the umbilical cord. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,879 discloses a miniature electronic security tag affixed to the ankle of newborn infants that contains an RF transmitter and a digital encoding circuit. The tag permits continuous monitoring to alert a central monitoring computer if the tag is cut or stretched or if an unauthorized person attempts to leave the hospital with the infant. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,382 discloses an infant identification and security system including an umbilical cord clamp and a matching wristband for the infant&#39;s mother, with a pair of information storage modules attached to the clamp and wristband and a compatible terminal for reading and writing information thereto. Triggering elements are included for triggering a compatible alarm system if an unauthorized person removes the newborn from the maternity ward. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,991 discloses umbilical cord clamps having two or more different colors at the distal end of each elongated arm of the clamps. The colors are complementary such that, when combined, they create a third color to indicate that the clamp is closed. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,054 discloses a device and method for clamping and severing a compressible structure containing fluid. A clamp having a pair of arms is secured in a clamped position while forcing fluid outwardly therefrom, and a cutting assembly cuts through the pair of arms to form separated first and second clamps. 
         [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,666 discloses a unitary clamp structured from two U-shaped members disposed one from the other by an interjoining web between proximate arms of each member. The web sheets can later be cut and the clamps closer to the placenta can be removed or discarded. 
         [0017]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,808 discloses a safety identification assembly for use in neonatology including identifying sub-assemblies detachably connected to each other for identifying mother and baby and for closing umbilical cord ends. 
         [0018]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,555 is directed to a surgical instrument for clamping a maternal side of an umbilical cord, applying an umbilical cord clip to a fetal side of the umbilical cord and severing the cord intermediate the clamped maternal and fetal sides of the umbilical cord. The invention provides a recessed severing mechanism that is partially moveable to severe the umbilical cord. It further has an attachment means on at least one of the sides to hold the umbilical cord clip on an applicator. The arms are 10 cm long and 2.5 cm wide 
         [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,915 is directed to a surgical instrument for severing the umbilical cord wherein one of the jaws is a demountable cutting blade. It includes a clamp having a pair of arms joined together at an integral hinge and head portions including locking means at the free ends thereof is provided with a channel or opening extending generally diagonally through at least one of the head portions, such channel communicating with the locking means in the head portion to release such locking means when the arms are locked together in clamping position. The locking mechanism is a tongue which is released with a separate instrument. 
         [0020]    The prior art has numerous defects which are solved by the current invention. For instance, the previous designs are manufactured in such a way that the clamp often does not remain closed. This is directly related to the manufacturing style, which we have solved. 
         [0021]    One clamp (U.S. application Ser. No. 12/658,622) is designed with a substantially raised bar between the teeth of the clams. These small teeth coupled with this design effectively almost always cause the clamp to slip off the umbilical vascular. This same design defect has also been known to pinch the vascular too much to the point where the clamp severs the umbilical vascular. In addition, the small grip makes the device difficult to use and it often slips from hands wet from fluids. 
         [0022]    Release of or premature severance of the umbilical cord can lead to cardiac asystole and hypovolemic shock in the neonate. Clinicians have hypothesized that the occurrence of sudden cardiac asystole at birth is due to extreme hypovolemic shock secondary to the loss of blood. At birth, the sudden release of pressure on the infant&#39;s body results in hypoperfusion resulting in low central circulation and blood pressure. Severe hypovolemic shock from these effects leads to sudden cardiac arrest. Immediate vascular clamping maintains the hypovolemic state by preventing the physiologic and readily available placental blood from returning to the infant. Loss of this blood initiates an inflammatory response leading to seizures, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and brain damage or death. Animal studies have shown that human umbilical stem cells injected into a rat&#39;s abdomen after induced brain damage, can protect the rat&#39;s brain from developing permanent injury. To prevent damage to newborns, the infant must receive the blood volume and stem cells lost at the time of descent and immediate vascular clamping. [Med Hypotheses. 2009 April; 72(4):458-63. Epub 2009 Jan 1 . Cardiac asystole at birth: Is hypovolemic shock the cause?   
