Method of retracting heart tissue in closed-chest heart surgery using endo-scopic retraction
US5613937A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/366
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides a system and method for manipulating a tissue structure within a body cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a system and method for retracting and supporting the heart wall to provide access into the heart during a cardiac surgical procedure. The system comprises a tissue supporting member (500) positionable through a first percutaneous intercostal penetration into the thoracic cavity. The tissue supporting member has a contact surface (502) configured for supporting a portion of the heart wall. A retractor (40a) includes a shaft (400) with a proximal end, a distal end configured for introduction through a second percutaneous penetration and a diameter less than the width and length of the contact surface. A hook (428) is slidably coupled to the distal end of the shaft for releasably holding the tissue supporting member such that the contact surface is arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. With this configuration, the shaft and tissue supporting member can be introduced through two separate percutaneous penetrations and connected together within the thoracic cavity for retraction of the heart wall.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.