APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR PERFORMING MINIMALLY INVASIVE DIAGNOSTIC AND SURGICAL PROCEDURES INSIDE OF A BEATING HEART
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Abstract
The present invention provides apparatuses and methods for performing minimally invasive diagnostic and surgical procedures inside of a beating heart. An assembly for use in performing such a medical procedure includes a port and a fluid transport device. The port has a housing configured for insertion through a chamber wall of a heart chamber, at least one valve disposed in the housing, and an inlet connected to the housing. The inlet has an inlet passage in fluid communication with a lumen of the housing. The fluid transport device has an end that attaches to the inlet of the port, another end that attaches to a fluid source, and a fluid channel therebetween to pass a fluid from the fluid source to the heart chamber. A method of preparing a beating heart for a diagnostic or medical procedure comprises the steps of inserting a cardiac port through a chamber wall of the beating heart and pressurizing the heart chamber with blood from the patient'"'"'s artery. Repair of the heart'"'"'s mitral valve can be effected by a stapled annuloplasty procedure. Where sutures are used in the diagnostic or surgical procedure, a suture cutting device for cutting a suture inside a beating heart can be used. The suture cutting device can include an elongated body having a lumen, a wall member extending into the lumen, and a knot-receiving chamber defined by a first area on a first side of the wall member. The wall member defines a channel therethrough dimensioned to permit passage of a suture and to prevent passage of a knot. A cutting implement is movably disposed in the lumen in a second area on a second side of the wall member opposite the first side. The cutting implement moves between a first position and second position to cut the suture. Movement of the cutting implement is limited to ensure that the cutting implement does not cut through the suture knot.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1-29. -29. (canceled)
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30. A method of treatment, comprising:
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inserting a cardiac port into a heart chamber wall while the heart remains beating, wherein the port is comprised of a housing, a lumen, a first valve and a second valve in the lumen, and an inlet through the housing and entering the lumen between the first valve and the second valve; positioning the housing so that the lumen allows access to an interior of the heart chamber via the lumen through the first valve and the second valve; inserting a medical instrument into the heart chamber interior via the lumen; and repairing a defect in the heart with the inserted medical instrument. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. A system for performing annuloplasty, said system comprising:
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a plurality of plication staples suitable for application to a mitral valve annulus; and a suture or a band of material adapted to be stapled to the mitral valve annulus at fixed positions along the suture or band of material to plicate mitral valve annulus tissue and thereby reduce the length of the mitral valve annulus;
wherein the staples and suture or band of material are adapted to be delivered to the mitral valve annulus of a heart while the heart is beating - View Dependent Claims (35)
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36. A system, comprising:
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a port adapted to span a wall of an atrium and provide access therethrough a plurality of plication staples adapted to pass through the port and suitable for application to a mitral valve annulus; a suture or a band of material adapted to be stapled to the mitral valve annulus at fixed positions along the suture or band of material to plicate mitral valve annulus tissue and thereby reduce the length of the mitral valve annulus wherein the staples and suture or band of material are adapted to be delivered to the mitral valve annulus of a heart while the heart is beating; and an instrument for delivering the staples to the valve annulus and plicating valve annulus tissue. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A cardiac port for insertion through a chamber wall of a heart chamber to perform a medical procedure inside of a beating heart, comprising:
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a housing having a first end, a second end, and a lumen therethrough the housing comprising a first portion and a second portion, the second portion having a length substantially equal to the thickness of the chamber wall; a first valve disposed in the housing to open and close the lumen; a second valve disposed in the house to open and close the lumen; and an inlet connected to the housing between the first valve and the second valve, the inlet having an inlet passage in fluid communication with the lumen of the housing, the inlet adapted to transmit a fluid between an exterior of the port and the lumen of the housing. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56)
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Specification