       Mercer J, Erickson-Owens D, Skovgaard R. (ABSTRACT)]. 
       [0023]    Tetanus caused by  Clostridium  sp. is a common cause of infant mortality in the developing world. Tetanus is now a rare disease in developed world. However it remains an important cause of death worldwide and is associated with a high case fatality, particularly in the developing world. Tetanus is caused by contamination of wound by spores of  Clostridium tetani . Neonatal tetanus results from contamination of the umbilical stump at or following delivery of a child born to a mother who did not possess sufficient circulatory antitoxin to protect the infant passively by transplacental transfer. It produces its clinical effects via a powerful exotoxin, tetanospasmin, which leads to uncontrolled disinhibited efferent discharges from motor neurons in the spinal vascular and brainstem, causing intense muscular rigidity and spasm. Shorter incubation and onset times are associated with more severe disease and poorer prognosis. Four clinical forms of tetanus are recognized. They are generalized, localized, cephalic and neonatal tetanus. Tetanus is associated with several complications like respiratory failure, cardiovascular instability, renal failure and autonomic dysfunctions. Recovery from tetanus usually requires an extended period of time. [Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ). 2009 Jul.-Sep.; 7(27):315-22 . Tetanus . Poudel P, Budhathoki S, Manandhar S. (ABSTRACT)] 
         [0024]    Accordingly, there remains the possibility that in certain instances, neonatal mortality from infection or cardiac arrest may result where the umbilical cord is not properly clamped or if the clamp does not remain in place, especially early on. The new invention contained herein solves this issue. 
         [0025]    The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    The invention relates to a vascular clamp comprising a clamp top, a clamp bottom, a locking mechanism, a top jaw, a top jaw riser, a bottom jaw, a bottom jaw riser, a top grip, a bottom grip, teeth and a hinge, and wherein said top grip and said bottom grip are each about 9.4 mm in length and about 9.4 mm in width. 
         [0027]    It is an object of this invention to provide an inexpensive device that easily attaches to a neonate&#39;s umbilical cord and does not subsequently fall off. 
         [0028]    It is another object of this invention to provide a device that is easy to place on the cord despite the presence of birthing fluid or the wearing of gloves by the health care professional. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in an open position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention in a closed position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a right side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a back view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1-10  of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  shows a vascular clamp  100 , clamp top  110 , clamp bottom  120 , a top jaw  600 , a top jaw riser  610 , a bottom jaw  700 , a bottom jaw riser  710 , a hinge  500 , an opening  510 , a locking mechanism  210 , hooks  200 , and a receptacle  300 , a top grip  800  and a bottom grip  900 . In a preferred embodiment, the top jaw  600  and the bottom jaw  700 , are moveably connected at the hinge  500 . In a preferred embodiment, the clamp top  110  and the clamp bottom  120  are moveably connected at the hinge  500 . 
         [0041]    The vascular clamp  100  may be manufactured with the jaws, top jaw  600  and bottom jaw  700 , as an integral device or they may be fused together during manufacturing. The teeth  400  are placed around the umbilical vascular of a neonate just before the umbilical vascular is cut off from the placenta and is used to stop the bleeding and prevent infection in the remaining stump. The opening  510  is optional and is present as a backward compatibility feature, to accommodate the wires or plug sensors (not shown). In an optional embodiment, the opening  510  may be used to store the radio frequency tag on a ring threaded through the opening  510 . 
         [0042]    The hinge opening  510  permits tighter locking of the jaws, top jaw  600  and bottom jaw  700 . The top jaw  600  and the bottom jaw  700  each extend from the hinge opening  510  and the hinge  500  to the top grip  800  and the bottom grip  900 , respectively. Although the hinge  500  is shown as a specific configuration, this is for illustrative purposes and any type of hinge device may be employed. 
