Artery Forceps & Ligature Clamps: Types, Uses & How to Choose
Artery forceps — also called hemostatic forceps, haemostats, or vascular clamps — are locking surgical instruments used to grip and clamp blood vessels, control bleeding, and hold tissue during surgery. A ratchet at the handle locks the jaws shut so a clamped vessel stays compressed hands-free while the surgeon ties off, seals, or cauterises it — used in almost every surgical procedure, from minor closures to major vascular and abdominal operations.
How an artery forcep works
An artery forcep is built like a pair of scissors: two jaws and two handles joined by a box joint or screw pivot. Instead of cutting blades, the jaws carry fine transverse or longitudinal serrations that grip a vessel without cutting it. The handles end in finger rings and a ratchet (catch) — usually three precisely cut teeth. Pressing the handles together locks the ratchet one, two, or three catches deep, holding the jaws closed at a set pressure so the instrument can be left clamped on a bleeding vessel for as long as haemostasis requires, then released with a simple lateral squeeze.
That controlled, repeatable clamping pressure is the whole point of the instrument. Too much force damages the vessel wall; too little fails to stop the bleed. A well-made haemostat lets the surgeon apply exactly enough — which is why jaw finish, joint tolerance, and ratchet precision matter far more than they appear. Every pattern from NJ Medical Instruments is manufactured in surgical-grade stainless steel, fully reusable and autoclavable, and supplied worldwide direct from the factory.
Traumatic vs atraumatic jaws
Atraumatic (smooth-serrated)
Mosquito, Crile, Kelly, Mixter and Rochester-Carmalt patterns grip vessels and delicate tissue without perforating them. These are the default choice for clamping arteries and veins.
Traumatic (toothed, 1×2)
Kocher and its variants add interlocking teeth at the tip to hold tough, slippery tissue such as fascia securely — at the cost of crushing what they grip. Choosing between the two families is the single most important selection decision.
Which artery forcep do you need?
The common patterns differ mainly in jaw size, serration style, curve, and whether the tip is smooth or toothed. This table compares the ones we manufacture most:
Popular artery forceps & clamp patterns
Every pattern below is manufactured in surgical-grade stainless steel to international standards and available for individual purchase or bulk / OEM supply. Tap any to view and buy:
Straight, curved, with or without 1×2 teeth, plus extra-delicate micro versions.
Frequently asked questions
Artery forceps clamp blood vessels and control bleeding during surgery. The locking ratchet holds the jaws closed so a vessel stays compressed hands-free while the surgeon ligates or seals it, keeping the surgical field clear.
Kocher forceps have longitudinal serrations ending in 1×2 interlocking teeth and are built to grip tough, slippery tissue and fascia firmly. Allis forceps have short, lighter jaws with a row of fine teeth that hold delicate tissue securely without crushing it. Kocher grips firmly and can crush; Allis holds gently.
Yes. “Artery forceps,” “hemostatic forceps,” and “haemostats” all name the same family of locking instruments used to clamp vessels and stop bleeding. Named patterns — mosquito, Crile, Kelly, Kocher, Rochester-Carmalt — differ in size, curve, and jaw design.
Mosquito forceps are small, fine-tipped artery forceps used for delicate haemostasis — clamping tiny blood vessels in fine, paediatric, and plastic surgery where a full-size haemostat would be too large.
Yes. The right-angle jaw of Mixter forceps is designed to pass and pull a ligature or suture behind and around a blood vessel so it can be tied off cleanly.
Atraumatic forceps have smooth serrated jaws that clamp vessels and delicate tissue without perforating them. Traumatic forceps, such as Kocher, add 1×2 interlocking teeth to hold tough tissue firmly but will crush what they grip. Atraumatic patterns are used on arteries and veins; traumatic patterns on fascia and tough tissue.
Yes. As a direct manufacturer we supply all artery forceps and ligature clamps in bulk and wholesale quantities and offer OEM / private-label production to custom specifications. Contact us by email or WhatsApp for volume pricing.
Bulk & OEM supply
As a direct manufacturer, NJ Medical Instruments supplies artery forceps and ligature clamps in bulk and wholesale quantities to hospitals, surgical centres, dental schools and distributors, and produces OEM / private-label instruments to custom specifications and laser marking. No minimum-order barriers, no middlemen.