FORCEPS
United States Patent 3779248
A forceps for medical use, particularly for gripping the cervix without tissue damage and having jaws with fixed or removable and disposable tips. A forceps with one tip having an inwardly turned smooth convex edge and the other tip having a smooth concave edge, preferably semicircular, with the one tip positionable within the arc of the other for cradling and gripping the cervix during interuterine medical procedures.
US Patent References:
Surgical appliance
Roberts - May 1920 - 1340501
Cervical speculum
Kogan - February 1952 - 2587486
Umbilical cord protector sheath and applicator instrument therefor
Kohl - March 1961 - 2973761
Surgical instrument
Hopper - July 1923 - 1462202
FORCEP CONSTRUCTION
Alksnis - June 1971 - 3589369
Surgical appliance
Roberts - May 1920 - 1340501
Cervical speculum
Kogan - February 1952 - 2587486
Umbilical cord protector sheath and applicator instrument therefor
Kohl - March 1961 - 2973761
Surgical instrument
Hopper - July 1923 - 1462202
FORCEP CONSTRUCTION
Alksnis - June 1971 - 3589369
Application Number:
05/190117
Publication Date:
12/18/1973
Filing Date:
10/18/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Medical Concepts, Inc. (El Segundo, CA)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
606/119, 600/218
International Classes:
A61B17/28; A61B17/42; A61B1/00; A61B17/28; A61B1/30; A61B17/42
Field of Search:
128/321,10,11,17,18,19,321,322,323,324,340,346,351
Primary Examiner:
Pace, Channing L.
Claims:
I claim
1. Cervical forceps comprising first and second members having jaw ends and finger engageable ends, and interconnected at a pivot point for manual movement of the tip ends toward and away from each other,
2. A forceps as defined in claim 1 wherein said first member end extends and overlys said second member end.
3. A forceps as defined in claim 1 wherein said second member end is turned inwardly toward said first member and is semicircular in configuration with said first member positionable within the arc of said second member end.
1. Cervical forceps comprising first and second members having jaw ends and finger engageable ends, and interconnected at a pivot point for manual movement of the tip ends toward and away from each other,
2. A forceps as defined in claim 1 wherein said first member end extends and overlys said second member end.
3. A forceps as defined in claim 1 wherein said second member end is turned inwardly toward said first member and is semicircular in configuration with said first member positionable within the arc of said second member end.
Description:
This invention relates to a tenaculum or forceps for use in medical procedures. The new and improved forceps is particularly suitable for holding the cervix and stabilizing the cervical opening during interuterine procedures, all in a nontraumatic manner.
Prior art instruments have been of the clamping, pinching or piercing type which provide a firm grip between opposed toothed edges. While instruments of this type do provide a secure grip on the tissue, substantial tissue damage often occurs. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved forceps which will cradle and position the cervix without injury to tissue. A further object is to provide such a forceps which will engage the cervix in a nontraumatic manner and retain the cervix in position for subsequent medical procedures and in particular, will provide a passage for insertion of a catheter or other instrument.
It is a particular object to provide such a forceps incorporating removable tips of a soft yet firm material, allowing for the individual packaging of pairs of sterilized tips and disposal of tips after use.
Other objects, advantages, features and results will more fully appear in the course of the following description.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section, illustrating the use of a forceps incorporating a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along the lines 2--2, 3--3, and 4--4, respectively, of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing an alternative tip configuration;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a partial view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing another alternative embodiment of the invention; and
FIGS. 8 and 9 are sectional views taken along the lines 8--8 and 9-9, respectively, of FIG. 7.
The forceps of FIGS. 1-4 includes jaw members 12, 13 pivoted together at 14, each having a finger loop 15 and locking teeth 16.
In the embodiment illustrated, the jaw member 12 has a removable tip 18 and the jaw member 13 has a removable tip 19. Typically the main portions of the jaw members are made of stainless steel and the tips are made of a plastic such as polyethylene or polystyrene. The main portion of the jaw member may include a bulbous end 20 for positioning in an enlarged zone within the tip to lock the tip in position.
The tip 18 preferably has an inwardly turned end 23 with a smooth convex edge 24. The tip 19 preferably has an inwardly turned end 25 with a smooth concave edge 26. The end 25 preferably is semicircular in configuration, as best seen in FIG. 2, and is dimensioned so that the tip 18 is positionable within the arc of the end 25.
A groove 29 preferably is formed along the outer side of the jaw member 12 including the tip 18 providing a guide and cradle for a catheter or similar instrument.
The use of the forceps in holding the cervix and stabilizing the cervical opening is illustrated in FIG. 1. The jaw members 12, 13 are inserted through the vaginal opening 32. The end 25 of the tip 19 is positioned in the groove 33 which occurs behind the muscle ring in the cervix 34. At the same time, the end 24 of the tip 18 is inserted through the cervical opening. The jaw members are then brought together in the conventional manner by bringing the finger loops 15 toward each other and engaging the locking teeth 16. This holds the cervix between the tips 18, 19, with the edge 26 serving as a cradle for the cervix holding the cervix in the natural position, while the gripping action of the jaw members stabilizes and maintains the cervix in place. A catheter or other instrument may be readily inserted into the uterus along the groove 29. The end 23 preferably projects slightly beyond the end 25, as best seen in FIG. 1, for optimum engagement with the cervix. It is preferred to have the locking teeth 16 quite long in order to engage while there is a gap between the edges 25, 26, typically in the order of 3/8 inch, so that the forceps may be locked without exerting excessive pressure on the tissue.
When the medical procedure is completed, the locking teeth 16 are disengaged, releasing the cervix, and the forceps is withdrawn. With this instrument, there is no damage to the tissue and therefore no traumatic effects.
While relatively short disposable tips are shown in FIG. 1, longer disposable tips can be utilized if desired. Also, the tips may be made integral with the remainder of the jaw members if desired and the entire instrument may be a disposable unit or may be a sterilizable and reusable unit. Also, the tips and the remainders of the jaw members may be made of different materials which are permanently joined together.
One alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The jaw member 12 has a tip 40 with an inwardly turned end 41 having a smooth convex edge. Jaw member 13 has a tip 42 with a semicircular end 43 having a smooth concave edge.
Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, with jaw member 12 having an inwardly turned integral end 46 with a smooth convex edge and with jaw member 13 having an inwardly turned end 47 with a smooth concave edge. The instruments of FIGS. 5 and 6 and of FIGS. 7-9 are used in the same manner as described in conjunction with the instrument of FIGS. 1-4.
Prior art instruments have been of the clamping, pinching or piercing type which provide a firm grip between opposed toothed edges. While instruments of this type do provide a secure grip on the tissue, substantial tissue damage often occurs. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved forceps which will cradle and position the cervix without injury to tissue. A further object is to provide such a forceps which will engage the cervix in a nontraumatic manner and retain the cervix in position for subsequent medical procedures and in particular, will provide a passage for insertion of a catheter or other instrument.
It is a particular object to provide such a forceps incorporating removable tips of a soft yet firm material, allowing for the individual packaging of pairs of sterilized tips and disposal of tips after use.
Other objects, advantages, features and results will more fully appear in the course of the following description.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section, illustrating the use of a forceps incorporating a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views taken along the lines 2--2, 3--3, and 4--4, respectively, of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 showing an alternative tip configuration;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a partial view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing another alternative embodiment of the invention; and
FIGS. 8 and 9 are sectional views taken along the lines 8--8 and 9-9, respectively, of FIG. 7.
The forceps of FIGS. 1-4 includes jaw members 12, 13 pivoted together at 14, each having a finger loop 15 and locking teeth 16.
In the embodiment illustrated, the jaw member 12 has a removable tip 18 and the jaw member 13 has a removable tip 19. Typically the main portions of the jaw members are made of stainless steel and the tips are made of a plastic such as polyethylene or polystyrene. The main portion of the jaw member may include a bulbous end 20 for positioning in an enlarged zone within the tip to lock the tip in position.
The tip 18 preferably has an inwardly turned end 23 with a smooth convex edge 24. The tip 19 preferably has an inwardly turned end 25 with a smooth concave edge 26. The end 25 preferably is semicircular in configuration, as best seen in FIG. 2, and is dimensioned so that the tip 18 is positionable within the arc of the end 25.
A groove 29 preferably is formed along the outer side of the jaw member 12 including the tip 18 providing a guide and cradle for a catheter or similar instrument.
The use of the forceps in holding the cervix and stabilizing the cervical opening is illustrated in FIG. 1. The jaw members 12, 13 are inserted through the vaginal opening 32. The end 25 of the tip 19 is positioned in the groove 33 which occurs behind the muscle ring in the cervix 34. At the same time, the end 24 of the tip 18 is inserted through the cervical opening. The jaw members are then brought together in the conventional manner by bringing the finger loops 15 toward each other and engaging the locking teeth 16. This holds the cervix between the tips 18, 19, with the edge 26 serving as a cradle for the cervix holding the cervix in the natural position, while the gripping action of the jaw members stabilizes and maintains the cervix in place. A catheter or other instrument may be readily inserted into the uterus along the groove 29. The end 23 preferably projects slightly beyond the end 25, as best seen in FIG. 1, for optimum engagement with the cervix. It is preferred to have the locking teeth 16 quite long in order to engage while there is a gap between the edges 25, 26, typically in the order of 3/8 inch, so that the forceps may be locked without exerting excessive pressure on the tissue.
When the medical procedure is completed, the locking teeth 16 are disengaged, releasing the cervix, and the forceps is withdrawn. With this instrument, there is no damage to the tissue and therefore no traumatic effects.
While relatively short disposable tips are shown in FIG. 1, longer disposable tips can be utilized if desired. Also, the tips may be made integral with the remainder of the jaw members if desired and the entire instrument may be a disposable unit or may be a sterilizable and reusable unit. Also, the tips and the remainders of the jaw members may be made of different materials which are permanently joined together.
One alternative embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The jaw member 12 has a tip 40 with an inwardly turned end 41 having a smooth convex edge. Jaw member 13 has a tip 42 with a semicircular end 43 having a smooth concave edge.
Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, with jaw member 12 having an inwardly turned integral end 46 with a smooth convex edge and with jaw member 13 having an inwardly turned end 47 with a smooth concave edge. The instruments of FIGS. 5 and 6 and of FIGS. 7-9 are used in the same manner as described in conjunction with the instrument of FIGS. 1-4.