US5976080A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical apparatus and method
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
•
Filing: 1997-09-19
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Granted: 1999-11-02
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Expires: 2017-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A surgical instrument includes a frame structure defining proximal and distal portions. The proximal portion has an articulating arm for repositionably mounting to a base and the distal portion supporting a stabilizing member. An attachment mounts on the stabilizing member, the attachment being configured and dimensioned such that upon contact with the heart the engaged heart tissue bulges outward. A method of surgery using the attachment includes providing a frame structure defining proximal and distal portions, the proximal portion being repositionably mountable to a base, supporting an attachment on the stabilizing member and engaging heart tissue with the attachment such that the tissue bulges outward to better present the tissue for surgery.
Inventors
- 👤 David Farascioni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0293; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/77; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/0237; A61B2017/0243; A61B90/00; A61B90/30; A61B2090/306; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005; A61B2217/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a frame structure defining proximal and distal portions, the proximal portion having an articulating arm for repositionably mounting to a base and the distal portion supporting a stabilizing member; and an attachment removably mounted on the stabilizing member, the attachment having an inner contoured opening, which opening varies in width along a length thereof for allowing heart tissue to bulge therethrough.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a frame structure defining proximal and distal portions, the proximal portion having an articulating arm for repositionably mounting to a base and the distal portion supporting a stabilizing member; and an attachment removably mounted on the stabilizing member, the attachment having an inner contoured opening, which opening varies in width along a length thereof for allowing heart tissue to bulge therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein the attachment is generally u-shaped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein the attachment is made from a polymeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein the attachment is snap fitted on the stabilizing member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A surgical instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein the attachment defines a generally elliptical opening for allowing heart tissue to bulge therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a frame defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion being repositionably mountable to a base and the distal portion defining a pair of legs; an attachment mounted on the pair of legs and configured to abut a portion of a patient's heart, the attachment having an inner contoured opening, which opening varies in width along a length thereof for allowing heart tissue to bulge therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a frame defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion being repositionably mountable to a base and the distal portion defining a pair of legs; an attachment mounted on the pair of legs and configured to abut a portion of a patient's heart, the attachment having an inner contoured opening, which opening varies in width along a length thereof for allowing heart tissue to bulge therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A surgical instrument as recited in claim 6, wherein the attachment includes a channel to receive each of the legs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A surgical instrument as recited in claim 7, wherein the attachment is removably mounted to the legs of the frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A surgical instrument as recited in claim 8, wherein an intermediate portion of the frame includes articulating structure to enable positioning of the legs at various positions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a stabilizing member repositionably mountable to a base and movable to a plurality of orientations, a pair of legs extending from the stabilizing member and having an inner arcuately contoured opening therebetween, which opening varies in width along a length thereof for allowing heart tissue to bulge therethrough, wherein the legs are configured to abut a portion of a patient's heart.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a stabilizing member repositionably mountable to a base and movable to a plurality of orientations, a pair of legs extending from the stabilizing member and having an inner arcuately contoured opening therebetween, which opening varies in width along a length thereof for allowing heart tissue to bulge therethrough, wherein the legs are configured to abut a portion of a patient's heart.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A surgical instrument as recited in claim 10 wherein the pair of legs detach from the stabilizing member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A surgical instrument as recited in claim 11 wherein the pair of legs snap fits on a pair of legs of the stabilizing member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A surgical instrument as recited in claim 12 wherein the pair of legs is made from a polymeric material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A surgical instrument as recited in claim 10, wherein the pair of legs define a generally elliptical opening therebetween.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A surgical instrument as recited in claim 10, further comprising an articulating arm for moving the stabilizing member to a desired orientation.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of facilitating heart surgery comprising the steps of: providing a frame structure defining proximal and distal portions, the proximal portion having an articulating arm for repositionably mounting to a base and the distal portion supporting a stabilizing member; supporting an attachment having an inner contoured opening, which opening varies in width along a length thereof for allowing heart tissue to bulge therethrough on the stabilizing member; and engaging heart tissue with the attachment such that the tissue bulges outward to better present the tissue for surgery.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of facilitating heart surgery comprising the steps of: providing a frame structure defining proximal and distal portions, the proximal portion having an articulating arm for repositionably mounting to a base and the distal portion supporting a stabilizing member; supporting an attachment having an inner contoured opening, which opening varies in width along a length thereof for allowing heart tissue to bulge therethrough on the stabilizing member; and engaging heart tissue with the attachment such that the tissue bulges outward to better present the tissue for surgery.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of surgery as recited in claim 16 wherein the attachment is made from a polymeric material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of surgery as recited in claim 16 wherein the attachment is u-shaped and the step of supporting an attachment includes snap fitting the attachment to the stabilizing member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-01 | 2003-05-03 | 2003-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-01 | 2007-05-03 | 2007-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-01 | 2011-05-03 | 2011-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |