Patent US3110614A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5947896A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Heart stabilizer apparatus and method for use
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
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Filing: 1996-09-20
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Granted: 1999-09-07
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Expires: 2016-09-20
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the patient such that the opening therein overlies the operative site. The operative site is percutaneously accessed, and obstructing tissue is retracted by engaging the tissue with the retractor blade. A surgical instrument is provided which is engageable with the base and operable at the operative site through the opening in the base. A surgical procedure is carried out through the opening in the base with the surgical instrument.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles R. Sherts
- 👤 David A. Nicholas
- 👤 Keith Ratcliff
- 👤 John Charles Robertson
- 👤 David Farascioni
- 👤 Daniel E. Alesi
- 👤 Patrick M. Flanagan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0293; A61B17/12; A61B17/132; A61B17/1322; A61B17/1325; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/0237; A61B2017/0243; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2901; A61B2017/2905; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61B2090/306; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005; A61B2217/007; A61B90/50; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/77
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A surgical instrument for mounting to a base, the instrument comprising: a frame defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion defining a pair of legs configured to abut a predetermined surface area of a patient's heart; an articulating arm connected to the proximal portion of the frame; and a mounting assembly operatively connected to the frame and the articulating arm, the mounting assembly including first and second opposed and relatively movable mounting portions being positionable in at least an initial configuration wherein the instrument is removable from a base, an intermediate configuration wherein the instrument is slidably connected to the base such that the frame is movable relative to the base, and a secured configuration wherein the frame is substantially fixed relative to the base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A surgical instrument for mounting to a base, the instrument comprising: a frame defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion defining a pair of legs configured to abut a predetermined surface area of a patient's heart; an articulating arm connected to the proximal portion of the frame; and a mounting assembly operatively connected to the frame and the articulating arm, the mounting assembly including first and second opposed and relatively movable mounting portions being positionable in at least an initial configuration wherein the instrument is removable from a base, an intermediate configuration wherein the instrument is slidably connected to the base such that the frame is movable relative to the base, and a secured configuration wherein the frame is substantially fixed relative to the base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 1, further comprising a bar positioned substantially transverse to the legs and configured to apply localized pressure on a coronary artery of the patient's heart disposed between said legs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the mounting assembly is lockable on the base in a predetermined position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the frame is repositionable in at least two dimensions relative to the base.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the articulating arm includes a plurality of link members arranged in a series to permit articulation of adjacent link members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 5, wherein at least some of the plurality of link members include a convex shape at a first end and a concave shape at a second end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 6, wherein the convex shape is substantially hemispherical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 1, further comprising an actuator disposed on the mounting assembly, wherein the actuator controls movement of the first and second mounting portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
229 words
A surgical instrument for mounting to a base, the instrument comprising: a mounting assembly which includes an actuator and a pair of mounting portions which are moved by the actuator; an articulating arm extending from the mounting assembly; and a tool attached to the articulating arm and operatively connected to the mounting assembly, the actuator being moveable to at least first, second and third positions such that: upon movement of the actuator to the first position, the instrument is disposed in an initial configuration wherein the mounting portions are relatively positioned to permit removal of the instrument from a base, and the articulating arm is loosely tensioned to permit flexion of the articulating arm; upon movement of the actuator to the second position, the instrument is disposed in an intermediate configuration wherein the mounting portions are relatively positioned to loosely attach the instrument to the bas the instrument to be repositioned relative to the base and the articulating arm remains substantially loosely tensioned to permit flexion of the articulating arm; and upon movement of the actuator to the third position, the instrument is disposed in a secured configuration wherein the mounting portions are relatively positioned to firmly attach the instrument to the base prevent the instrument from being easily repositioned relative to the base and the articulating arm is tensioned thereby substantially fixing the configuration of the articulating arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
229 words
A surgical instrument for mounting to a base, the instrument comprising: a mounting assembly which includes an actuator and a pair of mounting portions which are moved by the actuator; an articulating arm extending from the mounting assembly; and a tool attached to the articulating arm and operatively connected to the mounting assembly, the actuator being moveable to at least first, second and third positions such that: upon movement of the actuator to the first position, the instrument is disposed in an initial configuration wherein the mounting portions are relatively positioned to permit removal of the instrument from a base, and the articulating arm is loosely tensioned to permit flexion of the articulating arm; upon movement of the actuator to the second position, the instrument is disposed in an intermediate configuration wherein the mounting portions are relatively positioned to loosely attach the instrument to the bas the instrument to be repositioned relative to the base and the articulating arm remains substantially loosely tensioned to permit flexion of the articulating arm; and upon movement of the actuator to the third position, the instrument is disposed in a secured configuration wherein the mounting portions are relatively positioned to firmly attach the instrument to the base prevent the instrument from being easily repositioned relative to the base and the articulating arm is tensioned thereby substantially fixing the configuration of the articulating arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 9 which further includes a cable which runs from the mounting assembly through at least a portion of the articulating arm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 10, wherein proximal movement of the cable tensions the articulating arm to facilitate locking the arm into a predetermined configuration.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 9, further comprising a connector interlinking the articulating arm and the tool, the connector configured to facilitate the positioning of the tool relative to the articulating arm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 12, further comprising a flange defined on the connector to facilitate movement thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 9, wherein the tool is a heart stabilizer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 9, wherein the articulating arm includes a plurality of link members arranged in a series to permit articulation of adjacent link members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 15, wherein at least some of the plurality of link members include a convex shape at a first end and a concave shape at a second end.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A surgical instrument as in claim 16, wherein the convex shape is substantially hemispherical.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of stabilizing a portion of the tissue on the surface of the heart which comprises the steps of: positioning a stabilizing apparatus having a frame defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion defining a pair of legs such that the pair of legs abut a predetermined surface area of a patient's heart; mounting the stabilizing apparatus to a base utilizing a mounting assembly operatively connected to the frame, the mounting assembly including first and second opposed and relatively movable mounting portions being positionable in at least an initial configuration wherein the instrument is removable from a base, an intermediate configuration wherein the instrument is slidably connected to the base, and a secured configuration wherein the instrument is substantially fixed relative to the base.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of stabilizing a portion of the tissue on the surface of the heart which comprises the steps of: positioning a stabilizing apparatus having a frame defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion defining a pair of legs such that the pair of legs abut a predetermined surface area of a patient's heart; mounting the stabilizing apparatus to a base utilizing a mounting assembly operatively connected to the frame, the mounting assembly including first and second opposed and relatively movable mounting portions being positionable in at least an initial configuration wherein the instrument is removable from a base, an intermediate configuration wherein the instrument is slidably connected to the base, and a secured configuration wherein the instrument is substantially fixed relative to the base.
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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) | 2002-09-06 | 2003-03-08 | 2003-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-06 | 2007-03-08 | 2007-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-06 | 2011-03-08 | 2011-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |