Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of arresting a heart in a thoracic cavity of a patient, the method comprising: viewing an interior portion of the patient's thoracic cavity through a scope positioned in a percutaneous intercostal penetration in the patient's chest; introducing a clamp into the patient's thoracic cavity through a percutaneous intercostal penetration in the patient's chest; positioning the clamp about an aorta between a coronary artery and a brachiocephalic artery, under visualization by means of the scope, the aorta having an aortic lumen through which blood flows from the heart; actuating the clamp from a location outside of fire patient's thoracic cavity so as to block blood flow through the aortic lumen; and delivering cardioplegic fluid into the aortic lumen upstream of the clamp through a delivery lumen of a delivery cannula, the delivery cannula having a distal end disposed within the aortic lumen upstream of the clamp, and a proximal end disposed outside of the thoracic cavity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of arresting a heart in a thoracic cavity of a patient, the method comprising: viewing an interior portion of the patient's thoracic cavity through a scope positioned in a percutaneous intercostal penetration in the patient's chest; introducing a clamp into the patient's thoracic cavity through a percutaneous intercostal penetration in the patient's chest; positioning the clamp about an aorta between a coronary artery and a brachiocephalic artery, under visualization by means of the scope, the aorta having an aortic lumen through which blood flows from the heart; actuating the clamp from a location outside of fire patient's thoracic cavity so as to block blood flow through the aortic lumen; and delivering cardioplegic fluid into the aortic lumen upstream of the clamp through a delivery lumen of a delivery cannula, the delivery cannula having a distal end disposed within the aortic lumen upstream of the clamp, and a proximal end disposed outside of the thoracic cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the delivery cannula extends through a percutaneous penetration in the patient's chest.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the delivery cannula is introduced into the aortic lumen by penetrating a wall of the aorta with a distal end of the delivery cannula.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising guiding the delivery cannula so as to penetrate the wall of the aorta at a predetermined location relative to the clamp.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the delivery cannula is guided by guide means coupled to the clamp.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the delivery, cannula is introduced into a peripheral artery in the patient and transluminally positioned into the aortic lumen of the ascending aorta.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the delivery cannula is introduced into a femoral artery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the delivery cannula is positioned in the ascending aorta before the clamp is actuated to block the aortic lumen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the clamp is fixed to a distal end of an elongated shaft positionable through an intercostal penetration in the patient's chest.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the clamp is actuated by means of an actuator coupled to the proximal end of the shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 further comprising, after delivering the cardioplegic fluid, closing the penetration in the wall of the aorta.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of closing comprises applying a plug or patch to the penetration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of closing comprises suturing the penetration closed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of closing comprises applying a staple to the aortic wall.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 11 wherein a means for closing the penetration is mounted to a device selected from the group including the clamp and the delivery cannula, the closing means being actuated from outside the thoracic cavity.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of infusing fluid into an aorta in a body cavity of a patient, a the method comprising: introducing a clamp into the body cavity through a percutaneous penetration; positioning the clamp about the aorta, the aorta having an inner lumen; actuating the clamp from a location outside of the patient's body cavity so as to block the inner lumen of the aorta; and delivering the fluid into the inner lumen of the aorta through a delivery lumen of a delivery cannula extending through a percutaneous penetration into this body cavity the delivery cannula having a distal end disposed within the inner lumen, and a proximal end disposed outside of the body cavity.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of infusing fluid into an aorta in a body cavity of a patient, a the method comprising: introducing a clamp into the body cavity through a percutaneous penetration; positioning the clamp about the aorta, the aorta having an inner lumen; actuating the clamp from a location outside of the patient's body cavity so as to block the inner lumen of the aorta; and delivering the fluid into the inner lumen of the aorta through a delivery lumen of a delivery cannula extending through a percutaneous penetration into this body cavity the delivery cannula having a distal end disposed within the inner lumen, and a proximal end disposed outside of the body cavity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the fluid comprises cardioplegic fluid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the clamp is positioned about the aorta between a coronary artery and a brachiocephalic artery.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the delivery cannula is coupled to the clamp.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the delivery cannula is transluminally positioned from a peripheral artery into the inner lumen of the aorta.