Patent US6234960B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6234960B1
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Heart stabilizer apparatus
Assignee: Maquet Cardiovascular LLC
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Filing: 1998-09-30
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Granted: 2001-05-22
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Expires: 2018-09-30
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus are described to manipulate the position of the heart to provide surgical access to lateral and posterior portions of the heart. A jack apparatus connected to a surgical retractor can be positioned in the surgical cavity to produce a sideways force on the heart. A tripod apparatus can be used to hold up the heart into a desired position. A band can be attached to the heart to rotate its position. Fingers attached to the bottom of a blade on a surgical retractor can be used to manipulate the heart's position.
Inventors
- 👤 Walid N. Aboul-Hosn
- 👤 Michael Guidera
- 👤 William Russell Kanz
- 👤 Richard Milson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0206; A61B2017/0237; A61B2017/0243
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A cradle for supporting a heart within a chest cavity during cardiac surgery, comprising: a band adapted to wrap around a portion of said heart so as to leave exposed all areas of said heart other than where said band is positioned; and at least one connecting element connected to said band for holding heart in a preselected position within said chest cavity to provide surgical access to lateral or posterior heart vessels of said heart.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A cradle for supporting a heart within a chest cavity during cardiac surgery, comprising: a band adapted to wrap around a portion of said heart so as to leave exposed all areas of said heart other than where said band is positioned; and at least one connecting element connected to said band for holding heart in a preselected position within said chest cavity to provide surgical access to lateral or posterior heart vessels of said heart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cradle of claim 1 , wherein said connecting elements are connected to a surgical retractor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cradle of claim 2 , wherein said connecting elements are connected to rotatable rods on said surgical retractor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cradle of claim 1 , wherein said band is made of an elastic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cradle of claim 1 , wherein said band is adapted to wrap around the tip of said heart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cradle of claim 1 , wherein said connecting elements are made of an elastic material.
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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) | 2004-05-21 | 2004-11-20 | 2005-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-21 | 2008-11-20 | 2009-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-21 | 2012-11-20 | 2013-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |