Method and apparatus for sampling aortic plaque
First Claim
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1. Surgical apparatus for sampling the aorta for atherosclerotic buildup, comprising:
- handling means having distal and proximal ends and having a continuous passage extending from said distal end of the handle means to said proximal end thereof;
means at said proximal end of the handle for connecting said continuous passage to a vacuum pump;
cannula means for insertion into the aorta, said cannula means having proximal and distal ends and being connected at its proximal end to said handle, and said cannula means having an inlet opening at its distal end and an internal passage providing communication between said inlet opening and the continuous passage;
means within said continuous passage forming a filter chamber;
removable filter means located in said filter chamber for trapping particulate matter carried with any fluid drawn through said handle by the vacuum pump;
valve means in said continuous passage for controlling the flow of the fluid drawn through said handle; and
check valve means within said continuous passage and in the distal direction from said filter chamber, for preventing fluid flow from said filter chamber to said cannula means.
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Abstract
Apparatus and method for detecting the presence of friable atheromatous deposits in or near the aortic arch of a patient. Fluid aspirated from the aorta in the region of the inner curvature of the transverse arch and the descending aorta through a cannula attached to a handle is drawn by suction through a filter in the handle, and any particulate is trapped for determining the presence of atherosclerotic plaque. A manually operated valve in the handle controls the suction and an elastomeric check valve prevents fluid backflow.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. Surgical apparatus for sampling the aorta for atherosclerotic buildup, comprising:
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handling means having distal and proximal ends and having a continuous passage extending from said distal end of the handle means to said proximal end thereof; means at said proximal end of the handle for connecting said continuous passage to a vacuum pump; cannula means for insertion into the aorta, said cannula means having proximal and distal ends and being connected at its proximal end to said handle, and said cannula means having an inlet opening at its distal end and an internal passage providing communication between said inlet opening and the continuous passage; means within said continuous passage forming a filter chamber; removable filter means located in said filter chamber for trapping particulate matter carried with any fluid drawn through said handle by the vacuum pump; valve means in said continuous passage for controlling the flow of the fluid drawn through said handle; and check valve means within said continuous passage and in the distal direction from said filter chamber, for preventing fluid flow from said filter chamber to said cannula means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Surgical apparatus for sampling the aorta for atherosclerotic buildup, comprising:
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handing means having distal and proximal ends and having a continuous passage extending from said distal end of the handle means to said proximal end thereof; means at said proximal end of the handle for connecting said continuous passage to a vacuum pump; cannula means for insertion into the aorta, said cannula means having proximal and distal ends and being connected at its proximal end to said handle, and said cannula means having an inlet opening at its distal end and an internal passage providing communication between said inlet opening and the continuous passage; means within said continuous passage forming a filter chamber; removable filter means located in said filter chamber for trapping particulate matter carried with any fluid drawn through said handle by the vacuum pump; valve means in said continuous passage for controlling the flow of the fluid drawn through said handle; wherein said valve means has an open and a partially closed position, and includes means providing a clearance, when said valve is in its partially closed position, for permitting a limited rate of flow of fluid through said handle, thereby insuring against the passage of air into the aorta. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method of sampling for aortic plague prior to initiating cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, comprising the steps of:
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inserting a cannula into the ascending aorta through an incision at a site selected for arterial perfusion; while applying suction to the cannula, passing the tip of the cannula over a predetermined location with the aorta; filtering fluids drawn from the aorta through said cannula for determining the presence of aortic plague in trapped particulate matter; and in the absence of plague, inserting a perfusion cannula in the incision for initiating the bypass surgery. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification