Clinical Micro Clamps by Acland

Care of Clamps

Micro clamps are prone to damage from the accumulation of blood clotting in tight places. With proper care and cleaning, this can be avoided. Blood should not be allowed to dry on the clamps during surgery. For cleaning after surgery, we recommend immersion for 30 minutes in hemolytic cleaning solution. When immersing the clamps, hold them open for a moment to wet the inner surfaces. Be sure to slide approximator clamps along the bar, back and forth a few times, to remove any accumulated debris from the sliding units. After immersion, rinse vigorously with a fine, high-pressure water jet to remove any blood residue from spring interspaces, sliding units and suture cleats.

---

Applying the Clamps

RD and HD clamps are designed to be applied by hand. Their broad, corrugated gripping surfaces make this easy. The three smaller sizes, B-1, B-2, and B-3, are designed to be applied with the Meyer clamp applicator forceps. The forceps are direct acting. When the forceps are squeezed, the clamp opens. When held in the forceps, the clamp can be manipulated firmly in any plane without the danger of slipping or falling out. Clamp applicator forceps are available with or without a lock.

Prof. Dr. Viktor E. Meyer, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

Clamp Applying Forceps with Lock
Clamp Applying Forceps without Lock

---

Disinfection

For the disinfecting process, we recommend using a cycle with the highest temperatures (approximately 93º C).

Sterilization

In general, you should follow your institution's set guidelines and procedures when sterilizing microsurgical instruments. The most common form of sterilization is steam autoclaving. Microsurgical instruments should be sterilized in their own case. We recommend autoclaving your S&T instruments in saturated steam, at a minimum of 134º C, for 5-18 minutes.

Please note

Do not use a clamp on a vessel below the recommended diameter range. Use of any clamp on a vessel too small will result in unacceptably high pressure, and risk of vessel damage.