Clamp and Applicator
AssigneeBTG International Limited
InventorDavid Dakin Iowerth Wright
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a surgical clamp comprising a temperature sensitive shape memory material, the clamp capable of taking up a first form in which the clamp (6) is shaped to at least partially encircle a tubular structure (14); a second form shaped to substantially completely encircle the tubular structure (14) and constrict it, the clamp changing from the first form to the second form above the transition temperature of the shape memory material; and a third form derived from the first form by resilient deformation of the clamp in its first form. The present invention also provides applicators for delivering the clamps and kits comprising the clamps.
Claims25
A surgical clamp (6) for clamping a blood vessel comprising a temperature sensitive shape memory material, said clamp capable of assuming:
- a first form in which the clamp is shaped to at least partially encircle a blood vessel (14), the clamp being in the first form below the transition temperature of the shape memory material,
- a second form shaped to substantially completely encircle the blood vessel (14) and to constrict it and thereby close the vessel, the clamp changing from the first form to the second form above the transition temperature of the shape memory material.
- a third form which is linear and derived from the first form by resilient deformation.
A surgical clamp according to claim in which the shape memory material is Nitinol.
A surgical clamp according to clam 1 in which the transition temperature of the shape memory material is less than or equal to 37° C.
An applicator for a surgical clamp (1) for clamping a blood vessel comprising a housing (2) with an inner chamber (5) a surgical clamp (6) within the inner chamber (5) and a means (9) for moving the surgical clamp (6) out of the inner chamber (5), the surgical clamp (6) comprising a temperature sensitive shape memory material and capable of assuming:
- a first form in which the clamp is shaped to at least partially encircle a blood vessel (14);
- a second form in which the clamp (6) is shaped to substantially completely encircle the blood vessel (14) and to constrict it and thereby close the vessel;
- and
- a third form derived from the first form by resilient deformation of the clamp (6) in its first form and adoptable within the applicator chamber (5),
- the clamp (6) induced to change from the first form to the second form on exposure to a temperature above the transition temperature of the shape memory material.
A method of clamping a blood vessel in the body of a subject comprising:
- (a) providing a surgical clamp (6) comprising a temperature sensitive shape memory material the clamp capable of assuming:
- a first form in which the clamp is shaped to at least partially encircle said blood vessel (14);
- a second form shaped to substantially completely encircle said blood vessel (14) and constrict it and thereby close the vessel, the clamp (6) changing from the first form to the second form above the transition temperature of the shape memory material,
- a third form derived from the first form by resilient deformation of the clamp in its first form, the clamp being provided in the third form,
- (b) applying the clamp (6) to the blood vessel (14) whilst allowing the clamp to return to the first form;
- and
- (c) raising the temperature of the shape memory material to a temperature at which it changes to the second form, thereby clamping said structure (14).
-30. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.