US6328757B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device and method for performing surgery without impeding organ function
Assignee: Cormatrix Cardiovascular Inc
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Filing: 1999-04-23
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Granted: 2001-12-11
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Expires: 2019-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for enabling direct visualization and access to a body organ without impeding or stopping the function of the organ is provided. The device includes a balloon catheter, having a balloon at or near its distal end, and a preferably funnel-shaped access member positioned around the catheter. In use, an incision is placed in a patient, and a path is cleared to the organ or tissue on which surgery is to be performed. The catheter is inserted into the organ and to or through the tissue requiring treatment. If the catheter moves through the tissue to be treated, the balloon is inflated to provide a seal preventing fluids from moving through the tissue. The access member is then advanced over the catheter to the tissue site, enabling the surgeon to directly see and access the tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert G. Matheny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B17/02; A61B17/0293; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00535; A61B2017/00557
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for accessing and visualizing tissue within a human heart cavity while said heart is beating, comprising: a first scaling member comprising a circumferential surgically sterile walled member and a base; said base having an orifice, wherein said first walled member circumferentially forms a first seal through a first heart wall while simultaneously abutting said base against a heart septum forming a second seal with the base; said walled member being positionable during open heart surgery within a cut opening in an outer heart wall and adapted for a substantially blood tight first seal between said walled member and the outer heart wall tissue to prevent exsanguination therebetween; said base adapted for forming said substantially blood tight second seal with interior heart tissue which is separate from said outer heart wall tissue, said second seal being separate and distal from said first seal, said second seal being adapted for sealing with an interior portion of the heart to prevent exsanguination therebetween; said walled member and said first and second seals providing an access to the interior of the heart within said walled member for direct surgical access to the interior heart tissue during open heart surgery while the heart is beating with blood flow through the heart and outside of said walled member.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
214 words
An apparatus for accessing and visualizing tissue within a human heart cavity while said heart is beating, comprising: a first scaling member comprising a circumferential surgically sterile walled member and a base; said base having an orifice, wherein said first walled member circumferentially forms a first seal through a first heart wall while simultaneously abutting said base against a heart septum forming a second seal with the base; said walled member being positionable during open heart surgery within a cut opening in an outer heart wall and adapted for a substantially blood tight first seal between said walled member and the outer heart wall tissue to prevent exsanguination therebetween; said base adapted for forming said substantially blood tight second seal with interior heart tissue which is separate from said outer heart wall tissue, said second seal being separate and distal from said first seal, said second seal being adapted for sealing with an interior portion of the heart to prevent exsanguination therebetween; said walled member and said first and second seals providing an access to the interior of the heart within said walled member for direct surgical access to the interior heart tissue during open heart surgery while the heart is beating with blood flow through the heart and outside of said walled member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said walled member and said base are substantially circular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said walled member is configured generally in the shape of a funnel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a flexible member positionable opposite said base such that said interior portion of the heart is between said flexible member and said base, said flexible member adapted for forming said substantially blood tight second seal with said interior portion of the heart.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said flexible member is a synthetic or nitinol disc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein said flexible member is a balloon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising a tubular member having at least one lumen therethrough positioned within said walled member and in fluid connection with said balloon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said balloon is a foam balloon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said balloon expands generally perpendicular to said tubular member to a greater degree than it expands generally parallel to said tubular member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said walled member has an opening therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein said opening includes a port.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said walled member includes a seal member connected to said distal portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said walled member includes at least one hook connected to said distal portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said walled member is transparent.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
275 words
An apparatus for accessing and visualizing a septum having a defect within a heart while said heart is beating, comprising: a first sealing member comprising a circumferential surgically sterile walled member and a base; said base having an orifice, wherein said walled member circumferentially forms a first seal through a first heart wall while simultaneously abutting said base against a heart septum, and a second sealing member exiting from said orifice forming a second seal with the base; said walled member being positionable during open heart surgery within a cut opening in an outer heart wall and adapted for a substantially blood tight first seal between said walled member and outer heart wall tissue to prevent exsanguination therebetween; said base adapted for forming said substantially blood tight second seal with interior heart tissue which is separate from said outer heart wall tissue, said second seal being separate and distal from said first seal, said second seal being adapted for sealing with a portion of the septum around the defect to prevent exsanguination therebetween; a flexible member having an expanded state and an unexpanded state, said flexible member being positionable on the side of the septum opposite said base and adapted for contacting the septum in its expanded state to form a substantially blood tight seal around the defect to prevent exsanguination therebetween; said walled member and said first and second seals providing an access to the interior of the heart within said walled member for direct surgical access to the septum and the defect during open heart surgery while the heart is beating with blood flow through the heart and outside of said walled member.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
275 words
An apparatus for accessing and visualizing a septum having a defect within a heart while said heart is beating, comprising: a first sealing member comprising a circumferential surgically sterile walled member and a base; said base having an orifice, wherein said walled member circumferentially forms a first seal through a first heart wall while simultaneously abutting said base against a heart septum, and a second sealing member exiting from said orifice forming a second seal with the base; said walled member being positionable during open heart surgery within a cut opening in an outer heart wall and adapted for a substantially blood tight first seal between said walled member and outer heart wall tissue to prevent exsanguination therebetween; said base adapted for forming said substantially blood tight second seal with interior heart tissue which is separate from said outer heart wall tissue, said second seal being separate and distal from said first seal, said second seal being adapted for sealing with a portion of the septum around the defect to prevent exsanguination therebetween; a flexible member having an expanded state and an unexpanded state, said flexible member being positionable on the side of the septum opposite said base and adapted for contacting the septum in its expanded state to form a substantially blood tight seal around the defect to prevent exsanguination therebetween; said walled member and said first and second seals providing an access to the interior of the heart within said walled member for direct surgical access to the septum and the defect during open heart surgery while the heart is beating with blood flow through the heart and outside of said walled member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising a catheter having at least one lumen therethrough positioned within said walled member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein said flexible member is a synthetic or nitinol disc, said disc being capable of being passed through said lumen in the unexpanded state and capable of covering the area of the defect in the expanded state.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said flexible member is a balloon at the distal end of said catheter capable of covering the area of the defect in the expanded state.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said balloon is a foam balloon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said catheter is positionable through the defect.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said sealing member includes a patch detachably connected to said base.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
193 words
A method for accessing and visualizing tissue within a heart while said heart is beating, comprising the steps of: providing a first sealing member comprising a circumferential walled member and a base; said base having an orifice, wherein said first walled member is circumferentially adapted for forming a first seal through a first heart wall while simultaneously abutting said base against a heart septum forming a second seal with the base; positioning said walled member during open heart surgery within a cut opening in an outer heart wall to form a substantially blood tight first seal between said walled member and outer heart wall tissue to prevent exsanguination therebetween; and forming a substantially blood tight second seal with interior heart tissue which is separate from said outer heart wall tissue, said second seal being formed between said base and an interior portion of the heart to prevent exsanguination therebetween; thereby providing an access to the interior of the heart within said walled member for direct surgical access to the interior heart tissue during open heart surgery while the heart is beating with blood flow through the heart and outside of said wall member.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
193 words
A method for accessing and visualizing tissue within a heart while said heart is beating, comprising the steps of: providing a first sealing member comprising a circumferential walled member and a base; said base having an orifice, wherein said first walled member is circumferentially adapted for forming a first seal through a first heart wall while simultaneously abutting said base against a heart septum forming a second seal with the base; positioning said walled member during open heart surgery within a cut opening in an outer heart wall to form a substantially blood tight first seal between said walled member and outer heart wall tissue to prevent exsanguination therebetween; and forming a substantially blood tight second seal with interior heart tissue which is separate from said outer heart wall tissue, said second seal being formed between said base and an interior portion of the heart to prevent exsanguination therebetween; thereby providing an access to the interior of the heart within said walled member for direct surgical access to the interior heart tissue during open heart surgery while the heart is beating with blood flow through the heart and outside of said wall member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising; providing a flexible member having an expanded and an unexpanded state; positioning said flexible member opposite said base in the unexpanded state such that said interior portion of the heart is between said flexible member and said base; and expanding said flexible member to form a substantially blood tight seal with said interior portion of the heart.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 23 , further comprising: providing a tubular member having at least one lumen therethrough and introducing said flexible member in the unexpanded state into the body via said lumen.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 23 , further comprising providing a tubular member having at least one lumen therethrough, wherein said flexible member is a balloon in fluid connection with said lumen, and positioning said tubular member within said walled member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22 , further comprising: medically treating the interior portion of the heart to which access is provided.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 26 , wherein said interior portion is a septum having a defect, and wherein said treating step includes surgically repairing said defect.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 27 , further comprising: inserting a tubular member having at least one lumen therethrough and a balloon at the distal end of said tubular member into said cut opening and through said defect; expanding said balloon; and forming a substantially blood tight seal between said balloon and said septum to prevent exsanguination therebetween.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising a second sealing member exiting from said orifice.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 , comprising the step of exiting a second sealing member from said orifice.
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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) | 2004-12-10 | 2005-06-11 | 2005-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-10 | 2009-06-11 | 2009-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-10 | 2013-06-11 | 2013-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |