US6488693B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vascular incisor and method
Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences LLC
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Filing: 2001-01-26
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Granted: 2002-12-03
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Expires: 2021-01-26
Abstract
Abstract An improved vascular incisor and method for allowing a user to safely create an incision in a body lumen. The present invention provides an apparatus which can create an incision in a front wall of the ascending aorta while preventing the blade from creating an incision in surrounding body structures, such as the back wall of the ascending aorta. The incisor includes a surgical element such as a blade which is activated by an actuator. As the actuator is depressed, the blade is moved from a protected, retracted position to an exposed, deployed position. The exposed blade is pushed into a front wall of the ascending aorta to create an incision. As the actuator is depressed further, the blade is automatically moved to the retracted position to prevent the blade from incising the back wall of the aorta.
Inventors
- 👤 James R. Gannoe
- 👤 Meir Moshe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/34; A61B17/3415; A61B17/3494; A61B17/3496; A61B17/11; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/1107; A61B2017/1135; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0801; A61B2090/08021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for creating a vascular incision comprising: a body; a rod movable relative to the body and having a proximal end and a distal end; a surgical element disposed at the distal end of the rod, wherein the rod and surgical element are movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein the rod and surgical element are biased in the retracted position; an actuator coupled to at least one finger which engages the proximal end of the rod, wherein activation of the actuator advances the surgical element from the retracted position to the deployed position; and a ramp on the body to engage the finger as the rod and surgical element move to the deployed position, wherein the ramp disengages the finger from the proximal end of the rod to allow the surgical element to move to the retracted position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
An apparatus for creating a vascular incision comprising: a body; a rod movable relative to the body and having a proximal end and a distal end; a surgical element disposed at the distal end of the rod, wherein the rod and surgical element are movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein the rod and surgical element are biased in the retracted position; an actuator coupled to at least one finger which engages the proximal end of the rod, wherein activation of the actuator advances the surgical element from the retracted position to the deployed position; and a ramp on the body to engage the finger as the rod and surgical element move to the deployed position, wherein the ramp disengages the finger from the proximal end of the rod to allow the surgical element to move to the retracted position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a return spring, wherein the actuator is movable between an undepressed position and a depressed position, wherein the return spring biases the actuator to the undepressed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the actuator defines a longitudinal axis and the rod defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the actuator is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the rod.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator is coupled to multiple fingers which engage the rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of the rod comprises an enlarged push rod cap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the finger comprises a protrusion which engages the push rod cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator is adapted to be engaged by a user's thumb or palm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body comprises finger grips adapted to be held by the user's fingers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the finger disengages from the rod when the rod and surgical element have been advanced to a fully deployed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the finger is flexible and is resiliently biased radially inward towards the proximal end of the rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the disengagement of the finger from the rod creates an audible click.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ramp forces the finger radially outward away from the proximal end of the rod.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surgical element is a blade.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the blade has a width between approximately 4 mm and 6 mm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein a leading edge of the blade has two outwardly facing edges.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the rod is advanced at a 1:1 rate with the actuator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an elongate housing which extends distally from the body to encase the rod and surgical element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the elongate housing and rod are flexible.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the elongate housing comprises a tapered distal tip having an opening to allow the surgical element to move between the retracted position and the deployed position.
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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) | 2005-12-02 | 2006-06-03 | 2006-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-02 | 2010-06-03 | 2010-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-02 | 2014-06-03 | 2014-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |