Importance

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Abstract

A disposable umbilical clamp and cutter (10) for clamping a newly born infants umbilical cord in two places, then cutting the cord in between the two clamps (12,14). The clamps are separated and the infant retains its clamp (14) for a short period of time. The clamping surfaces (22) are formed in symmetrical upper (16) and lower (18) halves that rotate about a fold (20) of joining material. Each pair of halves form an enclosed cylinder around the centered umbilical cord when the clamps are closed. Break away connections (24) between the clamps keep them in a semi-rigid, side-by-side arrangement. The clamps are individually closed by putting pressure on two thumb rests (26,28), and opposing pressure with fingers on the lower halves (18), until latches (44) mate with corresponding latch stops (46). Clamps are clearly marked for use on the baby side (14) or the maternal side (12). A `V`-shaped blade (30) is located inside a vertical channel (32) in the maternal clamp (12). The maternal thumb rest (28) is flexible and moves at one end to make contact with the top, non-cutting, edge of the blade (30). Pressure on the maternal thumb rest (28) forces the blade (30) out of its inclosed channel (18) and cuts the cord. With proper use, the blade remains shielded from the user and the baby to help insure safe cutting. After the clamps are closed and the cord is severed, the two clamps are separated at the break-away connections (24). Force is applied with hand pressure only at the clamp ends with an opposing force near the break-away connections (24) to separate the clamps.

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First Claim