Vibratory device for releasing air bubbles trapped in the heart muscle

Claim 2

A vibratory device for releasing air bubbles trapped in the heart muscle during open heart surgery comprising: an electrically operated oscillating unit, at least one arm connected to said oscillating unit and provided with a heart engaging support member having a soft and pliable surface and a rigid backing member and conforms to the contiguration of at least part of the heart, and a power source for supplying vibrations to said heart engaging support member to thereby cause said arm and support member to vibrate gently thereby freeing said air bubbles from said heart.

Claim 3

A vibratory device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said soft and pliable surface for said heart engaging support is a silicone bag upon which the underside of the heart rests.

Claim 4

A vibrating device for releasing air bubbles trapped in the heart muscle during open heart surgery comprising: an electrically operated oscillating unit, a pair of arms removably connected to said oscillating unit, a curved heart engaging support plate secured to said arms, said plate having a soft and pliable surface and a rigid backing member and conforms to the configuration of at least part of the heart, and an electrical power source for supplying current to said oscillating unit to thereby cause said arms and support plate to vibrate gently, thereby freeing said air bubbles from said heart.

Claim 5

A vibrating device for releasing air bubbles trapped in the heart muscle during open heart surgery comprising: an electrically operated oscillating unit, a pair of arms removably connected to said oscillating unit, a curved heart engaging support plate secured to said arms, said plate having a soft and pliable surface and a rigid backing member and conforms to the configuration of at least part of the heart, and an electrical power source for supplying current to said oscillating unit to thereby cause said arms and support plate to vibrate gently, thereby freeing said air bubbles from said heart.

Claim 6

An arrangement for releasing air bubbles trapped in the heart muscle during open heart surgery comprising: a vibratory device including an electrically operated oscillating unit having at least one arm connected thereto and provided with a heart engaging support member having a soft and pliable surface and conforms to the configuration of at least part of the heart, and an electric power source for supplying current to said oscillating unit to thereby vibrate gently said arm and said support member causing the surface tension of the air bubbles in the heart to be broken whereby the bubbles will float in the heart to a common high point.

Claim 7

An arrangement for releasing air bubbles trapped in the heart muscle during open heart surgery comprising: a vibratory device including an electrically operated oscillating unit having at least one arm connected thereto and provided with a heart engaging support member having a soft and pliable surface and conforms to the configuration of at least part of the heart, and an electric power source for supplying current to said oscillating unit to thereby vibrate gently said arm and said support member causing the surface tension of the air bubbles in the heart to be broken whereby the bubbles will float in the heart to a common high point.

Claim 8

A vibratory device as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a pair of spaced bores in said vibrating device for receiving said removable arms provided with said support plate.

Claim 9

A vibratory device for releasing air bubbles trapped in the heart during open heart surgery comprising: an electrically operated oscillating unit provided with a clamp, a curved heart engaging support plate having a soft and pliable surface and a rigid backing member and conforms to the configuration of at least part of the heart and having an elongated arm with a projection at the end remote from said support plate, said arm being received in said clamp said clamp having a recess for receiving said projection, said clamp including means for rendering said arm and spoon unless responsive to removal of said arm from said clamp, and an electric power source for supplying current to said oscillating unit to cause said elongated arm and support plate to vibrate thereby freeing said air bubbles from the heart.

Claim 10

A vibratory device for releasing air bubbles trapped in the heart during open heart surgery comprising: an electrically operated oscillating unit provided with a clamp, a curved heart engaging support plate having a soft and pliable surface and a rigid backing member and conforms to the configuration of at least part of the heart and having an elongated arm with a projection at the end remote from said support plate, said arm being received in said clamp said clamp having a recess for receiving said projection, said clamp including means for rendering said arm and spoon unless responsive to removal of said arm from said clamp, and an electric power source for supplying current to said oscillating unit to cause said elongated arm and support plate to vibrate thereby freeing said air bubbles from the heart.

Claim 11

A vibratory device as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a sensor mounted in said oscillating unit which when activated causes current to flow to said oscillating unit, and means on the end of said elongated arm remote from said support plate for activating said sensor when said arm is inserted in said clamp and said projection is in said recess.

Claim 12

A vibratory device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said clamp is pivotally mounted on said oscillating unit from an open to a closed position and vice versa.

Claim 13

A vibratory device as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a control for said device having a plurality of selectable power levels for said oscillating unit.