Biological tissue position location and marking
AssigneeAtriCure, Inc.
InventorsHeidi Koett, Matthew Monti, Salvatore Privitera
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods of performing surgical operations and associated devices are disclosed. An example method may include locating a first position on a first surface of a biological tissue; locating a second position on a second opposing surface of the biological tissue, the second position corresponding to the first position; and marking the second position on the second surface. The second surface may be generally opposite the first surface. An example method may include, after marking the second position, performing a therapeutic procedure on the biological tissue in the vicinity of the second position.
Claims70
A method of marking a biological tissue, the method comprising:
- introducing a marking device into a surgical space, the marking device including an elongated shaft and an at least partially covered, distally disposed absorbent tip;
- exposing the tip;
- and
- marking the tissue by applying a marking substance from the tip to the tissue.
A method of marking a biological tissue, the method comprising:
- locating a position on a biological tissue;
- applying a patch at the position;
- and
- transferring a marking substance from the patch to the tissue.
A surgical device for marking a biological tissue, the surgical device comprising:
- an elongated shaft;
- a tip disposed distally on the elongated shaft, the tip comprising an absorbent material;
- and
- a sheath slidably disposed on the shaft, the sheath being longitudinally movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration;
- wherein, in the extended configuration, the sheath at least partially covers a distal portion of the shaft and the tip;
- and
- wherein, in the retracted configuration, at least a portion of the tip is exposed.
A surgical device for marking a biological tissue, the surgical device comprising:
- an elongated shaft with a distally disposed tip, the tip comprising an absorbent material;
- wherein the tip is longitudinally movable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration;
- wherein, in the retracted configuration, the tip is positioned substantially within the shaft;
- and
- wherein, in the extended configuration, at least a portion of the tip is exposed.
A patch for marking a biological tissue, the patch comprising:
- a substrate;
- and
- a marking substance loaded in the substrate.
A method of making a biological tissue marking device, the method comprising:
- providing a substrate comprising at least one of a bioabsorbable material and a biocompatible material;
- and
- loading a marking substance into the substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.