| abstract |
A micro-hemostat especially useful for microsurgery includes a T-shaped member having a highly flexible, double walled tubular bar. The tubular stem of the T-shaped member is connected at one end to the outer wall of the bar and it communicates with an annular space between the walls of the bar. The other end of the stem is connected and communicates with a pressure bulb containing a pressurizing fluid to form a completely closed fluid system. The outer wall of the bar includes cuff portions of highly elastic material adjacent each end of the bar and the inner wall of the bar is a tube of relatively inelastic material. In use, the highly flexible, unpressurized bar is introduced into a blood vessel through an incision using the stem and the pressure bulb as a handle. The bar is then pressurized by squeezing the pressure bulb to inflate the cuff portions to form seals with the inner wall of the blood vessel and to rigidize the normally highly flexible portions of the bar intermediate the cuff portions. As a result blood can flow through the blood vessel only by passing through the lumen of the bar. The stem can be closed to prevent the pressurizing fluid from returning to the pressure bulb and to retain the bar in a pressurized condition until the surgery is completed. A novel method of preparing the micro-hemostat is also disclosed. |