Combination catheter and duct clamp apparatus and method

A surgical clamp for inserting a catheter into an anatomical duct and for thereafter clamping the duct around the catheter, said clamp comprising:

• a hollow member comprising at a distal end thereof a first clamping member having a first clamping surface;
• a sliding member comprising at a distal end thereof a second clamping member having a second clamping surface, said sliding member being telescopically slidable within said hollow member to accommodate selective movement of said second clamping surface relative to said first clamping surface from a first clamping position to a second clamping position, said first and second clamping surfaces each comprising a groove formed thereon such that the grooves of said clamping surfaces cooperatively define an opening therebetween for receiving said catheter such that the clamp does not occlude said catheter when held in said opening;
• and
• means for releasably biasing said sliding member at said first clamping position, and for releasing said sliding member from said first clamping position and telescopically extending said sliding member to said second clamping position, such that said catheter may be clamped by said clamp when in said first clamping position so as to secure said catheter for insertion into said duct, and such that thereafter said catheter may be released and said duct clamped around said catheter when said clamp is in the second clamping position.

A cholangiographic clamp for inserting a catheter into the cystic duct and for thereafter clamping the duct around the catheter while a cholangiogram is taken, said clamp comprising:

• a hollow member comprising at a distal end thereof a first clamping member having a first clamping surface;
• a sliding member comprising at a distal end thereof a second clamping member having a second clamping surface, said first and second clamping members being cooperatively joined to said hollow and sliding members, respectively, so as to define a first clamping angle and a second clamping angle which allow the clamp to function in two different positions rotated from one another about the longitudinal axis of said hollow and sliding members, said sliding member being telescopically slidable within said hollow member to accommodate selective movement of said second clamping surface relative to said first clamping surface from a first clamping position to a second clamping position;
• and
• a push knob in communication with said sliding member such that depressing said push knob relative to said hollow member releases said sliding member from said first clamping position and telescopically extends said sliding member to said second clamping position, such that said catheter may be clamped by said clamp when in said first clamping position so as to secure said catheter for insertion into said cystic duct, and such that thereafter said catheter may be released and said cystic duct clamped around said catheter when said clamp is in the second clamping position.

A cholangrographic clamp for inserting a catheter into the cystic duct and for thereafter clamping the duct around the catheter while a cholangiogram is taken, said clamp comprising:

• a hollow member comprising at a distal and thereof a substantially planar first clamping member having a first clamping surface, said hollow member being constructed of a radiolucent material;
• a sliding member comprising at a distal end thereof a substantially planar second clamping member having a second clamping surface, said first and second clamping members being cooperatively joined to said hollow and sliding members, respectively, so as to define a first clamping angle and a second clamping angle which allow the clamp to function in two different positions rotated from one another about the longitudinal axis of said hollow and sliding members, said sliding member being telescopically slidable within said hollow member to accommodate selective movement of said second clamping surface relative to said first clamping surface from a first clamping position to a second clamping position, said sliding member being also constructed of a radiolucent material;
• spring means cooperative with said hollow member and with said sliding member to maintain an essentially constant pressure when said clamp is in said first clamping position;
• finger wings attached to said hollow member at a distal end opposite the first clamping surface;
• a push knob attached to said sliding member at a distal end opposite the second clamping surface such that depressing said push knob relative to said hollow member telescopically extends said sliding member thereby permitting selective movement from one clamping position to another, such that said catheter may be gripped by said clamp when in said first clamping position so as to secure said catheter for insertion into said cystic duct, and such that thereafter said catheter may be released and said cystic duct clamped around said catheter when said clamp is in the second clamping position;
• orthogonal grooves located on said first clamping surface with matching orthogonal grooves located on said second clamping surface, said orthogonal grooves correspond with said first and second clamping angles thereby giving the clamp broad versatility of use;
• and
• means for preventing said sliding member from rotating within said hollow member.

A method wherein a surgical clamp comprising a hollow member with a substantially planar first clamping surface at the distal end thereof, a sliding member with a substantially planar second clamping surface at the distal end thereof being telescopically slidable within the hollow member, and means for releasably maintaining an essentially constant clamping pressure between the first and second clamping surfaces, a method of inserting a catheter into an anatomical duct and of thereafter clamping the duct around the catheter, the method comprising the steps of:

• telescopically sliding the sliding member in relation to the hollow member thereby grasping the catheter with the clamp at a first clamping position;
• inserting the catheter into the duct;
• telescopically sliding the sliding member in relation to the hollow member thereby releasing the catheter from the clamp;
• and
• clamping the duct around said catheter without occluding the catheter at a second clamping position.