Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6063021?dq=inventor:%22Arthur+R.+Hair%22&ei=VAy0Tsa4NYTl0QGQiqWiBA
Timestamp: 2017-04-24 00:13:25
Document Index: 189421022

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 34', 'arts 46', 'art 46', 'art 46', 'art 62', 'art 48', 'art 64', 'arts 46', 'art 46', 'art 48', 'art 48', 'art 46', 'art 90', 'art 106']

Patent US6063021 - Stabilizer for surgery - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA stabilizer is used to immobilize a portion of the heart or other organ to facilitate a surgical procedure such as anastomosis. The stabilizer comprises two, C-shaped, organ wall-contacting elements, hinged together so that they can form a continuous loop. The hinge allows the C-shaped elements to be...http://www.google.com/patents/US6063021?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6063021 - Stabilizer for surgeryAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS6063021 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/127,419Publication dateMay 16, 2000Filing dateJul 31, 1998Priority dateJul 31, 1998Fee statusLapsedAlso published asCA2334758A1, CN1311645A, EP1100393A1, WO2000006041A1Publication number09127419, 127419, US 6063021 A, US 6063021A, US-A-6063021, US6063021 A, US6063021AInventorsMosaddeq Hossain, Victor Markus, John A. Fanticola, Robert Banik, Gerard A. PowellOriginal AssigneePilling Weck IncorporatedExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (6), Referenced by (127), Classifications (10), Legal Events (6) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetStabilizer for surgery
US 6063021 AAbstract
A stabilizer is used to immobilize a portion of the heart or other organ to facilitate a surgical procedure such as anastomosis. The stabilizer comprises two, C-shaped, organ wall-contacting elements, hinged together so that they can form a continuous loop. The hinge allows the C-shaped elements to be separated so that, after surgery in which a tubular graft connected to the organ extends through the loop, the stabilizer can be released from the graft. The C-shaped elements are connected to a stem which consists of two lockably articulating parts, one of which is immediately connected to one of the C-shaped elements and aligned with the hinge axis. A spring-loaded sleeve, surrounding the last-mentioned part of the stem, has pins which engage recesses in the C-shaped parts to lock them in the closed condition, while allowing them to be opened quickly by manipulation of the sleeve. Removable, disposable pads form the organ wall-contacting surfaces. An optional light carrier provides illumination, and ports are provided in one of the C-shaped elements for suction and/or irrigation.
1. A stabilizer for immobilizing a portion of the wall of an organ during surgery comprising:a pair of organ wall-contacting elements each having a first end, a second end and an organ wall-contacting surface; and a hinge connecting the first ends of the organ wall-contacting elements wherein one of said organ wall-contacting elements can rotate relative to the other about a hinge axis transverse to the organ wall-contacting surfaces; the second ends of the organ wall-contacting elements being positioned relative to their first ends so that they can meet each other and separate from each other by rotation of said one of said organ wall-contacting elements relative to the other about the hinge, and the organ wall-contacting elements being shaped to form a loop having a central opening when said second ends meet, wherein the organ wall-contacting surfaces can contact the wall of an organ over an area substantially in the form of a continuous closed loop. 2. A stabilizer according to claim 1, including spring means for urging the second ends of the organ wall-contacting elements apart from each other.
3. A stabilizer according to claim 1, including spring means for urging the second ends of the organ wall-contacting elements apart from each other, in which said organ wall-contacting elements have overlapping parts, and holes in said overlapping parts which are aligned with each other in a direction parallel to the hinge axis when the second ends of the organ wall-contacting elements meet each other, and a locking pin extendible through said holes, when the holes are aligned with each other, for locking the organ wall-contacting elements in fixed relationship to each other.
4. A stabilizer according to claim 1, in which said organ wall-contacting elements have overlapping parts, and holes in said overlapping parts which are aligned with each other in a direction parallel to the hinge axis when the second ends of the organ wall-contacting elements meet each other, and a locking pin extendible through a hole of one of said overlapping parts and into a hole of the other of said overlapping parts, when the holes are aligned with each other, for locking the organ wall-contacting elements in fixed relationship to each other.
5. A stabilizer according to claim 1, including a stem having a stem section extending along the hinge axis, and a sleeve surrounding said stem section and movable along said stem section in the direction of the hinge axis, and in which said organ wall-contacting elements have overlapping parts, and holes in said overlapping parts which are aligned with each other in a direction parallel to the hinge axis when the second ends of the organ wall-contacting elements meet each other, the sleeve having a projection extendible through a hole of one of said overlapping parts into a hole of the other of said overlapping parts, when the holes are aligned with each other, for releasably locking the organ wall-contacting elements in fixed relationship to each other, and releasable from at least one of said holes by movement of the sleeve along the hinge axis to unlock the organ wall-contacting elements so that the second ends thereof can separate from each other.
6. A stabilizer according to claim 1, including a stem having a stem section extending along the hinge axis, and a sleeve surrounding said stem section and movable along said stem section in the direction of the hinge axis, and in which said organ wall-contacting elements have overlapping parts, and holes in said overlapping parts which are aligned with each other in a direction parallel to the hinge axis when the second ends of the organ wall-contacting elements meet each other, the sleeve having a projection extendible through a hole of one of said overlapping parts into a hole of the other of said overlapping parts, when the holes are aligned with each other, for releasably locking the organ wall-contacting elements in fixed relationship to each other, and releasable from at least one of said holes by movement of the sleeve in a first direction along the hinge axis to unlock the organ wall-contacting elements so that the second ends thereof can separate from each other, and further including spring means urging said sleeve in a direction along the hinge axis opposite to said first direction.
7. A stabilizer according to claim 1, including a stem having a first stem section fixed to one of said organ wall-contacting elements, and a second stem section connected to said first stem section by a releasably lockable, articulating joint.
8. A stabilizer according to claim 1, including a stem having a first stem section fixed to one of said organ wall-contacting elements, and a second, hollow, elongated stem section having first and second ends, the first end being connected to said first stem section by an articulating joint comprising a ball fixed to the first stem section and a socket connected to the second stem section, and including a rod extending lengthwise within the second stem section, and manipulable means, at the second end of the second stem section for urging said rod against the ball to lock the articulating joint whereby the first stem section can be held in fixed relationship to the second stem section.
9. A stabilizer according to claim 1, including a stem having first and second articulable sections, the first section of the stem being fixed to one of said organ wall-contacting elements and aligned with said hinge axis.
10. A stabilizer according to claim 1, in which each organ wall-contacting element comprises a compressible pad, and in which the organ wall-contacting surface of each said element is a surface of the pad thereof.
11. A stabilizer according to claim 1, in which each organ wall-contacting element comprises a rigid part having a compressible pad affixed thereto, and in which the organ wall-contacting surface of each said element is a surface of the compressible pad thereof.
12. A stabilizer according to claim 1, in which each organ wall-contacting element comprises a rigid part having a compressible pad removably affixed thereto, and in which the organ wall-contacting surface of each said element is a surface of the compressible pad thereof.
13. A stabilizer according to claim 1, in which each organ wall-contacting element comprises a rigid part having a plurality of holes and a pad assembly removably affixed thereto, the pad assembly comprising a flexible pad and a rigid pad-supporting member, the rigid pad-supporting member of the pad assembly of each organ wall-contacting element having plural projections mating with the plurality of holes in the rigid part of said organ wall-contacting element, in which the organ wall-contacting surface of each said element is a surface of the compressible pad thereof, and in which said projections fit into their mating holes.
14. A stabilizer according to claim 1, in which each organ wall-contacting element comprises a rigid part having a plurality of holes and a pad assembly removably affixed thereto, the pad assembly comprising a flexible pad and a rigid pad-supporting member, the rigid pad-supporting member of the pad assembly of each organ wall-contacting element having plural projections, each said projection mating with one of the plurality of holes in its rigid part, in which the organ wall-contacting surface of each said element is a surface of the compressible pad thereof, and in which each projection has a compressible enlargement which, when relaxed, is larger than the hole with which it mates, and wherein said projections fit into their mating holes with a snap fit.
15. A stabilizer according to claim 1, including a fluid conduit, and in which at least one of the organ wall-contacting members includes a plurality of ports connected to the fluid conduit.
16. A stabilizer according to claim 1, including a light-conducting conduit and means, attached to one of the organ wall-contacting elements and connected to receive light through the conduit, for receiving light from the light-conducting conduit, and emitting said light to provide illumination at a surgical site adjacent to said wall-contacting elements.
This invention relates to surgery and particularly to a surgical instrument for reducing the movement of a body organ during surgery, so that a surgeon can carry out a procedure on that organ. Although not limited to use in heart surgery, the invention has particular utility as a heart stabilizer for enabling a procedure such as a coronary artery bypass to be carried out without stopping the heart.
As used herein, the terms "stabilize" and "immobilize" should be understood as referring to reduction of the natural movement of a portion of an organ, by mechanical means, sufficiently to facilitate suturing and other surgical procedures on that organ.
As explained in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,569, granted Mar. 17, 1998, the ability to fix the position of cardiac tissue in a particular region of the heart permits the surgeon to carry out delicate surgical procedures on the beating heart while the portion of the heart on which the surgery is performed remains substantially motionless throughout the procedure. The instruments described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,569 utilize a plurality of suction ports in a surface of the instrument to immobilize a portion of the heart while reducing trauma to the tissue caused by the negative pressure. The use of suction ports is described as an improvement over a prior method in which the surgeon passes sutures through exterior tissue layers of the heart and pulls the sutures in opposite directions, stretching the tissue and thereby reducing or partially compensating for the motion caused by contractions of the heart muscles.
In several of the embodiments of the instrument described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,569, the heart-contacting device is circular or oval in shape. In carrying out a coronary artery bypass graft by anastomosis, the blood vessel which is being connected to the coronary artery must be located between the heart-contacting surface of the instrument and the outer wall of the heart. Otherwise, the instrument could not be removed. The vessel which is being connected to the coronary artery must therefore be carefully placed in the proper position before the instrument is brought into contact with the heart wall. To prevent damage to the graft, the heart wall-contacting surface of the instrument is preferably discontinuous, having one or more gaps to accommodate the graft.
With other embodiments, in which the heart-contacting surface of the instrument is semi-oval or U-shaped, or consists of two separate, parallel sections, the instrument can be brought into contact with the heart before the graft is set in place, and it can be removed after anastomosis. However, the instruments having semi-oval, U-shaped or plural separate surfaces are not as effective as the circular and oval instruments in holding a portion of the heart immobilized.
The principal object of this invention is to provide a stabilizing instrument which contacts the wall of the heart or other moving organ over an area in the form of a substantially continuous, closed loop, but which can be removed readily after anastomosis of a graft.
Another object of the invention is to provide for easy adjustment of the position of the organ wall-contacting surface of the instrument.
Still other objects of the invention include the avoidance of damage to the organ, the provision of readily replaceable compressible pads which form the organ wall-contacting surfaces, the provision of ports for drawing off fluids by suction and for irrigation, and improved illumination of the surgical site.
The stabilizer in accordance with this invention comprises a pair of organ wall-contacting elements each having a first end, a second end and a organ wall-contacting surface. The elements are hinged together by a hinge connecting the first ends of the organ wall-contacting elements so that one of the organ wall-contacting elements can rotate relative to the other about a hinge axis. The hinge axis extends transverse to the organ wall-contacting surfaces. The second ends can meet each other and separate from each other by rotation of one of said organ wall-contacting elements relative to the other about the hinge. The organ wall-contacting elements are shaped to form a loop having a central opening when the second ends meet, so that the organ wall-contacting surfaces can contact the wall of the organ over an area substantially in the form of a continuous closed loop.
In a preferred embodiment, a spring urges the second ends of the organ wall-contacting elements apart from each other. The organ wall-contacting elements have overlapping parts with holes which become aligned with each other in a direction parallel to the hinge axis when the second ends of the organ wall-contacting elements meet each other. A locking pin extends through the holes, when they are aligned, to lock the organ wall-contacting elements in fixed relationship to each other. The locking pin is preferably a projection on a movable collar surrounding a section of a stem of the stabilizer which extends along the hinge axis. The projection is releasable from at least one of the holes by manual movement of the collar along the hinge axis. Thus, by moving the collar in a first direction along the hinge axis, the heart wall-contacting elements can be unlocked, so that the second ends thereof can separate from each other. Preferably, a spring is provided to urge the collar in the opposite direction so that the organ wall-contacting elements are automatically locked in the closed condition when their second ends come together.
The stem preferably comprises a first stem section fixed to one of the organ wall-contacting elements, and a second stem section connected to the first stem section by a releasably lockable, articulating joint. The second stem section is hollow and has a rod extending lengthwise within it. The joint comprises a ball fixed to the first stem section and a socket connected to one end of the second stem section. By manual rotation of a sleeve at the opposite end of the second stem section, the rod is urged against the ball to lock the articulating joint, so that the first stem section is held in fixed relationship to the second stem section.
In a preferred embodiment of the stabilizer, each organ wall-contacting element includes a compressible pad, and the organ wall-contacting surface of each such element is a surface of the pad thereof. Each organ wall-contacting element comprises a rigid part and a pad assembly removably affixed thereto, the pad assembly comprising a flexible pad and a pad-supporting member. The pad-supporting member of the pad assembly of each organ wall-contacting element has plural projections mating with holes in the rigid part. The projections fit into their mating holes with a snap fit.
Either or both of the organ wall-contacting members may also include a plurality of ports connected to a conduit for suction to remove fluids, or for irrigation of the surgical site.
Either or both of the organ wall-contacting members may also have an attached light-emitting member connected to receive light through a flexible, light-transmitting conduit.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a heart stabilizer, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, with its hinged, heart wall-contacting elements of the foot in an opened condition;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the heart stabilizer with its heart wall-contacting elements in a closed condition;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the rear of the heart stabilizer;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the heart stabilizer of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pad which constitutes a part of one of the hinged organ wall-contacting elements in a preferred embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a vertical section through one of the heart wall-contacting elements, showing the manner in which the pad is attached to a metal component of the element; and
FIG. 7 is a vertical section through the supporting rod of the stabilizer, showing the manner of adjusting the angular position of the foot relative to the rod;
FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a modified version of the stabilizer, having a light-conducting illumination layer; and
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified version of the stabilizer, having passages and an attachment for suction.
The invention will now be described with reference to a specific embodiment designed for use as a heart stabilizer.
As shown in FIG. 1, the heart stabilizer 10, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, comprises a pair of opposed, C-shaped heart wall-contacting elements 12 and 14 at the lower end of an articulated stem 16.
The elements 12 and 14 have first ends 18 and 20 respectively, which are hinged together, and second ends 22 and 24, which are shown separated from each other in FIG. 1. The second ends 22 and 24 can be brought together as shown in FIG. 2, with a tongue 26 on element 14 mating with a groove 28 in element 12.
The stem 16 comprises a short stem section 30, which is fixed to element 12 and aligned with the axis of the hinge which connects elements 12 and 14. The lower part of stem section 30 is surrounded by a sleeve 32, having a knurled grasping part 34. As will be explained later in greater detail, the sleeve is urged downward by an internal spring, and has projections capable of locking the elements 12 and 14 in the position shown in FIG. 2, that is, with their ends 22 and 24 together to form a closed loop. The upper part of the stem includes a longer, hollow section 36. As shown in FIG. 7, this longer section has a socket 38 at its lower end, mating with ball 40 formed at the upper end of stem section 30. A knurled cap 42 is fixed to the upper end of an internal rod 44, which extends through section 36. The upper part of rod 44 has threads which are engaged with internal threads in the upper part of hollow section 36. By rotating the knurled element, the internal rod 44, extending lengthwise within the hollow stem section 36, can be pressed against ball 40. This pulls the socket 38 upward against the underside of the ball, as the rod bears downward against the upper part of the ball, thereby tightening the ball and socket joint and securing the stem sections 30 and 36 against articulation.
As shown in exploded view in FIG. 4, elements 12 and 14 have overlapping parts 46 and 48 respectively, which form the hinge. Part 46, on element 12, has an annular upper face 50, which is recessed below the upper face 52 of the forward extending part of element 12. Part 46 has a centrally located, hollow, upright, circular, cylindrical projection 54, with internal threads for connection to the threaded lower end of stem section 30. Surrounding this projection 54, and located between projection 54 and annular upper face 50, is an annular recess 56 for receiving the coiled part of a metal spring 58. A radial slot 60, connected to recess 56 and extending into annular face 50, is provided to receive a straight end part 62 of spring 58.
Part 48, on element 14 has an annular recess and a straight, radial slot (not shown), similar to recess 56 and radial slot 60, for accommodating the upper part of coil 58 and straight part 64 of the spring. The spring, and the radial slots in parts 46 and 48 are configured so that the spring urges elements 12 and 14 toward their opened condition, i.e. the condition in which their second ends 22 and 24 are separated from each other.
Part 46 also has recesses 66 and 68, opposite each other, on the outer parts of its annular upper face 50. Part 48 has a through hole 70, which receives projection 54. The size of projection 54 is such that it fits into hole 70 with almost no play. Therefore, when projection 54 is located within hole 70, the elements 12 and 14 can rotate relative to each other about the axis of projection 54, without translation or tilting relative to the axis.
The outer edge of part 48 has slots 72 and 74, opposed to each other on opposite sides of hole 70. These slots are positioned to be aligned respectively with recesses 66 and 68 when ends 22 and 24 are together. Pins 76 and 78, which extend downward from sleeve 32, extend, through slots 72 and 74 respectively, into recesses 66 and 68 to lock the elements 12 and 14 in the closed condition. The elements can be released by manually pushing upward on sleeve 32 to disengage pins 76 and 78 from recesses 66 and 68.
Sleeve 32 is continuously urged downward (in the locking direction) by an internal coil spring 80, to ensure against accidental release of the elements 12 and 14 from their locked condition, and to lock the elements in their closed condition automatically as their ends 22 and 24 are brought together. Spring 80 surrounds a pin 82, the lower end of which is threaded into projection 54. The spring is in compression between a collar 84 formed on pin 82 and an annulus 86 formed inside sleeve 32 near its lower end.
Still referring to FIG. 4, the upper part of element 12, which includes hinge part 46, is preferably formed from stainless steel or other metal or plastics material suitable for a surgical instrument. Underneath the upper part is a pad assembly 88, which comprises a rigid pad-supporting member 90 and a compressible pad 92. The pad-supporting member is preferably molded from a suitable plastics material, and the pad itself, which is adhesively secured to the supporting member, is formed from a closed-cell foamed plastics material.
Element 24 has a similar pad assembly 94. The pad assembly of each heart wall-engaging element 12 and 14 preferably extends from a location adjacent the hinge axis to the opposite end of the element, so that the pads closely approach each other at both ends, forming nearly a complete ring when the two elements 12 and 14 are in their closed condition. The hinge ends of the pad assemblies 88 and 92 can be concave and convex arcs concentric with the hinge axis and conforming to each other in order to avoid any significant gap between them.
As shown in FIG. 5, the rigid part 90 of pad assembly 88 has three upward projections 96, which fit into mating holes in the upper part of the element 12. At the upper end of each projection is a compressible enlargement which, when relaxed, is slightly larger than its mating hole, so that the projections fit into their mating holes with a snap fit. Thus, as seen in FIG. 6, projections 96 extend through holes in the upper part of element 12, with their enlargements disposed in recesses 98.
The pad assemblies are disposable, and can be prepackaged in sterilized condition and quickly attached to the remainder of the instrument, which is autoclaved before each use.
As shown in FIG. 7, the cap 42 is fixed to the upper end of rod 44. The upper end of the rod has threads which are engaged with threads in the upper end of the hollow, tubular stem section 36. Consequently, the rod can be moved axially by manual rotation of cap 42. The sleeve 38, which is engaged with the underside of ball 40 is threaded onto the lower end of stem section 36. Clockwise rotation of the cap 42 pushes the rod 44 downward against the upper part of the ball, and at the same time pulls sleeve 38 upward against the lower part of the ball. Consequently, the upper stem section can be locked frictionally to the lower stem section to prevent articulation. The upper stem section can be clamped to a retractor support (not shown) which can be mounted, for example, on a side rail of an operating table, or on a sternal retractor having a suitable provision for mounting of auxiliary retractors.
In operation, the stabilizer, with its elements 12 and 14 closed, is positioned against the heart wall over a coronary artery requiring by-pass, with the location to which the graft is to be attached exposed through the opening formed by the C-shaped, heart wall-contacting elements 12 and 14. The heart wall-contacting elements are pressed against the heart to immobilize the area to which the graft is to be attached, and secured in a fixed condition by tightening the clamp (not shown) by which the upper stem section 36 is connected to a retractor support, and tightening cap 42 to prevent articulation of the stem sections of the instrument. The graft is then connected to the artery by anastomosis. At this time, the other end of the graft will already have been attached to the aorta, and consequently it extends, through the opening between elements 12 and 14, from the aorta to the coronary artery, rather than underneath one of elements 12 and 14. To remove the instrument, the surgeon can simply pull upward on sleeve 32 to unlock elements 12 and 14. These elements then separate from each other automatically by the operation of spring 58 (FIG. 4), and the instrument can be quickly disengaged from the heart.
An auxiliary element, such as an illuminator for illumination of the surgical site, can be incorporated into the instrument, as shown in FIG. 8. A light source is connected through a fiber-optic light-conducting cable to connector 100. Light is conducted through a flexible fiber-optic cable 102 to an acrylic light-transmitting element 104 which is built into one of the heart wall-contacting elements between the hinged part 106 and the pad support 108. Element 104 conducts light to the surgical site within the opening between the heart wall-contacting elements. The auxiliary light transmitted through element 104 avoids shadows and facilitates the delicate surgical operations taking place, the view of which might otherwise be inadequate under the light provided by conventional overhead OR lighting and surgeon's headlamps. Although only one of the two heart wall-contacting elements in FIG. 8 is provided with a light-emitter, it should be understood that light-emitters can be provided on both elements. In the case of a single light-emitter on one of the two heart wall-contacting elements, the opposite element should be made sufficiently thick so that the heart wall-contacting surfaces of both elements are substantially continuous.
One or both of the heart wall-contacting elements can be provided with ducts for suction to draw excess fluids away from the surgical site, or to introduce irrigation. As shown in FIG. 9, a flexible tube 110 is connected to element 112, which has an internal passage (not shown) providing communication between tube 110 and inwardly facing openings 114. Suction and irrigation openings can be provided in both of the heart wall-contacting elements, if desired.
It should be understood that the instrument, although described with particular reference to heart surgery, can be used to immobilize parts of other organs, such as the stomach, the intestines, the lungs, the aorta, etc. For example, the stabilizer can be used for anastomosis in procedures such as gastrostomy, colostomy, etc.
Various modifications can be made to the instruments described. For example, although the alignment of the hinge axis with the axis of the lower stem element is desirable for simplicity and ease of operation, it is possible to achieve some of the objectives of this invention with a stabilizer foot having a gate hinged at a location spaced from the stem. It is also possible to provide a stabilizer with a non-articulating, relatively stiff, but bendable, stem formed of a plastic material, i.e. metal or plastics which can be deformed permanently under load.
Still other modifications may be made to the apparatus and method described above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS1396427 *Dec 14, 1920Nov 8, 1921Hatch Orin EBull-holding instrumentUS5727569 *Feb 20, 1996Mar 17, 1998Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Surgical devices for imposing a negative pressure to fix the position of cardiac tissue during surgeryUS5738675 *Nov 8, 1996Apr 14, 1998Botimer; Gary D.Limb clamp for surgeryUS5782746 *Feb 15, 1996Jul 21, 1998Wright; John T. M.Local cardiac immobilization surgical deviceUS5836311 *Sep 20, 1995Nov 17, 1998Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS5894843 *Feb 20, 1996Apr 20, 1999Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Surgical method for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgery* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS6203490 *May 28, 1999Mar 20, 2001KRAJí&CCIRC;EK MILANMyocardial stabilizerUS6231506May 4, 1999May 15, 2001Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Method and apparatus for creating a working opening through an incisionUS6258023 *Aug 18, 1999Jul 10, 2001Chase Medical, Inc.Device and method for isolating a surface of a beating heart during surgeryUS6283912May 4, 1999Sep 4, 2001Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Surgical retractor platform blade apparatusUS6290644May 4, 1999Sep 18, 2001Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing a localized portion of a beating heartUS6315717Apr 17, 2000Nov 13, 2001Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Surgical instruments for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgeryUS6328688 *Jan 28, 2000Dec 11, 2001Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS6331158May 4, 1999Dec 18, 2001Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Surgical retractor apparatus for operating on the heart through an incisionUS6334843Jan 28, 2000Jan 1, 2002Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS6336898Jan 28, 2000Jan 8, 2002Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS6350229Jan 28, 2000Feb 26, 2002Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS6364826Jun 16, 1999Apr 2, 2002Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS6364833 *Jan 12, 2000Apr 2, 2002Genzyme CorpforationIrrigator for use with surgical retractor and tissue stabilization device and methods related theretoUS6371906Jan 28, 2000Apr 16, 2002Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS6375611 *Jan 7, 2000Apr 23, 2002Origin Medsystems, Inc.Organ stabilizerUS6394948Jan 28, 2000May 28, 2002Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS6394951Mar 13, 2000May 28, 2002Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgeryUS6406424Sep 16, 1999Jun 18, 2002Williamson, Iv Warren P.Tissue stabilizer having an articulating lift elementUS6464629 *Sep 15, 1999Oct 15, 2002Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS6464630Jan 28, 2000Oct 15, 2002Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS6464690Oct 11, 2000Oct 15, 2002Popcab, LlcPort off-pump beating heart coronary artery bypass heart stabilization systemUS6478729Aug 4, 2000Nov 12, 2002Chase Medical, LpDevice and method for isolating a surface of a beating heart during surgeryUS6478733 *Apr 28, 2000Nov 12, 2002Genzyme CorporationStabilizing device having a removable portionUS6488618 *Apr 14, 2000Dec 3, 2002Coroneo, Inc.Coronary stabilizer for performing beating heart surgeryUS6500170Dec 20, 2000Dec 31, 2002Popcab, LlcInstrument stabilizer for through-the-port surgeryUS6503245Dec 8, 2000Jan 7, 2003Medcanica, Inc.Method of performing port off-pump beating heart coronary artery bypass surgeryUS6511416Aug 3, 1999Jan 28, 2003Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Tissue stabilizer and methods of useUS6565582Jun 19, 2002May 20, 2003Hearport, Inc.Devices and methods for performing a vascular anastomosisUS6579281Jun 27, 2001Jun 17, 2003Popcab, LlcInstrument stabilizer for through-a-port surgeryUS6592573Jun 27, 2001Jul 15, 2003Popcab, LlcThrough-port heart stabilization systemUS6599240Dec 20, 2000Jul 29, 2003Genzyme CorporationSegmented arm assembly for use with a surgical retractor and instruments and methods related theretoUS6602190Aug 31, 2001Aug 5, 2003Minnesota Scientific, Inc.Multi-position spherical retractor holderUS6626830Dec 1, 1999Sep 30, 2003Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Methods and devices for improved tissue stabilizationUS6652454Jan 10, 2001Nov 25, 2003Lawrence W. HuMethod and apparatus for creating a working opening through an incisionUS6656113May 25, 2001Dec 2, 2003Cardiothoracic System, Inc.Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing a localized portion of a beating heartUS6673013Apr 9, 2001Jan 6, 2004Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgeryUS6676597Jun 12, 2001Jan 13, 2004Medtronic, Inc.Method and device for organ positioningUS6685632May 4, 2000Feb 3, 2004Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Surgical instruments for accessing and stabilizing a localized portion of a beating heartUS6699257Jun 20, 2002Mar 2, 2004Heartport, IncDevices and methods for performing a vascular anastomosisUS6701930Nov 6, 2001Mar 9, 2004Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgeryUS6740028Mar 13, 2002May 25, 2004Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS6740029Sep 5, 2002May 25, 2004Chase Medical, L.P.Device and method for isolating a surface of a beating heart during surgeryUS6743169Oct 10, 2001Jun 1, 2004Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgeryUS6752759Apr 1, 2002Jun 22, 2004Thomas E. MartinCooled stabilizer for surgical proceduresUS6755780Apr 30, 2002Jun 29, 2004Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS6758808Jan 24, 2001Jul 6, 2004Cardiothoracic System, Inc.Surgical instruments for stabilizing a localized portion of a beating heartUS6849044Jan 15, 2002Feb 1, 2005Larry VossOrgan stabilizer and methodUS6936001 *Oct 1, 1999Aug 30, 2005Computer Motion, Inc.Heart stabilizerUS7048683Apr 30, 2002May 23, 2006Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS7175594Jan 21, 2003Feb 13, 2007Foulkes Richard BOphthalmic sulcus speculumUS7201716Feb 18, 2004Apr 10, 2007Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS7250028 *Nov 28, 2001Jul 31, 2007Intuitive Surgical IncEndoscopic beating-heart stabilizer and vessel occlusion fastenerUS7445594 *Oct 2, 2000Nov 4, 2008Medtronic, Inc.Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS7666198Mar 22, 2004Feb 23, 2010Innovative Interventional Technologies B.V.Mechanical anastomosis system for hollow structuresUS7717922 *Aug 23, 2002May 18, 2010Geoffrey James NeilsonVacuum sealing deviceUS7736307Dec 12, 2003Jun 15, 2010Maquet Cardiovascular LlcSurgical instruments for accessing and stabilizing a localized portion of a beating heartUS7794387Apr 25, 2007Sep 14, 2010Medtronic, Inc.Methods and devices for stabilizing tissueUS7931590Oct 29, 2002Apr 26, 2011Maquet Cardiovascular LlcTissue stabilizer and methods of using the sameUS7935129Mar 1, 2004May 3, 2011Heartport, Inc.Device for engaging tissue having a preexisting openingUS8025620Aug 3, 2010Sep 27, 2011Medtronic, Inc.Methods and devices for stabilizing tissueUS8066723Nov 9, 2001Nov 29, 2011De Vries & MetmanConnector, applicator and method for mechanically connecting hollow structures, in particular small blood vessels, as well as auxiliary devicesUS8083664May 25, 2005Dec 27, 2011Maquet Cardiovascular LlcSurgical stabilizers and methods for use in reduced-access surgical sitesUS8105235 *Jun 8, 2004Jan 31, 2012Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Stabilizer for robotic beating-heart surgeryUS8182498Jun 4, 2002May 22, 2012Innovative International Technologies B.V.Mechanical anastomosis system for hollow structuresUS8277476Oct 14, 2003Oct 2, 2012Maguet Cardiovascular LLCSurgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graftUS8377045 *Jun 13, 2007Feb 19, 2013Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Extendable suction surface for bracing medial devices during robotically assisted medical proceduresUS8449449Dec 8, 2008May 28, 2013Medtronic, Inc.Methods and apparatus providing suction-assisted tissue engagement through a minimally invasive incisionUS8617190Mar 28, 2011Dec 31, 2013Heartport, Inc.Device for engaging tissue having a preexisting openingUS8734320Mar 28, 2013May 27, 2014Medtronic, Inc.Methods and apparatus providing suction-assisted tissue engagement through a minimally invasive incisionUS8781604Apr 1, 2009Jul 15, 2014Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Method of implanting stimulation lead with biased curved section through the interatrial septumUS8870900Mar 21, 2007Oct 28, 2014Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Endoscopic beating-heart stabilizer and vessel occlusion fastenerUS8914150Jan 24, 2014Dec 16, 2014Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Cooperative minimally invasive telesurgical systemUS9022998Feb 26, 2010May 5, 2015Maquet Cardiovascular LlcBlower instrument, apparatus and methods of usingUS9039681Jul 16, 2008May 26, 2015Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Minimally invasive surgical training using robotics and telecollaborationUS9119654Jan 13, 2012Sep 1, 2015Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Stabilizer for robotic beating-heart surgeryUS9168031 *Oct 30, 2013Oct 27, 2015Covidien LpExpandable thoracic access portUS9271798Aug 13, 2013Mar 1, 2016Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Multi-user medical robotic system for collaboration or training in minimally invasive surgical proceduresUS9498198Apr 27, 2010Nov 22, 2016Maquet Cardiovascular, LlcSurgical instruments for accessing and stabilizing a localized portion of a beating heartUS9549663 *Jun 13, 2007Jan 24, 2017Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Teleoperated surgical retractor systemUS20020004628 *Jul 6, 2001Jan 10, 2002Hu Lawrence W.Surgical retractor platform blade apparatusUS20020111537 *Mar 14, 2002Aug 15, 2002Taylor Charles S.Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgeryUS20020165434 *Apr 30, 2002Nov 7, 2002Williamson Warren P.Tissue stabilizer having an articulating lift elementUS20030055441 *Jun 4, 2002Mar 20, 2003Suyker Wilhelmus Joseph LeonardusMechanical anastomosis system for hollow structuresUS20030158463 *Nov 28, 2001Aug 21, 2003Intuitive Surgical, Inc.Endoscopic beating-heart stabilizer and vessel occlusion fastenerUS20030171656 *Jan 21, 2003Sep 11, 2003Foulkes Richard B.Ophthalmic sulcus speculumUS20030176765 *Jan 17, 2003Sep 18, 2003Foley Frederick J.Devices for holding a body organUS20030191482 *Apr 1, 2003Oct 9, 2003Suyker Wilhelmus Joseph LeonardusMechanical anastomosis system for hollow structuresUS20030195534 *Apr 1, 2003Oct 16, 2003Suyker Wilhelmus Joseph LeonardusMechanical anastomosis system for hollow structuresUS20040030223 *Aug 7, 2003Feb 12, 2004Calafiore Antonio M.Method and devices for improved tissue stabilizationUS20040077932 *Oct 14, 2003Apr 22, 2004Minnesota Scientific, Inc.Retractor illuminationUS20040082830 *Nov 19, 2003Apr 29, 2004Guenst Gary W.Device for organ positioningUS20040087834 *Oct 29, 2003May 6, 2004Benetti Federico J.Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgeryUS20040092799 *Sep 23, 2003May 13, 2004Hu Lawrence W.Method and apparatus for creating a working opening through an incisionUS20040092972 *Nov 9, 2001May 13, 2004Leonardus Suyker Wilhelmus JosephConnector, applicator and method for mechanically connecting hollow structures, in particular small blood vessels, as well a auxiliary devicesUS20040138522 *Sep 30, 2003Jul 15, 2004Haarstad Philip J.Methods and apparatus providing suction-assisted tissue engagement through a minimally invasive incisionUS20040162570 *Jan 22, 2003Aug 19, 2004Dave Hitendu H.Coronary inflow occlusion and anastomotic assist deviceUS20040167549 *Feb 18, 2004Aug 26, 2004Eric BooneMethod and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS20040186490 *Mar 31, 2004Sep 23, 2004Gifford Hanson S.Devices and methods for performing avascular anastomosisUS20040199188 *Apr 23, 2004Oct 7, 2004Gifford Hanson S.Devices and methods for performing avascular anastomosisUS20040215221 *Mar 22, 2004Oct 28, 2004Suyker Wilhelmus Joseph LeonarMechanical anastomosis system for hollow structuresUS20040230099 *Oct 14, 2003Nov 18, 2004Taylor Charles S.Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgeryUS20040260254 *Aug 23, 2002Dec 23, 2004Neilson Geoffrey JamesVacuum sealing deviceUS20050033270 *Jun 8, 2004Feb 10, 2005Intuitive Surgical, Inc.Stabilizer for robotic beating-heart surgeryUS20050043717 *Jul 14, 2004Feb 24, 2005Computer Motion, Inc.Heart stabilizerUS20050096675 *Nov 29, 2004May 5, 2005Gifford Hanson S.IiiDevices and methods for performing avascular anastomosisUS20050096676 *Nov 29, 2004May 5, 2005Gifford Hanson S.IiiDevices and methods for performing a vascular anastomosisUS20050119530 *Jan 13, 2005Jun 2, 2005Ethicon, Inc.Illuminated and vacuum assisted retractorUS20050148824 *Dec 30, 2003Jul 7, 2005Morejohn Dwight P.Transabdominal surgery systemUS20050149077 *Feb 16, 2005Jul 7, 2005Gifford Hanson S.IiiDevices and methods for performing a vascular anastomosisUS20050251164 *Feb 4, 2005Nov 10, 2005Gifford Hanson S IiiDevices and methods for performing avascular anastomosisUS20050288693 *Aug 12, 2005Dec 29, 2005Suyker Wilhemus J LConnector, applicator and method for mechanically connecting hollow structures, in particular small blood vesselsUS20070055108 *Feb 1, 2006Mar 8, 2007Taylor Charles SSurgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgeryUS20070123747 *Jan 26, 2007May 31, 2007Eric BooneMethod and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissueUS20070156027 *Dec 22, 2006Jul 5, 2007Hu Lawrence WSurgical retractor platform blade apparatusUS20070179346 *Jan 4, 2007Aug 2, 2007Foulkes Richard BOphthalmic sulcus speculumUS20070208223 *Mar 21, 2007Sep 6, 2007Intuitive Surgical, Inc.Endoscopic beating-heart stabilizer and vessel occlusion fastenerUS20070287884 *Jun 13, 2007Dec 13, 2007Intuitive Surgical, Inc.Extendable suction surface for bracing medial devices during robotically assisted medical proceduresUS20080065098 *Jun 13, 2007Mar 13, 2008Intuitive Surgical, Inc.Minimally invasive surgical apparatus with independent imaging systemUS20090082620 *Dec 8, 2008Mar 26, 2009Medtronic, Inc.Methods and Apparatus Providing Suction-Assisted Tissue Engagement Through a Minimally Invasive IncisionUS20090099576 *Jul 16, 2008Apr 16, 2009Intuitive Surgical, Inc.Minimally invasive surgical training using robotics and telecollaborationUS20090198297 *Apr 1, 2009Aug 6, 2009Yongxing ZhangTranseptal leadUS20090254187 *Apr 7, 2008Oct 8, 2009Minnesota Scientific, Inc.Tightenable Surgical Retractor JointUS20100210916 *Apr 27, 2010Aug 19, 2010Hu Lawrence WSurgical Instruments for Accessing and Stabilizing a Localized Portion of a Beating HeartUS20140058207 *Oct 30, 2013Feb 27, 2014Covidien LpExpandable thoracic access portUS20140194695 *Feb 26, 2014Jul 10, 2014Endoscopic Technologies, Inc.Tissue retractors with fluid evacuation/infusion and/or light emission capabilityWO2001035814A1 *Nov 15, 2000May 25, 2001Pilling Weck SurgicalOrgan stabilization device having a non-traumatic gripping surface and methods related theretoWO2003061486A1 *Jan 17, 2003Jul 31, 2003Iotek, Inc.Devices for holding a body organ* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification600/37International ClassificationA61B17/02, A61B17/00, A61B17/28, A61B19/00Cooperative ClassificationA61B2017/2825, A61B2017/0243, A61B17/0218, A61B2090/306European ClassificationA61B17/02ELegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionSep 4, 1998ASAssignmentOwner name: PILLING WECK INCORPORATED, PENNSYLVANIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HOSSAIN, MOSADDEQ;MARKUS, VICTOR;FANTICOLA, JOHN A.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:009441/0467Effective date: 19980731Nov 30, 2001ASAssignmentOwner name: TECHNOLOGY HOLDING COMPANY II, GERMANYFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PILLING WECK INCORPORATED;REEL/FRAME:012322/0714Effective date: 20011001Oct 22, 2003FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Nov 26, 2007REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedMay 16, 2008LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesJul 8, 2008FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20080516RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services