GB2353710A

GB2353710A - Umbilical cord clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2353710A
Application number: GB9918667A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Maurice Shearman
Original assignee: HENLEYS MEDICAL SUPPLIES Ltd
Current assignee: HENLEYS MEDICAL SUPPLIES Ltd
Priority date: 1999-08-06
Filing date: 1999-08-06
Publication date: 2001-03-07
Also published as: GB9918667D0

Abstract

An umbilical cord clamp has a pair 1,2 of elongate arms each of which has an elongate clamping surface 5a,5b, the elongate arms being connected to one another by hinge means 3 arranged to permit the elongate arms 1,2 to be movable towards each other from an open position to a closed position in which their elongate clamping surfaces 5a,5b face one another. The clamp further comprising lock means for securing the clamp in the closed position, wherein the lock means comprises first engaging means 7,10 provided on the ends of the arms that are remote from the hinge means and second engaging means 12 that are closable when said first engaging means are engaged.

Description

2353710 Umbilical card-clamp The invention relates to clamps, and in

particular to clamps of the kind suitable for clamping an umbilical cord 5 on the birth of a baby.

In certain previously known forms of umbilical cord clamp, a pair of hinged arms having serrated clamping surfaces are arranged to be secured together by means of lock means at the ends of the arms remote from the hinge that connects the arms. A number of different forms of lock means have been proposed, including for example those shown in British Patent Specification Nos. 1 335 672 and 2 025 511A.

It is desirable for the lock means to meet two is criteria in use. First, it should be simple and quick to operate, to ensure that the midwife can clamp the umbilical cord without undue interruption of other activities. Second, it should be secure both in the sense that it does not accidentally become unlocked after locking has been effected and in the sense that, after locking, the arms are held securely in the clamping position with little or no relative movement of the arms being permitted. A number of the previously known clamps do not fully meet both of those criteria.

The invention provides an umbilical cord clamp having a pair of elongate arms each of which has an elongate clamping surface, the elongate arms being connected to one another by hinge means arranged to permit the elongate arms to be movable towards each other f rom an open position to a closed position in which their elongate clamping surfaces face one another, the clamp further comprising lock means for securing the clamp in the closed position, wherein the lock means comprises first engaging means provided on the ends of the arms that are remote f rom the hinge means and 2 second engaging means that are closable when said first engaging means are engaged.

By means of the second engaging means, it is possible for secure clamping of the arms to be effected. The first engaging means may comprise detent means provided on a f irst of said elongate arms and a recess on the second elongate arm in which the detent means can engage. The detent means may be resiliently deformable. Advantageously, the detent means can engage in snap-fit manner in the recess. Advantageously, the second arm comprises a channel for guiding the detent means towards the recess.

The second engaging means may advantageously be so arranged that, when closed, the first engaging means is covered at least in part by said second engaging means.

Advantageously, the second engaging means comprises a detent element that is attached to one of the elongate arms and can engage with cooperating means provided on the opposed arm.

Where the first engaging means comprises detent means provided on a first of said elongate arms and a recess on the second elongate arm in which that detent means can engage, the detent element of the second engaging means is preferably hingedly attached to one of said arms, and preferably to said second elongate arm.

The hinged detent element of the second engaging means may be resiliently deformable. The hinged detent element is advantageously so arranged that it can engage in snap fit fashion with the cooperating means.

The cooperating means may comprise a surface portion of the respective elongate arm, the surface portion being dimensioned and configured for cooperating engagement with the detent element. The surface portion may be in the form of a recessed region having a lip over which the detent element engages in the closed clamp. Advantageously, the 3 surface portion and the detent element are so dimensioned and configured that, after they have been closed (that is, when they are in the engaged position), the closed end of the clamp has a substantially smooth profile.

The clamp is preferably of a material that is such that the clamp is resiliently deformable. Preferred materials are also heat-resistant and, in particular, are resistant to degradation and deformation at temperatures up to at least 1340C, so that the clamps may be heatsterilised. The chosen material is preferably suitable for use with other sterilisation techniques, such as gamma- irradiation. Nylon is a preferred material, clamps of nylon being suitable for sterilisation by any of the commonly used sterilisation techniques.

One form of clamp according to the invention will now be described, by way of illustration, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the clamp in the open position; Fig. 2 is a side view of the clamp from the opposite direction with respect to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section through E-E in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section through D-D in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a section through B-B in Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a portion of one arm of the clamp along the direction G in Fig. 2; Fig. 7 is a plan view of a portion of the other arm of the clamp along the direction F in Fig.

2; Fig. 8 is an end view of one of the arms along the direction H in Fig. 1; Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through the clamp; and Fig. 10 is a plan view of the clamp, viewed from the left in Fig. 1.

4 With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the clamp has a first elongate arm 1 and a second elongate arm 2 which are connected together by a hinge 3. In the embodiment illustrated, the clamp is of a resilient material, for example of a plastics material such as nylon, and the hinge 3 permits resilient deformation of the clamp such that the arms can be closed to abut one another along their length. A tongue 4 extends across the open portion of hinge 3 and, in use of the clamp, provides a barrier to prevent any part of the clamped cord straying from the clamping region into the hinge, where it may not be adequately clamped.

Each of the arms 1,2 has on its inside face an elongate clamping surface Sa.,5b, which comprises a multiplicity of teeth 20, as will be described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 3. The outer faces of the arms 1,2 are essentially flat except for a respective grip portion 6a,6b provided at the distal end of each arm. The first elongate arm 1 has at its distal end relative to the hinge 3 detent means 7 in the form of an elongate stem portion 8 and a catch 9. The detent means 7 is resiliently deformable in the longitudinal central plane that passes through the hinge 3 and the arms 1,2. The second elongate arm 2 includes in its distal end a recess 10 in which the catch 9 can engage. A channel 11 extends from the recess 10 towards the inside surface of arm 2. The channel 11 serves to guide the catch 9 into the recess 10, and houses the stem portion 8 when the catch is in the recess. The channel 11 has a smooth bottom surface which acts as a bearing surface for the catch 9 as it travels along the channel 11 towards the recess 10. The bearing surface is so angled relative to the rest of the clamp that the detent means 7 is caused to resiliently deform after the catch 9 has entered the channel 11 and the degree of resilient deformation increases as the catch approaches recess 10.

On reaching recess 10, the catch 9 can engage in snap-fit fashion therein. In addition, because the catch 9 rests in the channel 11 when the clamp is locked, the outer envelope of the locked catch 9 is relatively smooth. The recess 10 and channel 11 are shown by broken lines in Figs. 1 and 2, and may be more clearly seen in Fig. 9. The interlockable catch 9 and recess 10 constitute f irst engaging means according to the invention. The arms 1,2 of the clamp are urged apart from one another by virtue of the resilient deformation of hinge 3 and, as a consequence of the construction of the catch 9 and recess 10, the clamp will spring open if the f irst engaging means is not locked.

The second elongate arm 2 is provided at its distal end with a detent element 12 comprising a web portion 13 and a catch 14. The web portion 13 is attached to arm 2 along a hinge 15 about which the detent element is pivotable. The arm 1 is provided with a recessed region 16 in its outer surface. The recessed region 16 includes a lip 17, and the recessed region 16 and the lip 17 are so dimensioned and configured that, when the clamp is closed with the catch 9 engaged in recess 10, the detent element 12 can be pivoted about hinge 15 and the catch 14 caused to engage in the recessed region 16. on pressing the detent element 12 against the end of arm 1, the detent element resiliently deforms as the catch 14 travels over the lip 17 and then engages in snap-fit fashion in recessed region 1G.

The interlockable detent element 12 and recessed region 1G constitute second engaging means present in accordance with the invention. The detent element 12 is closable only when the catch 9 of detent means 7 is engaged in the recess 10.

Fig. 3 is a section along E-E in Fig. 1. The clamping surface 5b of the arm 2 consists of two parallel rows 18,19 of teeth 20, the rows being separated by an elongate channel 21. The outer surface of the grip portion Ga,6b of 6 the arm 2 shown in Fig. 3 has ridges 22, which facilitate gripping of the clamp for closure.

Fig. 4 is a section through arm 2 at a point close to the end of the grip portion 6a,6b. The recess 10 is bounded at both sides by walls 23,24, and at the top by the grip portion of the arm 2. The channel 11 extends from the recess towards the bottom (that is, towards the inner, clamping surface 5b) of the arm 2.

Fig. 5 is a section through arm 2 at B-B in Fig. 2, showing the clamping surface 5b of the arm 2 with the two parallel rows 18,19 of teeth, the rows being separated by an elongate channel 21. The arm 1 is similarly provided with two parallel rows of teeth, 18,19 separated by an elongate channel 21, those rows of teeth being arranged to close against the opposed tooth rows 18,19 of arm 2. The elongate channels 21 on the inner faces of the arms 1,2 serve to enhance the longitudinal grip of the clamp as, when the clamp is closed, a small section of the umbilical cord may expand into those channels between the spaced, opposed pairs of tooth rows 18,19 of the two arms.

As may be seen from Figs. 6 and 7, the grip portions 6a,6b are each formed by an outwardly flared portion of the respective arm 1,2. Fig. 6 shows the inside (clamping) surf ace of the grip portion 6a of arm 1. The catch 9 extends perpendicularly from the clamping surface 5b.

Fig 7 shows the inside (clamping) surface of the grip portion 6b of arm 2. The channel 11 has at its entrance at the inner surface of the arm 1 a rounded surface lia, which facilitates entry of the catch 9 into the channel. The hinge 15 and web portion 13 are each of a width that is greater than that of the channel 11 and catch 9 so that, in the closed clamp, the web portion 13 covers the recess 10, channel 11 and the catch 9 received therein.

As will be apparent from Figs. 6 and 7, on insertion to the channel 11 past the rounded surface lib, the catch 9 7 will be deformed until it is able to engage, in snap-fit fashion, in recess 10.

Fig. 8 is an end view of grip portion 6b, showing laterally of the catch 9 shoulder portions 25,26 which are so dimensioned and configured that, in the closed clamp, they sit snugly against the ends of the walls 23,24 (see Fig. 4) of the channel 11 in grip portion 5b.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section through the clamp. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the clamp, showing the arm 2. The arm has parallel sides extending f rom the hinge 3, to the grip portion 6b, at which the sides flare outwardly to form a widened portion upon which teeth 22 are provided to facilitate gripping of the clamp.

The clamp may advantageously be of nylon, especially nylon 6 or nylon 66.

In practice, the clamp may be supplied pre-sterilised in a suitable pack, or may be sterilised before use. Sterilisation may advantageously be carried out by heating to 1340C in a steam autoclave or a dry autoclave for at least three minutes. Thus, the clamp is preferably manufactured from a material that is heat resistant at temperatures up to at least 1340C. If preferred, the clamp may be sterilised using gamma- irradiation at 25 to 32 kGy.

In use, the umbilical cord to be gripped is inserted into the clamp between arms 1,2, the extent of insertion being limited by the tongue 4. The clamp is then closed by gripping the grip portions 6a, 6b and squeezing them together, causing the catch 9 of detent means 7 to enter and slide along the channel 11. As the catch 9 slides through the channel, the detent means resiliently deforms in a direction away from hinge 3 until it reaches recess 10 and engages in snap-fit fashion therein. Thereafter, the detent element 12 is pivoted about hinge 15 and the catch 14 is engaged in the recessed region 16 on the arm 2. When closed the web portion 13 of detent element 12 sits snugly 8 over the recess 10, channel 11 and catch 9. Moreover, web portion 13 and catch 14 are of a width corresponding to the width of the surrounding portions of the arms 1 and 2 so that, in the closed clamp, the web portion 13, catch 14 and the adjacent ends of the arms 1 and 2 present a relatively smooth profile. In addition to providing extra security of locking, the preferred smooth profile provided by second engaging means 12,16 reduces the possibility that the clamp will become snagged in sheet material or the like.

As a result of having two essentially independent locking means, the clamp of the invention has improved reliability and therefore gives greater confidence to the user.

is 9

Claims

1 An umbilical cord clamp having a pair of elongate arms each of which has an elongate clamping surface, the elongate arms being connected to one another by hinge means arranged to permit the elongate arms to be movable towards each other from an open position to a closed position in which their elongate clamping surfaces face one another, the clamp further comprising lock means for securing the clamp in the closed position, wherein the lock means comprises first engaging means provided on the ends of the arms that are remote from the hinge means and second engaging means that are closable when said first engaging means are engaged.

is

2. A clamp as claimed in claim 1, in which the f irst engaging means comprises detent means provided on a f irst of said elongate arms and a recess on the second elongate arm in which the detent means can engage.

3. A clamp as claimed in claim 2, in which the detent means is resiliently deformable.

4. A clamp as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which the detent means can engage in snap-fit manner in the recess.

5. A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the second arm comprises a channel for guiding the detent means towards the recess.

6. A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the second engaging means is so arranged that, when closed, the first engaging means is covered at least in part by said second engaging means.

7. A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the second engaging means comprises a detent element that is attached to one of the elongate arms and can engage with cooperating means provided on the opposed arm.

8. A clamp as claimed in claim 7 when dependent on any one of claims 2 to 5, in which the detent element is hingedly attached to one of said arms.

9. A clamp as claimed in claim 8, in which the detent element is hingedly attached to said second elongate arm.

10. A clamp as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, in which the hinged detent element is resiliently deformable.

11. A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, in which the hinged detent element can engage in snap-fit fashion with the cooperating means.

12. A clamp as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, in which the cooperating means comprises a surface portion of the respective elongate arm, the surface portion being dimensioned and configured for co-operating engagement with the detent element.

13. A clamp as claimed in claim 12, in which the surface portion is in the form of a recessed region having a lip over which the detent element engages in the closed clamp.

14. A clamp as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, in which the surface portion and the detent element are so dimensioned and configured that, when they are in the interlocked position, the closed end of the clamp has a substantially smooth profile.

15. A clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 14, which can be sterilised at temperatures of up to at least 1340C.

16. A clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 15 which can be sterilised by gammairradiation.

17. An umbilical cord clamp having a pair of arms hingedly attached to one another, the clamp comprising two essentially independent locking means for securing together the free ends of the arms.

11

18. A clamp substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by Figs. 1 to 10.