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US6464630B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 2000-01-28
•
Granted: 2002-10-15
•
Expires: 2020-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissue to thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area without significant deterioration of the pumping function of the beating heart. The local area of heart tissue is immobilized to a degree sufficient to permit minimally invasive or micro-surgery on that area of the heart. The present invention features a suction device to accomplish the immobilization. The suction device is coupled to a source of negative pressure. The suction device has a series of suction ports on one surface. Suction through the device causes suction to be maintained at the ports. The device further is shaped to conform to the surface of the heart. Thus, when the device is placed on the surface of the heart and suction is created, the suction through the ports engages the surface of the heart. The suction device is further fixed or immobilized to a stationary object, such as an operating table or a sternal or rib retractor. Thus, the local area of the heart near the suction device is temporarily fixed or immobilized relative to the stationary object while suction is maintained. In such a fashion, the coronary artery may be immobilized even though the heart itself is still beating so that a bypass graft may be performed. In addition the suction device may be used in either a conventional, open-chest environment or in a minimally-invasive environment, e.g. endoscopic.
Inventors
- 👤 Cornelius Borst
- 👤 Hendricus J. Mansvelt Beck
- 👤 Paul F. Gründeman
- 👤 Erik W. L. Jansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B90/00; A61B90/50; A61B17/0206; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00681; A61B2017/00694; A61B2017/00703; A61B2017/0237; A61B2017/0243; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306; A61B18/00; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00273; A61B2018/00291
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and means for rigidly fixing the member to a stationary object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and means for rigidly fixing the member to a stationary object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the member comprises an arm couple to a member by a bendable section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the arm and member are parallel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the member is oriented at a ninety degree angle relative to the arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the member has a first and a second suction port positioned within the first surface, the first and the second suction ports communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the first and the second suction ports.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the member has a first, a second and a third suction port positioned within the first surface in a first linear relationship to each other, the suction ports communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction ports.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 6 further comprising a fourth suction port positioned within the first surface next to the first, the second and the third suction ports positioned within the first surface in the first linear relationship to each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the means for fixing the member to a stationary object comprises a ball and socket arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the ball and socket arm comprises a first tube coupled at a first end to a spherical ball having a ball radius, the first end having a hemispherical shape with a radius substantially similar to the ball radius.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The device of claim 9 wherein the ball has a lumen completely therethrough, a taper bushing position with the lumen, the taper bushing having a passage way thereout which has a first diameter at a first end, a second diameter in the middle and a first diameter at a end opposite the first end, the first diameter larger than the second diameter.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
90 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: a suction source; a member having a first surface, a suction port positioned within the first surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port; and first and second shaped anchors of a rigid biocompatible material fixing the member to a stationary object, the first anchor fixed to a first side of an operating table and the second anchor fixed to a second side of the operating table.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
90 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: a suction source; a member having a first surface, a suction port positioned within the first surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port; and first and second shaped anchors of a rigid biocompatible material fixing the member to a stationary object, the first anchor fixed to a first side of an operating table and the second anchor fixed to a second side of the operating table.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 11 wherein the first anchor and the second anchor are coupled together by a truss, the truss coupled to each bottom end of each first anchor and the second anchor, the truss positioned below the surgical table.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 11 wherein a retractor is coupled to the first anchor and to the second anchor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 13 wherein a mounting rail is coupled to the first anchor and to the second anchor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 13 wherein a mounting rail is coupled to the retractor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the truss comprises a first descending member fixed to the first anchor and a second descending member fixed to the second anchor, a first and a second brace coupled across each other and fixed to each of the first and the second descending members.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
220 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: a suction source; a member having a first surface, a suction port positioned within the first surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port, the suction source having a first suction line and a second suction line, each suction line having a stopcock disposed thereon to selectively permit the transmission of suction along each suction line, each suction line coupled to the member, the member having an arm, the arm having a first lumen into which the first suction line is coupled and a second lumen into which the second suction line is coupled, a first bendable neck coupled to the first lumen and a second bendable neck coupled to the second lumen, and an encircling member, the encircling member having a first circular arm having a first set of suction ports and a second circular side having a second set of suction ports, the encircling member coupled to the first neck and the second neck such tat suction in the first line is transmitted to the first set of suction ports and suction from the second line is transmitted to the second set of suction ports; and means for fixing the member to a stationary object.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
220 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: a suction source; a member having a first surface, a suction port positioned within the first surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port, the suction source having a first suction line and a second suction line, each suction line having a stopcock disposed thereon to selectively permit the transmission of suction along each suction line, each suction line coupled to the member, the member having an arm, the arm having a first lumen into which the first suction line is coupled and a second lumen into which the second suction line is coupled, a first bendable neck coupled to the first lumen and a second bendable neck coupled to the second lumen, and an encircling member, the encircling member having a first circular arm having a first set of suction ports and a second circular side having a second set of suction ports, the encircling member coupled to the first neck and the second neck such tat suction in the first line is transmitted to the first set of suction ports and suction from the second line is transmitted to the second set of suction ports; and means for fixing the member to a stationary object.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
93 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: a suction source; a member having a first surface, a suction port positioned within the first surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port; and a mounting beam having means for fixing the member to the mounting beam, the mounting beam having a first section and a second section, means for spreading apart the first section from the second section and means for mounting mounting beam to a stationary object.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
93 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: a suction source; a member having a first surface, a suction port positioned within the first surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port; and a mounting beam having means for fixing the member to the mounting beam, the mounting beam having a first section and a second section, means for spreading apart the first section from the second section and means for mounting mounting beam to a stationary object.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
154 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: a suction source; a member having a first surface, a suction port positioned within the first surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port; and a ball and socket arm fixing the member to a stationary object the ball and socket arm having a series of tube portions joined together by a series of ball portions, the tube portions having ends which mate with the ball portions, the ends hemispherically shaped to correspond to the ball portions, the tube portions having ends hemispherically shaped to correspond to the ball portions, a cable disposed throughout the series of ball portions and tube portions, the ball portions having means for maintaining the same length of the cable within the arm regardless of the orientation of any tube portion to an adjacent ball portion.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
154 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: a suction source; a member having a first surface, a suction port positioned within the first surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port; and a ball and socket arm fixing the member to a stationary object the ball and socket arm having a series of tube portions joined together by a series of ball portions, the tube portions having ends which mate with the ball portions, the ends hemispherically shaped to correspond to the ball portions, the tube portions having ends hemispherically shaped to correspond to the ball portions, a cable disposed throughout the series of ball portions and tube portions, the ball portions having means for maintaining the same length of the cable within the arm regardless of the orientation of any tube portion to an adjacent ball portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
85 words
The device of claim 19 wherein the means for maintaining the same length of the cable within the arm regardless of the orientation of any tube portion to an adjacent ball portion comprises a tapered bushing positioned within a lumen of the ball, the tapered bushing having a passage way thereout which has a first diameter at a first end, a second diameter in the middle and a first diameter at a end opposite the first end, the first diameter larger than the second diameter.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and an elongated arm coupled to the member such that the member may be manually moved with respect to at least a portion of the arm to achieve a desired orientation with the portion of the arm at least one hinge or joint coupled to said arm; and means for remotely actuating the hinge or joint.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and an elongated arm coupled to the member such that the member may be manually moved with respect to at least a portion of the arm to achieve a desired orientation with the portion of the arm at least one hinge or joint coupled to said arm; and means for remotely actuating the hinge or joint.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 21 including means for releasably locking the position of the hinge or joint.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 22 wherein the means for locking the hinge or joint includes means for frictionally fixing the position of the hinge or joint.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
152 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and an elongated arm coupled to the member such that the member may be manually moved with respect to at least a portion of the arm to achieve a desired orientation with the portion of the arm and wherein the member is moved by deforming at least one malleable element.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
152 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and an elongated arm coupled to the member such that the member may be manually moved with respect to at least a portion of the arm to achieve a desired orientation with the portion of the arm and wherein the member is moved by deforming at least one malleable element.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
159 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and an elongated arm coupled to the member such that the member may be manually moved with respect to at least a portion of the arm to achieve a desired orientation with the portion of the arm wherein a portion of the arm is secured to a stationary support that includes a portion of a surgical table.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
159 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and an elongated arm coupled to the member such that the member may be manually moved with respect to at least a portion of the arm to achieve a desired orientation with the portion of the arm wherein a portion of the arm is secured to a stationary support that includes a portion of a surgical table.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and an elongated arm coupled to the member such that the member may be manually moved with respect to at least a portion of the arm to achieve a desired orientation with the portion of the arm wherein a portion of the arm is secured to a stationary support that includes a portion of a floor.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and an elongated arm coupled to the member such that the member may be manually moved with respect to at least a portion of the arm to achieve a desired orientation with the portion of the arm wherein a portion of the arm is secured to a stationary support that includes a portion of a floor.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and an elongated arm coupled to the member such that the member may be manually moved with respect to at least a portion of the arm to achieve a desired orientation with the portion of the arm wherein a portion of the arm is secured to a stationary support that includes a portion of a ceiling.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
158 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and an elongated arm coupled to the member such that the member may be manually moved with respect to at least a portion of the arm to achieve a desired orientation with the portion of the arm wherein a portion of the arm is secured to a stationary support that includes a portion of a ceiling.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
165 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and an elongated arm coupled to the member such that the member may be manually moved with respect to at least a portion of the arm to achieve a desired orientation with the portion of the arm wherein a portion of the arm is secured to a stationary support that includes a portion adapted to be secured to a portion of a patient.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
165 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; and an elongated arm coupled to the member such that the member may be manually moved with respect to at least a portion of the arm to achieve a desired orientation with the portion of the arm wherein a portion of the arm is secured to a stationary support that includes a portion adapted to be secured to a portion of a patient.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 28 wherein the support includes a portion adapted to be secured to a portion of a skeletal system of a patient.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 29 wherein the support includes a surgical retractor.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
128 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; an elongated arm having the member secured at an end thereof and at least one hinge or joint therein that is actuated remotely from the member.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
128 words
A device for temporarily immobilizing an area of heart wall tissue subject to motion during a surgical procedure comprising: at least one suction source; at least one member having at least one surface adapted for contacting at least a portion of heart wall tissue, at least one suction port positioned within the surface, the suction port communicating with the suction source wherein suction from the suction source is communicated to the suction port and wherein the suction port together with suction from the suction source are adapted to hold at least a portion of heart wall tissue substantially immobile against the surface; an elongated arm having the member secured at an end thereof and at least one hinge or joint therein that is actuated remotely from the member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 31 wherein the hinge or joint can be swiveled to a preferred angle with the arm.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 31 wherein the hinge or joint bas a ball and socket construction.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 31 , 32 or 33 including means for releasably locking the position of the hinge or joint.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 34 wherein the means for locking the hinge or joint includes means for frictionally fixing the position of the hinge or joint.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 34 wherein the means for releasably locking the position of the hinge includes a handle.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 31 wherein the hinge or joint includes at least one malleable element.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 31 wherein the arm is hollow.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 38 wherein the suction source communicates with the suction port through the hollow tube of the arm.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 31 wherein at least a portion of the arm is secured to a stationary support.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 40 wherein the stationary support includes a surgical table.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 40 wherein the stationary support includes a floor.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 40 wherein the stationary support includes a ceiling.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 40 wherein the stationary support includes a portion adapted to be secured to a portion of a patient.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 44 wherein the support includes a portion adapted to be secured to a portion of a skeletal system of a patient.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 45 wherein the support includes a surgical retractor.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 31 wherein the arm is adapted to extend the member into a surgical incision into the chest cavity of a patent with the hinge of joint actuated from outside the surgical incision.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 47 wherein the arm is adapted to extend the member into a mini-thoracotomy incision with the hinge or joint actuated from outside the mini-thoracotomy incision.
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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) | 2005-10-14 | 2006-04-15 | 2006-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-14 | 2010-04-15 | 2010-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-14 | 2014-04-15 | 2014-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |