The Allis forceps, also known as the "Allis Clamp" is named after its founder Oscar Allis. Allis forceps have sharp teeth that are used to grasp heavy tissue as well as lighter tissues like fascia , breast and bowel tissues. The sharp teeth on the head can sometimes cause damage to soft tissues and are hence usually used for tissue that are about to be removed. When used to grasp the cervix to stabilize the uterus, such as when an intrauterine device is being inserted, an Allis clamp has the advantage of causing less bleeding than the more commonly used tenaculum
