Patent · US Expired

Lateral- and posterior-aspect method for laser-assisted transmyocardial revascularization and other surgical applications

US6036685A · kind A · utility

250Cited by
31References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 18, 1998
Grant dateMar 14, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 18, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/00392
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method of visualizing and treating the heart by providing a balloon end contact scope with a main lumen, an essentially transparent contact viewing portion, and integral laser delivery means or other equipment channel suitable for viewing the heart; precisely positioning the contact viewing portion in contact with a portion of the heart adjacent the position to be viewed; and visualizing the heart. The scope may have a gripping surface particularly suitable for percutaneous use. For MIS use, the scope tents the pericardial sac. The method can be used to place a guide wire or tether to the heart to locate a fluoroscopic or other visualization means or to perform additional visualization, fluoroscopic marking or other interventional procedures. The method also comprises the step of delivering laser energy to a portion of the heart to effect transmyocardial revascularization. The method can be performed either by surgically or minimally invasively introducing a balloon end viewing scope into the chest cavity of a patient and through the pericardial sac of the heart to a position between the pericardial sac and the epicardial surface of the heart or by introducing a balloon end viewi…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.