Surgical clamp

Abstract

A surgical joint includes a first clamping member for engaging a first support member and a second clamping member for engaging a second support member. The first clamping member includes a clamping bore wherein the first support member is positionable within the clamping bore. The second clamping member includes a socket wherein the second support member is positionable within the socket. A shaft is disposed through the first clamping member and is in communication with the second clamping member. An actuating mechanism is coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first clamping member frictionally engages the first support member and the second clamping member frictionally engages the second support member.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A clamp for accepting a substantially circular cross-sectional rod comprising: 
 a first clamping member comprising first and second legs defining a clamping bore; and    a plurality of raised portions attached to the first clamping member and each of the raised portions having arcuate surfaces extending into the clamping bore wherein the arcuate surfaces engage are for engaging the substantially circular cross-sectional rod.    
   
   
       17 . The clamp of  claim 16  and further comprising: 
 a shaft supporting the first and second legs; and    an actuating mechanism coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first and second legs together thereby creating a frictional engagement between the substantially circular cross-sectional rod and the arcuate surfaces of the plurality of raised portions.    
   
   
       18 . The clamp of  claim 17  wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a camming member.  
   
   
       19 . The clamp of  claim 17  and further comprising a second clamping member rotatably supported about the shaft and wherein the second clamping member includes a socket for accepting a second support member.  
   
   
       20 . The clamp of  claim 19  wherein the second clamping member further comprises: 
 a main body comprising the socket and a through bore for receiving the shaft; and    a clamping arm pivotally attached to the main body wherein the clamping arm comprises a clamping surface wherein the clamping arm is in communication with the shaft such that when the actuating mechanism is positioned to frictionally engage the first support member, the clamping arm pivots such that second support member is frictionally engaged between the clamping surface of the clamping arm and the surface defining the clamping slot.    
   
   
       21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . The clamp of  claim 16  wherein the first clamping member further comprises a pawl pivotally connected to the first clamping member wherein an end of the pawl engages the first support member to retain the first clamping member in a selected position on the first support member when the first clamping member is not frictionally engaging the first support member.  
   
   
       23 . A clamp for accepting a substantially circular cross-sectional rod comprising: 
 a first clamping member comprising first and second legs defining a clamping bore; and 
 a plurality of raised portions attached to the first clamping member and each of the rasied portions having arcuate surfaces having radii that are less than the radii of the clamping bore.  
   
   
   
       24 . The clamp of  claim 23  and further comprising: 
 a shaft supporting the first and second legs; and    an actuating mechanism coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first and second legs together thereby creating a frictional engagement between the substantially circular cross-sectional rod and the arcuate surfaces of the plurality of raised portions.    
   
   
       25 . The clamp of  claim 24  wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a camming member.  
   
   
       26 . The clamp of  claim 24  and further comprising a second clamping member rotatably supported about the shaft and wherein the second clamping member includes a socket for accepting a second support member.  
   
   
       27 . A clamp for mounting on a support member comprising: 
 a first clamping member comprising first and second legs defining a clamping bore; and    a stop extending between the first and second legs wherein the stop limits movement of the first and second legs towards each other to prevent excessive clamping force from being applied to the support member.    
   
   
       28 . The clamp of  claim 27  and further comprising a plurality of raised portions attached to the first clamping member and having arcuate surfaces having radii that are less than the radii of the clamping bore.  
   
   
       29 . The clamp of  claim 27  and further comprising: 
 a shaft supporting the first and second legs; and    an actuating mechanism coupled to the shaft wherein the actuating mechanism is positionable to force the first and second legs together wherein the stop prevents further movement of the first and second legs toward each other and wherein a surface defining the clamping bore frictionally engages the support member.    
   
   
       30 . The clamp of  claim 29  wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a camming member.  
   
   
       31 . The clamp of  claim 29  and further comprising a second clamping member rotatably supported about the shaft and wherein the second clamping member includes a socket for accepting a second support member.  
   
   
       32 . The clamp of  claim 19  wherein the second clamping member further comprises a flexible clamping member having wing portions with clamping surfaces that define the socket and wherein as the actuating mechanism forces the second clamping member to frictionally engage the second support member, the wing portions flex such that the clamping surface engage the second support member.