Patent Description:
Documents <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT> and <CIT> each disclose a clip comprising a pair of arms connected to one other by a hinge, each pair of arms includes a ring at a first end and a pinch tab at a second end. A pair of absorbent pads is supported by the ring of each of the pair of arms.

Document <CIT> discloses a hemostatic clip which includes opposing first and second clip arms connected at a shared elastic normally-opened joint portion. The clip arms include outer and inner members having tissue contacting surfaces and gaps for elastically deforming and/or shifting to apply compression and clamping forces to bodily organ or tissue. Document <CIT> discloses a hemostatic forceps comprising a forceps body, forceps handles and a hemostatic end, wherein the forceps body is crosswise and movably connected with the forceps handles.

Anterior epistaxis originates at the Kiesselbach's Plexus and accounts for between <NUM> and <NUM> percent of all nosebleeds. Anterior epistaxis is treated with compression and absorption. Many medical providers incorrectly treat anterior epistaxis, resulting in unnecessary and prolonged treatment and increased healthcare utilization. In particular, current treatment options and devices result in increased pain upon removal and re-aggravation of the wound and decreased cosmetic appeal. Additionally, some of the current treatment options also require pre-treatment or soaking, and completely occlude the nasal passages resulting in decreased or elimination of nasal breathing. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved device for treating anterior epistaxis.

The object is solved in each case by means of an epistaxis clip having the features of claim.

Advantageous embodiments are indicated in the dependent claims.

An epistaxis clip is a molded plastic clip consisting of two separate paddle-shaped wings connected through a hinge mechanism. Each wing is inserted into a nostril. The posterior displacement is limited by the anterior bridge which is formed when the two wings are connected to each other, and remains exterior to the nose at the columella. The hinge mechanism makes it easy for each wing to be inserted into the nostrils, since wings can move freely relative to each other. The hinge mechanism can be achieved through a dowel pin, a slip fit design, or through a heat staking process. The clip contains an anterior locking mechanism to favor medial compression at the septum, specifically Kiesselbach's Plexus of at least <NUM> mmHg. The locking feature can also be modified to include multiple pressure modes; i.e., when the locking mechanism is pressed further, it engages with another capturing feature to apply more pressure on the bleeding site (similar to a hemostat). Each wing is lined with either a single layer or a combination of polyurethane foam, PVA and/or non-woven foam for blood absorption. The chemistry of these materials can be modified to increase the absorption capacity by impregnating non-woven foams with sodium polyacrylate, can be made non-stick by coating polyurethane foam with silicone, and can be made to reduce infection risk by adding anti-microbial agents including, but not limited to, silver oxide. As the absorption material expands with absorption of blood, additional pressure is provided to the specific site of the bleed, providing absorption and additional direct pressure. When bleeding has ceased, the epistaxis clip can be unlocked and removed from the nasal passages without fear of adhering to wound or mucosa and discarded.

According to research, most medical providers incorrectly treat anterior epistaxis, resulting in unnecessary and prolonged treatment and increased healthcare utilization. Current treatment options (devices) result in increased pain upon removal and re-aggravation of the wound and decreased cosmetic appeal. They also require pre-treatment or soaking, and completely occlude the nasal passages resulting in decreased or elimination of nasal breathing. Also, current treatment/device options are more expensive relative to the proposed cost/price of the epistaxis clip. The epistaxis clip provides appropriate pressure at the physiologically appropriate location while being cost effective, cosmetically attractive, and preserving nasal function.

The epistaxis clip includes a pair of wings connected to one another by a hinged bridge portion. The pair of wings define a pair of opposing recesses and a pair of absorbent pads are disposed in the respective opposing recesses of the pair of wings. The epistaxis clip is designed to apply predetermined pressure on the Kiesselbach's plexus. The pair of absorbent pads can include an absorbent foam that resists sticking to the wound.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an epistaxis clip includes a pair of arms connected to one another by a hinge, each pair of arms include a wing at a first end and a pinch tab at a second end and a pair of absorbent pads are supported by the wing of each of the pair of arms.

According to a further aspect, a locking mechanism for securing the wings in a clamped position.

According to a further aspect, the locking mechanism includes a latching arm extending from a first of the pinch tabs.

According to a further aspect, the latching arm has a latch that engages a ledge of a second of the pinch tabs.

According to a further aspect, the latching arm includes a beveled surface on a distal end thereof.

According to a further aspect, the ledge is adjacent to an opening in the second one of the pinch tabs.

According to a further aspect, the ledge is on an edge of the second one of the pinch tabs.

According to a further aspect, each of the arms include a latching arm that includes a plurality of teeth, wherein the plurality of teeth of each arm engage the plurality of teeth of the other latching arm.

According to a further aspect, the arms include a curved body connecting the wing to the pinch tab.

According to a further aspect, the hinge includes a hinge pin extending through the pair of arms.

According to a further aspect, a first one of the pinch tabs include a pin thereon and a second one of the pinch tabs include a flap with an aperture, the flap being pivotal to receive the pin in the aperture.

According to a further aspect, the flap is connected to the second one of the pinch tabs by a living hinge.

According to a further aspect, the pair of arms each include a protruding hinge portion between the wing and the pinch tab, the protruding hinge portions each receiving a hinge pin extending therethrough.

According to a further aspect, a resilient member engaged with the pair of arms for biasing the wings to a clamped position.

According to a further aspect, the resilient member is disposed between the pinch tabs.

According to a further aspect, the resilient member is adhered to at least one pinch tab.

According to a further aspect, the resilient member is a foam.

According to a further aspect, the resilient member is an elastic band wrapped around the pair of arms.

According to a further aspect, the pair of arms each include a groove, the elastic band is received in the groove of each of the pair of arms.

According to a further aspect, the groove on each of the pair of arms is located between the hinge and the wing.

<FIG> shows the invention.

With reference to <FIG>, an epistaxis clip <NUM> is shown for applying predetermined pressure on the Kiesselbach's plexus in order to treat a nosebleed. The epistaxis clip <NUM> includes a frame structure <NUM> made from plastic or other engineering material. The frame structure <NUM> includes a pair of arms <NUM> that are connected to one another by a hinge pin <NUM>. Each of the pair of arms <NUM> include a wing <NUM> at one end and a pinch tab <NUM> at another end. Although the wings <NUM> are shown as being oblong or paddle shaped, other shapes can be used.

The pair of wings <NUM> can each define a pair of opposing recesses <NUM> surrounded by a rib <NUM>. A pair of absorbent pads <NUM> are disposed on the respective opposing pair of wings <NUM>. The absorbent pads <NUM> can be adhered or press-fit in the recesses <NUM>. As the absorbent pads <NUM> absorb blood, they are allowed to expand further into the recesses <NUM>. The absorbent pads <NUM> can also be replaceable within the wings <NUM> through either adhesive or press-fit.

The pair of arms <NUM> include a curved body <NUM> connecting the wing <NUM> to the pinch tab <NUM>. The curved body <NUM> of each arm can include an aperture <NUM> for receiving the hinge pin <NUM> for hingedly connecting the pair of arms <NUM> together. The pinch tabs <NUM> can be pressed toward one another in order to separate the pair of wings <NUM> away from one another. The pinch tabs <NUM> include a locking mechanism <NUM> for securing the pair of wings <NUM> in a clamping position within the nostrils and against a patient's septum. The locking mechanism <NUM> can include a latching arm <NUM> extending from one or both pinch tabs <NUM> and having a latch <NUM> that engages a ledge <NUM> of the opposing pinch tab <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The ledge <NUM> can be disposed along an opening <NUM> in the pinch tabs <NUM>. The end of the latching arm <NUM> can have a beveled end <NUM> that slides across a side face of the opening <NUM> until the latch <NUM> engages the ledge <NUM> for securing the epistaxis clip in a clamped position.

The absorbent pads <NUM> absorb blood at the site of the bleeding and can include a flexible silicone coated foam, a non-woven foam or a PVA that conform to the wound bed contouring and does not stick to the wound. The absorbent pads <NUM> can also be impregnated with Sodium Polyacrylate or other material for maximum absorption. In addition, the absorbent pads <NUM> can be provided with antimicrobial agents to avoid toxic shock syndrome and infection. The angle of the wings <NUM> applies compression at the Kiesselbach's plexus of the septum of at least <NUM> mmHg. When the bleeding has ceased, the epistaxis clip <NUM> can be removed from the nasal passages without fear of adhering to the wound or mucosa and can be discarded.

The pair of wings <NUM> of the epistaxis clip <NUM> are designed with a low profile so as not to occlude the nasal passages. The frame structure <NUM> can be formed from a clear plastic and extends from the nostrils below the columella. The ends of the latch arms <NUM> can be pinched inward by a user's fingers to release the epistaxis clip <NUM> from its clamped position.

