SURGICAL DEVICE FOR CLAMPING IN TISSUE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a surgical device for clamping in tissue, wherein the surgical device comprises a first clamp, a second clamp, and an elongated dimensionally stable connector and its use within a minimally invasive or open surgical treatment for effecting tissue to be self-hold.

Claims

1. A surgical device for clamping in tissue, wherein the surgical device comprises a first clamp comprising two clamp-legs and a hinge-like articulated spring holding the clamp-legs together, wherein the first clamp comprises a distal clamping portion config-ured for clamping and holding tissue, and a proximal actuating portion configured for opening and closing the distal clamping portion of the first clamp, a second clamp comprising two clamp-legs and a hinge-like articulated spring holding the clamp-legs together, wherein the second clamp comprises a distal clamping portion configured for clamping and holding tissue and a proximal actuating portion configured for opening and closing the distal clamping portion of the second clamp, and an elongated dimensionally stable connector for connecting the first and second clamps, wherein the connector is fixed to the proximal actuating portion of the first clamp and to the proximal actuating portion of the second clamp to form a stable distance between the first clamp and the second clamp.

2. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the surgical device is configured for and dimensioned for minimally invasive or open surgical insertion into a tissue.

3. The surgical device of claim 1, further being designed such, that by actuation of the respective proximal actuating portion the distal clamping portion of the first clamp and the distal clamping portion of the second clamp can be opened.

4. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the spring of the first and/or second clamp comprises a spring constant of 0.005 to 0.25 N/mm, preferably of 0.07 to 0.15 N/mm, more preferably of 0.1 to 0.12 N/mm.

5. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the distal clamping portion of the first and/or second clamp is respectively formed through distal portions of the clamp-legs, which each comprise a clamping jaw comprising at least one row of teeth.

6. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the distal clamping portion of the first and/or second clamp is respectively formed through distal portions of the clamp-legs, which each comprise a terminal spike, wherein the spikes of the clamp-legs point towards each other.

7. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the proximal actuating portion of the first and/or second clamp is respectively formed by proximal portions of the clamp-legs, which are configured and dimensioned for actuation by a surgical and/or endoscopic clamp.

8. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the first clamp is embodied as a crocodile clamp comprising two opposing rows of teeth on the clamp-legs, and wherein the second clamp is provided as surgical forceps, wherein the surgical forceps comprises two opposing spikes.

9. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the surgical device comprises a length (L) of 1.5 to 15 cm, preferably a length of 8 to 10 cm, and more preferably a length of 8 to 9 cm.

10. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second clamp comprises a length (L.sub.K1, L.sub.K2) of 0.5 to 4 cm, preferably a length of 2.5 to 3.5 cm, more preferably a length of 3 cm.

11. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the distance between the first clamp and the second clamp as defined through the connector is from about 5 mm to about 50 mm, preferably from about 20 mm to 50 mm.

12. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the surgical device, in a handling state in which the first and second clamps are closed, is dimensioned and configured for being accom-modated in an introduction sleeve, wherein the introduction sleeve comprises a diameter of 7 to 15 mm, preferably a diameter of 8 to 10 mm.

13. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second clamp and/or the connector is made of or coated with a material that is not or only slightly electrically conductive, wherein the material is selected from plastic, silicone and ceramic.

14. The surgical device of claim 1, wherein the surgical device comprises a removable label.

15. A surgical treatment system comprising the surgical device of claim 1 and a introduction sleeve.

16. The surgical treatment system of claim 15, being configured for minimally invasive or open surgical treatment, in particular for treatment during a biopsy/endoscopy.

17. The surgical treatment system of claim 15, being configured for robotic-assisted treatment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the examples and figures given. In the figures:

[0079] FIG. 1 a side view of a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the surgical device;

[0080] FIG. 2 a front view of a schematic representation of the first embodiment of the surgical device inside an introduction sleeve;

[0081] FIG. 3 a side view of a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the first clamp;

[0082] FIG. 4 a side view of a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the surgical device with an introduction sleeve and an endoscopic clamp;

[0083] FIG. 5 a side view of a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the second clamp; and

[0084] FIG. 6 a side view of a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the surgical device with a surgical clamp.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0085] Functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference signs in all figures, even in different embodiments.

[0086] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the surgical device 100. The surgical device 100 comprises a first clamp 10, a second clamp 20 and an elongated dimensionally stable connector 30. The two clamps 10 and 20 are in a closed handling state. The length of the surgical device 100 is indicated by L. The length of the first clamp 10 is indicated by LK1, whereas the length of the second clamp 20 is indicated by LK2.

[0087] The first clamp 10 is embodied comprising two clamp-legs 12 facing each other, wherein the two clamp-legs 12 are held together by a hinge-like articulated spring 14. The spring 14 as such is not shown in FIG. 1, but only the joint via which the two clamp-legs 12 can be deflected towards each other. The first clamp 10 is shown in a closed handling state. For this purpose, the clamp-legs 12 contact each other in a distal clamping portion 16 or the two distal portions 17 of the clamp-legs 12.

[0088] The first clamp 10 comprises a distal clamping portion 16 configured for clamping and holding tissue. The first clamp 10 further comprises a proximal actuating portion 18 for opening and closing the distal clamping portion 16. The distal clamping portion 16 is preferably formed by the distal portion 17 of the clamp-leg 12, whereas the proximal actuating portion 18 is formed by the proximal portion 19 of the clamp-leg 12.

[0089] In FIG. 1, the first clamp 10 is embodied as a crocodile clamp 10. The crocodile clamp 10 comprises two opposing rows of teeth 32, which interlock in the closed state. Preferably, the rows of teeth 32 are rounded for that the clamped tissue is not injured/ruptured.

[0090] The second clamp 20 is configured to comprise two clamp-legs 22 facing each other, wherein the two clamp-legs 22 are held together by a hinge-like articulated spring 24. The spring 24 as such is not shown in FIG. 1, but only the joint via which the two clamp-legs 22 can be deflected towards each other. The second clamp 20 is shown in a closed handling state. For this purpose, the clamp-legs 22 contact each other in a distal clamping portion 26 or the two distal portions 27 of the clamp-legs 22.

[0091] The second clamp 20 comprises a distal clamping portion 26 configured for clamping and holding tissue. The second clamp 20 further comprises a proximal actuating portion 28 for opening and closing the distal clamping portion 26. The distal clamping portion 26 is preferably formed by the distal portion 27 of the clamp-leg 22, whereas the proximal actuating portion 18 is formed by the proximal portion 19 of the clamp-leg 22.

[0092] In FIG. 1, the second clamp 20 is embodied or configured as surgical forceps 20. The surgical forceps 20 comprise two opposing spikes 34, which lie on top of each other in the closed state or contact each other at the spike ends. Preferably, the spikes 34 are embodied round so that the clamped tissue is not injured.

[0093] In FIG. 1, the first and second clamps 10, 20 are embodied differently; as a crocodile clamp 10 and as surgical forceps 20, respectively. In an embodiment not shown, the two clamps 10, 20 can also be embodied identically respectively.

[0094] The elongated, dimensionally stable connector 30 is shown in FIG. 1 as a wire, which is fixed to the proximal actuating portion 18 of the first clamp 10 and to the proximal actuating portion 28 of the second clamp 20 in order to achieve a stable distance between the first and second clamps 10 and 20. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, each of the two clamp-legs 12 and 22 of the first and second clamps 10 and 20, respectively, comprises a fixing site at its proximal portion, which is embodied as a cylinder into which the connector can be inserted and fixed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the connector 30 can also be fixed in a different way, for example in the area of the spring 14, 24.

[0095] FIG. 2 shows a front view of a schematic representation of the first embodiment of the surgical device 100 within an introduction sleeve 38. As can be clearly seen in this FIG. 2, the surgical device 100 is preferably configured for and dimensioned for minimally invasive insertion into a tissue, such that the surgical device 100 can be guided through an introduction sleeve 38.

[0096] In FIG. 2, the introduction sleeve 38 is shown as simple cylinder. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the introduction sleeve can be a trocar or a tube, via which not only the device 100 according to the invention but also other medical instruments can be guided/introduced.

[0097] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the first clamp 10. In this embodiment, the first clamp 10 is formed as a crocodile clamp 10; analogous to FIG. 1. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first clamp 10 can also be formed as a surgical clamp 20, as shown by way of example in FIG. 5.

[0098] As depicted in FIG. 3, the clamp 10 is shown to be at least partially opened, such that the two clamp-legs 12 are parallel to each other. In this state, the respective clamp-legs 12 or the distal portions 17 of the respective clamp-legs 12 of the first clamp 10 do not contact each other in the distal clamping portion 16; that is, in the portion in which the tissue is to be clamped.

[0099] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the surgical device 100 with an introduction sleeve 38 and an endoscopic clamp 36. This figure shows how the surgical device 100 can be guided through an introduction sleeve. In this figure, the introduction sleeve 36 is depicted as a tube 36. The introduction sleeve is preferred in particular for endoscopic treatments. For open surgical treatments, an introduction sleeve may be unnecessary.

[0100] For example, the surgical device 100 can be introduced/guided into a body opening of a patient by means of an endoscopic clamp 36. Alternatively, the surgical device may be guided to the treatment site using any other suitable surgical tool. Depending on whether the treatment is an endoscopic or an open surgery one, different introduction-clamps may be advantageous.

[0101] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the second clamp 20. In this embodiment, the second clamp 20 is formed as/represents a surgical forceps 20; analogous to FIG. 1; analogous to FIG. 1. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second clamp 20 can also be embodied as a surgical clamp 20, as shown by way of example in FIG. 3. The clamp 20 is shown fully open in FIG. 5, such that the two proximal portions 29 of the clamp-legs 22 are in contact in the proximal actuating portion 18, whereas the distal clamping portion 26 is fully open.

[0102] FIG. 6 shows a side view of a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the surgical device 100 with a surgical clamp 36. The mode of operation of the proximal actuating portion 18, which is configured for opening and closing the distal clamping portion 16, is shown. The mode of operation is shown for the first clamp 10 of the surgical device 100. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second clamp 20 can be actuated anal-ogously through the surgical clamp 36.

[0103] By exerting pressure of the surgical clamp 36 on the proximal region 18 of the clamp-legs 12, the two proximal portions 19 of the clamp-legs 12 are pressed against each other, such, that the spring 14 is compressed and the distal portions 17 of the clamp-legs 12 open to clamp the tissue. When the surgical clamp 36 is disengaged from the surgical device, the clamp 10 closes by itself due to the spring action such that the tissue is clamped within the two clamp-legs 12.

[0104] In order to be able to ensure secure opening of the clamps 10 and 20, it is advantageous if the proximal actuating portion 18 comprises recesses into which a surgical and/or endoscopic clamp 36 can engage (not shown). This embodiment has the advantage that opening and closing of the distal clamping portion 16 of the respective clamps 10, 20 is facilitated and at the same time unintentional slipping of the surgical and/or endoscopic clamp 36 can be prevented.