Auricular hematoma clamp

Abstract

An auricular hematoma clamp for treatment of a hematoma in a pendant ear of an animal, comprising first and second plates shaped like the pendant ear and formed as mirror images, each first and second plate having a raised rib on an inward surface thereof along edges of the plate; fastening means for securing the first and second plates in a clamping manner on respective first and second sides of the pendant ear, abutting the raised ribs against the pendant ear on opposite sides thereof; the fastening means comprising a plurality of sutures around the edges of the first and second plates.

1 . An auricular hematoma clamp for treatment of a hematoma in a pendant ear of an animal, comprising: 
 first and second plates having an outline substantially similar to the pendant ear and formed as mirror images of each other, each first and second plate having a raised rib on an inward surface of the plate substantially along and proximate a defined one of a plurality of edges of the plate; and    fastening means for securing the first and second plates in a clamping manner on respective first and second sides of the pendant ear, the raised rib on each first and second plate being disposed in an abutting relationship against the pendant ear on opposite sides thereof.    
   
   
       2 . The auricular hematoma clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening means comprises first and second strips of an adhesive tape material wrapped lengthwise over adjacent edges of the first and second plates and the pendant ear wherein an adhesive side of the first and second strips of adhesive tape is secured to outermost surfaces of the respective first and second plates.  
   
   
       3 . The auricular hematoma clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening means comprises: 
 a plurality of sutures disposed at intervals around corresponding edges of the first and second plates, the sutures being secured in predetermined holes disposed at the corresponding intervals around the corresponding edges of the first and second plates.    
   
   
       4 . The auricular hematoma clamp of  claim 3 , wherein the sutures further pass through tissue of the pendant ear positioned between the first and second plates.  
   
   
       5 . The auricular hematoma clamp of  claim 3 , wherein the sutures are selected from the group consisting of synthetic sutures, natural sutures, wire sutures, and natural fiber sutures.  
   
   
       6 . The auricular hematoma clamp of  claim 5 , wherein the sutures are retained with a keeper.  
   
   
       7 . The auricular hematoma clamp of  claim 5 , wherein the sutures are retained with a knot tied in the suture.  
   
   
       8 . The auricular hematoma clamp of  claim 3 , wherein the sutures are elastic.  
   
   
       9 . the auricular hematoma clamp of  claim 8 , wherein the sutures are retained by a keeper.  
   
   
       10 . The auricular hematoma clamp of  claim 3 , wherein the sutures are non-elastic.  
   
   
       11 . The auricular hematoma clamp of  claim 10 , wherein the sutures are retained by a keeper  
   
   
       12 . The auricular hematoma clamp of  claim 1 , wherein the sutures are molded of plastic material having integral keepers.  
   
   
       13 . A method of attaching an auricular hematoma clamp to a pendant ear of an animal patient wherein the auricular hematoma clamp includes first and second opposing plates each having a shape corresponding substantially to the pendant ear and at least one raised rib disposed on an inward surface thereof along and proximate a defined edge of each respective plate, and suture means for securing the first and second plates in a clamping manner on respective first and second sides of the pendant ear, comprising the steps of: 
 preparing the pendant ear to be treated, having a hematoma at a hematoma location within the pendant ear, to receive the first and second plates of the auricular hematoma clamp;    holding the first plate against the first side of the pendant ear, the raised rib of the first plate in contact therewith;    positioning the second plate against the second side of the pendant ear such that the respective raised ribs of the first and second plates are opposingly aligned; and    clamping with slight pressure the second plate against the second side of the pendant ear, the raised rib in contact therewith, securing the combination of the pendant ear disposed between the first and second plates using a plurality of sutures disposed at intervals along the corresponding edges of the first and second plates.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of: 
 supporting the clamped pendant ear in an upward-extending orientation.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of preparing further comprises the steps of: 
 aspirating blood pooled at the hematoma location in the auricle of the ear; and    temporarily affixing the first and second plates to the opposite sides of the pendant ear.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of positioning further comprises the step of: 
 aligning suture holes in the first and second plates to receive sutures to be inserted therethrough.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of securing comprises the step of: positioning the raised rib across a path between the source of blood entering the auricle and the hematoma location.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of clamping comprises the step of. 
 adjusting the amount of pressure exerted on the auricle by the clamped first and second plates to limit blood flow into the hematoma location without causing cessation of blood flow thereto.