U.S. patent application number 16/365901 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-18 for system for containment and organization of medical wire.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cook Medical Technologies LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Cook Medical Technologies LLC. Invention is credited to John A. Brumleve, Brian O. Mohika.
Application Number | 20190219079 16/365901 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53835928 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190219079 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mohika; Brian O. ; et
al. |
July 18, 2019 |
SYSTEM FOR CONTAINMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF MEDICAL WIRE
Abstract
A system for containment and organization of a medical wire
features a clamp. A first ridged and grooved clamping block is
located on a clamp first side posterior end and a second ridged and
grooved clamping block is located on a clamp second side posterior
end. A first side compression member is located on an inside
surface of a clamp first side and a second side compression member
is located on an inside surface of the clamp second side. An
adjustable ratcheting lock attaches the clamp first side and the
clamp second side. A first finger grip is located on an outside
surface of the clamp first side and a second finger grip is located
on an outside surface of the clamp second side. A Medical wire is
placed between the first side compression member and the second
side compression member then the clamp is compressed against the
medical wire.
Inventors: |
Mohika; Brian O.; (Lawrence,
MA) ; Brumleve; John A.; (Bloomington, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cook Medical Technologies LLC |
Bloomington |
IN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Cook Medical Technologies
LLC
Bloomington
IN
|
Family ID: |
53835928 |
Appl. No.: |
16/365901 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15581901 |
Apr 28, 2017 |
10280955 |
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16365901 |
|
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|
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14808659 |
Jul 24, 2015 |
9664213 |
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15581901 |
|
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14512939 |
Oct 13, 2014 |
9499318 |
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14808659 |
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62040305 |
Aug 21, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 67/02 20130101;
Y10T 24/44556 20150115; A61B 90/90 20160201; Y10T 24/44564
20150115; Y10T 24/44444 20150115; A61B 50/20 20160201; A61B 17/0487
20130101; A61B 17/122 20130101; A61B 2017/2825 20130101; A61B
2017/00858 20130101; F16B 2/10 20130101; A61M 25/02 20130101; A61M
2025/024 20130101; A61B 2017/00407 20130101; A61B 90/92 20160201;
F16B 2/22 20130101; F16B 2/005 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16B 2/10 20060101
F16B002/10; A61M 25/02 20060101 A61M025/02; A61B 17/122 20060101
A61B017/122; A61B 90/90 20060101 A61B090/90; A61B 50/20 20060101
A61B050/20; A61B 90/92 20060101 A61B090/92; A61B 17/04 20060101
A61B017/04; F16B 2/00 20060101 F16B002/00; B65D 67/02 20060101
B65D067/02; F16B 2/22 20060101 F16B002/22 |
Claims
1. A system for containment and organization of medical wire,
wherein the system comprises: a clamp having a first side, a second
side, an anterior portion, a posterior end, wherein the first side
is coupled to the second side, and wherein the clamp is movable
between an open configuration and a closed configuration; a first
compression member disposed on an inside surface of the first side,
wherein the first compression member is elastomeric and comprises a
first surface; and a second compression member disposed on an
inside surface of the second side, wherein the second compression
member is elastomeric and comprises a second surface, wherein the
clamp is configured to receive medical wire between the first
compression member and the second compression member such that,
when the clamp is moved to the closed configuration, the first
compression member and the second compression member are compressed
against the medical wire to secure a position of the medical wire
within the clamp, and the first surface comprising a surface
treatment configured to restrict movement of the medical wire while
the clamp is in the closed configuration.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first compression member is
an open cell foam.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the surface treatment is a closed
cell surface.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the second surface is a closed
cell surface.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface treatment is a
plurality of alternating ridges and grooves.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second surface comprises a
plurality of ridges and grooves configured to interlock with the
plurality of ridges and grooves of the first surface when the clamp
is in the closed configuration.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the claim is arranged such that
as the claim is moved toward the closed configuration, the first
surface of the first compression member and the second surface of
the second compression member make substantially planar contact
with each other.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first compression member and
the second compression member each have a rhombic profile.
9. A clamp for containment and organization of medical wire,
comprising: a body having a first side, a second side, an anterior
end, a posterior end, wherein the first side is coupled to the
second side, and wherein the body is movable between an open
configuration and a closed configuration; a first compression
member disposed on an inside surface of the first side, wherein the
first compression member is elastomeric and comprises a first
surface; a second compression member disposed on an inside surface
of the second side, wherein the second compression member is
elastomeric and comprises a second surface, wherein the clamp is
configured to receive medical wire between the first compression
member and the second compression member such that, when the body
is moved to the closed configuration, the first compression member
and the second compression member are compressed against the
medical wire to secure a position of the medical wire within the
clamp; a first finger grip positioned on an outside surface of the
first side of the body; and a second finger grip positioned on an
outside surface of the second side of the body, wherein the first
finger grip and the second finger grip are positioned between the
anterior end and the first compression member.
10. The clamp of claim 9, wherein the first compression member has
a width which is greater than a width of the first finger grip.
11. The clamp of claim 10, wherein the width of the first finger
grip is greater than a width of the body.
12. The clamp of claim 9, wherein the body is biased toward one of
the open configuration or the closed configuration.
13. The clamp of claim 9, wherein the first compression member has
a thickness which varies from the posterior end extending toward
the anterior end.
14. The clamp of claim 13, wherein a compressibility of the first
compression member varies from the posterior end extending toward
the anterior end according to the thickness of the first
compression member.
15. A clamp for containment and organization of medical wire,
comprising: a body having a first side, a second side, an anterior
end, a posterior end, wherein the first side is coupled to the
second side, and wherein the body is movable between an open
configuration and a closed configuration; a first compression
member disposed on an inside surface of the first side, wherein the
first compression member is elastomeric and comprises a first
surface; a second compression member disposed on an inside surface
of the second side, wherein the second compression member is
elastomeric and comprises a second surface, wherein the clamp is
configured to receive medical wire between the first compression
member and the second compression member such that, when the body
is moved to the closed configuration, the first compression member
and the second compression member are compressed against the
medical wire to secure a position of the medical wire within the
clamp, wherein the first compression member and the second
compression member are responsive to deform when a force between
about 0.25 pounds and 5.0 pounds is applied. compression when
closing by force
16. The clamp of claim 15, wherein the body is biased toward the
open configuration.
17. The clamp of claim 16, wherein when the body is in the open
configuration, a gap is formed between the first compression member
and the second compression member at the posterior end, the gap
being no wider than 1.7 cm.
18. The clamp of claim 15, wherein the first compression member
comprises a width which expands as the compression member extends
inwardly from the first side.
19. The clamp of claim 15, further comprising a locking mechanism
extending between the first side and the second side of the body,
wherein the locking mechanism is configured to maintain the body in
the closed configuration.
20. The clamp of claim 19, wherein the locking mechanism is
positioned between the anterior end and the first compression
member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/581,901 filed Apr. 28, 2017, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/808,659 filed
Jul. 24, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,664,213, which is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/512,939
filed Oct. 13, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,499,318, which claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/040,305 filed
Aug. 21, 2014, the specifications of which are incorporated herein
in their entirety by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to medical devices, systems,
and methods, and more specifically, medical wire devices, medical
wire systems, and methods of containing and organizing medical
wire.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Wire used for medical purposes is carefully manufactured,
sterilized, and sealed in a sterilized package in preparation for
use. Once removed from the package, this wire can be difficult to
handle and keep separate from other medical wires of a different
size, especially in a pressure-filled environment. It can even be
slippery at times. The present disclosure features a system and
method for containment and organization of medical wire.
[0004] Any feature or combination of features described herein are
included within the scope of the present disclosure provided that
the features included in any such combination are not mutually
inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this
specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the
art. Additional advantages and aspects are apparent in the
following detailed description and claims.
SUMMARY
[0005] The present disclosure features a system for containment and
organization of medical wire. In some embodiments, the system
comprises a clamp. In some embodiments, the clamp comprises a shape
of a "U". In some embodiments, a first ridged and grooved clamping
block is angularly located on a clamp first side posterior end and
a second ridged and grooved clamping block is angularly located on
a clamp second side posterior end. In some embodiments, the first
ridged and grooved clamping block interfaces with the second ridged
and grooved clamping block upon closure of the clamp.
[0006] In some embodiments, the system comprises a first side
compression member. In some embodiments, the first side compression
member is located on an inside surface of a clamp first side next
to the first ridged and groove clamping block and projects out and
away from the clamp first side toward a clamp second side. In some
embodiments, the first side compression member comprises a shape of
a rectangular prism. In some embodiments, the first side
compression member is elastomeric.
[0007] In some embodiments, the system comprises a second side
compression member. In some embodiments, the second side
compression member is located on an inside surface of the clamp
second side next to the second ridged and groove clamping block and
projects out and away from the clamp second side toward the clamp
first side. In some embodiments, the second side compression member
comprises a shape of a rectangular prism. In some embodiments, the
second side compression member is elastomeric.
[0008] In some embodiments, the system comprises an adjustable
ratcheting lock located between and attaching the clamp first side
and the clamp second side. In some embodiments, a ratcheting lock
first end is located on the inside surface of the clamp first side
between the clamp first side posterior end and a clamp anterior end
and a ratcheting lock second end is located on the inside surface
of the clamp second side between the clamp second side posterior
end and the clamp anterior end.
[0009] In some embodiments, the system comprises a first finger
grip located on an outside surface of the clamp first side opposed
to the ratcheting lock first end and a second finger grip located
on an outside surface of the clamp second side opposed to the
ratcheting lock second end.
[0010] In some embodiments, medical wire is placed in an open clamp
between the first side compression member and the second side
compression member. In some embodiments, the clamp is closed having
the first ridged and grooved clamping block interlocked against the
second ridged and grooved clamping block. In some embodiments, the
adjustable ratcheting lock is tightened via manually pinching the
clamp via the first finger grip and the second finger grip to
compress the first side compression member and the second side
compression member against the medical wire for securely holding
into position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows a front view of one embodiment of the present
invention, in the open position.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the embodiment, in the closed
position.
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the embodiment, in the open
position, with a medical wire.
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the embodiment, in the closed
position, with a medical wire.
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the embodiment, in the
open position.
[0016] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the embodiment, in the
closed position, with a medical wire.
[0017] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a
compression member.
[0018] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a
compression member.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] A list of possible elements shown in the drawings and
corresponding to elements described below are included herein:
[0020] 100 Medical wire containment and organization system
[0021] 110 Medical wire
[0022] 115 Body
[0023] 120 Clamp
[0024] 121 Clamp first side
[0025] 122 Clamp second side
[0026] 123 Clamp first side posterior end
[0027] 124 Clamp second side posterior end
[0028] 125 Clamp anterior end
[0029] 126 Clamp posterior end
[0030] 131 First ridged and grooved clamping block
[0031] 132 Second ridged and grooved clamping block
[0032] 141 First side compression member
[0033] 142 Second side compression member
[0034] 150 Ratcheting lock
[0035] 151 Ratcheting lock first end
[0036] 152 Ratcheting lock second end
[0037] 161 First finger grip
[0038] 162 Second finger grip
[0039] 170 Gap
[0040] 172 First surface
[0041] 174 Second surface
[0042] 182 Groove
[0043] 184 Ridge
[0044] 190 First material
[0045] 192 Second material
[0046] 194 Minimum width for wedge-shaped compression member
[0047] 196 Maximum width for wedge-shaped compression member
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 1-6, one embodiment of the present
invention features a system (100) for containment and organization
of medical wire. In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a
clamp (120) having a clamp first side (121), a clamp second side
(122), a clamp anterior end (125), and a clamp posterior end (126).
In some embodiments, the clamp (120) may comprise a shape of a "U".
In some embodiments, the clamp (120) may comprise a terminating
clamp first side posterior end (123) located on the clamp first
side (121) at the clamp posterior end (126), a terminating clamp
second side posterior end (124) located on the clamp second side
(122) at the clamp posterior end (126), with the arcuate clamp
anterior end (125) joining the clamp first side (121) to the clamp
second side (122). In some embodiments, a first ridged and grooved
clamping block (131) may be angularly located on the clamp first
side posterior end (123) and a second ridged and grooved clamping
block (132) may be angularly located on the clamp second side
posterior end (124). In some embodiments, the first ridged and
grooved clamping block (131) may mate and/or interface with the
second ridged and grooved clamping block (132) upon closure of the
clamp (120). In some embodiments, the first ridged and grooved
clamping block (131) and the second ridged and grooved clamping
block (132) may be positioned at a 90 degree angle with respect to
the clamp first side (121) and the clamp second side (122),
respectively. In some embodiments, the first ridged and grooved
clamping block (131) and the second ridged and grooved clamping
block (132) may be positioned at a 75 degree angle with respect to
the clamp first side (121) and the clamp second side (122),
respectively. In some embodiments, the first ridged and grooved
clamping block (131) and the second ridged and grooved clamping
block (132) may be positioned at a 60 degree angle with respect to
the clamp first side (121) and the clamp second side (122),
respectively. In some embodiments, the first ridged and grooved
clamping block (131) and the second ridged and grooved clamping
block (132) may be positioned at a 45 degree angle with respect to
the clamp first side (121) and the clamp second side (122),
respectively. In some embodiments, the first ridged and grooved
clamping block (131) and the second ridged and grooved clamping
block (132) may be positioned at a 105 degree angle with respect to
the clamp first side (121) and the clamp second side (122),
respectively. In some embodiments, the first ridged and grooved
clamping block (131) and the second ridged and grooved clamping
block (132) may be positioned at a 120 degree angle with respect to
the clamp first side (121) and the clamp second side (122),
respectively. In some embodiments, the first ridged and grooved
clamping block (131) and the second ridged and grooved clamping
block (132) may be positioned at a 135 degree angle with respect to
the clamp first side (121) and the clamp second side (122),
respectively.
[0049] In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a first
side compression member (141). In some embodiments, the first side
compression member (141) may be located on an inside surface of the
clamp first side (121) next to the first ridged and grooved
clamping block (131) and project out and away from the clamp first
side (121) toward the clamp second side (122). In some embodiments,
the first side compression member (141) may comprise a shape of a
rectangular prism. In some embodiments, the first side compression
member (141) may be elastomeric.
[0050] In some embodiments the first side compression member (141)
may be constructed of foam. In some embodiments the first side
compression member (141) may be constructed of rubber. In some
embodiments the first side compression member (141) may be
constructed of latex. In some embodiments the first side
compression member (141) may comprise a planar interfacing
surface.
[0051] In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a second
side compression member (142). In some embodiments, the second side
compression member (142) may be located on an inside surface of the
clamp second side (122) next to the second ridged and grooved
clamping block (132) and project out and away from the clamp second
side (122) toward the clamp first side (121). In some embodiments,
the second side compression member (142) may comprise a shape of a
rectangular prism. In some embodiments, the second side compression
member (142) may be elastomeric.
[0052] In some embodiments the second side compression member (142)
may be constructed of foam. In some embodiments the second side
compression member (142) may be constructed of rubber. In some
embodiments the second side compression member (142) may be
constructed of latex. In some embodiments the second side
compression member (142) may comprise a planar interfacing
surface.
[0053] In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise an
adjustable ratcheting lock (150) located between and attaching the
clamp first side (121) and the clamp second side (122) in a
releasable manner. In some embodiments, a ratcheting lock first end
(151) may be located on the inside surface of the clamp first side
(121) between the clamp first side posterior end (123) and the
clamp anterior end (125) and a ratcheting lock second end (152) may
be located on the inside surface of the clamp second side (122)
between the clamp second side posterior end (124) and the clamp
anterior end (125). In some embodiments, the adjustable ratcheting
lock (150) may comprise a plurality of settings corresponding to a
level of compression between the first side compression member
(141) and the second side compression member (142).
[0054] In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a first
finger grip (161) located on an outside surface of the clamp first
side (121) opposed to the ratcheting lock first end (151) and a
second finger grip (162) located on an outside surface of the clamp
second side (122) opposed to the ratcheting lock second end
(152).
[0055] In some embodiments, medical wire (110) may be placed in an
open clamp (120) between the first side compression member (141)
and the second side compression member (142). In some embodiments,
the clamp (120) may be closed having the first ridged and grooved
clamping block (131) interfacing and interlocked against the second
ridged and grooved clamping block (132). In some embodiments, the
adjustable ratcheting lock (150) may be tightened via manually
pinching the clamp (120) via the first finger grip (161) and the
second finger grip (162) to compress the first side compression
member (141) and the second side compression member (142) against
the medical wire (110) for securely holding the medical wire (110)
in position.
[0056] In some embodiments, the first side compression member (141)
may be located on the inside surface of the clamp first side (121)
and the second side compression member (142) may be located on the
inside surface of the clamp second side (122). The compression
members (141, 142) may be secured to the first and second sides
(121, 122) by an adhesive such as a water resistant adhesive, or a
saline compatible adhesive.
[0057] In some embodiments, the first side compression member (141)
may be located on the inside surface of the clamp first side (121)
and the second side compression member (142) may be located on the
inside surface of the clamp second side (122), wherein the
compression members (141, 142) are secured to the first and second
sides (121, 122) via a mechanical fastening, such as a bolt,
staple, or fingers extending from the first and second sides (121,
122).
[0058] In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a
medical wire (110).
[0059] In some embodiments, the medical wire (110) may be an
interventional procedure wire.
[0060] In some embodiments, the medical wire (110) may be a cardiac
catheterizing wire.
[0061] In some embodiments, the medical wire (110) may be a
hydrophilic wire.
[0062] In some embodiments, the medical wire (110) may be a micro
wire.
[0063] In some embodiments, the medical wire (110) may be a guide
wire.
[0064] In some embodiments, the medical wire (110) may be a
catheter.
[0065] In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a
catheter and guide wire bowl. In some embodiments, the system (100)
may further comprise a bowl.
[0066] In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a
plurality of clamps (120). In some embodiments, the system (100)
may further comprise a plurality of color coded clamps (120). In
some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a plurality
of labeled clamps (120).
[0067] In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise
an indicator located on each clamp (120) for indicating wire type
or size.
[0068] In some embodiments, the indicator may be a unique
color.
[0069] A method of containment and organization of a medical wire
may comprise obtaining a system (100) for containment and
organization of a medical wire comprising a clamp (120) having a
clamp first side (121), a clamp second side (122), a clamp anterior
end (125), and a clamp posterior end (126). In some embodiments,
the clamp (120) may comprise a shape of a "U". In some embodiments,
the clamp (120) may comprise a terminating clamp first side
posterior end (123) located on the clamp first side (121) at the
clamp posterior end (126), a terminating clamp second side
posterior end (124) located on the clamp second side (122) at the
clamp posterior end (126), with the arcuate clamp anterior end
(125) joining the clamp first side (121) to the clamp second side
(122). In some embodiments, a first ridged and grooved clamping
block (131) may be angularly located on the clamp first side
posterior end (123) and a second ridged and grooved clamping block
(132) may be angularly located on the clamp second side posterior
end (124). In some embodiments, the first ridged and grooved
clamping block (131) may mate with and/or interface with the second
ridged and grooved clamping block (132) upon closure of the clamp
(120). In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a first
side compression member (141). In some embodiments, the first side
compression member (141) may be located on an inside surface of the
clamp first side (121) next to the first ridged and grooved
clamping block (131) and projects out and away from the clamp first
side (121) toward the clamp second side (122). In some embodiments,
the first side compression member (141) may comprise a shape of a
rectangular prism. In some embodiments, the first side compression
member (141) may be elastomeric. In some embodiments, the system
(100) may comprise a second side compression member (142). In some
embodiments, the second side compression member (142) may be
located on an inside surface of the clamp second side (122) next to
the second ridged and grooved clamping block (132) and projects out
and away from the clamp second side (122) toward the clamp first
side (121). In some embodiments, the second side compression member
(142) may comprise a shape of a rectangular prism. In some
embodiments, the second side compression member (142) may be
elastomeric. In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise an
adjustable ratcheting lock (150) located between and releasably
attaching the clamp first side (121) and the clamp second side
(122). In some embodiments, a ratcheting lock first end (151) may
be located on the inside surface of the clamp first side (121)
between the clamp first side posterior end (123) and the clamp
anterior end (125) and a ratcheting lock second end (152) is
located on the inside surface of the clamp second side (122)
between the clamp second side posterior end (124) and the clamp
anterior end (125). In some embodiments, the system (100) may
comprise a first finger grip (161) located on an outside surface of
the clamp first side (121) opposed to the ratcheting lock first end
(151) and a second finger grip (162) located on an outside surface
of the clamp second side (122) opposed to the ratcheting lock
second end (152). In some embodiments, the system (100) may
comprise a medical wire (110). In some embodiments, the system
(100) may comprise a catheter and guide wire bowl.
[0070] In some embodiments, the method may comprise removing the
medical wire (110) from its sterile packaging.
[0071] In some embodiments, the method may comprise placing the
medical wire (110) in an open clamp (120) between the first side
compression member (141) and the second side compression member
(142) in either a straight or a looped position having at least one
strand of the medical wire (110) in contact with the first side
compression member (141) and the second side compression member
(142).
[0072] In some embodiments, the method may comprise closing the
clamp (120) with the first ridged and grooved clamping block (131)
interfacingly interlocked against the second ridged and grooved
clamping block (132).
[0073] In some embodiments, the method may comprise tightening the
clamp (120) with the adjustable ratcheting lock (150) via manually
pinching the clamp (120) via the first finger grip (161) and the
second finger grip (162) to compress the first side compression
member (141) and the second side compression member (142) against
the medical wire (110) for securely holding into position.
[0074] In some embodiments, the method may comprise placing the
clamp (120) with the medical wire (110) into the catheter and guide
wire bowl in preparation for use.
[0075] In some embodiments, the method may comprise discarding the
clamp (120) after a single use.
[0076] In some embodiments, the method may comprise a plurality of
clamps (120) used with a plurality of medical wires (110). In some
embodiments, the plurality of clamps (120) may comprise a unique
indicator located on each clamp (120) for indicating wire type or
size. These unique indicators may assist in identifying the each
clamp (120) and the associated medical wire (110) restrained by the
clamp (120).
[0077] In another embodiment, the clamp (120) may comprise a body
(115) having the first side element (121) and the second side
element (122). The first side element (121) and the second side
element (122) may be connected by an anterior end (125). The body
(115) of the clamp (120) may be movable from an open position to a
closed position. When the body (115) is in the open position, as
shown in FIG. 1, the first side element (121) and the second side
element (122) are separated by a gap (170). When the body (115) is
in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, the first side element
(121) and the second side element (122) may be closer together, and
may have even closed the gap (170).
[0078] The first compression member (141) may be coupled to the
inner surface of the first side element (121), and the second
compression member (142) may be coupled to the inner surface of the
second side element (122). The first and second compression members
(141, 142) may project inwardly from the respective first and
second side elements (121, 122), and may comprise a respective
first surface (172) and a second surface (174) arranged such that
when a medical wire is positioned in the gap (170) between the
first surface and the second surface, the body (115) may be moved
to the closed position. When or before the body (115) reaches the
closed position, at least one of the first and second compression
members (141, 142) may deform to accommodate the medical wire
(110). This deformation may occur due to compression of one or both
of the compression members (141, 142). While the body (115) remains
in the closed position, the movement of the medical wire (110) in
or out of the clamp (120) may be restricted between the first and
second compression members (141, 142). The internal resistance of
the first and second compression members (141, 142) to compression
or deformation may apply a force to the medical wire (110) to
restrict its movement and hold it in place.
[0079] The first and second compression members (141, 142) may be
made of a material such that the first and second compression
members (141, 142) are responsive to deform when a force between
0.25 pounds and 5.0 pounds is applied.
[0080] The first and second compression members (141, 142) may
comprise a foam material, such as a sponge, a rubber material, or
some other deformable material. To prevent fragments of the first
and second compression members (141, 142) from breaking off and
attaching to the medical wire (110), it may be advantageous that
the first and second compression members (141, 142) comprise closed
cell foam, wherein the empty cells within the foam's interior are
not exposed on the first or second surfaces (172, 174).
Alternatively, open cell foam may be advantageous where greater
deformation of the first and second compression members (141, 142)
is needed with less force being applied. In some embodiments, it
may be advantageous that the first and second compression members
(141, 142) are each made from different materials (190, 192) having
different compressive abilities, as shown in FIG. 7. Such an
embodiment may be useful where, for example, it is desirable that
the medical wire (110) should be forced closer to the first side
element (121) or second side element (122) when the body (115) is
placed in the closed position.
[0081] The first and second compression members (141, 142) may be
arranged on the inner surface of the respective first and second
side elements (121, 122) projecting inwardly to a maximum
thickness. This thickness may be between about 0.3 cm and 1.5 cm.
Compression members (141, 142) having greater thickness may be
advantageous to allow for greater deformation or compression when
receiving the medical wire (110) and therefore, maintain a better
grip on the medical wire (110) contained between the compression
members (141, 142). The thickness of the compression members (141,
142) may be limited so that they do not completely occlude the gap
(170) when the body (115) is in the open position, so that the
medical wire (110) may still be easily moved between the first and
second compression members (141, 142) while the body (115) is in
the open position.
[0082] The first and second compression members (141, 142) may also
have a width between about 0.3 cm and 1.4 cm. Compression members
(141, 142) having greater width may be able to better secure the
medical wire (110). Therefore, it may be advantageous that the
compression members (141, 142) have a width which exceeds the width
of the first and second side elements (121, 122). Alternatively, it
may be desirable that the compression members (141, 142) have a
"wedge-shape", wherein the width expands as the compression member
(141, 142) extends inwardly, as shown in FIG. 8. In such an
embodiment, the width of the first and second surfaces (172, 174)
may define the maximum width (196) of the compression members (141,
142).
[0083] The thickness of the first and second compression members
(141, 142) may vary from the posterior end to the anterior end of
the compression members (141, 142). Such variation may be
advantageous to allow the surfaces (172, 174) of the compression
members (141, 142) to be substantially coplanar when the body (115)
is placed in the closed position. Accordingly, the gap (170)
between the compression members (141, 142) while the body (115) is
in the open position may also vary. For embodiments similar to FIG.
1, the gap (170) is likely to be larger on the posterior side of
the compression members (141, 142), and smaller on the anterior
side of the compression members (141, 142). The size of the gap may
vary between about 0.1 cm and 1.7 cm. Similarly, the thickness of
the compression members (141, 142) may vary from the posterior end
to the anterior of the compression members (141, 142). As shown in
FIG. 1, the anterior end of the compression members (141, 142) may
have the maximum thickness and the posterior end of the compression
members (141, 142) may have the minimum thickness. The
compressibility of the compression members (141, 142) may vary
according to the thickness of the compression members (141,
142).
[0084] Additionally, it may be desirable that the first and second
compression members (141, 142) have different widths, so that when
the first and second compression members (141, 142) contact one
another, the wider of the first and second surfaces (172, 174)
covers the entire width of the narrower of the first and second
surfaces (172, 174). The wider of the first and second surfaces may
also extend beyond the width of the narrower surface (172, 174).
Therefore, when body (115) is moved to the closed position so that
when the medical wire (110) is restrained between the compression
members (141, 142), a first restricting force is directed on the
medical wire (110) directed on the portion of the medical wire
(110) which overlaps both compression members (141, 142).
Additionally, a second force may also be directed to where the
medical wire (110) overlaps the portion of the wider surface (172,
174) but not overlapping the narrower surface (172, 174).
[0085] In some embodiments, it may be desirable that at least one
of the first and second compression members (141, 142) comprise a
plurality of materials (190, 192) stacked inwardly upon each other,
where each of the plurality of materials (190, 192) has a different
compressibility. For example, an embodiment could comprise one or
both compression members (141, 142) having a contacting material
(190) which is stacked inward from a base material (192). Depending
on the function of the compression members (141, 142) and the
characteristics of the medical wire (110) the compression members
(141, 142) are configured to receive, one of the materials (190,
192) may have a greater compressibility than the other material
(190, 192). In an embodiment where the contacting material (190)
has greater compressibility, the compression members (141, 142) may
easily conform to the shape of the medical wire (110) when the body
(115) is placed in the closed position and resist the movement of
the medical wire (110) in the vertical direction as well as the
length-wise direction. Alternatively, an embodiment where the base
material (192) has greater compressibility may be desirable. Such
an arrangement may reduce the amount by which the compression
members (141, 142) would conform to the shape of the medical wire
(110), however, it may also allow for substantial compression while
applying the force of compression more evenly across the first and
second surfaces (172, 174) of the compression members (141, 142).
This may be desirable where the first and second surfaces (172,
174) are arranged to capture the medical wire (110) in a groove
(182) or receiving element. In some embodiments, similar effects as
those described above may be accomplished by compression members
(141, 142) having more than two materials (190, 192), or by
compression members (141, 142) having a compressibility gradient
which varies with the thickness of the compression member (141,
142).
[0086] The first and second surfaces (172, 174) may comprise a
surface treatment to better capture and restrain the medical wire
(110) while the body (115) is in the closed position. The surface
treatment may be a coating with a material having a high
coefficient of friction, a collection of surface irregularities ,
such as pits and projections, arranged on the first and second
surfaces (172, 174), or a series of grooves (184) and ridges (182)
arranged along a portion of the first and second surfaces (172,
174).
[0087] One of the first or second surfaces (172, 174) may comprise
a series of grooves (184) and ridges (182). The other of the first
and second surfaces (172, 174) may be flat, or may comprise another
series of grooves (184) and ridges (182). Where there are grooves
(184) and ridges (182) on both the first and second surfaces (172,
174), it may be desirable that these grooves (184) interlock,
causing the gap (170) to be completely closed when the body (115)
is placed in the closed position. The medical wire (110) may be
placed within the clamp (120) spanning the width of the first and
second surfaces (172, 174). The grooves (184) and ridges (182)
alternatively may be arranged to span the length or a portion of
the length of the first or second surface (172, 174) to apply the
force of compression to focused areas of the medical wire (110), as
shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the grooves (184) and ridges (182)
may be arranged to span the width or a portion of the width of the
first and second surfaces (172, 174) to capture the medical wire
(110) within the groove (184) and restrain the lengthwise movement
of the medical wire (110), as shown in FIG. 8. Additionally, where
the grooves (184) and ridges (182) are arranged spanning the width
of the first and second surfaces (172, 174), it may be desirable
that the grooves (184) and ridges (182) are arranged in a planform
arc across the width of the first and second surfaces (172, 174) so
that the coiled medical wire (110) may be accommodated within the
grooves (184). Furthermore, it may be desirable that the grooves
(184) and ridges (182) have varying arcs to accommodate coils of
medical wires (110) having varying diameters.
[0088] As discussed above, some embodiments of the clamp (120) may
comprise clamping blocks (123, 124) extending inwardly from the
posterior end of the first and second side elements (121, 122). The
clamping blocks (123, 124) may be made of a substantially rigid
material and the inward end of each clamping block (123, 124) may
be in contact when the body (115) is moved to the closed position.
The inward end of each clamping block (123, 124) may define the
limit of the movement of the body (115) to the closed position.
While the body (115) is in the closed position, the clamping blocks
(123, 124) may define a rigid wall which prevents movement of the
medical wire (110) from passing through the posterior end (126) of
the clamp (120). To further accomplish this purpose, the inward
ends of the clamping blocks (123, 125) may comprise interlocking
grooves.
[0089] In some embodiments, at least one of the compression members
(141, 142) may extend inward beyond the inward ends of the clamping
blocks (123, 124). The result of this arrangement of the
compression members (141, 142) is that when the body (115) is moved
to the closed position, there will be at least some compression of
the compression members (141, 142) even where no medical wire (110)
is placed between the compression members (141, 142).
[0090] In some embodiments, it may be desirable that the first and
second compression members (141, 142) make substantially planar
contact with each other as the body (115) is moved to the closed
position. Substantially planar contact may mean that the entirety
of the surfaces (172, 174) of the compression members (141, 142)
which overlap while the body (115) is in the closed position, come
in contact with each other substantially simultaneously as the body
(115) is moved to the closed position. An advantage of this may be
that such an arrangement may provide even compression between the
compression members (141, 142) and may distribute compression
evenly across the first and second surfaces (172, 174). Even
distribution of the compression of the compression members (141,
142) may more effectively restrain the movement of the medical wire
(110) by restraining it in a particular spot between the
compression members (141, 142). Alternatively, the compression
members (141, 142) may be arranged such that the posterior or
anterior ends of the surfaces (172, 174) of the compression members
(141, 142) make contact before other areas of the surfaces (172,
174). Such an embodiment may cause unequal compression of the
compression members (141, 142) and may be desirable to apply
additional force to one of the anterior or posterior ends of the
compression member (141, 142) and prevent movement of the medical
wire (110) disposed between the compression members (141, 142) in a
specific direction.
[0091] In some embodiments, it may be desirable that the body (115)
of the clamp (120) is biased to the open position, such that unless
force is being applied to the clamp (120), the clamp (120) is able
to receive the medical wire (110) between the compression members
(141, 142). Furthermore, to restrain the movement of the captured
medical wire (110) between the compression members (141, 142) while
the body (115) is in the closed position, it may be desirable to
include a lock coupled to the body (115) of the clamp (120) to
maintain the body (115) in the closed position. The lock may
comprise a number of mechanisms adapted to maintain the body (115)
in the closed position, such as the ratcheting lock (150) described
above. To avoid interfering with the positioning of the medical
wire (110) in the gap (170), it may be advantageous to position the
lock in a position anterior from the compression members (141,
142).
[0092] As used herein, the term "about" refers to plus or minus 10%
of the referenced number.
[0093] Various modifications, in addition to those described
herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the
foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall
within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in
the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0094] Although there has been shown and described the preferred
embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art
that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the
scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention
is only to be limited by the following claims. Reference numbers
recited in the claims are exemplary and for ease of review by the
patent office only, and are not limiting in any way. In some
embodiments, the figures presented in this patent application are
drawn to scale, including the angles, ratios of dimensions, etc. In
some embodiments, the figures are representative only and the
claims are not limited by the dimensions of the figures. In some
embodiments, descriptions using the phrase "comprising" includes
embodiments that could be described as "consisting of", and as such
the written description requirement for claiming one or more
embodiments using the phrase "consisting of" is met.
* * * * *