Auricle clamp and delivery device thereof

Abstract

An auricle clamp for heart surgery comprises: two clamp arms two springs located at two ends of the clamp arms. The two springs are configured to: connect the two ends of the two clamp arms to form a closed-loop structure; and provide a clamping force that enables closing of the two clamp arms; wherein: a clamp arm of the two clamp arms comprises a first rod-shaped tube segment and a second rod-shaped tube segment joined at a hinge site; in a first state, the two clamp arms are substantially parallel; and in a second state, the two clamp arms form a quadrilateral shape, wherein the first rod-shaped tube segments and the second rod-shaped tube segments of the two clamp arms form a majority of the quadrilateral shape.

1 . An auricle clamp for heart surgery, comprising:
 two clamp arms; and   two springs located at two ends of the clamp arms, configured to:
 connect the two ends of the two clamp arms to form a closed-loop structure; and 
 provide a clamping force that enables closing of the two clamp arms; 
   wherein:
 a clamp arm of the two clamp arms comprises a first rod-shaped tube segment and a second rod-shaped tube segment joined at a hinge site; 
 in a first state, the two clamp arms are substantially parallel; and 
 in a second state, the two clamp arms form a quadrilateral shape, wherein the first rod-shaped tube segments and the second rod-shaped tube segments of the two clamp arms form a majority of the quadrilateral shape. 
   
     
     
         2 . The auricle clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the auricle clamp is sized to be used in minimally invasive surgery. 
     
     
         3 . The auricle clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the springs are U-shaped springs. 
     
     
         4 . The auricle clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the springs and the first and second rod-shaped tube segments are made of: stainless steel, cobalt-based alloy, platinum-iridium alloy, nickel-titanium alloy, magnesium-based alloy, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The auricle clamp of  claim 1 , wherein each spring has two ends which are respectively inserted into holes at ends of the clamp arms, and the spring and the clamp arms are coupled together in a manner of: extrusion deformation, welding, adhesion, or threaded connection. 
     
     
         6 . The auricle clamp of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible lining wire inserted into the first rod-shaped tube segment and the second rod-shaped tube segment to pivotally connect the first rod-shaped tube segment and the second rod-shaped tube segment. 
     
     
         7 . The auricle clamp of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible lining wire is a nickel-titanium lining wire, and the nickel-titanium lining wire and the first rod-shaped tube segment and the second rod-shaped tube segment are fixed together by extrusion deformation. 
     
     
         8 . The auricle clamp of  claim 1 , wherein outermost layers of the clamp arms and/or the springs are wrapped with a polyester vascular prosthesis or polyester braided fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The auricle clamp of  claim 1 , wherein an outer sleeve is provided outside the clamp arms and the springs, and the outer sleeve includes a high molecular material. 
     
     
         10 . The auricle clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the auricle clamp is conveyed to a root of an auricle by a delivery device. 
     
     
         11 . The auricle clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the auricle clamp is conveyed to a root of an auricle by a delivery device comprising:
 a handle;   a coupler connected with the handle and capable of rotating relative to the handle;   an outer tube connected with the coupler, wherein the outer tube is configured to rotate about a center axis of the outer tube with the rotation of the coupler;   a liner tube capable of moving within the outer tube along the center axis of the outer tube;   a trigger connected with the handle and capable of moving relative to the handle, wherein the trigger is connected to an end of the liner tube close to the handle so as to push the liner tube to move within the outer tube; and   upper teeth and lower teeth configured to carry the auricle clamp, pivotally connected to an end of the outer tube away from the handle, wherein the upper teeth and the lower teeth are connected to the liner tube respectively so as to pivot relative to the outer tube with movement of the liner tube within the outer tube to facilitate opening and closing of the upper teeth and the lower teeth.   
     
     
         12 . An auricle clamp for heart surgery, comprising:
 two clamp arms; and   two springs located at two ends of the clamp arms, configured to:
 connect the two ends of the two clamp arms to form a closed-loop structure; and 
 provide a clamping force that enables closing of the two clamp arms; 
   wherein a clamp arm of the two clamp arms comprises:
 a first rod-shaped tube segment and a second rod-shaped tube segment joined at a hinge site; and 
 a flexible lining wire inserted into the first rod-shaped tube segment and the second rod-shaped tube segment, configured to pivotally connect the first rod-shaped tube segment and the second rod-shaped tube segment. 
   
     
     
         13 . The auricle clamp of  claim 12 , wherein the springs are U-shaped springs. 
     
     
         14 . The auricle clamp of  claim 12 , wherein the springs and the first and second rod-shaped tube segments are made of: stainless steel, cobalt-based alloy, platinum-iridium alloy, nickel-titanium alloy, magnesium-based alloy, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The auricle clamp of  claim 12 , wherein each spring has two ends which are respectively inserted into holes at ends of the clamp arms, and the spring and the clamp arms are coupled together in a manner of: extrusion deformation, welding, adhesion, or threaded connection. 
     
     
         16 . The auricle clamp of  claim 12 , wherein the flexible lining wire is a nickel-titanium lining wire, and the nickel-titanium lining wire and the first rod-shaped tube segment and the second rod-shaped tube segment are fixed together by extrusion deformation. 
     
     
         17 . The auricle clamp of  claim 12 , wherein outermost layers of the clamp arms and/or the springs are wrapped with a polyester vascular prosthesis or polyester braided fabric. 
     
     
         18 . The auricle clamp of  claim 12 , wherein an outer sleeve is provided outside the clamp arms and the springs, and the outer sleeve includes a high molecular material. 
     
     
         19 . The auricle clamp of  claim 12 , wherein the auricle clamp is conveyed to a root of an auricle by a delivery device. 
     
     
         20 . The auricle clamp of  claim 12 , wherein the auricle clamp is conveyed to a root of an auricle by a delivery device comprising:
 a handle;   a coupler connected with the handle and capable of rotating relative to the handle;   an outer tube connected with the coupler, wherein the outer tube is configured to rotate about a center axis of the outer tube with the rotation of the coupler;   a liner tube capable of moving within the outer tube along the center axis of the outer tube;   a trigger connected with the handle and capable of moving relative to the handle, wherein the trigger is connected to an end of the liner tube close to the handle so as to push the liner tube to move within the outer tube; and   upper teeth and lower teeth configured to carry the auricle clamp, pivotally connected to an end of the outer tube away from the handle, wherein the upper teeth and the lower teeth are connected to the liner tube respectively so as to pivot relative to the outer tube with movement of the liner tube within the outer tube to facilitate opening and closing of the upper teeth and the