Towel Clamps — Pattern and Clinical Use
Towel clamps hold the drape field in position for the duration of a procedure. The classic Backhaus pattern has sharp curved points that penetrate the drape and lock closed on the ratchet; non-perforating patterns such as the Lorna or Edna use blunt ball tips that grip without piercing, which matters where drape integrity must be preserved or where the clamp may contact skin.
Point sharpness and ratchet security are the two things that matter here. A towel clamp that releases mid-procedure drops the drape field, and a blunted point tears rather than penetrates.
Towel Clamps Variants and Specifications
Standard towel-clamp patterns.
| Variant | Specification / use |
|---|---|
| Backhaus, 9 cm / 11 cm / 13 cm | Classic sharp penetrating pattern |
| Non-perforating (Lorna / Edna) | Ball tips grip without piercing the drape |
| Jones cross-action | Spring cross-action, no ratchet |
| Sharp curved points | Standard penetrating design |
| Mirror or satin finish | Buyer preference |
Material, Finish and Quality Control
We forge towel clamps from AISI 420 martensitic stainless. Points are checked for sharpness and symmetry, and each clamp is closed through its ratchet to confirm it locks and holds. Each batch passes Rockwell hardness testing, dimensional checks on point symmetry and ratchet hold, and visual inspection under our ISO 13485 system before passivation and final finishing. Mirror and satin finishes are both available — satin is usually specified where glare under operating lights is a concern.
Who Sources Towel Clamps From Surgical Star
Towel clamps are used in quantity on every draped procedure, so they are a high-unit-count line for hospital distributors, kit assemblers and private-label brands. Backhaus is the default pattern most buyers start with.
OEM, Certification and Ordering
Every towel clamps can be produced as a private-label line: your logo laser-marked on the shank, your catalog numbers, and your own printed packaging, manufactured from your drawings or a reference sample. Manufactured under an ISO 13485 quality system, CE-marked to EU MDR 2017/745 and covered by US FDA establishment registration. A certificate of conformity and an ASTM F899 material certificate for the exact steel grade ship with your order.
MOQs are low and new-brand friendly, and vary with pattern, finish and branding. Pricing is direct from the factory and tiered by volume. After you approve a branded pre-production sample, bulk production typically runs four to six weeks and ships worldwide DDP with HS codes handled. See how OEM & private label works →
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between perforating and non-perforating towel clamps?
Perforating patterns such as the Backhaus have sharp points that pierce the drape to hold it. Non-perforating patterns use blunt ball tips that grip without piercing, preserving drape integrity.
What sizes are standard?
Backhaus clamps are commonly 9 cm, 11 cm and 13 cm. Smaller sizes are used for fine draping and larger ones where more clamping force is needed.
What is a Jones towel clamp?
A cross-action spring clamp that holds by spring pressure rather than a ratchet, applied and released with a simple squeeze.
Can you manufacture these under our own brand?
Yes — full OEM and private label. We laser-mark your logo and catalog numbers, pack in your branded boxes, and work from your drawings, tech pack or a reference sample, with a pre-production sample approved before any bulk run.
Send your pattern list, drawing or a reference sample and we’ll quote MOQ, pricing and lead time — standard catalog or fully private-label.
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