US6290644B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing a localized portion of a beating heart
Assignee: Maquet Cardiovascular LLC
•
Filing: 1999-05-04
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Granted: 2001-09-18
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Expires: 2019-05-04
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed surgical methods and apparatus for accessing and stabilizing the heart. The methods and apparatus facilitate access to an anastomosis site, allows various instruments or devices to be maneuvered and secured in place, and provide stabilization of the heart. The apparatus may involve a tissue stabilizer, and in particular a tissue stabilizer for use in immobilizing or stabilizing a portion of the beating heart using a compressive force delivered to the heart via the tissue stabilizer. The stabilizer may include a stabilizer base and a shaft. The shaft may be secured within an appropriate instrument mount preferably fixed to a retractor or other stable platform as disclosed herein. The stabilizers of the present invention provide improved access to a surgical site at a target vessel on the surface of the heart and may include features which facilitate optimal presentation of the target vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 II Harry Leonard Green
- 👤 Joshua K. Wallin
- 👤 Dwight P. Morejohn
- 👤 Charles S. Taylor
- 👤 Gary B. Weller
- 👤 Richard M. Ferrari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B17/02; A61B17/0206; A61B17/0218; A61B17/04; A61B17/0483; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B17/3423; A61B90/00; A61B17/064; A61B17/0642; A61B17/12; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/80; A61B17/8061; A61B17/8076; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00539; A61B2017/00681; A61B2017/00694; A61B2017/00703; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00858; A61B2017/00982; A61B2017/00991; A61B2017/0237; A61B2017/0243; A61B2017/0647; A61B2017/0648; A61B17/11; A61B2017/1139; A61B17/28; A61B17/2812; A61B17/282; A61B2017/2825; A61B17/29; A61B17/2909; A61B2017/2912; A61B2017/2913; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B2017/2929; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306; A61B2017/348; A61B2017/3482; A61B2017/349; A61B90/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for stabilizing a localized portion of a beating heart, comprising: a substantially rigid base member having at least one contact area adapted to frictionally engage the surface of the beating heart adjacent a first side of a target vessel; and a wire frame coupled to said base member, said wire frame having a frame portion adapted to engage the beating heart adjacent a second side of said target vessel opposite to said first side and at least one leg portion, said leg portion connecting said frame portion to said base member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for stabilizing a localized portion of a beating heart, comprising: a substantially rigid base member having at least one contact area adapted to frictionally engage the surface of the beating heart adjacent a first side of a target vessel; and a wire frame coupled to said base member, said wire frame having a frame portion adapted to engage the beating heart adjacent a second side of said target vessel opposite to said first side and at least one leg portion, said leg portion connecting said frame portion to said base member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, said base member being operably connected to said distal end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said shaft is substantially rigid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said shaft is curved.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said leg portion is substantially perpendicular to said frame portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said wire frame is moveable relative to said base member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said base member further comprises a channel for slidably receiving at least a portion of said leg portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said leg portion has a plurality of detented positions within said channel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said channel further comprises a plurality of teeth and said leg portion further comprises a plurality of mating teeth adapted to engage said teeth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said leg portion is substantially flexible relative to said base member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said wire frame is formed from a unitary length of wire material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the wire material is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel and titanium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame portion has a first end and a second end and said wire frame comprises a first leg portion attached to said first end and a second leg portion attached to said second end, said first and second leg portions being coupled to said base member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said base portion further comprises a first channel and a second channel for slidably receiving said first leg portion and said second leg portion respectively.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said base member further comprises a pinion gear having a plurality of gear teeth and said leg portion further comprising a rack having a plurality of mating teeth adapted to engage said gear teeth.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said base member further comprises a threaded shaft rotatably coupled to said base member, and said leg portion further comprises a collar having a threaded interior adapted to receive said threaded shaft.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame portion is vertically offset from said at least one contact area.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said vertical offset is between about 0.05 inches to about 0.2 inches.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said at least one contact area is substantially planar.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one leg portion further comprises a vertically relieved portion.
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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) | 2004-09-17 | 2005-03-19 | 2005-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-17 | 2009-03-19 | 2009-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-17 | 2013-03-19 | 2013-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |