Improvements in or connected with Obstetrical Forceps.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Mar., 1896-Accepted, 9th May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION. .
Improvements in or connected with Obstetrical Forceps.
I, FRANK WAGNER, Gentleman of Mansfield, in the County of Richland, in
the State of Ohio, U.S.A. do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to he performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object, the construction of an instrument of the above
referred to class that will materially assist in such delivery, and render the operation
less dangerous.
A further object of the invention is the production of an instrument particularly
applicable in the case of mal-position, that it may be possible to adjust the body to
the proper place, and furthermore in producing means for the introduction of a
cord or tape around the body that it may be held in its adjusted position.
The invention has for its object to design an instrument that will be strong,
durable and simple in its operation.
With the above and other objects in view, the invention finally consists in the
novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more
particularly described and specifically pointed out in the claims. In describing
the invention in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a
part of this Specification, wherein like numerals denote corresponding parts in the
several views, in which,
Fig. 1, is a side view of my improved forceps,
Fig. 2, is a similar view, partly in section.
Fig. 3, is a detail view of a modified form.
Fig. 4, is a sectional view on the line x, x, of Fig. 1.
Fig. 5, is a prospective view of the adjuster.
Fig. 6, is a sectional view of the keeper with the cord in place.
Fig. 7, is a view in elevation partly in section with one blade turned to illustrate
its shape etc.
Fig. 8, is a similar view, showing the instrument folded.
Figs. 9 and 10, are similar views showing varying adjustments, and
Fig. 11, is a bottom plan view of the handles.
In these drawings, 1, indicates the handle carrying on its lower end a knob 2;
the handle is partly enclosed by a hollow casing 3, which carries a rod 4, which is
preferably attached by means of screw-threads, as shown at 5. The rod 6, is
attached in like manner to the end of the handle, and carries the ball 7, operating
in a split socket 8, forming a sigmodial connection between the rod 4, and the
blade 9, of the forceps; a corresponding blade 10, is attached to the ball 7. The
ends of the blades are provided with eyelets, the inner walls of which consist of
spring 12, the said springs normally enclosing the eyelets, which are adapted to
receive a cord or tape 13, or any flexible material, the free ends of which are passed
through a keeper 14. The cord is further provided with a stop ball 15, to prevent
the loss of the keeper, should the loop fail to encircle the object and be tightened.
An adjuster 16, for the operation of the keeper is formed with the loop 16, at its
upper extremity for the reception of the ends of the cord.
Fig. 1, dotted lines illustrate how the blades may be turned to coincide in
contour with each other, and is the adjustment which should be made before it is
introduced for an operation, as the arms can then be turned, carrying the blades
which can be so directed as to pass around the object.

page_text: In the modification shown in Fig. 3, the ball and socket joint is the same as
shown in the other figures, but it will be seen that the ball is provided with a
central aperture in which the operating rod of one of the blades is slidingly
mounted. By this arrangement the sliding arm can be withdrawn or advanced, to
cause the blades to be of greater or less length with relation to each other which is
especially desirable at times since one of the blades might meet an obstruction, in
which event, with the old form of forceps in common use, great annoyance would
be caused, but with a device such as here described, the sliding arm could be pushed
forward and at the same time turned if desired to facilitate the positioning of the
body and the adjustment of the loop.
said
In modification shown in Fig. 7, the arm H, is slidable in the socket
socket tapering from the outer edge on each side toward the center and forming a
fulcrum, on which the arm H, rides. In this figure, one of the blades is shown
in front elevation that an understanding of its construction may be had, but it will
be understood that an instrument may be made having interchangeable blades, one
set of which might be formed as shown in Fig. 7, and the other set as shown in
Fig. 1, secured in position by the screw-threaded shank and the socket shown.
The handles J of Fig. 11 are similar to those of Fig. 4, while the handle K is
provided with a hook k, with a slot k¹, to receive the shank J', of the handle J.
The book as employed will tend to indicate the position of the blade for when the
recess fits around the shank the blades will be opposite. This arrangement will
also prevent the turning of the arm as will be apparent.
OPERATION.
In cases where mal-position has taken place the cord is threaded through
the eyelets of the jaws and the instrument inserted in the womb; when in this
position the handle is turned, thus spreading the blades, with the cord forming a
loop, which is passed around the body. The keeper is then applied by inserting
the free ends of the cord, forming a loop through the same; the ends of the cord
are also passed through the loop of the adjuster and is then forced inwardly,
thereby tightening the loop around the body. When this is accomplished the
instrument and adjuster are withdrawn and the cord detaches itself from the jaws
by means of springs, releasing the cord from the eyelets.
As will be seen, all parts of the instrument may be readily taken apart for the
purpose of cleaning and applying disinfectants.
Particular attention is directed to the fact that various changes may be inade in
the details of construction of the above described instrument without departing
from the general spirit of my invention.
"
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what I claim is :-
¨. 1. Obstetrical forceps consisting of arms and blades, with a socket formed in
one of the arms, a ball fitting in the socket with the opposite arm slidable in an
aperture formed in the ball, for the purpose described.
2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a socket the
walls of which are split and carry a blade and handle rod, a ball in the socket
having a central aperture in which the opposite blade rod is slidable, for the
purpose described.
3. Obstetrical forceps having blade arms provided with joints which allow the
end of one blade to move beyond the end of the opposite blade and simultaneously
turn, for the purpose described.
Dated this 17th day of March 1896
ROBERT KRAYN,
Agent for Applicant..