US5588949A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stereoscopic percutaneous visualization system
Assignee: Heartport Inc
•
Filing: 1994-04-13
•
Granted: 1996-12-31
•
Expires: 2014-04-13
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a percutaneous visualization system for direct, stereoscopic visualization of a body cavity during minimally-invasive surgical procedures. The visualization system includes a cannula having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passage extending therebetween. The passage is configured to allow stereoscopic vision therethrough, and is preferably tapered from the proximal end to the distal end. A sleeve is positionable in the passage of the cannula, the sleeve having an optical passage also configured to allow stereoscopic vision, preferably by tapering. A lens may be disposed in the optical passage of the sleeve tier wide-angle viewing. Magnification means may be positioned in optical alignment with the optical passage to provide a magnified image of a surgical site.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles S. Taylor
- 👤 Brian S. Donlon
- 👤 Timothy R. Machold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/18; G02B21/20; G02B21/22; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00193; A61B1/002; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; G02B23/00; G02B23/24; G02B23/2407; G02B23/2415; A61B1/313; A61B1/3132; A61B1/317; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/348; A61B2017/3492; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/361; A61B2090/3616; A61B90/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 81
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An improved surgical microscope of the type having a microscope body, lens device attached to the microscope body for magnifying an object image, and an eyepiece attached to the microscope body for viewing the magnified object image, the improvement comprising a supplementary lens and a coupling device attached to the microscope body for retaining the supplementary lens in optical alignment with the lens device, wherein the coupling device comprises a cannula having a passage in which the supplementary lens may be removably positioned, the cannula having a distal end configured for introduction into the body cavity through a percutaneous penetration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An improved surgical microscope of the type having a microscope body, lens device attached to the microscope body for magnifying an object image, and an eyepiece attached to the microscope body for viewing the magnified object image, the improvement comprising a supplementary lens and a coupling device attached to the microscope body for retaining the supplementary lens in optical alignment with the lens device, wherein the coupling device comprises a cannula having a passage in which the supplementary lens may be removably positioned, the cannula having a distal end configured for introduction into the body cavity through a percutaneous penetration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical microscope of claim 1 wherein the supplementary lens comprises a wide angle lens system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The surgical microscope of claim 1 wherein the coupling device is configured to allow interchanging the supplementary lens with an alternate lens without moving the microscope body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The surgical microscope of claim 1 wherein the cannula is attached to the coupling device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical microscope of claim 1 wherein the cannula is configured for positioning within an intercostal space between two adjacent ribs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical microscope of claim 5 wherein the cannula has a transverse width or diameter of less than about 20 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical microscope of claim 1 wherein the cannula has a distal end having a width or diameter of less than about 20 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The surgical microscope of claim 1 wherein the coupling means further comprises a sleeve removably positioned within the cannula, the sleeve having an interior in which the supplementary lens is positioned.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical microscope of claim 8 wherein the sleeve is tapered toward a distal end thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The surgical microscope of claim 1 wherein the supplementary lens is mounted to a tubular body adapted for coupling to the coupling means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The surgical microscope of claim 1 comprising a further improvement wherein the eyepiece and the lens means are configured to facilitate stereoscopic viewing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical microscope of claim 1 comprising a further improvement wherein said surgical microscope comprises a plurality of eyepieces coupled to the microscope body to allow multiple viewers to view the magnified object image contemporaneously.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
132 words
An improved surgical microscope of the type having a microscope body, lens device attached to the microscope body for magnifying an object image, and an eyepiece attached to the microscope body for viewing the magnified object image, the improvement comprising a supplementary lens and a coupling device attached to the microscope body for retaining the supplementary lens in optical alignment with the lens device, the coupling device being configured for introducing the supplementary lens through a percutaneous penetration into a body cavity, wherein the coupling device comprises a sleeve having an interior in which the supplementary lens is positioned, and wherein the sleeve has an aperture in a side thereof in communication with the interior to facilitate interchanging the supplementary lens with other lenses without decoupling the sleeve from the microscope body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
132 words
An improved surgical microscope of the type having a microscope body, lens device attached to the microscope body for magnifying an object image, and an eyepiece attached to the microscope body for viewing the magnified object image, the improvement comprising a supplementary lens and a coupling device attached to the microscope body for retaining the supplementary lens in optical alignment with the lens device, the coupling device being configured for introducing the supplementary lens through a percutaneous penetration into a body cavity, wherein the coupling device comprises a sleeve having an interior in which the supplementary lens is positioned, and wherein the sleeve has an aperture in a side thereof in communication with the interior to facilitate interchanging the supplementary lens with other lenses without decoupling the sleeve from the microscope body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
An improved stereoscopic surgical microscope of the type having a microscope body, lens device attached to the microscope body for magnifying an object image, and a binocular eyepiece attached to the microscope body for viewing the magnified object image with both of two eyes, the improvement comprising a cannula mechanism for providing a passage in optical alignment with the lens device, said cannula mechanism having a proximal end attached to the microscope body, and a distal end configured for introduction through a percutaneous penetration into a body cavity and a supplementary lens removably positionable within the passage of the cannula mechanism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
101 words
An improved stereoscopic surgical microscope of the type having a microscope body, lens device attached to the microscope body for magnifying an object image, and a binocular eyepiece attached to the microscope body for viewing the magnified object image with both of two eyes, the improvement comprising a cannula mechanism for providing a passage in optical alignment with the lens device, said cannula mechanism having a proximal end attached to the microscope body, and a distal end configured for introduction through a percutaneous penetration into a body cavity and a supplementary lens removably positionable within the passage of the cannula mechanism.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The surgical microscope of claim 14 comprising a further improvement wherein said surgical microscope comprises a plurality of binocular eyepieces attached to the microscope body to allow multiple persons to view the magnified object image contemporaneously.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical microscope of claim 15 wherein the passage in the cannula mechanism is tapered toward the distal end.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical microscope of claim 14 wherein the cannula means is configured for positioning within an intercostal space between two adjacent ribs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical microscope of claim 14 wherein the cannula means has a width of less than about 20 mm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical microscope of claim 14 wherein the improvement further comprises a decoupling mechanism for quickly decoupling the cannula mechanism from the microscope body.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical microscope of claim 15 wherein the supplementary lens comprises a wide angle lens system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical microscope of claim 15 wherein the cannula mechanism is adapted to facilitate interchanging the supplementary lens with an alternate lens.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The surgical microscope of claim 21 wherein the cannula mechanism has an aperture on a side thereof in communication with the passage through which the supplementary lens and alternate lens may be interchanged.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The surgical microscope of claim 14 wherein the supplementary lens is mounted within a sleeve positionable within the passage of the cannula mechanism.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical microscope of claim 14 wherein the improvement further comprises a delivery device on the cannula mechanism for directing a fluid onto the supplementary lens.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical microscope of claim 15 wherein the improvement further comprises an introducer for introducing the cannula mechanism into the body cavity.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical microscope of claim 25 wherein the introducer comprises an obturator removably positionable in the passage of the cannula mechanism.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of visualizing a body cavity of a patient comprising: percutaneously positioning a distal end of a cannula in the body cavity with a proximal end of the cannula disposed outside of the body cavity, the cannula having a passage extending between the distal and proximal ends; positioning a surgical microscope over the proximal end of the cannula so that a magnifying lens of the microscope is optically aligned with the passage of the cannula; removably positioning a supplementary lens in the passage of the cannula in optical alignment with the magnifying lens; illuminating the body cavity; and looking through an eyepiece of the microscope to visualize the body cavity through the passage of the cannula.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of visualizing a body cavity of a patient comprising: percutaneously positioning a distal end of a cannula in the body cavity with a proximal end of the cannula disposed outside of the body cavity, the cannula having a passage extending between the distal and proximal ends; positioning a surgical microscope over the proximal end of the cannula so that a magnifying lens of the microscope is optically aligned with the passage of the cannula; removably positioning a supplementary lens in the passage of the cannula in optical alignment with the magnifying lens; illuminating the body cavity; and looking through an eyepiece of the microscope to visualize the body cavity through the passage of the cannula.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 27 further comprising a supplementary lens in the passage of the cannula in optical alignment with coupling said surgical microscope to the proximal end of said cannula.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the supplementary lens comprises a wide angle lens system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27 further comprising interchanging the supplementary lens with a second lens without removing the cannula from the body cavity.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the step of interchanging comprises: removing a first sleeve from the passage of the cannula, the supplementary lens being mounted in the first sleeve; and positioning a second sleeve in the passage of the cannula, the second lens being mounted in the second sleeve.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the microscope is a stereomicroscope so as to allow looking into the body cavity with both of a person's eyes simultaneously.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising directing a fluid onto a surface of the supplementary lens from a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the cannula.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the step of illuminating comprises transmitting light into the body cavity through an optical fiber mounted to the cannula.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the cannula is positioned in an intercostal space between two adjacent ribs.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the step of percutaneously positioning the cannula comprises: positioning an obturator in the passage such that a distal tip of the obturator extends distally from the distal end of the cannula; penetrating a wall of the body cavity with the distal tip of the obturator and the distal end of the cannula; and removing the obturator from the passage in the cannula.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of visualizing a body cavity of a patient comprising: percutaneously positioning a distal end of a cannula in the body cavity with a proximal end of the cannula disposed outside of the body cavity, the cannula having a passage extending between the distal and proximal ends; coupling a surgical microscope to the proximal end of the cannula so that a magnifying lens of the microscope is optically aligned with the passage of the cannula; illuminating the body cavity; and looking through an eyepiece of the microscope to visualize the body cavity through the passage of the cannula; wherein the cannula is positioned by looking through the passage of the cannula into the body cavity before coupling the microscope to the cannula.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of visualizing a body cavity of a patient comprising: percutaneously positioning a distal end of a cannula in the body cavity with a proximal end of the cannula disposed outside of the body cavity, the cannula having a passage extending between the distal and proximal ends; coupling a surgical microscope to the proximal end of the cannula so that a magnifying lens of the microscope is optically aligned with the passage of the cannula; illuminating the body cavity; and looking through an eyepiece of the microscope to visualize the body cavity through the passage of the cannula; wherein the cannula is positioned by looking through the passage of the cannula into the body cavity before coupling the microscope to the cannula.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the cannula is positioned by looking through the passage of the cannula with both of a person's eyes simultaneously into the body cavity before coupling the microscope to the cannula.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
83 words
A percutaneous visualization system for direct visualization of a body cavity in a patient, comprising: a tubular cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an optical passage extending therebetween; a first lens device removably positioned within said optical passage of said tubular cannula body; and stereoscopic viewing mechanism having at least a first lens optically alignable with the optical passage in the cannula body so as to facilitate simultaneous visualization into the optical passage with both of two laterally-separated eyes.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
83 words
A percutaneous visualization system for direct visualization of a body cavity in a patient, comprising: a tubular cannula body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an optical passage extending therebetween; a first lens device removably positioned within said optical passage of said tubular cannula body; and stereoscopic viewing mechanism having at least a first lens optically alignable with the optical passage in the cannula body so as to facilitate simultaneous visualization into the optical passage with both of two laterally-separated eyes.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 wherein the optical passage is tapered toward the distal end at a taper angle of at least 5° to facilitate stereoscopic visualization therethrough.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 40 wherein the optical passage is tapered continuously from the proximal end to the distal end to facilitate stereoscopic visualization therethrough.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 wherein the stereoscopic viewing mechanism comprises a stereo-microscope.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
34 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 wherein the cannula device has an aperture on a side thereof in communication with the optical passage through which the first lens mechanism may be removably positioned.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 wherein the first lens device is a wide-angle lens system.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 44 wherein the first lens device comprises a negative focal length lens.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
25 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 45 wherein the first lens device has a focal length of between about -6 mm and about -12 mm.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 further comprising a clamping device for maintaining the position of the cannula body relative to the body cavity.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 47 wherein the clamping device comprises a mounting device for mounting said cannula body to a surgical table supporting the patient.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
16 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 further comprising an illuminator for illuminating the body cavity.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 wherein the first lens device is mounted in the optical passage so as to provide a gaseous seal therein.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
33 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 further comprising: a fluid directing mechanism on the distal end of the cannula body for directing a fluid toward a surface of the first lens device.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 51 wherein the fluid comprises a gas for defogging the first lens device.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
66 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 52 wherein the fluid directing mechanism comprises a lumen extending between the distal and proximal ends of the cannula body, a connector at the proximal end in communication with the lumen for connecting to a fluid delivery source, and an opening at the distal end in communication with the lumen for directing the fluid toward a surface of the lens.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
36 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 further comprising a sleeve positionable within the optical passage in the cannula body and having an interior, the first lens device being mounted in the interior of the sleeve.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
32 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 54 wherein the sleeve seats within the passage of the cannula such that the surface of the lens device is aligned with the fluid directing device.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 further comprising a second lens device interchangeable with said first lens device.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
31 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 wherein said first lens device has a field of view between about 5° and 60° from an optical axis defined by the optical passage.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
43 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 wherein said first lens device has a field of view with an area of at least about 700 mm 2 at a distance of between about 20-80 mm from the distal end of the cannula body.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
21 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 wherein said stereoscopic viewing mechanism has a magnification factor of at least about 5.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
27 words
The percutaneous visualization system of claim 39 wherein the distal end of said cannula body has a transverse cross-sectional area less than about 113 mm 2 .
Claim 67
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of visualizing a body cavity of a patient comprising: percutaneously positioning a distal end of a cannula in the body cavity with a proximal end of the cannula disposed outside of the body cavity, the cannula having an optical passage extending between the distal and proximal ends; removably positioning a first lens device within the optical passage of the cannula; illuminating the body cavity; and looking with two laterally-separated eyes simultaneously through the optical passage in the cannula body to stereoscopically visualize the body cavity.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of visualizing a body cavity of a patient comprising: percutaneously positioning a distal end of a cannula in the body cavity with a proximal end of the cannula disposed outside of the body cavity, the cannula having an optical passage extending between the distal and proximal ends; removably positioning a first lens device within the optical passage of the cannula; illuminating the body cavity; and looking with two laterally-separated eyes simultaneously through the optical passage in the cannula body to stereoscopically visualize the body cavity.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the first lens device comprises a wide angle lens system removably positioned in the optical passage.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 61 further comprising: interchanging the first lens device with a second lens device without removing the cannula from the body cavity; and looking through the second lens device s to stereoscopically visualize the body cavity.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 63 wherein the step of interchanging comprises: removing a first sleeve from the optical passage in the cannula, the first lens device being mounted in the first sleeve; and positioning a second sleeve in the optical passage in the cannula, the second lens device being mounted in the second sleeve.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the optical passage in the cannula has a taper of at least 5°.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the step of looking further comprises looking through a magnifying lens disposed in optical alignment with the optical passage.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 66 wherein the magnifying lens is in a stereo microscope, the method further comprising positioning the microscope in optical alignment with the optical passage of the cannula after the cannula has been positioned in the patient's body.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the step of illuminating comprises transmitting light into the body cavity through an optical fiber mounted to the cannula.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the cannula is positioned in an intercostal space between two of the patient's ribs.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the step of looking comprises visualizing a heart within a thorax of the patient.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 70 further comprising performing surgery on the heart while visualizing the heart through the optical passage.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 71 wherein the step of performing surgery on the heart comprises performing coronary artery bypass surgery while visualizing the heart through the optical passage.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the cannula is positioned in an intercostal space without removal or displacement of the patient's ribs.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 73 wherein the step of looking comprises visualizing a heart within a thorax of the patient.
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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) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-07-01 | 2000-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-31 | 2004-07-01 | 2004-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-31 | 2008-07-01 | 2008-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |