US6464629B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 1999-09-15
•
Granted: 2002-10-15
•
Expires: 2019-09-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a method and apparatus for performing beating heart surgery, in which a single articulating arm supports multiple suction pods. Once the suction pods are applied to the heart surface, tightening a cable fixes the arm in place. Then, the suction pods may be spread apart from each other to tighten the surface of the cardiac tissue lying between the suction pods. In one embodiment, fixation of the arm as well as the spreading apart of the suction pods may occur concurrently or almost concurrently through the tensioning of a single cable. Additional embodiments of the method, system and its components are shown.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Boone
- 👤 Jack Goodman
- 👤 John D. Hall
- 👤 William G. O'Neill
- 👤 Vincent J. Testa
- 👤 Eric Vroegop
- 👤 Cornelius Borst
- 👤 Hendricus J. Mansvelt-Beck
- 👤 Paul F. Gründeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/02; A61B17/0218; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2017/00305; A61B2017/00314; A61B2017/0237; A61B2017/0243; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2901; A61B2017/2904; A61B2017/2905; A61B17/30; A61B2017/306
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A system for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: an articulating arm comprising a plurality of links, the arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the articulating arm having an articulating condition in which the links are free to move relative to one another so that the arm articulates, and a locked condition in which the links are locked relative to one another so that the arm is rigid; a paddle assembly connected to the distal end of the articulating arm and including first and second paddles each having means for engaging tissue, the first and second paddles being movable from an initial position and a spread position farther apart than the initial position for tensioning tissue between the first and second paddles; and spreading means, operable in a single operation, for changing the articulating arm from the articulating condition to the locked condition and moving of the first and second paddles from the initial position to the spread position so that the articulating arm is rigid when the first and second paddles are spread apart.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A system for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: an articulating arm comprising a plurality of links, the arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the articulating arm having an articulating condition in which the links are free to move relative to one another so that the arm articulates, and a locked condition in which the links are locked relative to one another so that the arm is rigid; a paddle assembly connected to the distal end of the articulating arm and including first and second paddles each having means for engaging tissue, the first and second paddles being movable from an initial position and a spread position farther apart than the initial position for tensioning tissue between the first and second paddles; and spreading means, operable in a single operation, for changing the articulating arm from the articulating condition to the locked condition and moving of the first and second paddles from the initial position to the spread position so that the articulating arm is rigid when the first and second paddles are spread apart.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the spreading means includes a rotatable handle mounted adjacent the proximal end of the articulating arm, the single operation comprising rotating the handle to spread the first and second paddles from the initial position to the spread position and change the articulating arm from the articulating condition to the locked condition so that the articulating arm is rigid when the first and second paddles are spread apart.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
180 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein the spreading means further includes: a cable extending through the links of the articulating arm, the cable having a distal end and a proximal end coupled to the rotatable handle; a cable stop coupled to the distal end of the articulating arm and to the distal end of the cable, and a spreadable saddle coupled to the first and second paddles and to the distal end of the articulating arm, the spreadable saddle comprising a first inclined surface wherein the cable stop will slide upon the first inclined surface as the cable receives a first amount of tension from a first amount of rotation of the rotatable handle causing the articulating arm to change from the articulating condition to the locked condition, the spreadable saddle further comprising a second inclined surface wherein the cable stop will slide upon the second inclined surface as the cable receives a second amount of tension from a second amount of rotation of the rotatable handle causing the spreadable saddle to spread the first and second paddles apart.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
280 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein the paddle assembly has a rotatable condition in which the paddle assembly is free to rotate relative to the articulating arm, and a locked condition in which the paddle assembly is locked in a position relative to the articulating arm; the spreading means further including: a cable extending through the links of the articulating arm, a split ball coupled to the first and second paddles, the split ball being compressible to move the first and second paddles from the initial position to the spread position; a head link mounted on the distal end of the articulating arm; a sling holding the split ball against the head link, the sling being mounted on the head link for motion relative to the head between: (a) a first position in which the split ball is free to rotate relative to the sling and head link so that the paddle assembly is in the rotatable condition; and (b) a second position, wherein the split ball is compressed between the sling and head link to: (i) prevent rotation of the split ball relative to the sling and head link so that the paddle assembly is in the locked condition; and (ii) compress the split ball to move the first and second arms to the spread position; the sling being coupled to the distal end of the cable such that tightening of the cable by rotation of the rotatable handle causes the sling to move from the first to the second position, thereby causing the paddle assembly to change from the rotatable condition to the locked condition and the first and second paddles to move to the spread position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 1 further comprising means for fixing the proximal end of the articulating arm to a stationary object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 5 wherein the means for fixing the proximal end of the articulating arm to a stationary object comprises a clamp adapted to clamp on a retractor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 1 further comprising means for dispensing a medicinal substance into the immobilized area of tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 7 wherein the medicinal substance is selected from the group consisting of drugs, agents, anti-clotting agents, clotting agents, steroids, antibiotics, growth factors, genetically acting agents or anti arrhythmic agents.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 7 wherein the means for dispensing a medicinal substance includes a series of hollow tissue puncturing cleats located on a tissue-contacting bottom surface of the first paddle, the series of hollow tissue puncturing cleats being coupled to a dispensing reservoir containing the medicinal substance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the means for engaging tissue includes a suction source, at least one suction port located along a tissue-contacting bottom surface of the first and second paddles, and a means for coupling the suction ports to the suction source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the means for engaging tissue includes a series of ridges located along a tissue-contacting bottom surface of the first and second paddles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the means for engaging tissue includes one or more burrs or barbs located along a tissue-contacting bottom surface of the first and second paddles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the links vary in size along the length of the articulating arm, with the links in the most proximal portion of the articulating arm being largest, the links in the most distal portion the smallest and the middle portion somewhere in between.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the links each have a proximal end having a hemispherical indentation and a distal end having a hemispherical protrusion, wherein the hemispherical shapes of adjacent links are nearly identical, such that the links rotate smoothly against one another when the articulating arm is in the articulating condition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 14 wherein a surface of the hemispherical protrusion and a surface of the hemispherical indentation has a roughened texture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 14 wherein a surface of the hemispherical protrusion and a surface of the hemispherical indentation has a series of interlocking dimples and depressions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein the articulating arm is covered with a thin walled elastomeric sheath.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
233 words
A system for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: an articulating arm comprising a plurality of links, the arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the articulating arm having an articulating condition in which the links are free to move relative to one another so that the arm articulates, and a locked condition in which the links are locked relative to one another so that the arm is rigid; a paddle assembly having a first paddle and a second paddle with the first and second paddles being spreadable from an initial position and a spread position farther apart than the initial position, the first paddle having a first tissue-contacting bottom surface for engaging tissue and the second paddle having a second tissue-contacting bottom surface for engaging tissue; a cable extending through the links of the articulating arm, the cable having distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the cable being connected to the paddle assembly; a cable tensioning mechanism connected to the proximal end of the cable and engaging the proximal end of the articulating arm to pull the cable relative to the articulating arm when the cable is tensioned to (a) pull the links of the articulating arm together to change the articulating arm from the articulating condition to the locked condition, and (b) move the first and second paddles from the initial position to the spread condition.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
233 words
A system for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: an articulating arm comprising a plurality of links, the arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the articulating arm having an articulating condition in which the links are free to move relative to one another so that the arm articulates, and a locked condition in which the links are locked relative to one another so that the arm is rigid; a paddle assembly having a first paddle and a second paddle with the first and second paddles being spreadable from an initial position and a spread position farther apart than the initial position, the first paddle having a first tissue-contacting bottom surface for engaging tissue and the second paddle having a second tissue-contacting bottom surface for engaging tissue; a cable extending through the links of the articulating arm, the cable having distal and proximal ends, the distal end of the cable being connected to the paddle assembly; a cable tensioning mechanism connected to the proximal end of the cable and engaging the proximal end of the articulating arm to pull the cable relative to the articulating arm when the cable is tensioned to (a) pull the links of the articulating arm together to change the articulating arm from the articulating condition to the locked condition, and (b) move the first and second paddles from the initial position to the spread condition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
77 words
The system according to claim 18 wherein the cable tensioning mechanism includes a rotatable handle mounted adjacent the proximal end of the articulating arm and connected to the cable such that rotating the handle spreads the first and second paddles from the initial position to the spread position and changes the articulating arm from the articulating condition to the locked condition so that the articulating arm is rigid when the first and second paddles are spread apart.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
156 words
The system according to claim 19 wherein the cable tensioning mechanism further includes: a cable stop coupled to the distal end of the articulating arm and to the distal end of the cable, and a spreadable saddle coupled to the first and second paddles and to the distal end of the articulating arm, the spreadable saddle comprising a first inclined surface wherein the cable stop will slide upon the first inclined surface as the cable receives a first amount of tension from a first amount of rotation of the rotatable handle causing the articulating arm to change from the articulating condition to the locked condition, the spreadable saddle further comprising a second inclined surface wherein the cable stop will slide upon the second inclined surface as the cable receives a second amount of tension from a second amount of rotation of the rotatable handle causing the spreadable saddle to spread the first and second paddles apart.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
271 words
The system according to claim 19 wherein the paddle assembly has a rotatable condition in which the paddle assembly is free to rotate relative to the articulating arm, and a locked condition in which the paddle assembly is locked in a position relative to the articulating arm; the cable tensioning mechanism further including: a split ball coupled to the first and second paddles, the split ball being compressible to move the first and second paddles from the initial position to the spread position; a head link mounted on the distal end of the articulating arm; a sling holding the split ball against the head link, the sling being mounted on the head link for motion relative to the head between: (a) a first position in which the split ball is free to rotate relative to the sling and head link so that the paddle assembly is in the rotatable condition; and (b) a second position, wherein the split ball is compressed between the sling and head link to: (i) prevent rotation of the split ball relative to the sling and head link so that the paddle assembly is in the locked condition; and (ii) compress the split ball to move the first and second arms to the spread position; the sling being coupled to the distal end of the cable such that tightening of the cable by rotation of the rotatable handle causes the sling to move from the first to the second position, thereby causing the paddle assembly to change from the rotatable condition to the locked condition and the first and second paddles to move to the spread position.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 18 further comprising a clamp, adapted to clamp on a retractor, coupled to the proximal end of the articulating arm for fixing the articulating arm to a stationary object.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system according to claim 18 further comprising a series of hollow tissue puncturing cleats for injecting a medicinal substance into the immobilized area of tissue, the hollow tissue puncturing cleats located on the tissue-contacting bottom surface of the first paddle, the series of hollow tissue puncturing cleats being coupled to a dispensing reservoir containing a medicinal substance.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 23 wherein the medicinal substance is selected from the group consisting of drugs, agents, anti-clotting agents, clotting agents, steroids, antibiotics, growth factors, genetically acting agents or anti arrhythmic agents.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 18 wherein the tissue-contacting bottom surface of the first and second paddles comprises one or more suction ports.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 18 wherein the tissue-contacting bottom surface of the first and second paddles comprises a series of ridges.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 18 wherein the tissue-contacting bottom surface of the first and second paddles comprises one or more burrs or barbs.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 18 wherein the links vary in size along the length of the articulating arm, with the links in the most proximal portion of the articulating arm being largest, the links in the most distal portion the smallest and the middle portion somewhere in between.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system according to claim 18 wherein the links each have a proximal end having a hemispherical indentation and a distal end having a hemispherical protrusion, wherein the hemispherical shapes of adjacent links are nearly identical, such that the links rotate smoothly against one another when the articulating arm is in the articulating condition.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 29 wherein a surface of the hemispherical protrusion and a surface of the hemispherical indentation has a roughened texture.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 29 wherein a surface of the hemispherical protrusion and a surface of the hemispherical indentation has a series of interlocking dimples and depressions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 18 wherein the articulating arm is covered with a thin walled elastomeric sheath.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
146 words
A surgical method comprising the following steps: providing a stabilization system comprising an articulating arm having proximal and distal ends, and first and second paddles mounted on the distal end of the articulating arm, each paddle having a tissue-engaging surface; accessing a desired area of tissue of a patient; placing the tissue-engaging surfaces of the first and second paddles upon the surface of the tissue to define an area of tissue to be stabilized between the first and second paddles; in a single operation, spreading of the first and second paddles to tension the area of tissue to be stabilized between the first and second paddles and locking the articulating, arm so that the articulating arm is rigid when the first and second paddles are spread apart; and performing a surgical procedure on or adjacent the area of tissue stabilized between the first and second paddles.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
146 words
A surgical method comprising the following steps: providing a stabilization system comprising an articulating arm having proximal and distal ends, and first and second paddles mounted on the distal end of the articulating arm, each paddle having a tissue-engaging surface; accessing a desired area of tissue of a patient; placing the tissue-engaging surfaces of the first and second paddles upon the surface of the tissue to define an area of tissue to be stabilized between the first and second paddles; in a single operation, spreading of the first and second paddles to tension the area of tissue to be stabilized between the first and second paddles and locking the articulating, arm so that the articulating arm is rigid when the first and second paddles are spread apart; and performing a surgical procedure on or adjacent the area of tissue stabilized between the first and second paddles.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The surgical method of claim 33 further comprising fixing the proximal end of the articulating arm to a stationary object.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
45 words
The surgical method of claim 33 wherein the tissue is tissue of a beating heart, the step of performing a surgical procedure on or adjacent the area of tissue stabilized between the first and second paddles comprising performing a surgical procedure on a beating heart.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The surgical method of claim 33 further comprising pulling suction through the tissue-engaging surfaces of the first and second paddles to grasp the tissue to the tissue-engaging surfaces.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical method of claim 33 wherein the surgical procedure is performing a coronary artery bypass graft.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical method claim 33 further comprising injecting a medicinal substance into the stabilized area of tissue.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
237 words
A system for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: an articulating arm comprising a plurality of links, the arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the articulating arm having an articulating condition in which the links are free to move relative to one another so that the arm articulates, and a locked condition in which the links are locked relative to one another so that the arm is rigid; a cable extending through the links of the articulating arm, the cable having distal and proximal ends; a paddle assembly connected to the distal end of the cable, the paddle assembly having a rotatable condition in which the paddle assembly is free to rotate relative to the articulating arm, and a locked condition in which the paddle assembly is locked in a position relative to the articulating arm, the first paddle having a first tissue-contacting bottom surface for engaging tissue and the second paddle having a second tissue-contacting bottom surface for engaging tissue; a cable tensioning mechanism connected to the proximal end of the cable and engaging the proximal end of the articulating arm to pull the cable relative to the articulating arm when the cable is tensioned to (a) pull the links of the articulating arm together to change the articulating arm from the articulating condition to the locked condition, and (b) change the paddle assembly from the rotatable condition to the locked condition.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
237 words
A system for temporarily immobilizing an area of tissue comprising: an articulating arm comprising a plurality of links, the arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the articulating arm having an articulating condition in which the links are free to move relative to one another so that the arm articulates, and a locked condition in which the links are locked relative to one another so that the arm is rigid; a cable extending through the links of the articulating arm, the cable having distal and proximal ends; a paddle assembly connected to the distal end of the cable, the paddle assembly having a rotatable condition in which the paddle assembly is free to rotate relative to the articulating arm, and a locked condition in which the paddle assembly is locked in a position relative to the articulating arm, the first paddle having a first tissue-contacting bottom surface for engaging tissue and the second paddle having a second tissue-contacting bottom surface for engaging tissue; a cable tensioning mechanism connected to the proximal end of the cable and engaging the proximal end of the articulating arm to pull the cable relative to the articulating arm when the cable is tensioned to (a) pull the links of the articulating arm together to change the articulating arm from the articulating condition to the locked condition, and (b) change the paddle assembly from the rotatable condition to the locked condition.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein the cable tensioning mechanism comprises a rotatable handle mounted adjacent the proximal end of the articulating arm and connected to the cable such that rotating the handle tensions the cable to change (i) the articulating arm from the articulating condition to the locked condition and (ii) the paddle assembly from the rotatable condition to the locked condition.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
174 words
The system according to claim 40 wherein the cable tensioning mechanism further comprises: a ball coupled to the first and second paddles; a head link mounted on the distal end of the articulating arm;+ a sling holding the ball against the head link, the sling being mounted on the head link for motion relative to the head between: a first position in which the ball is free to rotate relative to the sling and head link so that the paddle assembly is in the rotatable condition; and a second position, wherein the ball is compressed between the sling and head link to prevent rotation of the ball relative to the sling and head link so that the paddle assembly is in the locked condition; the sling being coupled to the distal end of the cable such that tightening of the cable by rotation of the rotatable handle causes the sling to move from the first to the second position, thereby causing the paddle assembly to change from the rotatable condition to the locked condition.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system according to claim 41 wherein the sling is generally U-shaped with two legs, the head link includes channels for slidably receiving the legs of the sling to allow the sling to move between the first and second position but preventing rotation of the sling relative to the head link.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 42 wherein the distal end of the cable has a tabbed element, and the sling has slots that receive the tabbed element to connect the sling to the distal end of the cable.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 43 further comprising a compression limiter mounted between the tabbed element and the head link for limiting compression of the ball.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 39 further comprising a clamp, adapted to clamp on a retractor, coupled to the proximal end of the articulating arm for fixing the articulating arm to a retractor.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
98 words
The system according to claim 45 wherein the clamp comprises: a mount attached to the proximal end of the articulating arm, the handle engaging the mount and the cable connecting to the handle through the mount; a jaw mounted on the mount, the mount and jaw defining a dovetail-shaped groove for receiving a retractor element, the jaw being spring biased relative to the mount to clamp the retractor element within the dovetail-shaped groove and being movable against the bias to release the retractor element; and a manually operable cam mechanism for locking the jaw relative to the mount.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein the tissue-contacting bottom surface of the first and second paddles comprises one or more suction ports.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein the tissue-contacting bottom surface of the first and second paddles comprises a series of ridges.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein the tissue-contacting bottom surface of the first and second paddles comprises one or more burrs or barbs.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein the links vary in size along the length of the articulating arm, with the links in the most proximal portion of the articulating arm being largest, the links in the most distal portion the smallest.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 50 wherein the links in portion of the arm intermediate the proximal and distal portion are intermediate in size between the links in the most proximal portion of the articulating arm and the links in the most distal portion.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein the links each have a proximal end having a hemispherical indentation and a distal end having a hemispherical protrusion, wherein the hemispherical shapes of adjacent links are nearly identical, such that the links rotate smoothly against one another when the articulating arm is in the articulating condition.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 52 wherein a surface of the hemispherical protrusion and a surface of the hemispherical indentation has a roughened texture.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 52 wherein a surface of the hemispherical protrusion and a surface of the hemispherical indentation has a series of interlocking dimples and depressions.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system according to claim 39 wherein the first and second paddles being spreadable from an initial position and a spread position farther apart than the initial position, the cable tensioning mechanism being connected via the cable to the paddle assembly to move the first and second paddles from the initial position to the spread condition.
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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) | 2005-10-14 | 2006-04-15 | 2006-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-14 | 2010-04-15 | 2010-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-14 | 2014-04-15 | 2014-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |