From interrupting blood flow to retaining tissues, or even maintaining a consistent surgical field, surgical clamps are one of the most indispensable instruments in the operating room. They give surgeons the ability to influence and manipulate critical anatomy with less trauma. At Rhein Group, we produce surgical clamps that balance strength, accuracy, and ergonomics to provide exceptional performance across medical disciplines.
This article delves into Rhein’s extensive range of surgical clamps, their applications, variations, and the surgical excellence they enable.
Clamps are employed to:
Control bleeding by occluding blood vessels
Grasp and hold tissues without slippage
Retract or isolate anatomical structures
Assist in dissection and ligation
Rhein Group’s clamps are produced from German stainless steel and conform to ISO 13485, CE, and FDA quality standards, guaranteeing unparalleled durability and safety.
Below is a categorized list of our most reliable clamps, categorized by function and surgical specialty:
1. Hemostatic Clamps
These clamps are used to stop bleeding by compressing tissue or blood vessels:
Adson clamp – Fine-tipped, best for small vessels.
Carmalt clamp – Longitudinal serrations with cross-striations at the tip; commonly used in gynecology and abdominal surgery.
Kelly clamp instrument – Straight and curved varieties for use in medium-sized vessels.
Kocher clamps – Interlocking teeth; utilized for the control of thick tissue or bleeding.
Schnidt clamp / Schnidt tonsil clamp – Long-shanked, curved clamps suited for deep tonsillectomy hemostasis or neck dissections.
Right angle clamp surgery – To reach around vessels or structures to ligate.
2. Towel Clamps & Draping Control
Used to hold drapes and provide a sterile field in surgery:
Backhaus towel clamp-Backhaus towel clamp use – Penetrating clamp for attaching towels to skin.
Penetrating towel clamp – Same design, best for firm grip.
Towel clamp surgical instrument-Towel clamp use – Essential for drape fixation and equipment stability.
Edna towel clamp – Atraumatic, non-penetrating clamp applied to sensitive drapes or paediatric patients.
3. Gynaecological & OB Clamps
These tools are an essential part of procedures such as hysterectomies or deliveries:
Allis Adair clamp / Allis clamp surgical instrument – Interlocking teeth multi-purpose tissue clamps.
Heaney clamps – Curved jaws used for vascular occlusion in pelvic surgery.
Hysterectomy clamp / Hysterectomy clamp forceps – Designed to secure uterine arteries and ligaments.
Tenaculum clamp – Sharp-pointed cervix-grasping clamp for use in gynaecological procedures.
4. Intestinal and Bowel Clamps
Applied in gastrointestinal surgery to clamp or isolate bowel tissue:
Doyen bowel clamp – Large, lightweight with smooth curve, reduces tissue trauma.
Doyen intestinal clamp – Suits temporary intestinal clamping for resection or anastomosis.
Crushing intestinal clamp – Exerts more pressure for permanent control or removal of tissue.
Intestinal clamp / Intestinal clamp forceps – Routine versions for various surgical purposes.
5. Atraumatic and Delicate Clamps
Used where tissue preservation is important, particularly in vascular or paediatric surgery:
Atraumatic clamp – Thin, rounded jaws avoid tissue damage.
Debakey bulldog clamp / Bulldog clamp / Bulldog clamp surgery – Spring-loaded vascular clamps well suited for delicate arteries.
Clamp artery forceps – Standard artery occlusion with multiple designs.
6. Orthopedic and Bone Clamps
For holding, stabilizing, or reducing bone fragments in orthopedic procedures:
Lewin bone clamp – Curved jaws for gripping bone segments.
Lowman bone clamp / Lowman bone holding clamp – Great for fracture reduction or temporary fixation in plating.
Clamp Type |
Primary Use |
Adson clamp |
Small vessel hemostasis in neuro/vascular surgery |
Allis Adair clamp |
Tissue retraction in gynaecology and general surgery |
Carmalt clamp |
Ligature placement during hysterectomy |
Backhaus towel clamp |
Draping control and skin fixation |
Debakey bulldog clamp |
Vascular surgery and delicate arterial occlusion |
Doyen intestinal clamp |
Bowel clamping without damaging tissue |
Heaney clamps |
Uterine artery clamping during hysterectomy |
Kocher clamps |
Heavy tissue grasping and hemostasis |
Tenaculum clamp |
Cervical access during pelvic exams or IUDs |
Right angle clamp |
Ligature or suturing in deep, narrow areas |
German Stainless Steel: Corrosion-resistant and suitable for repeated sterilization.
Laser-Calibrated Locking Mechanisms: For tension-free, secure grip.
Ergonomic Design: Minimizes surgeon fatigue for prolonged procedures.
CE, ISO, and FDA Certified: Available for international hospital use.
Extensive Range: From vascular to gynaecological and orthopaedic clamps.
Every clamp is subject to microscopic quality inspections for jaw alignment, ratchet precision, and tip tension to guarantee maximum dependability in high-stakes procedures.
1. ISO 13485: Medical Devices Quality Management Systems
Purpose: Defines requirements for a medical device-specific quality management system.
Why it matters: Guarantees that equipment complies with regulatory requirements, patient safety, and uniform quality.
How it’s implemented:
Documentation of production and design processes
Risk management and traceability systems
Regular internal and third-party audits
2. CE Marking (European Conformity)
Required for: Sale of surgical instruments in the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA).
Indicates: Conformity to EU Medical Device Regulations (MDR).
Ensures:
Biocompatibility
Sterilization validation
Safety during intended use
3. FDA 21 CFR Part 820 (U.S. FDA Quality System Regulation)
Applicable to: Manufacturers selling in the United States.
Aims at: Quality assurance, validation, and complaint handling.
What it covers:
Device Master Records (DMRs)
Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA)
Inspection and testing procedures
4. ASTM & ISO Material Standards
ASTM F899: Standard for stainless steel used in surgical instruments.
ISO 7153-1: Defines corrosion-resistant steel and alloys for instruments.
Rationale: Guarantees materials:
Withstand repeated sterilization
Don’t corrode, rust, or cause tissue damage
Retain sharpness and structural integrity
5. RoHS & REACH Compliance (European Market)
RoHS: Prohibits use of hazardous materials in electronics and materials.
REACH: Guarantees chemicals used in instruments won’t hurt human health or the environment.
6. EN 556 – Sterilization Standards
Needed to label instruments as “sterile.”
Instruments need to be able to withstand validated sterilization processes such as:
Steam autoclaving
EO (Ethylene Oxide) gas
Gamma irradiation
Rhein Group follows all of the above and beyond:
In-house quality control labs
Micro-inspections for blade edge accuracy
Batch traceability from raw material to finished product
Custom testing based on client region (FDA, CE, etc.)
Operative results are all about precision, control, and consistency. With Rhein Group surgical clamps, you have the instruments that will provide just that. For a precise vascular repair or handling of bulky tissue structures in general surgery, our clamps are engineered to provide you with the confidence you need to operate at your best.