         [0043]    The preferred method of closing the present invention is utilizing a locking mechanism  250 . In the shown embodiment, the locking mechanism consists of hooks  200  which are received by a receptacle  300 . The number and complexity of various locking mechanisms  250  and features may vary as long as there is at least one locking mechanism  250  that achieves a permanent coupling. 
         [0044]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the locking mechanism  250  is shown having hooks  200 , shown as two opposite facing V shaped hooks  200 . To operate this locking mechanism  250 , V shaped hooks  200  are forced into the receptacle  300  shaped to receive and hold in place the hooks  200 . The receptacle has a first opening  310 , wherein the walls begin to taper closer together to make a second opening  320  which is narrow and further a wider, third opening  330  is present. In a preferred embodiment, the point where the walls of the receptacle  300  are the closest together forms a 120 degree angle. This 120 degree angle accommodates the hooks  200 , which have a span  210  of 40 degrees on the inner side and 100 degrees on the outer side of the span  210 . 
         [0045]    Once past the narrow point  320 , the receptacle  300  opens to a second, wider opening  330  in which the hooks  200  remain in place. In a preferred embodiment, the initial opening may be greater than 4.7 mm. The hooks  200 , in a preferred embodiment, are convergent at their origin at the base of the interior side of either the top jaw  600  or the bottom jaw  700 , then proceed to diverge. In a preferred embodiment, the hooks may be at their widest divergent point when they are spaced about 5.6 mm to about 8 mm apart. 
         [0046]    In another preferred embodiment the top grip  800  and the bottom grip  900  are about 8 mm to about 9.4 mm at their widest point, and the clamp top  110  and clamp bottom  120  are each separately from about 31 mm to about 61 mm in length. At the widest sections each, the top grip  800  and the bottom grip  900  are about 5.3 mm to about 9.4 mm in width. 
         [0047]    Additional locking mechanisms may be utilized to provide a supplemental locking strength to the present invention. One skilled in the art will appreciate that other embodiments of permanent locking means are possible and may be used to enable to present invention. 
         [0048]    Once the vascular clamp  100  is attached and locked around an umbilical vascular or an umbilical stump of an infant, the teeth  400  make it virtually impossible to remove it without having to cut the clamp  100 . The teeth  400  have a serrated edge and, although illustrated as serrated, may be other shapes. The edge may be any shape or functionality that achieves the desired purpose, such as, but not limited to, a flat surface, or an interlocking surface using any shape or pattern. 
         [0049]      FIG. 2  discloses the vascular clamp  100  shown in  FIG. 1  in a closed position with the top jaw  600  and the bottom jaw  700  and the hinge  500 . Also shown in this figure are a clamp top  110 , a clamp bottom  120 , teeth  400 , a hinge opening  510 , a clamp locking mechanism  250  and hooks  200  placed in their receptacle  300 . The vascular clamp  100  is preferably disposable, but may be reusable. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 3-10  show alternative embodiments and views of the present invention. Shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  are a vascular clamp  100 , top  110 , bottom  120 , a top jaw  600 , a bottom jaw  700 , a hinge  500 , an opening  510 , pins  520 , a locking mechanism  250 , hooks  200 , a receptacle  300 , a top grip  800  and a bottom grip  900 . Also seen are the top riser  610  and the bottom riser  710 . The receptacle  300  may be located wither on the top  110  pr the bottom  120  of the vascular clamp. The receptacle  300  has a first opening  310 , a second opening  320 , and a third opening  330 . The hooks  200  may be located either on the top  110  or the bottom  120  of the vascular clamp. According to a preferred embodiment the pins  520  extending from the top and the bottom jaws inside the opening  500  have a spring-like function popping the clamp open when the jaws are not pressed tightly enough to lock the locking mechanism  250 . 
         [0051]    Note that the top grip  800  and bottom grip  900  are moved to the end of the top and bottom jaws  600  and  700 , and are shaped in a way that is convenient for pressing by the human thumb and forefinger. According to a preferred embodiment the top and the bottom grip locate on a concave surface. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the lengths and widths of the top and bottom grips are each about 9.4 mm, that is, their dimensions may be about 9.4 mm by about 9.4 mm. In other embodiments the width is between 5.3 mm to about 9.5 mm. 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the vascular clamp  100 , showing the top of the clamp  110 , the top grip  800 , the top riser  610  and the hinge  500 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the vascular clamp  100 , showing the bottom of the clamp  120 , the bottom grip  900 , the bottom riser  710  and the hinge  500 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the vascular clamp  100 , showing the top of the clamp  110 , the hinge  500  and the bottom of the clamp  120 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 8  is a back view of the preferred embodiment of the vascular clamp  100 , showing the top grip  800 , the bottom grip  900 , the locking mechanism  250  and the bottom of the clamp  120 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are preferred embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 9  is a top view of the vascular clamp  100 , showing the top of the clamp  110 , the top grip  800 , the top riser  610  and the hinge  500 . The lengths and the widths of the top grip  800  and the bottom grip  900  are between 5.3 mm to about 9.5 mm. In another embodiment, the top grip  800  and the bottom grip  900  are each about 9.4 mm in length by 9.4 mm in width. 
         [0057]    In other embodiments, the top of the clamp  110 , and the bottom of the clamp are each about 2 mm to about 10 mm wide. Preferably the clamp top  110 , and the clamp bottom  120  are about 2.4 to 5.3 mm wide, more preferably about 9.4 mm wide. It is understood that the lengths or the widths of the clamp top  110 , and the clamp bottom  120  can be smaller or larger. Further they can tapper or be same overall lengths and widths. In other cases they may be of different length and different widths. 
         [0058]    In one embodiment, the clamp top  110 , and the clamp bottom width may start at about 2.4 mm and widen to 5.3 mm, then widen again to 8.4 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the clamp top  110 , and the clamp bottom may start at about 5.5 mm wide and expand at the top grip  800  and bottom grip  900  to about 9.4 mm in width. 
         [0059]    In other embodiments, the clamp top  100  and the clamp bottom  120  can have the same or different widths. 
         [0060]    In a preferred embodiment the top riser  610  and the bottom riser  710  each have a width of about 1 mm to about 3 mm, but are more preferably about 2.4 mm wide. 
         [0061]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective of the vascular clamp  100 , showing the clamp top  110 , the clamp bottom,  120 , the v-shaped hooks  200 , the hook span  210  and the receptacle  300 . The receptacle has a first opening  310 , wherein the walls begin to taper closer together to make a second opening  320  which is narrow and further a wider, third opening  330  is present. There is a hinge  500  with a hinge opening  510  and pins  520 , a top jaw  600 , a top jaw riser  610 , and a bottom jaw  700 , a bottom jaw riser  710 , a top grip  800 , a bottom grip  900  and the teeth  400 . 
         [0062]    The overall length of the clamp  100  may be between from about 5 mm to about 100 mm long. Preferably the length of the clamp is from about 25 mm to about 75 mm long, more preferably between 30 mm to about 65 mm long. In another preferred embodiment, the overall length of the clamp  100  is about 61 mm long. In a preferred embodiment, the overall clamp length is about 61 mm and the overall clamp width is from about 5.3 mm to about 9.4 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the overall clamp width tapers from about 5.3 mm to about 9.4 mm. 
         [0063]    The length of the section of the vascular clamp  100  containing the teeth  400  is about from about 5 mm to about 100 mm long. Preferably the length of the teeth  400  is from about 25 mm to about 75 mm long, more preferably between 30 mm to about 65 mm long. In another preferred embodiment, the overall length of the teeth  400  is about 31 mm long. 
         [0064]    In a preferred embodiment the overall length of the clamp is about 61 mm and the overall width is about 5.3 mm at the top and bottom jaws  600  and  700  sections, and the width is about 9.4 mm at the grip ( 800  and  900 ) sections. 
         [0065]    In a preferred embodiment each top jaw riser  610  and the bottom jaw riser  710  is 5.3 mm in width and 31 mm in length, without the lengths of the hinge  500  and the top grip  800  or bottom grip  900 . 
         [0066]    The locking mechanism  250  consists of at least two hooks  200 , a top grip  800 , a bottom grip  900  and a receptacle  300 . The receptacle  300  has an first opening  310  wider than the span of the hooks  210 , and tapers to a second opening  320  narrower that the span of the hooks  210 , and then widens a second time to a third opening  330  which is wider than the first opening  310 , and is wider than the span of the hooks  210 . 
         [0067]    The receptacle  300  has a first opening  310 , wherein the width of the first opening  310  is about 5.5 to about 10 mm. More preferably, the first opening  310  is greater than the span of the hinges  200 . In a preferred embodiment, the width of first opening is greater than 8 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the width of first opening is about 8 mm. 
         [0068]    The receptacle  300  also has a second opening  320  wherein the width of the second opening  320  is about 10 mm to about 20 mm across. In another embodiment the second opening  320  is about 2.5 to about 7.5 mm across. In a more preferred embodiment, the width of the second opening  320  is about 4.7 mm across. 
         [0069]    The receptacle  300  also has a third opening  330 , wherein the width of the third opening is about 10 mm to about 20 mm across. In another embodiment the third opening  330  is about 7.5 to about 15.5 mm across. In a more preferred embodiment, the width of third opening  330  is about 9.4 mm across. 
         [0070]    The angle of the receptacle  300  opening, measured from its narrowest point of the receptacle  300  opening (the second opening  320 ) is about 75 degrees to about 150 degrees. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of the narrowest point of the receptacle opening (the second opening  320 ) is about 120 degrees. 
         [0071]    The span of the hooks is from about 2 mm to about 10 mm, preferably 5.6 mm, more preferably 8 mm. Further, the span of the hooks  210  forms an angle from about 20 degrees when measured along the inner portion of the hooks  200  to about 120 degrees when measured along the outer portion of the hooks  200 . Preferably the angle is about 40 degrees when measured along the inner portion of the hooks  200  to about 100 degrees when measured along the outer portion of the hooks  200 . 
         [0072]    In a preferred embodiment, the V-shaped hooks are at about a 40 degree angle on their top portion where they enter the receptacle  300 . 
         [0073]    The appearance of the top and bottom grips  800  and  900  may be varied. The top and bottom grips  800  and  900  have a rough surface to allow for a more secure grip by the user. In a preferred embodiment, the grips are grooves that are molded into the overall design. In an alternate embodiment, the grips can be covered in a rubber material to aid in gripping. In another embodiment, a tape may be applied which is a material of the type that aids in the gripping. 
         [0074]    The shape of the top and bottom grips  800  and  900  may be varied. In one embodiment, they top grip  800  and the bottom grip  900  has a concave surface. The shape of the surface of the top grip  800  and the bottom grip  900  may be any size. The shape of the surface of the top grip  800  and the bottom grip  900  may be the same size. The shape of the surface of the top grip  800  and the bottom grip  900  may be different sizes. 
         [0075]    In a preferred embodiment, the top grip  800  and the bottom grip  900  are each of equal lengths and widths. In a more preferred embodiment, the top grip and the bottom grip  800  and  900  are each about 9.4 mm in length and about 9.4 mm in width. In another embodiment, the top grip and said bottom grip are equal length and width. In another embodiment, top grip and said bottom grip are each about 9.4 mm in length and about 9.4 mm in width. 
         [0076]    The vascular clamp  100  may be substantially straight without any pronounced curves or sectional bending. In a preferred embodiment, the top jaw  600  and the bottom jaw  700  have a top riser  610  and a bottom riser  710 , respectively. The top riser  610  and the bottom riser  710  can be the same or different in size, length, width and shape. The top riser  610  and the bottom riser  710  may be from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm in width, but is preferably about 2.4 mm in width. In another embodiment the top jaw riser and the bottom jaw riser each measure about 2.4 mm in width and about 31 mm in length 
         [0077]    The present invention may be placed around an umbilical vascular or an umbilical vascular stump of an infant, and carry on all medically necessary functionality of a conventional clamp. Once the present invention is closed, it is permanently locked. Additionally, a transmitter within the sensor of sufficient strength may be able to communicate with a satellite receiver, a computer, a PDA or a smart phone. These types of sensors are well known in the art. There may also likely be some kind of interaction with a tracking technology, most likely a computer running a version of tracking software. The tracking technology may have a connection to the hospital&#39;s alarm or external speaker system or another type of warning or an alert implementation, which is triggered when a security incident is detected. 
         [0078]    The preferred embodiment of the invention, with its accompanying dimensions, is described by  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
         [0079]    The invention, although useful for the human neonate, has other useful applications. It may be use to clamp any veins or arteries. Further, it may be applied in for use in non-human mammals. 
         [0080]    The invention may also come in the form of a kit comprising the vascular clamp of described herein, an antiseptic, and a device to cut an umbilical cord. 
         [0081]    Antiseptic may be selected from alcohols (ethanol (60-90%), 1-propanol (60-70%) and 2-propanol/isopropanol (70-80%) or mixtures of these alcohols. They are commonly referred to as “surgical alcohol”. Used to disinfect the skin before injections are given, often along with iodine (tincture of iodine), povidone-iodine; or some cationic surfactants (benzalkonium chloride 0.05-0.5%, chlorhexidine 0.2-4.0% or octenidine dihydrochloride 0.1-2.0%)), iodine as tincture of iodine or as Lugol&#39;s iodine, Quaternery ammonium compounds including benzalkonium chloride (BAC), cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTMB), cetylpyridinium chloride (Cetrim, CPC) and benzethonium chloride (BZT), and related disinfectants such as chlorhexidine and octenidine, Boric Acid, Brilliant Green, Chlorhexidine Gluconate, hydrogen peroxide; mercurochrome, manuka honey, octenidine dihydrochloride, phenol, hyperosmolar sodium chloride, sodium hypochlorite (with or without potassium permanganate), calcium hypochlorite, and terpines, such as tea tree oil. 
         [0082]    The device to cut the umbilical cord may be selected from a sterile surgical blade, a sterile scissor, or any sharp preferably sterile device known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0083]    Further, the older clamps are too small for physicians and nurses to handle, especially with gloves. Additionally, fluids accompanying the neonate during the birthing process such as mucus, amniotic fluid, merconium and blood, may cause the clamp to slip off the vascular or even out of the hands of the health care provider. This new invention solves the problem by increasing the surface area and adding additional angle of curvature at the grooves where the thumb and forefinger utilize the device. By widening the width of the finger grips the improved invention prevents the fingers from slipping off when closing the clamp which is the result of fluids making the gloves slippery. 
         [0084]    The present invention is such that it solves these problems and also accommodates larger umbilical cords. Its larger teeth also grasp the umbilical cord better. Additionally, the invention optionally may be used with radio tags. Radio tags are utilized to alarm if the vascular clam opens, and may also be utilized to pin point the location of a neonate and prevent kidnapping. Further, radio tags can assist physicians in monitoring the neonates conditions by sending vital health information to a computer located at a nursing station. These signals can also be coordinated with smaller portable devices, such as PDAs and smart phones, which a doctor may keep with him or her at all times. The device offers the advantage over the prior art in that it has an increased length which accommodate any optional electronic devices. Furthermore, in instances where the umbilical cord is thick, this allows for easier closure of the device. 
         [0085]    The inventions may be made from any material, but plastics, POM, acetal (POM) copolymer (Acetal (POM) Copolymer), polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), cellulose-based plastics, Bakelite, nylon, rubber, synthetic rubber and the like type of materials may be used. In a preferred embodiment, the vascular clamp is manufactured from POM. The invention may be manufactured in separate parts and joined together or may be made as one continuous instrument by injection molding techniques known to those skilled in the art. The invention may be colors coded to indicate a gender, a particular medical status, and the like. 
         [0086]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.