Patent ID: 7241302
Filing Date: 2007-07-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An aortic punch for creating an aortotomy in a wall of a luminal structure, comprising: a housing including distal and proximal ends, first and second plungers, a first return spring and a cutting assembly; said first plunger having a barb and being movable relative to said housing to expose said barb from said distal end of said housing for piercing and catching the wall of the luminal structure; said first return spring for biasing said barb proximally toward said distal end of said housing such that said barb pulls the wall of the luminal structure into contact with said cutting assembly; and said second plunger being movable relative to said housing independent of said first plunger to rotate said cutting assembly against the wall of the luminal structure to create the aortotomy in the luminal structure; said second plunger including a rack which cooperates with a corresponding pinion disposed on a proximal end of said cutting assembly to rotate said cutting assembly when said second plunger is moved relative to said housing, said second plunger includes a second return spring which biases the plunger in a proximal direction.