Clamp for a medical device

Abstract

Ultrasound probes are used for a variety of intra cavity procedures including intra rectal, intra vaginal and oesophageal examination as well as surface use. These probes are constructed integrally with the power and data cord used to link the probe with a control console. One problem with using the resilient clamp as described above is that users must take care when inserting the probe’s cord into between the lever formations so that the cord is presented parallel to the slot. A further potential problem with these types of known resilient clamps is that they are not ideally suited to a large variation of cord diameters. A clamp for retaining a medical device in a medical apparatus includes a pair of opposed gripping elements. At least one of the gripping elements is substantially rotatably moveable to grip and apply a compressive force on a portion of the medical device when the portion is placed between the gripping elements. The compressive force increases when the at least one of the gripping elements rotates in one direction and reduces when it rotates in an opposite direction. Each gripping element includes a tapered lead-in portion on its front surface for separating said gripping elements when said portion of said medical device is pushed onto said tapered lead-in portions. The gripping elements are interchangeable with one another.

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