US 6,743,170 B1 · Device to permit offpump beating heart coronary bypass surgery

Abstract

A system for manipulating a heart during cardiac surgery permits coronary surgery on a beating heart while maintaining cardiac output unabated and uninterrupted. Circumflex coronary artery surgery can be performed using the system. The system locates a suspension head near the apical region of the heart and a gross support near the base of the heart near the AV groove. A frame is positioned within the patient's thoracic region and moves with the patient, and a surgical target immobilizer can be used to assist in the movement of the heart if desired. A special suction cup is used which accommodates multiplanar movement of the heart and the myocardium while also preventing heart tissue from interrupting the suction being applied to the heart. One form of the system can be used in minimally invasive surgery.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A heart positioning device for use in cardiac surgery on a beating heart, comprising:

a suction head adapted to positively engage the beating heart;
and
an articulating arm which is flexible in an unlocked condition and rigid in a locked condition;
wherein said suction head is movable with respect to said arm even when said arm is in said locked condition.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

09/956,418Filed 18 Sep 2001 · continuation

Priority

17 Sep 1997

Granted

1 Jun 2004

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

A61B 17/0218
For holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors: for minimally invasive surgery
A61B 17/02
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: for holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors
A61B 17/0206
For holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors: with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements
A61B 17/00491
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: surgical glue applicators

Family

Application08/936,184Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 17 Sep 1997

Application09/087,511Parent of this continuation · filed 29 May 1998

US 6,338,712 B2Parent of this continuation

Application09/087,511Parent of this continuation-in-part

US 6,019,722 AParent of this continuation-in-part

US 2001/0041827 A1Published application

US 6,743,170 B1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Device to permit offpump beating heart coronary bypass surgery

Life of this patent

Device to permit offpump beating heart coronary bypass surgery

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17