US5944736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Access platform for internal mammary dissection
Assignee: Maquet Cardiovascular LLC
•
Filing: 1997-07-30
•
Granted: 1999-08-31
•
Expires: 2017-07-30
Abstract
Abstract An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and a sternal pad interconnected to a blade. The superior blade is pivotally coupled to the spreader member such that it naturally rises as the blades are separated. Alternatively, a vertical displacement member is operably interconnected to a blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the interconnected superior blade and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor is interconnected to the blades to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles S. Taylor
- 👤 William N. Aldrich
- 👤 Federico J. Benetti
- 👤 Richard S. Ginn
- 👤 Dwight P. Morejohn
- 👤 Brent Regan
- 👤 Eugene E. Reis
- 👤 Ivan Sepetka
- 👤 William F. Witt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:16
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B17/3423; A61B17/02; A61B17/0206; A61B90/00; A61B90/50; A61B17/025; A61B17/3476; A61B2017/3427; A61B2017/348; A61B2017/3482; A61B2017/349
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 93
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
An access platform comprising a spreader member, an inferior blade, an inferior blade arm connected to said spreader member and said inferior blade, a superior blade, a superior blade arm connected to said superior blade and pivotally coupled to said spreader member at a pivot positioned above said superior blade, said superior blade being freely upwardly rotatable as a spreading force from said inferior blade is transmitted to said superior blade through said pivot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
An access platform comprising a spreader member, an inferior blade, an inferior blade arm connected to said spreader member and said inferior blade, a superior blade, a superior blade arm connected to said superior blade and pivotally coupled to said spreader member at a pivot positioned above said superior blade, said superior blade being freely upwardly rotatable as a spreading force from said inferior blade is transmitted to said superior blade through said pivot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The access platform of claim 1 further comprising a sternal pad, and a sternal pad arm attached to said sternal pad at a first end and rotatably coupled to said superior blade arm adjacent said pivot at a second end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The access platform of claim 2 further comprising a ratchet formed on said superior blade arm adjacent said pivot, and a pawl pivotally mounted on said sternal pad arm and operably coupled to said ratchet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The access platform of claim 3 further comprising a drive block operably coupled to said spreader member, and a cylindrical shaft extending from said drive block, said superior blade arm and said sternal pad arm being rotatably and releasably mounted on said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The access platform of claim 1 further comprising a compression shoe, and a shoe arm attached to said compression shoe at a first end and rotatably coupled at a second end to said superior blade arm adjacent said pivot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The access platform of claim 5 further comprising a pinion housing operably coupled to said spreader member and having a moveable pivot extending therefrom, a cylindrical stem extending from said superior blade arm, said stem being rotatably received in said moveable pivot, and said sternal pad arm being rotatably mounted on said stem.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The access platform of claim 6 further comprising a moveable pivot lock mounted on said shoe arm and operably connected to said stem.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The access platform of claim 7 further comprising a vertical displacement member connected to said spreader member and operably interconnected to said compression shoe and said shoe arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The access platform of claim 8 further comprising an offset link attached to said spreader member, and an adjustable offset drive screw operably connected to said offset link and said shoe arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The access platform of claim 9 further comprising first and second spaced apart fingers formed in an end of said offset link opposite said spreader member, and a bushing rotatably captured by and extending between said first and second fingers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The access platform of claim 10 further comprising a boss extending from said shoe arm, said boss having a recess adapted to receive a hemispherical end of said adjustable offset drive screw.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The access platform of claim 1 wherein said spreader member comprises a drive base, said inferior blade arm extending from said drive base, a drive shaft operably coupled to said drive base, said superior blade arm being pivotally interconnected and operably coupled to said drive shaft, and a first handle attached to a first end of said drive shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The access platform of claim 12 further comprising a second handle rotatably coupled to said drive base and threadably connected to said drive shaft, and a carrier threadably connected to said drive shaft and translatably connected to said drive base and said drive shaft, said carrier and said second handle having oppositely wound threads, and said superior blade arm being pivotally interconnected to said carrier.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
70 words
The access platform of claim 13 further comprising a carrier arm extending upwardly and outwardly from said carrier, a branch extending from said superior blade arm, said branch being pivotally captured by said carrier arm at said pivot positioned above said superior blade, and a tab extending downwardly from said branch of said superior blade arm and operably contacting a second end of said drive shaft extending beyond said carrier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The access platform of claim 14 further comprising a sternal pad, and a sternal pad arm extending from said drive base and connecting to said sternal pad.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The access platform of claim 15 further comprising a bearing support extending upwardly from said drive base, and a bearing coupled to said bearing support, said second handle being rotatably coupled to said bearing, said drive shaft being slidably received through said bearing and said bearing support.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The access platform of claim 16 wherein said bearing support, drive base, inferior blade, inferior blade arm, sternal pad and sternal pad arm are formed from one-piece construction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The access platform of claim 1 further comprising a sternal pad, a sternal pad arm extending from said spreader member and connecting to said sternal pad.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
81 words
The access platform of claim 18 further comprising an offset stanchion extending upwardly from said sternal pad arm, said superior blade arm being pivotally mounted to said offset stanchion at said pivot located above said superior blade, a compression member extending from said offset stanchion, a counter-lift tab extending from said superior blade arm adjacent said offset stanchion in spaced relation with said compression member, and an offset spring interposing and operably coupling to said compression member and said counter-lift tab.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The access platform of claim 19 wherein said inferior blade arm is translatably coupled to said spreader member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The access platform of claim 20 wherein said compression member is pivotally connected to said offset stanchion and adjustably interconnected to said spreader member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The access platform of claim 21 further comprising an offset lead screw threadably connected to said compression member and rotatably interconnected to said spreader member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
The access platform of claim 1 further comprising a tissue retractor mounted to said superior blade.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The access platform of claim 23 wherein said tissue retractor comprises a plurality of interconnected fingers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
47 words
The access platform of claim 24 further comprising a positioner mounted to said superior blade and rotatably coupled to said plurality of interconnected fingers, said plurality of interconnected fingers being freely rotatable in a first direction and prevented from rotating in a second direction by said positioner.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
62 words
The access platform of claim 25 wherein said positioner comprises an elongated base mounted to said superior blade, a guide attaching to said base and extending along said base, a brake radially extending from said guide and extending along said base, and a sleeve interconnected to said plurality of interconnected fingers, said sleeve being rotatably mounted over said guide and said brake.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The access platform of claim 26, wherein said positioner further comprises a flexure interconnecting said guide to said brake.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
48 words
The access platform of claim 27, wherein said guide comprises a central portion integrally formed with said base and outer portions formed in a spaced relation with said base, and said positioner further comprises a tab extending upwardly from said brake adjacent said central portion of said guide.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The access platform of claim 28, wherein said brake is generally pie-shaped and includes a radius that is sized to direct said brake into contact with said sleeve to inhibit the rotation of said sleeve in the second direction.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
52 words
The access platform of claim 24 wherein said tissue retractor comprises a retractor arm rotatably coupled at a first end to said superior blade arm, a spindle extending outwardly from a second end of said retractor arm, and an elastic sheet attached to and extending between said spindle and said second blade.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The access platform of claim 1 wherein said spreader member includes a block and tackle drive mechanism.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The access platform of claim 31 wherein said block and tackle mechanism includes a clutch.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The access platform of claim 32 wherein said clutch comprises a clutch housing, a cylindrical capstand rotatably mounted in said clutch housing, and a hub releasably coupled to and coaxially mounted within said capstand.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
91 words
The access platform of claim 33 wherein said clutch further comprises first and second dowel pins extending longitudinally along the exterior of said hub, said first and second dowel pins being partially captured in first and second recesses along the interior of said capstand, and partially captured within a slot bored through said hub, and a spring mechanism positioned within said slot of said hub and interposed between said first and second dowel pins, said spring mechanism biasing said dowel pins outwardly into said first and second recesses of said capstand.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
54 words
The access platform of claim 1 wherein the spreader member further comprises a gear driven lead screw having first and second portions with oppositely wound threads thereon, and first and second drive blocks operably interconnected to said first and second portions of said gear driven lead screw and said inferior and superior blade arms.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
91 words
The access platform of claim 1 wherein said spreader member comprises a spreader base, an harmonic gear drive mounted in said spreader base, first and second spreader arms coupled to said harmonic gear drive, first and second blade arm mounts pivotally coupled to said inferior and superior blade arms, first and second spreader links pivotally coupled to said first and second spreader arms and first and second blade arm mounts, respectively, and first and second guide links pivotally connected to said first and second blade arm mounts and said spreader base.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The access platform of claim 1 wherein said spreader member comprises a lead screw, a carrier threadably mounted on said lead screw, and a plurality of links pivotally connected to said carrier and said inferior and superior blade arms.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The access platform of claim 1 wherein said superior blade is convertible from a spreader type blade to a lifting type blade.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The access platform of claim 38 wherein said superior blade further comprises a slot formed therein, and an elongated vane member foldably received within said slot.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
