Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A surgical instrument for severing an umbilical cord while smultaneously applying a single umbilical cord clamp and compressing the placental (maternal) end of the cord is discussed. The instument allows release of the hemostat on the maternal end of the umbilical cord immediately after severence of the cord for enabling collection of a blood specimen for a fetal thyroid screen test to avoid discomforting the infant by obtaining the specimen directly from the infant. The instrument includes upper and lower clamping jaws having arranged thereon means for detachably holding an umbilical cord clamp, a blade assembly, and upper and lower hemostat surfaces adapted to compress the umbilical cord when the upper and lower clamping jaws are closed. Further in accordance with the present invention, a generally V-shaped umbilical cord clamp having a pair of arms joined together at an integral hinge and head portions including locking means at the free ends thereof is provided with a channel or opening extending generally diagonally through at least one of the head portions, such channel communicating with the locking means in the head portion to release such locking means when the arms are locked together in clamping position.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim