Patent ID: 6425902
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A surgical instrument for holding a piece of tissue in a configuration of at least one leaflet of an open circulatory system valve to facilitate surgical attachment of the tissue, the instrument comprising:a. an inner member having a proximal end comprising a handle portion and a distal end comprising an inner tissue holding portion, the inner tissue holding portion comprising one or more of inner leaves; b. an outer member disposed about the inner member, the outer member comprising an outer tissue holding portion, the outer tissue holding portion comprising one or more of outer leaves, wherein the outer leaves are complementary and engagable with the inner leaves; and c. an actuator for moving the outer leaves radially inward and outward with respect to the inner leaves, so that the outer leaves may be separated from the inner leaves to allow placement of the tissue on the inner leaves, and the outer leaves may be moved radially inward to hold the tissue between the leaves in a configuration of at least one leaflet of an open circulatory system valve.