The access platform of claim 38 wherein said superior blade comprises a slot formed therein, and a flexible and extensible elongated vane member slidably received within said slot.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The access platform of claim 40, wherein said extensible flexible vane member is flexible in a first direction and comprises a restraint to prevent flexing in a second direction.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
107 words
The access platform of claim 38 wherein said superior blade comprises a spreader blade member having a groove formed in its upper portion and a tongue extending from its lower portion, and an offset blade member detachably coupled to said spreader blade member, said offset blade member comprising a throat section having a recess formed therein, a tongue extending from an upper portion of said recess to mate with said groove of said spreader blade member, a groove formed in the lower portion of said recess to mate with said tongue of said spreader blade member, and an elongated vane portion extending out from the throat section.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The access platform of claim 1 wherein said superior blade includes a forced tapering flexible edge extending from and coupled to one end of said superior blade via a tongue and groove type connector.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
The access platform of claim 1 wherein said superior blade comprises a tissue retractor formed integrally therewith.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
The access platform of claim 1 wherein said superior blade comprises a plurality of access mounts formed on the back side of said superior blade.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The access platform of claim 45 wherein a heart stabilizer is mounted in one of said plurality of access mounts.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
21 words
The access platform of claim 45 wherein a malleable shaft blower is mounted in one of said plurality of access mounts.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
The access platform of claim 45 wherein a flexible blower and hose is coupled to one of said plurality of access mounts.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
The access platform of claim 45 wherein a suction boot is mounted in one of said plurality of access mounts.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
The access platform of claim 45 wherein a surgical clip is mounted in one of said plurality of access mounts.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The access platform of claim 45 wherein a light source is mounted in one of said plurality of access mounts.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
32 words
The access platform of claim 1 further comprising a surgical clip, a mount coupled to said superior blade arm, and a stem extending from said mount and connecting to said surgical clip.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
The access platform of claim 52 further comprising an intermediate mounting block interposed between said mount and said superior blade arm, and coupled to said superior blade arm.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
The access platform of claim 53 wherein said intermediate mounting block comprises input ports providing is access to sources of suction, aeration and electrical power.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
32 words
The access platform of claim 53 wherein said intermediate mounting block further comprises output lumens to interconnect surgical tools to sources of suction, aeration and electrical power interconnected to said input ports.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The access platform of claim 1 further comprising a light panel electrically coupled to a light source and mounted to said superior blade and said superior blade arm.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
16 words
The access platform of claim 56 wherein said light panel comprises a light directing contoured surface.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
25 words
The access platform of claim 1 wherein said superior blade arm comprises a universal port providing access to sources of electrical power, aeration and suction.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
The access platform of claim 58 wherein said superior blade arm further comprises an on/off switch coupled to said universal port.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
23 words
The access platform of claim 59 wherein said on/off switch operably locks a universal connector in an engaged position with said universal port.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
80 words
The access platform of claim 1 wherein said superior blade comprises an embedded electrical source extending along the back side of said superior blade, a first dovetail slot extending along the backside of said superior blade, a slide slidably received in said first dovetail slot, said slide comprising a second dovetail slot formed therein, and a connector received in said second dovetail slot, said connector including a push button that electrically couples a surgical tool to said embedded electrical source.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
47 words
The access platform of claim 1 further comprising a suture holder coupled to said inferior and superior blade arms, said suture holder surrounding an access area between said inferior and superior blades when said inferior and superior blades are positioned within an incision in a patient's chest.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
14 words
The access platform of claim 62 wherein said suture holder is constructed from felt.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
The access platform of claim 62 wherein the suture holder is constructed from foam.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
14 words
The access platform of claim 62 wherein the suture holder is constructed from rubber.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
41 words
A self-aligning access platform comprising first and second blades, a first blade arm connected to said first blade, a second blade arm operably coupled to said first blade arm, and a flexure interconnecting said second blade to said second blade arm.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
41 words
A self-aligning access platform comprising first and second blades, a first blade arm connected to said first blade, a second blade arm operably coupled to said first blade arm, and a flexure interconnecting said second blade to said second blade arm.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
27 words
The self-aligning access platform of claim 66, further comprising first and second flexures forming a "V"-shaped blade mount interconnecting said second blade arm to said second blade.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
28 words
The self-aligning access platform of claim 66, further comprising a tension member connected to said second blade at a second flexure and interconnected to said second blade arm.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bladeless access platform comprising a tubular body having top and bottom edges, and a pair of elongated handles extending upwardly from the top of said tubular body.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
28 words
A bladeless access platform comprising a tubular body having top and bottom edges, and a pair of elongated handles extending upwardly from the top of said tubular body.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
18 words
The bladeless access platform of claim 69 wherein said tubular body comprises sidewalls that are concave in shape.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
35 words
A bladeless access platform comprising a hollow conically shaped body having a first tip portion releasably coupled to a second portion, and a plurality of threads formed on the exterior of said conically shaped body.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
35 words
A bladeless access platform comprising a hollow conically shaped body having a first tip portion releasably coupled to a second portion, and a plurality of threads formed on the exterior of said conically shaped body.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bladeless access platform of claim 71, wherein said conically shaped body further comprises a third portion releasably coupled to said second portion.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
25 words
The bladeless access platform of claim 72, further comprising splined connections that interconnect said second portion to said first tip portion and said third portion.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
22 words
The bladeless access platform of claim 72, further comprising locking tabs positioned within locking grooves formed within said second and third portions.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
26 words
The bladeless access platform of claim 72, further comprising finger or drive tool pockets formed in the interior of said first tip, second and third portions.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
62 words
An access platform comprising first and second blades, and an offset spreader assembly including a handle pivotally mounted at one of its ends to said first blade and at a midpoint to said second blade to spread and raise the second blade relative to the first blade in one motion, and a guide link pivotally connected to said first and second blades.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
62 words
An access platform comprising first and second blades, and an offset spreader assembly including a handle pivotally mounted at one of its ends to said first blade and at a midpoint to said second blade to spread and raise the second blade relative to the first blade in one motion, and a guide link pivotally connected to said first and second blades.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
47 words
The access platform of claim 76 wherein said handle of said offset spreader is "U"-shaped and is pivotally connected to said first and second blades adjacent opposing ends of said first and second blades, and a second guide link pivotally connected to said first and second blades.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
74 words
The access platform of claim 76, further comprising a first blade mount extending upwardly from said first blade and a second mount extending downwardly from said second blade, said first blade mount being pivotally mounted to said handle at a midpoint of said handle and said second blade mount being pivotally mounted to said handle at one of its end, and said guide link being pivotally mounted to said first and second blade mounts.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
59 words
The access platform of claim 78, wherein said offset spreader assembly is releasably mounted to said first and second blades and further comprises a dovetail assembly comprising first and second tails formed in said first and second blade mounts, and first and second pins extending from said first and second blades to mate with said first and second tails.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
20 words
The access platform of claim 79, further comprising an offset positioner assembly releasably coupled to said first and second blades.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
49 words
The access platform of claim 80, wherein said offset positioner assembly further comprises first and second position mounts formed on said first and second blades, a positioning arm releasably coupled to said first and second position mounts, and a sternal pad and arm rotatably coupled to said positioning arm.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
30 words
The access platform of claim 81, further comprising a pawl pivotally coupled to said sternal pad arm and operably connected to a ratchet which is interconnected to said positioning arm.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
59 words
The access platform of claim 82, wherein said positioning arm further comprises first and second splined shafts extending from said positioner arm adjacent first and second ends of said positioning arm, said splined shafts being received in and discreetly coupled to first and second splined holes formed in said first and second position mounts on first and second blades.
Claim 89
Independent Claim
236 words
A method for dissecting an internal mammary artery comprising the steps of positioning a superior blade, superior blade arm, sternal pad arm and sternal pad of an access platform on the patient's chest, the superior blade arm extends from the superior blade and is rotatably coupled to the sternal pad arm which extends from the sternal pad, inserting the superior blade into an incision in the patient's chest wall, sliding the superior blade under the superior ribs adjacent to the incision, adjusting the sternal pad downwardly to the patient's chest by rotating the pad arm relative to the superior blade arm, aligning an inferior blade and spreader member of the access platform on the patient's chest, the inferior blade being coupled to the spreader member, inserting the inferior blade into the incision in the patient's chest, coupling the superior blade, superior blade arm, sternal pad and sternal pad arm rotatably to the spreader member of the access platform at a pivot point above the superior blade, spreading apart the inferior and superior blades and corresponding ribs, transmitting a spreading force from the inferior blade to the superior blade through the pivot located above the superior blade at a position where the superior blade, superior blade arm, sternal pad and sternal pad arm are rotatably coupled to said spreader member, rotating said superior blade upwardly around the pivot to offset the superior ribs, and dissecting the IMA.
Claim 90
Independent Claim
236 words
A method for dissecting an internal mammary artery comprising the steps of positioning a superior blade, superior blade arm, sternal pad arm and sternal pad of an access platform on the patient's chest, the superior blade arm extends from the superior blade and is rotatably coupled to the sternal pad arm which extends from the sternal pad, inserting the superior blade into an incision in the patient's chest wall, sliding the superior blade under the superior ribs adjacent to the incision, adjusting the sternal pad downwardly to the patient's chest by rotating the pad arm relative to the superior blade arm, aligning an inferior blade and spreader member of the access platform on the patient's chest, the inferior blade being coupled to the spreader member, inserting the inferior blade into the incision in the patient's chest, coupling the superior blade, superior blade arm, sternal pad and sternal pad arm rotatably to the spreader member of the access platform at a pivot point above the superior blade, spreading apart the inferior and superior blades and corresponding ribs, transmitting a spreading force from the inferior blade to the superior blade through the pivot located above the superior blade at a position where the superior blade, superior blade arm, sternal pad and sternal pad arm are rotatably coupled to said spreader member, rotating said superior blade upwardly around the pivot to offset the superior ribs, and dissecting the IMA.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 84 further comprising the steps of connecting a vertical displacement member to the spreader member and the sternal pad arm, and adjusting the vertical displacement member to further offset the superior ribs once said inferior and superior blades are separated.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 84 further comprising the steps of sterilizing the access platform, and packaging the access platform in a sterile package.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 84 further comprising the steps of inhibiting the upward rotation of the superior blade by applying a spring force to a counterlift tab attached to the superior blade arm.
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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) | 2002-08-30 | 2003-03-01 | 2003-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-30 | 2007-03-01 | 2007-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-30 | 2011-03-01 | 2011-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |