Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of medical science, and more particularly, the present invention relates to the surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels.
BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION:
[0002]
The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known, or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as of the priority date of the application. The details provided herein the background if belongs to any publication is taken only as a reference for describing the problems, in general terminologies or principles or both of science and technology in the associated prior art.
[0003]
Vessel intimal damage has long been a major concern in vascular and microvascular surgeries. Protecting the delicate inner lining of blood vessels (the tunica intima) is crucial because even minor injuries can trigger thrombus (clot) formation, leading to vessel blockage or surgical failure. This concern limits the use of conventional vascular forceps for clot extraction.
[0004]
In current practice, clot extraction is often performed using a sweeping or
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milking motion with standard vascular forceps. However, regular forceps are
designed to close completely at their tips, requiring the surgeon to exercise extreme caution to avoid applying excessive pressure. Even slight miss judgment can easily result in intimal tears or vessel wall trauma during clot removal.
[0005]
An alternative method for clot extraction involves the use of a Fogarty catheter, which is a long, slim device designed to pass through the vessel up to the clot's proximal end. Once positioned, the catheter's balloon is inflated, and the clot is pulled out by retracting the balloon. While effective in larger vessels, this technique has significant limitations in smaller vessels typically encountered in micro vascular surgery. The manipulation of the catheter and balloon can itself cause injury to the intima, increasing the risk of recurrent thrombosis.
[0006]
The disclosed invention addresses these persistent problems by offering a forceps specifically designed to minimize trauma during vessel handling and clot extraction. By incorporating rounded tips and a controlled gap at the tip, the forceps allow surgeons to grip and extract clots atraumatically. This design reduces the risk of excessive pressure on the vessel walls, preserves the integrity of the intima, and offers a safer and more reliable solution for clot management in delicate vascular structures, particularly in vessels less than 4 mm in diameter where other techniques fall short.
[0007]
In light of the foregoing, there is a need for the Surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels that overcomes problems prevalent in the prior art.
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OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0008]
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.
[0009]
The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing the Surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels.
[0010]
Another object of the present invention is to provide the surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels that reduces the risk of endothelial or intimal injury during manipulation.
[0011]
Another object of the present invention is to provide the surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels that ensures even pressure distribution across the vessel circumference using spherical atraumatic tips.
[0012]
Another object of the present invention is to provide the surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels that includes a residual internal gap in the closed position, thereby preventing complete collapse or crushing of delicate vascular structures.
[0013]
Another object of the present invention is to provide the surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels that enables secure gripping of vessels less than 4 mm in diameter without causing trauma.
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[0014]
Another object of the present invention is to provide the surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels that is ergonomically designed with rounded and contoured handles to minimize surgeon fatigue.
[0015]
Another object of the present invention is to provide the surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels that incorporates a spring mechanism to maintain an open jaw configuration, improving ease of use during microsurgical procedures.
[0016]
Another object of the present invention is to provide the surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels that can be used in pairs to facilitate gentle squeezing and extraction of clots along the vessel without damaging vessel integrity.
[0017]
Another object of the present invention is to provide the surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels that allows for precise access and control in confined surgical fields due to its angular jaw-shank design.
[0018]
Another object of the present invention is to provide the surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels that incorporates soft silicone-covered jaws for cushioned vessel engagement and enhanced control.
[0019]
Another object of the present invention is to provide the surgical
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instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels that
enhances the safety and efficiency of vascular and microvascular surgical procedures.
[0020]
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0021] The present invention provides a surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels.
[0022]
The surgical instrument includes a pair of elongated handles configured for ergonomic gripping; a resilient spring mechanism operatively connecting said handles, urging said handles into an open position; a pair of elongated shanks extending from said handles, each shank angled relative to the respective handle at approximately 30 degrees for enhanced surgical visibility and access; a pair of jaws positioned at distal ends of said shanks, each jaw comprising: a proximal metallic spherical bulb measuring approximately 5 mm in diameter; a metallic jaw arm extending from said spherical bulb, said arm having a diameter of approximately 2 mm; a cylindrical silicone sleeve portion encasing the metallic jaw arm, said sleeve having an external diameter of approximately 4.7 mm, a wall thickness of approximately 1 mm, and a length of approximately 10 mm; a distal spherical atraumatic tip integrally formed at the end of said sleeve, said tip having a diameter of approximately 5 mm; wherein the jaws define a residual internal
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clearance gap measuring approximately 1.4 mm when in a closed position,
configured to securely yet atraumatically grasp vessels and facilitate controlled clot extraction.
[0023]
The cylindrical silicone sleeve is spaced from the metallic jaw arm by a gap of approximately 0.7 mm.
[0024]
The handles measure approximately 120 mm in length, facilitating ergonomic control during surgical procedures.
[0025]
The spherical atraumatic tips and proximal metallic spherical bulbs are specifically dimensioned to evenly distribute compressive force around a vessel circumference, minimizing endothelial damage and vessel trauma.
[0026]
The spring mechanism provides a controlled, responsive opening force sufficient to maintain jaws in a normally open configuration without undue manual effort.
[0027]
The shanks are precisely angled at approximately 30 degrees relative to the handles to improve operative field visibility and facilitate precise manipulation of delicate vascular structures.
[0028]
A method for atraumatically extracting clots from blood vessels comprising the steps of: providing at least two surgical instruments according to claim 1; using a first instrument to atraumatically secure and stabilize a segment of a blood vessel containing a clot; positioning a second instrument adjacent to the first instrument to gently engage and compress the vessel immediately proximal
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or distal to the secured segment; moving said second instrument longitudinally
along the vessel while maintaining gentle compression to atraumatically expel the clot without causing damage or tearing of the vessel wall.
[0029]
The spherical tips and metallic bulbs of said instruments prevent endothelial injury by evenly distributing compressive force during extraction.
[0030]
The jaws’ internal clearance gap is specifically calibrated to accommodate typical intravascular clot sizes, enabling controlled and atraumatic clot manipulation and removal.
[0031]
The ergonomically designed handles incorporate rounded edges and contours to comfortably accommodate various grip styles and reduce surgeon fatigue during prolonged surgical procedures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0032]
Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
[0033] Figure 1. The figure shows the three inner layers of an artery or vein;
[0034] Figure 2. Diagram showing the parts of the forceps: open jaws, shank, handle and the joint with spring mechanism;
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[0035] Figure 3. Showing the dimensions of the various parts of the forceps;
[0036] Figure 4. Shows a close up of the tips of the jaws ( in closed position);
[0037] Figure 5. Diagram showing dimensions of the parts of the tips of the forceps;
[0038] Figure 6. Diagram illustrating the principle of atraumatic vessel handling;
[0039] Figure 7. The blood vessel with a clot is held by one forceps and another one is engaged with the vessel between the jaws of the other forceps;
[0040] Figure 8. The jaws of the second forceps is brought close to the jaws of he first and then jaws are closed;
[0041] Figure 9. The second forceps is then drawn along the length of the vessel squeezing out the clot.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0042]
While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the
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particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all
modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.
[0043]
As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word “plurality” means “one or more” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein are solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers, or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, and the like are included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
[0044]
In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element, or group of elements
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with transitional phrases “consisting of”, “consisting”, “selected from the group of
consisting of, “including”, or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.
[0045]
The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, several materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0046]
The present invention provides a surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels.
[0047]
Figure 1 shows the three inner layers of an artery or vein: the tunica intima (inner lining), tunica media (middle muscular layer), and tunica adventitia (outer protective layer).The tunica intima is the most critical because any injury to this delicate inner lining can trigger blood clot (thrombus) formation inside the
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vessel.
[0048]
Soft Handling of Blood Vessels: The present invention provides a novel solution for atraumatic handling of small blood vessels during surgery. Traditional surgical forceps often exert direct pressure on the vessel walls, risking injury to the delicate inner lining, known as the tunica intima. Damage to the intima can trigger thrombus (clot) formation, leading to vessel blockage and surgical failure. The disclosed forceps incorporate a unique design featuring rounded atraumatic tips and a controlled gap at the tip when closed. This configuration allows the vessel to be gripped securely but gently, minimizing the risk of crushing or collapsing the vessel. By maintaining a soft, even pressure around the vessel circumference, the forceps significantly reduce the likelihood of intimal injury, thereby preserving vessel patency and improving overall surgical outcomes.
[0049]
Atraumatic Clot Extraction from Small Vessels: The invention also addresses the critical need for atraumatic clot extraction, particularly in microvascular surgeries where vessels are less than 4 mm in diameter. Existing clot removal techniques, such as the use of balloon catheters, are unsuitable for vessels of this size. In microvascular anastomosis procedures (where two cut ends of vessels are joined), clot formation near the surgical site is a common complication, often resulting from technical errors, vessel wall pressure, or intimal damage. Traditional methods using plain microforceps to "milk" out the clot carry a high risk of additional vessel trauma. The disclosed forceps offer an improved solution by enabling precise clot removal with minimal pressure and
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reduced risk of vessel wall damage. The rounded tips and controlled gap ensure
that clots can be gently expressed without compromising vessel integrity, providing a safer and more effective technique for managing post-anastomotic clots in microvascular surgery.
[0050]
The clamp has got the following parts refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3:
[0051]
Handle: The handle of the forceps is ergonomically crafted, measuring precisely 12 centimeters (120 mm) in length. This handle provides a comfortable grip, allowing surgeons to exert precise control without excessive manual fatigue. Its rounded edges and smoothly contoured surface are designed to comfortably fit various hand sizes and grip positions, enhancing tactile feedback and operational control.
[0052]
Spring Mechanism: Connecting the two handles at the base is an integral spring mechanism. This mechanism is crucial for facilitating gentle yet responsive jaw action. The spring is finely calibrated to offer just enough resistance to keep the jaws open by default, thereby reducing the muscular effort required to repeatedly open the instrument during procedures. Its resilience ensures long-term durability and reliability under repeated use and sterilization cycles.
[0053]
Shank: The shank is an essential structural element, bridging the handle and the jaws. It measures 5 centimeters (50 mm) in length and features a distinct 30-degree angle relative to the handle. This strategic angulation significantly improves visibility of the surgical field and allows for greater maneuverability within confined anatomical spaces. By enhancing access and visibility, the angled
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shank minimizes unnecessary tissue manipulation, reducing potential trauma.
[0054]
Jaws: The jaws constitute the most intricate and functionally critical part of the forceps. Their total length is 15 millimeters (mm), comprising a central cylindrical segment and spherical end tips. Refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5:
[0055]
Proximal metallic spherical bulb: There is a metallic spherical bulb (A1 and A2) on each of the arms of the jaws( D1 and D2) each of which are 5mm and both the bulbs on the jaws come in contact when the jaws are closed.
[0056]
Spherical Atraumatic Tips: Each jaw ends with a smooth, atraumatic spherical tip(B1 and B2) measuring 5 mm in diameter. These spheres distribute pressure evenly around the vessel’s circumference, greatly reducing the risk of endothelial damage or inadvertent vessel trauma. The spherical design also ensures a gentle yet secure grip, which is critical for delicate vascular manipulations.
[0057]
Metallic jaw arm: The two spherical bulbs are connected by a metallic jaw arm (D1 and D2) of 2mm diameter. The metallic arms have cylindrical silicone sleeves wrapped around for cushioning.
[0058]
Cylindrical silicone sleeve portion: The cylindrical silicone sleeve (C1 and C2) is precisely 10 mm in length, which provides optimal size for grasping small to medium-sized blood vessels securely without crushing them. It has an external diameter of 4.7 mm.
[0059]
The wall thickness of the cylindrical portion is 1 mm (‘F’ in Figure 5),
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ensuring structural strength without excessive bulk.
Cylinder rests on the metal arms of the jaws (D1 and D2) that are 2mm (‘G’ in the Figure 5) in diameter. There a gap of 0.7mm equal to (4.7- (G+2F)) between the silicone cylinder sleeve and the metal jaw arm on each of the jaw.
[0060]
Spherical Atraumatic Tips: Each jaw ends with a smooth, atraumatic spherical tip measuring 5 mm in diameter. These spheres distribute pressure evenly around the vessel’s circumference, greatly reducing the risk of endothelial damage or inadvertent vessel trauma. The spherical design also ensures a gentle yet secure grip, which is critical for delicate vascular manipulations.
[0061]
Internal Gap and Clearance: The residual gap clearance (‘E’ in Figure 5) between the cylinders at the tip after closing measures precisely 1.4 mm (2 x 0.7mm gap between sleeve and arm D1or D2). This opening is carefully calibrated to accommodate the vessel and clot without excessive squeezing or compression.
[0062]
Utility of the forceps: The disclosed forceps are specifically designed for atraumatic handling and clot extraction in vascular and microvascular surgeries. Their unique structure, featuring rounded jaws and a controlled gap at the tip, allows for gentle gripping of delicate blood vessels without collapsing or damaging the vessel walls. This greatly reduces the risk of intimal injury, a common cause of clot formation and surgical failure. The forceps can also be effectively used to remove small clots that may form near the site of a vascular anastomosis, a complication frequently encountered during microvascular
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procedures. Unlike conventional forceps, which close tightly and risk vessel
trauma, or balloon catheters that are unsuitable for small vessels, these forceps offer a safe, precise, and minimally traumatic method for clot extraction in vessels less than 4 mm in diameter. Their design enhances surgical outcomes by preserving vessel integrity, preventing recurrent thrombosis, and facilitating successful vessel patency after clot removal.
[0063]
The detailed geometry and dimensions of these jaws contribute substantially to the forceps’ atraumatic character, allowing surgeons to handle delicate vascular structures confidently and safely.
[0064]
One pair of forceps grips the blood vessel containing a clot securely yet gently (refer to figure 6). Another pair of forceps approaches to engage the vessel segment that is held between the jaws of the first pair (Figure 7). It stabilizes the vessel and clot, preventing unnecessary movement or trauma to the vessel. The second forceps is positioned to interact directly with the clot itself.
[0065]
The second forceps’ jaws are closed (Figure 8), gently compressing the vessel segment immediately adjacent to the first forceps. The two pairs of jaws thus coordinate to trap the clot within a controlled segment. Closing the jaws of the second forceps isolates the clot within a defined area. Ensures precise, atraumatic interaction—minimizing the risk of damaging the vascular wall.
[0066]
The second forceps moves along the length of the vessel while its jaws remain gently closed (Figure 9), effectively "squeezing" or "milking" out the clot. The clot exits the vessel atraumatically, without damage or tearing of the vessel
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walls. Demonstrates the principal benefit of the instrument: safe, atraumatic
removal of intravascular clots. Reduces complications typically associated with vessel damage, tearing, or endothelial trauma. Ensures patency and structural integrity of the vessel post-procedure.
[0067]
The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.
[0068]
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the embodiments as described herein. , Claims:We Claim:
1) A surgical instrument for atraumatic handling and extraction of clots from blood vessels, said instrument comprising:
- a pair of handles adapted for ergonomic gripping;
- a spring mechanism disposed at the proximal end of said handles for biasing said handles into an open configuration;
- a pair of shanks extending distally from said handles, each shank angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the respective handle to enhance access and visibility during surgery;
- a pair of atraumatic jaws provided at the distal ends of said shanks, each jaw comprising:
- a proximal metallic spherical bulb;
- a metallic jaw arm extending from said bulb, said jaw arm;
- a cylindrical silicone sleeve encasing said jaw arm;
- a distal atraumatic spherical tip integrally formed or attached at the distal end of said sleeve, said tip having a diameter of approximately 5 mm;
- wherein said jaws are adapted to maintain a residual internal clearance gap when in the fully closed position, thereby allowing atraumatic engagement of vessels and controlled clot manipulation.
2) The surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical silicone sleeve is disposed with a clearance between the sleeve's inner wall and the outer surface of the metallic jaw arm.
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3) The surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spherical tips and metallic bulbs are configured to distribute compressive forces uniformly around the circumference of the vessel, thereby minimizing risk of endothelial injury.
4) The surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spring mechanism is calibrated to provide sufficient force to keep said jaws in an open position without requiring continuous manual effort from the surgeon.
5) The surgical instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface of the handles is contoured and rounded to facilitate improved grip and reduce hand fatigue during prolonged use.
6) The surgical instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said jaws are designed for secure and atraumatic manipulation of blood vessels.
7) A method of atraumatic clot extraction from a blood vessel using at least two surgical instruments as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising:
- securing a segment of the blood vessel containing a clot using a first surgical instrument as defined herein;
- engaging an adjacent segment of said vessel using a second surgical instrument; closing the jaws of the second instrument around said vessel segment without crushing the vessel;
- moving the second instrument along the length of the vessel to gently squeeze out the clot;
- wherein the clot is removed without causing tearing or trauma to the vessel walls.
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8) The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the configuration of the spherical tips and the internal gap clearance ensures even pressure distribution during clot extraction, thereby reducing the risk of intimal damage.
9) The surgical instrument as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the residual internal clearance gap is optimized for gentle engagement of blood vessels and effective extraction of intravascular clots without excessive compression.