Method and apparatus for minimizing the risk of air embolism when performing a procedure in a patient's thoracic cavity

• US 6,309,382 B1
• Filed: 12/11/1998
• Issued: 10/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences LLC (Edwards Lifesciences Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Heartport, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Mueller, Richard L. Jr., Garrison, Michi E., Donlon, Brian S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bockelman, Mark
• Application Number:
  US09/209,558
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 604/23, 604/26, 604/48, 604/49, 604/43, 604/93, 604/104, 604/122, 604/174, 600/560
• US Class Current: 606/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0293 with ring member to support retractor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/401 using air flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2403 with pivoting rigid closure members check valves with hinged closure members in general F16K15/03
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2427 Devices for manipulating or deploying heart valves during implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2448 D-shaped rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2466 Delivery devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2496 Devices for determining the dimensions of the prosthetic valve to be implanted, e.g. templates, sizers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0041 pre-formed, e.g. specially adapted to fit with the anatomy of body channels urethral catheters A61F2/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0133 Tip steering devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/1011 Multiple balloon catheters

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.

Claims

1. A method of retaining a gas in a patient'"'"'s thoracic cavity for performing a surgical procedure therein, comprising:

providing an instrument delivery tube having a throughhole, a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet positioned to receive gas from the gas inlet, the throughhole being configured to permit a surgical instrument to pass therethrough;

inserting the instrument delivery tube between adjacent ribs of a patient;

coupling the gas inlet to a source of gas;

passing gas from the source of gas to the gas inlet and out through the gas outlet, wherein the gas passing from the gas inlet to the gas outlet provides a gas shield.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the passing step is carried out with the gas from the gas inlet passing across the throughhole between the proximal and distal ends of the sidewall.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

injecting carbon dioxide into the patient;

wherein the passing step is carried out with the gas from the source of gas also being carbon dioxide.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the passing step is carried out with the gas from the source of gas being air.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the providing step is carried out with the instrument delivery tube having a plurality of suture holders.

6. An instrument delivery tube, comprising:

a sidewall having a proximal end, a distal end, and a throughhole defining a longitudinal axis, the throughhole being configured to permit a surgical instrument to pass therethrough;

a gas inlet coupled to the sidewall; and

a gas outlet positioned to receive gas from the gas inlet, wherein a gas passing from the gas inlet to the gas outlet forms a gas shield passing through the longitudinal axis.

7. The instrument delivery tube of claim 6, wherein:

the gas inlet and gas outlet are positioned along the sidewall between the proximal and distal ends.

8. The instrument delivery tube of claim 6, wherein:

the gas inlet and gas outlet are integrally formed with the sidewall.