Patent US3647593A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5807243A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for isolating a surgical site
Assignee: Heartport Inc
•
Filing: 1996-02-20
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Granted: 1998-09-15
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Expires: 2016-02-20
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a system and method for performing less-invasive surgical procedures within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for isolating a surgical site such as an anastomosis between an internal mammary artery and a coronary artery in a thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting procedure. The system comprises a foot (11) pivotally coupled to the distal end of a shaft (3) by a linkage (13). The foot has first and second engaging portions (15, 17) with contact surfaces for engaging a tissue surface. The engaging portions are movable between an open position, where the contact surfaces are separated by a gap, and a collapsed position, where the foot is configured for delivery through the percutaneous penetration. An actuator, at the proximal end of the shaft, can be rotated to pivot the foot about a transverse axis so that the contact surfaces are oriented generally parallel to the surgical site to apply pressure to the tissue structure on both sides of the surgical site.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark A. Vierra
- 👤 Alex T. Roth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/0483; A61B17/06; A61B17/062; A61B17/11; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B17/02; A61B2017/0237; A61B2017/0243; A61B2017/1107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for stabilizing a patient's heart for performing a medical procedure on a coronary artery, the method comprising the steps of: providing a heat engaging member and a shaft, the shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the heart engaging member being coupled to the shaft, the heart engaging member including first and second arms each having an atraumatic contact surface adapted for engaging a patient's heart for performing a medical procedure on the patient's heart, the first and second arms each extending from the shaft to a free end, the free ends of the first and second arms being spaced apart for stabilizing a portion of the patient's heart between the first and second arms, the contact surfaces not facing one another and being oriented in generally the same direction; introducing the heart engaging member into the patient's thoracic cavity; engaging the patient's heart with the contact surfaces of the first and second arms thereby stabilizing a portion of the patient's heart; and performing a medical procedure on a coronary artery while the portion of the patient's heart is stabilized by the first and second arms.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
A method for stabilizing a patient's heart for performing a medical procedure on a coronary artery, the method comprising the steps of: providing a heat engaging member and a shaft, the shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the heart engaging member being coupled to the shaft, the heart engaging member including first and second arms each having an atraumatic contact surface adapted for engaging a patient's heart for performing a medical procedure on the patient's heart, the first and second arms each extending from the shaft to a free end, the free ends of the first and second arms being spaced apart for stabilizing a portion of the patient's heart between the first and second arms, the contact surfaces not facing one another and being oriented in generally the same direction; introducing the heart engaging member into the patient's thoracic cavity; engaging the patient's heart with the contact surfaces of the first and second arms thereby stabilizing a portion of the patient's heart; and performing a medical procedure on a coronary artery while the portion of the patient's heart is stabilized by the first and second arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the providing step is carried out with the first and second arms being movable relative to one another between a collapsed position and an expanded position, the first and second arms being closer to one another when in the collapsed position as compared to the expanded position; and the introducing step being carried out with the first and second arms being in the collapsed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of: moving the first and second arms from the collapsed position to the expanded position after the introducing step; the engaging step being carried out with the first and second arms being in the expanded position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the engaging step is carried out with the contact surfaces being positioned so that an anastomosis site on the coronary artery is positioned between the first and second arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the providing step is carried out with the heart engaging member being configured to pivot relative to the shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: the providing step is carried out with the shaft including a lumen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of: introducing a fluid into the patient's thoracic cavity through the lumen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6, wherein: the providing step is carried out with the first and second arms having openings in communication with the lumen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: coupling the lumen to a vacuum source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the engaging step is carried out by applying pressure to the patient's heart with the heart engaging member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the engaging step is carried out so that the heart engaging member engages opposite sides of anastomosis site.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the procedure performing step is a coronary artery bypass.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
232 words
A method for engaging a patient's heart for performing a surgical procedure on a coronary artery, the method comprising the steps of: providing a heart engaging member and a shaft, the shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the heart engaging member being movably coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the heart engaging member having an atraumatic contact surface adapted for engaging a patient's heart for performing a surgical procedure on the patient's heart; introducing the heart engaging member into a patient's thoracic cavity; engaging the patient's heart with the heart engaging member; performing a procedure on the patient's heart; the providing step is carried out with the heart engaging member having first and second engaging portions movably coupled to the shaft, the first and second engaging portions being movable relative to one another between a collapsed position and an expanded position; and the introducing step being carried out with the fist and second engaging members being in the collapsed position; the providing step being carried out with the heart engaging member adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of a surgical site on a coronary artery of the patient's heart when in the expanded position; the moving step being carried out with the first and second members having a gap therebetween when in the expanded position, the gap having a width in a range of 20-40 mm.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
232 words
A method for engaging a patient's heart for performing a surgical procedure on a coronary artery, the method comprising the steps of: providing a heart engaging member and a shaft, the shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the heart engaging member being movably coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the heart engaging member having an atraumatic contact surface adapted for engaging a patient's heart for performing a surgical procedure on the patient's heart; introducing the heart engaging member into a patient's thoracic cavity; engaging the patient's heart with the heart engaging member; performing a procedure on the patient's heart; the providing step is carried out with the heart engaging member having first and second engaging portions movably coupled to the shaft, the first and second engaging portions being movable relative to one another between a collapsed position and an expanded position; and the introducing step being carried out with the fist and second engaging members being in the collapsed position; the providing step being carried out with the heart engaging member adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of a surgical site on a coronary artery of the patient's heart when in the expanded position; the moving step being carried out with the first and second members having a gap therebetween when in the expanded position, the gap having a width in a range of 20-40 mm.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for engaging a patent's heart for performing a surgical procedure on a coronary artery, the method comprising the steps of: providing a heart engaging member and a shaft, the shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the heart engaging member being movably coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the heart engaging member having an atraumatic contact surface adapted for engaging a patient's heart for performing a surgical procedure on the patient's heart; introducing the heart engaging member into a patient's thoracic cavity; engaging the patient's heart with the heart engaging member; and performing a procedure on the patient's heart; the providing step is carried out with the heart engaging member having a suture holder.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for engaging a patent's heart for performing a surgical procedure on a coronary artery, the method comprising the steps of: providing a heart engaging member and a shaft, the shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the heart engaging member being movably coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the heart engaging member having an atraumatic contact surface adapted for engaging a patient's heart for performing a surgical procedure on the patient's heart; introducing the heart engaging member into a patient's thoracic cavity; engaging the patient's heart with the heart engaging member; and performing a procedure on the patient's heart; the providing step is carried out with the heart engaging member having a suture holder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of: applying a suture to the patient; and positioning the suture in the suture holder.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 15 wherein: the providing step is carried out with the suture holder having at least one slot on an upper surface of the heart engaging member for frictionally engaging the suture, the upper surface being positioned opposite the contact surface.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for engaging a patient's heart for performing a surgical procedure on a coronary artery, the method comprising the steps of: providing a heart engaging member and a shaft, the shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the heart engaging member being movably coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the heart engaging member having an atraumatic contact surface adapted for engaging a patient's heart for performing a surgical procedure on the patient's heart; introducing the heart engaging member into a patient's thoracic cavity; engaging the patient's heart with the heart engaging member; and performing a procedure on the patient's heart; the providing step is carried out with the heart engaging member being ring-shaped with a central opening; the engaging step being carried out with the central opening surrounding a surgical site on the patient's coronary artery.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for engaging a patient's heart for performing a surgical procedure on a coronary artery, the method comprising the steps of: providing a heart engaging member and a shaft, the shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the heart engaging member being movably coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the heart engaging member having an atraumatic contact surface adapted for engaging a patient's heart for performing a surgical procedure on the patient's heart; introducing the heart engaging member into a patient's thoracic cavity; engaging the patient's heart with the heart engaging member; and performing a procedure on the patient's heart; the providing step is carried out with the heart engaging member being ring-shaped with a central opening; the engaging step being carried out with the central opening surrounding a surgical site on the patient's coronary artery.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: applying pressure to the heart with the heart engaging member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17, wherein: the providing step is carried out with the heart engaging member being pivotally coupled to the shaft.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17, wherein: the providing step is carried out with a lumen extending through the shaft, the heart engaging member having outlets coupled to the lumen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of: coupling the lumen to a vacuum source.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17 wherein: the procedure performing step is a coronary artery bypass.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of stabilizing a surgical site on a patient's heart, comprising the steps of: introducing a heart engaging member pivotally coupled to a shaft into a patient's thoracic cavity, the heart engaging member having a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion each having a contact surface; engaging the patient's heart with the contact surfaces such that a surgical site lies between the first and second engaging portions; and performing a surgical procedure on the surgical site while applying pressure to the patient's heart on opposing sides of the surgical site on the patient's heart with the contact surfaces of the first and second engaging portions thereby stabilizing the surgical site.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of stabilizing a surgical site on a patient's heart, comprising the steps of: introducing a heart engaging member pivotally coupled to a shaft into a patient's thoracic cavity, the heart engaging member having a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion each having a contact surface; engaging the patient's heart with the contact surfaces such that a surgical site lies between the first and second engaging portions; and performing a surgical procedure on the surgical site while applying pressure to the patient's heart on opposing sides of the surgical site on the patient's heart with the contact surfaces of the first and second engaging portions thereby stabilizing the surgical site.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of: creating an opening in a coronary artery; the engaging step being carried out so that pressure is applied to the coronary artery to occlude the coronary artery.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23 wherein: the surgical procedure performing step includes connecting a free end of a vessel to the coronary artery at the opening.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 25 further comprising the step of: applying pressure to the vessel to stabilize the free end of the vessel with respect to the coronary artery to facilitate connecting the coronary artery and the vessel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of: retaining a first free end of a suture at the heart engaging member while suturing with a second free end of the suture.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of: delivering fluid to the surgical site through a lumen in the shaft and an outlet hole in the heart engaging member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 23 further including the step of: creating a fluid reservoir so that the surgical site is immersed in the fluid reservoir.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 23 wherein: the introducing step comprises moving the first and second engaging portions into a collapsed configuration and inserting the first and second engaging portions through a percutaneous intercostal penetration.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of: moving the first and second engaging portions from the collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration after the introducing step.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23 wherein: the providing step is carried out with the heart engaging member including an annular ring having an opening.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 23 further including the step of: viewing an internal portion of the patient's chest through a viewing device extending through an intercostal penetration in the patient.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 33 further including the step of: repositioning the patient's heart by applying a force to the heart engaging member so that the coronary artery is visible through the viewing device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 23 wherein: the providing step is carried out so that the contact surface has an arcuate portion that generally conforms to a curvature of the heart.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the arcuate portion has a radius of curvature between 3 and 5 cm.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: the providing step is carried out with the heart engaging member including first and second arms having the first and second engaging portions, respectively.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: the providing step is carried out with the heart engaging member having openings coupled to a lumen.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 38, wherein: the providing step is carried out with the lumen coupled to a vacuum source.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 23, wherein: the procedure performing step is a coronary artery bypass.
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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) | 2001-09-14 | 2002-03-16 | 2002-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-14 | 2006-03-16 | 2006-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-14 | 2010-03-16 | 2010-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |