Suture Clamp

Abstract

A suture clamp includes a compressible member having a hole extending therethrough and means for locking the suture in the hole, the locking means including a ridge extending along a first outer surface of the member substantially transverse to the hole. The ridge is pressed into the member by a scissor clamp having two pivot arms with clamping jaws at the extremities thereof, one of the jaws having a die extending substantially parallel with the corresponding arm such that the die presses the ridge into the member when the member is positioned between the jaws and the jaws are compressed together.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to surgical tools, and in particular relates to apparatus useful for clamping sutures, and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In medical practice, deep incisions or injuries are stitched with a suture, which may comprise strong synthetic monofilament, silk, or an inert surgical wire. Generally the incision is stitched in a manner to leave both ends of the suture proximal to each other. After each stitch, the physician ties the suture ends together.

There are certain problems associated with this tying technique. For example, slippage of suture knots can make the tying operation difficult. Further, the tying of surgical wires is difficult under the best conditions.

There have been suggestions in the prior art for employing clamps to replace the tying off process. McConnaughey, in U.S Pat. No. 462,270, teaches a compressible sleeve having a slot for fitting over the suture, and a scissor clamp for compressing the slot. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,345, Dabbs et al., disclose a surgical button useful for retaining a suture after a stitch is taken in a wound. Davidson, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,075,508, teaches a similar arrangemment. Other suture retention techniques are taught in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,580,256 to Wilkinson et al.; 3,650,274 to Edwards et al.; and 3,311,110 to Singerman et al. Examples of ligation clamps are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,503,398 to Fogarty et al; and 3,175,556 to Wood et al.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates suture clamping means comprising a compressible member having a hole extending therethrough and means for locking a suture in the hole, the locking means comprising a ridge extending along a first outer surface of the member substantially transverse to the hole, and a corresponding groove on the opposite surface.

The present invention further includes a scissor clamp useful for holding the member firmly while it is slid down suture into proper position, then for crimping the ridge into the member and compressing the member to lock the suture in the hole.

THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamp member in accordanc with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the clamp member of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of scissor clamping means according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the clamping means of FIG. 3 is employed with the clamp member of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross sectional end views of the clamping means of FIG. 3 and the clamp member of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The suture clamp of the present invention includes a compressible clamp member for receiving the suture and a scissor-like clamp for compressing the clamp member for locking the suture in place. This arrangement will now be described with reference to the drawing.

Noting FIG. 1, the suture clamp of the present invention includes a compressible clamp member 10 having two holes 12, 14 extending therethrough. The clamp member 10 suitably comprises any one of a malleable metal which is inert to human tissue; for example, stainless steel or tantallum may be employed.

The clamp member 10 further includes means for locking suture in the holes 12, 14. In accordance with the present invention, the locking means comprises a ridge 16 extending along an outer surface 18 of the member 10 and substantially transverse to the holes 12, 14. Preferably, the ridge 16 is an integral part of the clamp member 10. The clamp member 10 further includes a groove 20 extending along another outer surface 22 opposing, and parallel to the ridge 16. In use, the suture is threaded through one of the holes 12, 14, the wound is stitched and the suture threaded through the other hole and the clamp member 10 is clamped as described below with reference to FIGS. 3-6.

An alternate embodiment of the clamp member is shown in FIG. 2 and is referred to generally as 10'. The clamp member 10' is essentially identical to the clamp member 10 of FIG. 1 except that the member 10' includes slots 13, 15 communicating with the respective holes 12, 14 and extending to the adjacent side walls between the two outer surfaces 18, 22. In use, the alternate clamp member 10' is employed in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the clamp 10, except that both ends of the suture may be pushed into the holes 12, 14 via the communicating slots 13, 15 after the stitching operation is completed.

A scissor clamp specifically adapted for the embodiments of the clamp members like that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will now be described with reference to FIG. 3.

Noting FIG. 3, the clamp, referred to generally as 30, includes two arms 32, 34 pivotably joined together in a scissor-like fashion by a pivot pin 36. Each arm 32 has a respective clamping jaw 38, 40 at one extremity thereof. One jaw 38 has a die 42 extending substantially parallel with the corresponding arm 32, the die having dimensions substantially corresponding to the ridge 16 in the clamping member 10 of FIG. 1. The jaw 38 further includes a flexible plate 44 having a slot 46 therein adapted to receive the ridge 16 when the clamp member 10 is positioned between the jaws 38, 40. The other jaw has a flexible tongue 48 adjacent thereto having dimensions corresponding to the groove 20. A keyway 50 is formed in the other jaw 40, and is dimensioned so as to receive the tongue 48 when depressed.

Operation of the clamp 30 in cooperation with the clamp member 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4-6.

As shown in FIG. 4, prior to the clamping operation a suture 52 is threaded through one hole 12 of the clamp member 10, the wound is stitched and the suture 52 is then threaded through the other hole 14. The clamp 30 is then brought into engagement with the clamp member 10. Now noting FIG. 5, the clamp member 10 is positioned between the jaws 38, 40 of the clamp 30 such that the ridge 16 extends through the slot 46 and is opposing the die 42. Additionally, the tongue 48 fits loosely in the groove 20. When the jaws 38, 40 are compressed (note FIG. 6), the ridge 16 is deformed and pressed into the clamp member 10, restricting the cross sectional area of the holes 12, 14 and locking the suture 52 therein. During compression, the tongue 48 enters the keyway 50 allowing the clamp member 10 to be further deformed so as to flatten the groove 20.

While a specific suture clamp arrangement is shown in the drawings and described above, it will be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the clamp member 10 may comprise a single hole through which both lengths of suture are threaded.

Claims

I claim:

1. Suture clamping means comprising:

a compressible member having a hole extending therethrough;

means for locking a suture in said hole, said locking means comprising a ridge extending along a first outer surface of said member substantially transverse to said hole and wherein

compression of said ridge reduces the cross-sectional area of said hole to lock suture therein.

2. Clamping means as recited in claim 1 further comprising a groove extending along another surface of said member opposing said ridge.

3. Clamping means as recited in claim 2 further comprising another hole through said member substantially parallel with said one hole.

4. Clamping means as recited in claim 2 wherein said member comprises a malleable material inert to human tissue.

5. Clamping means as recited in claim 1 further comprising said member having a slot extending from a surface thereof and communicating with said hole.

6. Clamping means comprising:

a compressible member having a hole extending therethrough;

a ridge extending along an outer surface of said member substantially transverse to said hole; and

means for reducing the cross-sectional area of said hole, said means comprising said ridge.