With reference to <FIG>, an alternative locking mechanism <NUM> will now be described. The locking mechanism <NUM> can include a pair of latching arms <NUM> extending from both pinch tabs <NUM> that each include a plurality of teeth <NUM> that engage each other to varying positions, as shown in <FIG> so that the wings can be clamped to different tightnesses. The end of the latching arms <NUM> and the plurality of teeth <NUM> can have a beveled face <NUM> that slides across a beveled face of the opposing latching arms <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, an alternative locking mechanism <NUM> will now be described. The locking mechanism <NUM> can include a pin <NUM> extending from one pinch tab <NUM> and a flap <NUM> supported by the other pinch tab by a living hinge <NUM>, the flap having an aperture <NUM> that receives the pin <NUM>. The flap <NUM> can be manipulated by the user to receive the pin <NUM> in the aperture <NUM> in order to hold the epistaxis clip <NUM> in a clamped position. The pin <NUM> can include a collar 62a at a distal end that latches the pin <NUM> within the aperture <NUM>. The flap <NUM> and pin <NUM> lock the epistaxis clip in a clamped position.

With reference to <FIG>, an alternative locking mechanism <NUM> will now be described. The locking mechanism <NUM> can include a latching arm <NUM> extending from one pinch tab <NUM> and including a latch portion <NUM> that engages the other pinch tab <NUM> to clamp the wings <NUM> in an engaged position within the user's nostrils. The end of the latching arm <NUM> and the other pinch tab <NUM> can each have a beveled face 72a, 20a, respectively that slides across one another until the latch portion <NUM> engages a ledge <NUM> of the other pinch tab <NUM> in order to hold the epistaxis clip <NUM> in a clamped position.

With reference to <FIG>, an alternative epistaxis clip <NUM> is shown for applying predetermined pressure on the Kiesselbach's plexus in order to treat a nosebleed. The epistaxis clip <NUM> includes a frame structure <NUM> made from plastic or other engineering material. The frame structure <NUM> includes a pair of arms <NUM> that are connected to one another by a hinge pin <NUM>. Each of the pair of arms <NUM> include a wing <NUM> at one end and a pinch tab <NUM> at another end.

The pair of arms <NUM> include a protruding hinge portion <NUM>. The hinge portion <NUM> of each arm <NUM> can include an aperture <NUM> for receiving the hinge pin <NUM> for hingedly connecting the pair of arms <NUM> together. The pinch tabs <NUM> can be pressed toward one another in order to separate the pair of wings <NUM> away from one another. The locking mechanism <NUM> can include a resilient body <NUM> disposed between the pinch tabs <NUM>. The resilient body <NUM> can be adhered to or otherwise connected to one or both of the pinch tabs <NUM> and biases the pinch tabs <NUM> apart in order to bias the wings <NUM> toward a clamped position. The pinch tabs <NUM> can be squeezed toward one another by a user in order to separate the wings <NUM> away from one another for insertion into a patient's nostrils. When the pinch tabs <NUM> are released, the resilient body <NUM> biases the pinch tabs <NUM> apart and biases the wings <NUM> toward the clamped position to apply. The resilient body <NUM> can be a block of resilient material such as foam or silicone.

With reference to <FIG>, a locking mechanism <NUM> to be used in an embodiment of the invention will now be described. The locking mechanism <NUM> includes a resilient band <NUM> wrapped around the arms <NUM> to bias the wings <NUM> toward a clamped position. The resilient band <NUM> can be made of a rubber or other elastic material. The pair of arms <NUM> each include a groove <NUM> located between the wings <NUM> and the hinge portions <NUM> for receiving the resilient band <NUM> therein. When the pinch tabs <NUM> are pinched together, the resilient band <NUM> is stretched to allow the wings <NUM> to be separated from one another to allow the wings <NUM> to be inserted in a patient's nostrils.

Claim 1:
An epistaxis clip (<NUM>), comprising:
a pair of arms (<NUM>) hingedly connected to one another, each pair of arms (<NUM>) include a wing (<NUM>) at a first end and a pinch tab (<NUM>) at a second end;
a pair of absorbent pads (<NUM>) is supported by the wing (<NUM>) of each of the pair of arms (<NUM>); characterized in that
the epistaxis clip (<NUM>) further comprising a resilient member (<NUM>) engaged with the pair of arms (<NUM>) for biasing the wings (<NUM>) to a clamped position;
and
the resilient member is an elastic band (<NUM>) wrapped around the pair of arms (<NUM>).