Uterine clamp for treating postpartum hemorrhage and facilitating uterine repairs

A medical clamp for holding a uterus, the clamp comprising:

• a first plate and a second plate, each having a curved interior major surface for contacting the major exterior walls of the uterus;
• an operating handle including a first actuating arm and a second actuating arm, each actuating arm including a distal portion and a proximal portion with a grip for a user, wherein the actuating arms are pivotally connected together for moving the distal portions toward each other when the user moves the grips toward each other to capture the uterus between the plates;
• a first joint connecting the distal portion of the first handle to the first plate, the first joint comprising means for enabling the first plate to rotate freely relative to the first handle about three mutually perpendicular axes of rotation;
• and
• a second joint connecting the distal portion of the second handle to the second plate, the second joint comprising means for enabling the second plate to rotate freely relative to the second handle about three mutually perpendicular axes of rotation.

A method of achieving hemostasis of a hemorrhaging uterus, the method comprising:

• obtaining a medical clamp including (i) a first plate and a second plate, each having a curved interior major surface for contacting the major exterior walls of the uterus, (ii) an operating handle including a first actuating arm and a second actuating arm, each actuating arm including a distal portion and a proximal portion with a grip for a user, wherein the actuating arms are pivotally connected together for moving the distal portions toward each other when the user moves the grips toward each other to capture the uterus between the plates, (iii) a first ball-and-socket joint connecting the distal portion of the first handle to the first plate and a second ball-and-socket joint connecting the distal portion of the second handle to the second plate, and (iv) a ratcheted lock mechanism for holding the actuating arms in place stepwise against a force tending to separate the distal portions as the grips are moved toward each other;
• manipulating the first and second plates into position with the major exterior walls of the uterus facing respective first and second plates;
• squeezing the grips toward each other to move the plates to compress the uterine walls together until hemostasis is achieved;
• and
• using the ratcheting mechanism to lock the actuating arms into a position where hemostasis has been achieved.