Tissue positioner
AssigneeEndoscopic Technologies, Inc.
InventorsArthur Bertolero, Tamer Ibrahim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for stabilizing and/or positioning tissues or organs during surgical procedures. One feature of the positioners of the invention includes the use of one or more suction elements used to grip the organ or tissue. The main body of the suction element comprises body defining a polyhedral shaped chamber, an elliptical ring structure and a vacuum port. The invention further includes structures to support the suction element and hold the suction element and attached tissue in a fixed position including catheters, lockable flexible arms, and retractors.
Claims69
A suction element for gripping tissues comprising:
- walls defining a polyhedral shaped chamber,
- a vacuum port in gas communication with said chamber,
- an elliptical shaped ring for contacting the surface of the tissues to be positioned, said elliptical shaped ring positioned at an opening of said chamber.
A tissue positioner comprising
- at least one suction element, said suction element including a polyhedral shaped chamber defined by at least three walls, a vacuum port in gas communication with said chamber, and an elliptical shaped ring for contacting the surface of the tissues to be positioned, said elliptical shaped ring positioned at an opening to said chamber,
- a conduit in gas communication with said vacuum port for providing vacuum to said chamber,
- means for holding said suction element in a fixed position.
A method for positioning tissue, which method comprises the steps:
- (a) positioning a tissue positioner on the tissue to be positioned, wherein said tissue positioner comprises at least one suction element comprising:
- (i) walls defining a polyhedral shape chamber,
- (ii) a vacuum port in gas communication with said chamber,
- (iii) an elliptical shaped ring for contacting the surface of the tissues to be positioned, said elliptical shaped ring positioned at an opening to said chamber, and
- (iv) means for holding said at least one suction element in a fixed position;
- and
- (b) attaching a negative pressure source to the vacuum port of said suction element.
42 The method of claim 39, wherein the tissue is of an internal organ.
The method of claim 42, wherein said internal organ is a heart.
60 The method of claim 58 further comprising the step:
- bending said positioner between said two suction elements to alter said distance and orientation of said two suction elements relative to each other.
A method for positioning tissue, which method comprises the steps:
- (a) providing a positioner comprising at least one suction element comprising
- (i) walls defining a polyhedral shape chamber,
- (ii) a vacuum port in gas communication with said chamber,
- (iii) an elliptical shaped ring for contacting the surface of the tissues to be positioned, said elliptical shaped ring positioned at an opening to said chamber, and
- (iv) means for holding said at least one suction element in a fixed position;
- and
- (b) introducing said suction elements of said positioner into a patient through a small incision or port;
- (c) attaching at least one suction element to tissue under vacuum.
- (d) manipulating said positioner to move said tissue into a selected position.
A method for positioning tissue, which method comprises the steps:
- (a) introducing a positioner into a patient through a small incision or port;
- (b) Attaching at least one suction element to a portion of said positioner within the patient, said suction element comprising
- (i) walls defining a polyhedral shape chamber,
- (ii) a vacuum port in gas communication with said chamber,
- (iii) an elliptical shaped ring for contacting the surface of the tissues to be positioned, said elliptical shaped ring positioned at an opening to said chamber, and
- (iv) means for holding said at least one suction element in a fixed position;
- and
- (c) applying vacuum to attach at least one suction element to tissue under vacuum.
- (d) manipulating said move to position said tissue into a selected position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.