Method and apparatus for minimizing the risk of air embolism when performing a procedure in a patient's thoracic cavity
US6309382A · kind A · utility
230Cited by
31References
8Claims
0Family size
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 11, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M25/0133
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for minimizing the risk of air embolism includes an instrument delivery member 2 having a gas outlet 38 for delivering gas into a patient's thoracic cavity. The gas is directed across an opening 48 in the instrument delivery member 2 to help retain the gas in the patient's thoracic cavity. The gas is preferably carbon dioxide which is more soluble in blood than air which will thereby decrease the likelihood of the patient receiving an embolism due to trapped air in the patient's heart and great vessels after surgery.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.