Method and apparatus for minimizing the risk of air embolism when performing a procedure in a patient's thoracic cavity
OwnerMichi E. Garrison, Brian S. Donlon +1inventors
InventorsMichi E. Garrison, Brian S. Donlon, Richard L. Mueller, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for minimizing the risk of air embolism includes an instrument delivery member 2 having a gas outlet 38 for delivering gas into a patient's thoracic cavity. The gas is directed across an opening 48 in the instrument delivery member 2 to help retain the gas in the patient's thoracic cavity. The gas is preferably carbon dioxide which is more soluble in blood than air which will thereby decrease the likelihood of the patient receiving an embolism due to trapped air in the patient's heart and great vessels after surgery.
Claims8
A method of retaining a gas in a patient's thoracic cavity for performing a surgical procedure therein, comprising:
- providing an instrument delivery tube having a throughhole, a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet positioned to receive gas from the gas inlet, the throughhole being configured to permit a surgical instrument to pass therethrough;
- inserting the instrument delivery tube between adjacent ribs of a patient;
- coupling the gas inlet to a source of gas;
- passing gas from the source of gas to the gas inlet and out through the gas outlet, wherein the gas passing from the gas inlet to the gas outlet provides a gas shield.
An instrument delivery tube, comprising:
- a sidewall having a proximal end, a distal end, and a throughhole defining a longitudinal axis, the throughhole being configured to permit a surgical instrument to pass therethrough;
- a gas inlet coupled to the sidewall;
- and
- a gas outlet positioned to receive gas from the gas inlet, wherein a gas passing from the gas inlet to the gas outlet forms a gas shield passing through the longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.