Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A surgical device for performing a trans-myocardial revascularization procedure on a patient's heart, said device comprising: - a handle portion; - a tubular neck portion connected to said handle portion; - a removable head member on the distal end of said neck portion having an end face adapted to engage the outer surface of a heart being treated; - an optical fiber means having a proximal end connectable to a source of laser energy; said fiber means extending through said handle portion and into said neck portion with its distal end within said head member; - control means on said handle portion for engaging said fiber means for moving it axially therein and thereby moving its distal end beyond said head member - piercing means retained within said head member for making an initial opening in the epicardium membrane of the heart to facilitate passage therethrough of said fiber means so that laser energy from its distal end can be used to form a channel in the myocardium of the patient's heart.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical device of claim 1 including means connected to said handle portion for creating a suction at an opening at said head member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The surgical device as described in claim 2 wherein said means for creating a suction includes a tubular means extending from a vacuum source and connected to said handle portion for communicating with said head member to cause the suction at said epicardium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The surgical device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said head member comprises an annular member having a flange portion with a transverse face for engaging the epicardium of the patient's heart, a body portion with a central bore, and an opening in said transverse face having a diameter smaller than said central bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The surgical device according to claim 4 wherein said piercing means comprises: - a tubular piercing member retained in said body portion of said head member, said member, extending through said opening and having a tapered tip portion, said piercing member having a bore that is large enough to allow slidable movement of said fiber bundle therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical device according to claim 5 wherein said head member includes an axially movable safety shield extending around said piercing member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The surgical device according to claim 4 including a penetration force cushioning means in said central bore of said head member which is axially aligned and engaged with said piercing member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The surgical device according to claim 7 wherein said penetration force cushioning means comprises a coil spring in said head member engaging and aligned with said piercing member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical device according to claim 5 wherein said tapered tip portion extends approximately 0.20 inches beyond said transverse face of said head member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical device according to claim 3 wherein said tubular piercing member has an enlarged annular head member having a diameter greater than said opening in said transverse face but less than said central bore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The surgical device according to claim 5 wherein said head member is threadedly attached to said tubular neck portion so that it can be removed to facilitate replacement of said piercing member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical device according to any one of the preceding claims including means for adjusting the rotational orientation of said neck portion and thus the position of said head member relative to said control means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The surgical device according to claim 12 wherein said adjusting means comprises a jam nut on said neck portion which is attached to said handle portion and a projection extending from said jam nut to facilitate manual turning.