Removable stylet for retrograde cardioplegia catheter and methods for use
First Claim
1. A removable stylet for use in a retrograde cardioplegia catheter during insertion of the retrograde cardioplegia catheter into the coronary sinus of the heart, the stylet comprising:
- (a) a stylet rod constructed of a substantially rigid material such that the stylet can impart the shape thereof upon a flexible cannula during insertion into the coronary sinus of a patient, the stylet rod having a predetermined curve at a distal end of the stylet body;
(b) a handle located at the proximal end of the stylet rod, the handle comprising;
(i) a handle body;
(ii) thumb rest means located at a proximal end of the handle body for securely supporting the thumb of a user; and
(iii) finger placement means, extending outwardly from a position on the handle body distal of the thumb rest means, for supporting at least one finger in order to allow manipulation of the stylet within the heart of a patient.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This invention relates to a stylet for use with a retrograde cardioplegia catheter and its methods of use. The stylet includes a stylet rod, a handle on the proximal end of the stylet rod and a predetermined curve in the distal end of the stylet rod. The handle has a thumb rest on the proximal end and a one or two finger loops extending outward from the handle. An obturator is located on the distal end of the predetermined curve to impede blood flow through a tip of the cardioplegia catheter during insertion of the catheter. The invention also contemplates methods for using the stylet.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A removable stylet for use in a retrograde cardioplegia catheter during insertion of the retrograde cardioplegia catheter into the coronary sinus of the heart, the stylet comprising:
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(a) a stylet rod constructed of a substantially rigid material such that the stylet can impart the shape thereof upon a flexible cannula during insertion into the coronary sinus of a patient, the stylet rod having a predetermined curve at a distal end of the stylet body; (b) a handle located at the proximal end of the stylet rod, the handle comprising; (i) a handle body; (ii) thumb rest means located at a proximal end of the handle body for securely supporting the thumb of a user; and (iii) finger placement means, extending outwardly from a position on the handle body distal of the thumb rest means, for supporting at least one finger in order to allow manipulation of the stylet within the heart of a patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13)
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7. A removable stylet for use in a retrograde cardioplegia catheter during insertion of the retrograde cardioplegia catheter into the coronary sinus of the heart, the stylet comprising:
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(a) a stylet rod constructed of a substantially rigid material such that the stylet can impart the shape thereof upon a flexible cannula during insertion into the coronary sinus of a patient, the stylet rod having a predetermined curve at a distal end of the stylet body; (b) a handle located at the proximal end of the stylet rod, the handle comprising; (i) a handle body; (ii) a rigid thumb rest located on a proximal end of the handle body for securely supporting the thumb of a user; and (iii) a substantially rigid wire formed into a loop extending outwardly from a position on the handle body distal of the thumb rest means, for supporting at least one finger in order to allow manipulation of the stylet within the heart of a patient, the loop extending in a curve in the same general direction as the predetermined curve of the stylet rod; and (c) blocking means for obstructing the flow of blood located on the distal end of the stylet rod, the blocking means having a sufficient diameter to impede the flow of blood through a tip of a cardioplegia catheter. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method of placing a retrograde cardioplegia catheter incorporating a stylet with a handle into the coronary sinus of a patient comprising the steps:
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(a) obtaining a removable stylet for use in a retrograde cardioplegia catheter during insertion of the catheter into the coronary sinus of the heart, the removable stylet comprising; (1) a stylet rod constructed of a substantially rigid material such that the stylet can impart the shape thereof upon a flexible cannula during insertion into the coronary sinus of a patient, the stylet rod having a predetermined curve at a distal end of the stylet body; (2) a handle located at the proximal end of the stylet rod, the handle comprising; (i) a handle body; (ii) thumb rest means, located at a proximal end of the handle body, for securely supporting the thumb of the user; and (iii) finger placement means, extending outwardly from a position on the handle body distal of the thumb rest means, for supporting at least one finger in order to allow manipulation of the stylet with in the heart of a patient; (b) pressing at least one finger of the user against the finger placement means of the handle of the stylet; (c) pressing a thumb of the user against the thumb rest means on the stylet handle; and (d) inserting the retrograde cardioplegia catheter within the coronary sinus of the patient through an incision permitting access to the coronary sinus with a slight movement of the at least one finger towards the user and keeping the thumb of the user relatively stationary.
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10. A method of placing a retrograde cardioplegia catheter incorporating a stylet with a handle into the coronary sinus of a patient comprising the steps:
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(a) obtaining a removable stylet for use in a retrograde cardioplegia catheter during insertion of the catheter into the coronary sinus of the heart, the removable stylet comprising; (1) a stylet rod constructed of a substantially rigid material such that the stylet can impart the shape thereof upon a flexible cannula during insertion into the coronary sinus of a patient, the stylet rod having a predetermined curve at a distal end of the stylet body; (2) a handle located at the proximal end of the stylet rod, the handle comprising; (i) a handle body; (ii) thumb rest means, located at a proximal end of the handle body, for securely supporting the thumb of the user; and (iii) finger placement means, extending outwardly from a position on the handle body distal of the thumb rest means, for supporting at least one finger in order to allow manipulation of the stylet within the heart of a patient; (b) pressing an index finger of the user against a side of the stylet handle; (c) pressing a ring finger or the user against the finger placement means of the stylet handle; (d) pressing a thumb of the user against a side of the stylet handle, while impressing the thumb rest of the stylet handle in the crotch formed between the index finger and the thumb; and (e) inserting the retrograde cardioplegia catheter within the coronary sinus of the patient through an incision permitting access to the coronary sinus with a slight movement of the ring finger toward the user while keeping the thumb and index finger of the user relatively stationary.
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11. A method of placing a retrograde cardioplegia catheter incorporating a stylet with a handle into the coronary sinus of a patient comprising the steps:
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(a) obtaining a removable stylet for use in a retrograde cardioplegia catheter during insertion of the catheter into the coronary sinus of the heart, the removable stylet comprising; (1) a stylet rod constructed of a substantially rigid material such that the stylet can impart the shape thereof upon a flexible cannula during insertion into the coronary sinus of a patient, the stylet rod having a predetermined curve at a distal end of the stylet body; (2) a handle located at the proximal end of the stylet rod, the handle comprising; (i) a handle body; (ii) a thumb rest, located at a proximal end of the handle body, for supporting the thumb of the user; (iii) a finger placement means, extending outwardly from a position on the handle body distal of the thumb, for supporting the ring finger in order to allow manipulation of the stylet within the heart of a patient; (iii) a second finger placement means, extending outwardly from a position on the handle body distal of the thumb rest, for supporting the index finger in order to allow manipulation of the stylet within the heart of a patient; and (b) pressing an index finger of the user against the second finger placement means of the stylet; (c) pressing the ring finger of the user against the first finger placement means of the stylet handle; (d) pressing a thumb of the user against the thumb rest on the stylet handle; and (c) inserting the retrograde cardioplegia catheter within the coronary sinus of the patient through an incision permitting access to the coronary sinus with a slight movement of the ring finger toward the user and keeping the thumb and index finger of the user relatively stationary.
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12. A removable stylet for use in a retrograde cardioplegia catheter during insertion of the retrograde cardioplegia catheter into the coronary sinus of the heart, the stylet comprising:
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(a) a stylet rod constructed of a substantially rigid material such that the stylet can impart the shape thereof upon a flexible cannula during insertion into the coronary sinus of a patient, the stylet rod having a predetermined curve at a distal end of the stylet body; (b) a handle located at the proximal end of the stylet rod, the handle having a surface area which allows tactile feedback and leverage during insertion of the catheter into the patient, the handle comprising; (i) a handle body; (ii) first support means, located at a proximal end of the handle body, for securely supporting a digit of a hand of a user so as to allow manipulation of the stylet within the heart of the patient, the first support means configured so as to securely support the digit in position; and (iii) second support means, extending outwardly from a position on the handle body distal of the first support means, for supporting at least one other digit of a hand of the user on the handle of the stylet in order to allow manipulation of the stylet within the heart of a patient. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification