US6024755A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suture-free clamp and sealing port and methods of use
Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corp
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Filing: 1998-12-11
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Granted: 2000-02-15
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Expires: 2018-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A suture-free clamp for sealing body tissue during introduction of medical devices, such as a cannula, aspirator, stent, endoscope, and pressure monitor. The clamp may be used in a patient's vascular tissues, such as the right atrium and the aorta. The clamp comprises a generally cone-shaped housing which includes a lumen for receiving a medical device, and a collar having a central opening for passage of a medical device, the collar connected to a proximal end of the housing by a plurality of struts. The proximal end of the housing and the collar each has an annular surface. The two surfaces are opposed, and are operable to clamp tissue therebetween, and to thereafter release the tissue by releasing the clamp. Methods are also disclosed for using the suture-free clamp for sealing body tissues during introduction of a medical device.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce Addis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B17/3423; A61B2017/348; A61B2017/3482; A61B2017/3484; A61B2017/3492
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A clamp for sealing tissues during introduction of a medical device, comprising: a generally cone-shaped housing having an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end, wherein the diameter of said proximal end is larger than the diameter of said distal end, and a lumen therebetween, the lumen adapted to receive a medical device for introduction through body tissues, the outer surface of the housing being generally smooth and tapered from the proximal to the distal end, the proximal end of the housing having an annular surface which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lumen; and a collar operably connected to the proximal end of the housing by a plurality of struts, the collar having a central opening aligned with the lumen of the housing for passage of the medical device, and an annular surface which surrounds the opening and is operable to engage the annular surface of the housing to clamp tissue therebetween, and thereafter release the tissue by releasing the clamp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A clamp for sealing tissues during introduction of a medical device, comprising: a generally cone-shaped housing having an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end, wherein the diameter of said proximal end is larger than the diameter of said distal end, and a lumen therebetween, the lumen adapted to receive a medical device for introduction through body tissues, the outer surface of the housing being generally smooth and tapered from the proximal to the distal end, the proximal end of the housing having an annular surface which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lumen; and a collar operably connected to the proximal end of the housing by a plurality of struts, the collar having a central opening aligned with the lumen of the housing for passage of the medical device, and an annular surface which surrounds the opening and is operable to engage the annular surface of the housing to clamp tissue therebetween, and thereafter release the tissue by releasing the clamp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The clamp of claim 1, wherein the struts are pivotally connected to the housing and the collar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The clamp of claim 2, wherein the struts have a pivoting internal joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The clamp of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a plurality of distally extending slots.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The clamp of claim 4, wherein the struts are located and operate within the slots.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The clamp of claim 1, further comprising a medical device, wherein the medical device is a cannula which is received through the lumen of the housing and extends proximally through the opening of the collar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The clamp of claim 1, wherein the lumen of the housing further includes a hemostatic valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The clamp of claim 1, wherein the housing has a length of 0.3-2.0 inches and an outer diameter of 0.4-1.0 inches, and wherein the collar has a length of 0.25-0.75 inches and an outer diameter of 0.4-1.0 inches.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for sealing body tissues during introduction of a medical device, comprising the steps of: providing a clamp comprising a generally cone-shaped housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween, the proximal end of the housing having an annular surface which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lumen, the clamp further comprising a collar operably connected to the proximal end of the housing by a plurality of struts the collar having an annular surface which operates to engage the annular surface of the housing; making an incision in the tissue; introducing the distal end of the housing through the incision and positioning the tissue against the annular surface of the housing; operating the collar to engage the tissue against the annular surface of the collar, wherein the tissue clamped between the annular surface of the housing and the annular surface of the collar; and introducing a medical device through the lumen of the housing into the body.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for sealing body tissues during introduction of a medical device, comprising the steps of: providing a clamp comprising a generally cone-shaped housing having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therebetween, the proximal end of the housing having an annular surface which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the lumen, the clamp further comprising a collar operably connected to the proximal end of the housing by a plurality of struts the collar having an annular surface which operates to engage the annular surface of the housing; making an incision in the tissue; introducing the distal end of the housing through the incision and positioning the tissue against the annular surface of the housing; operating the collar to engage the tissue against the annular surface of the collar, wherein the tissue clamped between the annular surface of the housing and the annular surface of the collar; and introducing a medical device through the lumen of the housing into the body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the tissue is the right atrium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the tissue is a vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the vessel is an artery.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the artery is the aorta.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the medical device is a cannula.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of delivering oxygenated blood to the patient through the cannula.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the lumen of the housing further includes a hemostatic valve.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising a steps of coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of valve repair.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of releasing the collar to disengage the tissue.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of removing the housing from the incision.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-14 | 2003-08-16 | 2004-02-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-14 | 2007-08-16 | 2008-02-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-14 | 2011-08-16 | 2012-02-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |