US6066131A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Contiguous, branched transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) channel, method and device
Assignee: Eclipse Surgical Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1998-06-05
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Granted: 2000-05-23
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Expires: 2018-06-05
Abstract
Abstract Improved methods and devices related to laser-assisted transmyocardial revascularization (TMR), and more particularly, to improved methods and devices for creating branched TMR channels through myocardium in which a single opening is made in an epicardial surface with a plurality of channel branches, having predetermined geometries extending into and through myocardium, depending therefrom. A method of creating branched TMR channels comprises piercing an epicardial surface mechanically or with laser energy, directing laser energy through the opening in a first predetermined angular orientation with respect to the epicardial surface to create a first channel and delivering laser energy in a second predetermined angular orientation to create a second branch. A plurality of branches can thus be created in a single channel structure. A guide block device allows an opening to be made in an epicardial surface mechanically or with laser energy and provides a structure for directing laser energy into myocardium in a plurality of channels depending from the opening. Rotating guide devices and finger held devices with rotating head means include a hand held device with an elongated wand-like handle portion, a rotating head portion and a hollow guide needle means. Preferred embodiments further comprise a laser delivery means advancing mechanism and guide needle rotating means.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Mueller
- 👤 Stuart D. Harman
- 👤 Robert L. Lathrop, Jr.
- 👤 Bruce J. Richardson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3403; A61B18/201; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00247; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22072; A61B2017/22074; A61B2017/22075; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00392; A61B2018/2005; A61B2018/2255; A61B2018/2288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for creating contiguous branched transmyocardial revascularization channels comprising: a) positioning a guide device having a rotating distal head in combination with a hollow piercing element having a curvature at a distal end, on an epicardial surface adjacent myocardium; b) piercing the epicardial surface with the piercing element to create an entry point; c) deflecting a laser energy delivery device through the curvature of the piercing element into myocardium at a predetermined angle with respect to the epicardial layer; and d) creating a first angled channel in myocardium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for creating contiguous branched transmyocardial revascularization channels comprising: a) positioning a guide device having a rotating distal head in combination with a hollow piercing element having a curvature at a distal end, on an epicardial surface adjacent myocardium; b) piercing the epicardial surface with the piercing element to create an entry point; c) deflecting a laser energy delivery device through the curvature of the piercing element into myocardium at a predetermined angle with respect to the epicardial layer; and d) creating a first angled channel in myocardium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising: e) retracting the laser energy delivery device into the hollow piercing element; f) rotating the piercing element; g) advancing the laser energy delivery device into myocardium from the entry point to create a second channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the rotating distal head is indexed with a predetermined number of angular positions and further comprising step h) repeating steps e) through g) and angling the distal end of the piercing element to a number of angular positions to allow the laser energy delivery device to deliver laser energy into myocardium at predetermined angles.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for forming angled myocardial revascularization channels comprising: a) positioning a distal tip of an apparatus having a distal rotating orientation member in combination with a curved hollow needle on a heart surface adjacent a preselected location of myocardium; b) perforating the surface to create an access opening; c) curving a distal end of a laser energy delivery device through the needle through the perforated surface into myocardium at a predetermined angle with respect to the surface; and d) transmitting laser energy from the distal end of the laser energy delivery device into myocardium.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for forming angled myocardial revascularization channels comprising: a) positioning a distal tip of an apparatus having a distal rotating orientation member in combination with a curved hollow needle on a heart surface adjacent a preselected location of myocardium; b) perforating the surface to create an access opening; c) curving a distal end of a laser energy delivery device through the needle through the perforated surface into myocardium at a predetermined angle with respect to the surface; and d) transmitting laser energy from the distal end of the laser energy delivery device into myocardium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising step e) rotating the orientation member to form a multi-ended channel with the access opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising step e) rotating the orientation member to form a plurality of channel branches from the access opening, having predetermined geometries extending into and through myocardium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising step f) directing laser energy into a junction of the plurality of channel branches to create a cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising a laser energy delivery device housed in and translatable through the apparatus and step b) perforating the surface with laser energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 step b) perforating the surface mechanically with the curved hollow needle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 the apparatus further comprising a heating mechanism operatively coupled to the needle and further during step b) cauterizing the perforated surface opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 4 the apparatus further comprising an automated advancing mechanism operatively coupled to the laser energy delivery device and during step c) advancing the laser energy delivery device automatically to a predetermined depth in the myocardium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 4 the apparatus further comprising a manual advancing mechanism operatively coupled to the laser energy delivery device and during step c) advancing the laser energy delivery device manually to a predetermined depth in the myocardium.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for forming multiple transmyocardial channels with a single entry point comprising: a) tilting a hollow piercing element and laser energy delivery device combination against a first surface of a guide device having a plurality of frustoconical internal bearing surfaces, said guide device placed on a heart surface adjacent myocardium; b) piercing the surface with the piercing element; c) advancing the laser energy delivery device through the piercing element to create a first channel in myocardium; d) retracting the laser energy delivery device into the hollow piercing element; e) orienting the piercing element against a second surface of the guide device; creating a second channel at an angle to the first channel in myocardium.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
115 words
A method for forming multiple transmyocardial channels with a single entry point comprising: a) tilting a hollow piercing element and laser energy delivery device combination against a first surface of a guide device having a plurality of frustoconical internal bearing surfaces, said guide device placed on a heart surface adjacent myocardium; b) piercing the surface with the piercing element; c) advancing the laser energy delivery device through the piercing element to create a first channel in myocardium; d) retracting the laser energy delivery device into the hollow piercing element; e) orienting the piercing element against a second surface of the guide device; creating a second channel at an angle to the first channel in myocardium.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for creating contiguous branched transmyocardial revascularization channels comprising: a) positioning a guide device having a distal head in combination with a hollow piercing element having a curvature at a distal end, on a heart surface adjacent myocardium; b) inserting the piercing element through the surface and into myocardium; c) advancing and deflecting a laser energy delivery device through the curvature of the piercing element into myocardium at a predetermined angle with respect to the surface; and d) creating a first angled channel in myocardium.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for creating contiguous branched transmyocardial revascularization channels comprising: a) positioning a guide device having a distal head in combination with a hollow piercing element having a curvature at a distal end, on a heart surface adjacent myocardium; b) inserting the piercing element through the surface and into myocardium; c) advancing and deflecting a laser energy delivery device through the curvature of the piercing element into myocardium at a predetermined angle with respect to the surface; and d) creating a first angled channel in myocardium.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-23 | 2003-11-22 | 2004-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-23 | 2007-11-22 | 2008-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-23 | 2011-11-22 | 2012-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |