Laparoscopic surgical clamp

Details Laparoscopic surgical clamp Laparoscopic surgical clamp

1996-07-01

1998-05-12

Jackson, Gary

Surgery

Instruments

Surgical mesh, connector, clip, clamp or band

606142, A61B 1704

Patent

active

057498814

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to surgical clamp apparatus and more specifically to clamps and clamp appliers for use in occluding body conduits.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Alternatives to large incision, open surgery are becoming increasing important where they can provide reduced trauma and an increased speed of healing. For the patient, this ultimately equates to less time in the hospital which adds the economic advantage to these procedures.
Surgeries in the abdominal area are now being undertaken with a technique commonly referred to as laparoscopic surgery. In this procedure, access devices are used to puncture the abdominal wall or lapra and to provide working channels for instruments to perform the surgery. These access devices, commonly referred to as trocars, require relatively small incisions and provide working channels in a range of diameters between, for example, 5 mm and 21 mm.
Typical of these access devices is the trocar disclosed and claimed in applicant's patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,737 issued on May 11, 1993 which is incorporated herein by reference.
Since the objectives of the open surgeries and laparoscopic surgeries are often the same, it is not surprising that the occluding of body conduits is still of interest. However in the case of laparoscopic surgeries, this can be accomplished only with considerable difficulty due to the limited access provided by the trocars. Also, the confined abdominal cavity associated with laparoscopic surgeries generally requires additional retraction of organs in order to provide an enlarged surgical field.
Surgical clamps of the past have been adapted for open surgery wherein the size of the clamp is not constrained by the inside diameter of a trocar. These clamps commonly include long legs which form the jaws of the clamp and opposing smaller arms which are pivotal with the legs on a fulcrum disposed therebetween. These clamps are typically operable by a clamp applier which has a scissor configuration. The scissors of the applier in an open state engage the arms of the clamp and compress those arms to open the legs of the clamp. Unfortunately, with this configuration, either the long legs of the clamp are spread or the scissors are spread. In either case, this combination is not adapted for use with the narrow diameters offered by laparoscopic trocars.
The engagement mechanisms associated with these clamp systems of the prior art are also inappropriate for laparoscopic surgery. In the past, the clamp applier loosely engaged the clamp, this presented no problem to open surgery where one could merely reach into the cavity and retrieve a loose clamp. However, in laparoscopic surgery, the relatively closed surgical environment cannot tolerate this possibility of undesirable separation of the clamp from the applier.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These disadvantages of the prior art are overcome with the present invention which includes a novel surgical clamp and associated clamp applier both of which are insertable through a trocar. The clamp is provided with an elongate cylindrical configuration having an axis extending between the proximal end and a distal end. The clamp has two jaws which are relatively movable between an open state and a closed state. The first jaw may be formed as an extension of a supporting structure at the proximal end of the clamp, while the second jaw is pivotal on either the supporting structure or the first jaw. The second jaw is biased to an open state and includes a beveled surface which faces inwardly at the proximal end of the clamp. An axial screw is rotatable on the supporting structure and moves axially distally to contact the beveled surface. Further rotation of the screw performs a camming action with the beveled surface to close the second jaw against the first jaw. An annulus provided at the proximal end of the screw provides for positive engagement with the clamp applier.
The clamp applier includes a housing and an elongate tube which is sized and configured

REFERENCES:
patent: 3509882 (1970-05-01), Blake
patent: 3510923 (1970-05-01), Blake
patent: 3579751 (1971-05-01), Jonckheere
patent: 3598125 (1971-08-01), Cogley
patent: 3827438 (1974-08-01), Kees, Jr.
patent: 4192315 (1980-03-01), Hilzinger
patent: 4274415 (1981-06-01), Kanamoto
patent: 4340061 (1982-07-01), Kees, Jr.
patent: 4484581 (1984-11-01), Martin
patent: 4658822 (1987-04-01), Kees, Jr.
patent: 4660558 (1987-04-01), Kees, Jr.
patent: 4671282 (1987-06-01), Tretbar
patent: 4777950 (1988-10-01), Kees, Jr.
patent: 4869268 (1989-09-01), Yoon
patent: 4971055 (1990-11-01), von Zeppelin
patent: 5026379 (1991-06-01), Yoon
patent: 5133727 (1992-07-01), Bales
patent: 5133735 (1992-07-01), Slater et al.
patent: 5133736 (1992-07-01), Bales, Jr. et al.
patent: 5141519 (1992-08-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5147373 (1992-09-01), Ferzli
patent: 5147376 (1992-09-01), Pianetti
patent: 5152778 (1992-10-01), Bales, Jr. et al.
patent: 5156633 (1992-10-01), Smith

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Laparoscopic surgical clamp does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Laparoscopic surgical clamp, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Laparoscopic surgical clamp will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-975566