Device and method for isolating a surface of a beating heart during surgery

• US 6,740,029 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2002
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KDL Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Chase Medical LP
• Inventors: Keyes, Charles R. Jr., Davis, Albert, Rogers, Danny Carpenter, Austin, Samuel Lynn, Baker, Clyde
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Veniaminov, Nikita R.
• Application Number:
  US10/235,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20030009081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 600/37, 600/207, 600/206, 600/205, 600/213, 600/228, 600/229, 600/231, 600/217, 600/16, 600/17, 600/219, 604/28, 604/30, 128/898, 128/897, 606/150, 606/155, 606/148, 606/205, 606/207, 607/126, 607/125, 204/613, 204/614
• US Class Current: 600/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/02 for holding wounds open; Tractors specula A61B1/32 ; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0243 for immobilizing local areas of the heart, e.g. while it beats
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for isolating a cardiac surgical site. The device comprises a first finger having a clinging accessory for attaching the first finger to a heart, a second finger having a clinging accessory for attaching the second finger to the heart, a first joint disposed on the first finger so that the first finger may rotate on a surface of the heart such that said rotation stretches a surgical site, a first stopper disposed on the first finger for preventing undesired rotation of the first finger to isolate the surgical site, and a link for coupling the first finger to the second finger. Several embodiments of the fingers and clinging accessories are disclosed. A guard is provided to protect sutures from the clinging accessory. The guard is equipped with a sprayer to wash the surgical site. Also disclosed is a method of isolating a cardiac surgical site. The method comprises the steps of disposing a first finder on a heart, clinging the first finger to the heart surface, disposing a second finger on a heart, clinging the second finger to the heart surface, and then rotating the first finger for achieving selective isolation of the heart surface.

Claims

1. A device for isolating a cardiac surgical site, comprising:

a first and second finger, each finger having a clinging accessory adapted to attach to a heart, wherein at least one of the fingers may rotate on a surface of the heart such that the rotation stretches a surgical site, and at least one of the fingers has a varying diameter; and

a link coupling the first finger to the second finger, and a stabilizing member coupling to the link, wherein the link comprises;

a ball disposed between the first finger and the second finger adapted to secure an attachment to the stabilizing member;

a first attachment bar coupled between the first finger and the ball; and

a second attachment bar coupled between the second finger and the ball.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the clinging accessory comprises a plurality of tines, each tine having a distal end and proximal end such that the proximal end is coupled to a surface of the finger.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the distal end is hook shaped.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the tines are straight.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the distal end has an enlarged spherical head.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a guard coupled to the first finger and the second finger, wherein the guard has at least one element, and wherein the element is longitudinally aligned with at least one finger such that the element partially covers the finger.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a spray tube coupled to the guard, wherein the spray tube comprises at least one spray nozzle positioned and directed so that fluids may be sprayed onto a surgical site.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a fluid supply controller coupled to the spray tube to regulate a flow of fluids.

9. A device for isolating a cardiac surgical site, comprising:

first and second finger, each finger having a clinging accessory adapted to attach to a heart, wherein at least one of the fingers may rotate on a surface of the heart such that the rotation stretches a surgical site;

a guard coupled to the first finger and the second finger; and

a link coupling the first finger to the second finger, and a stabilizing member coupling to the link, wherein the link comprises;

a ball disposed between the first finger and the second finger adapted to secure an attachment to the stabilizing member;

a first attachment bar coupled between the first finger and the ball; and

a second attachment bar coupled between the second finger and the ball.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the stabilizing member comprises:

a socket for coupling with the link;

a flexible arm with a first end and a second end wherein the first end couples to the socket;

a tightening device coupled to the flexible arm for fixing the position of the flexible arm; and

a mounting device coupled to the second end of the flexible arm.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the guard has at least one element, and wherein the element is longitudinally aligned with at least one finger such that the element partially covers the finger.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the element has a cross-sectional shape in the form of an arc.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the guard further comprises a support coupled to at least one element such that at least one element is supported above the respective finger.

14. The device of claim 9, further comprising a spray tube coupled to the guard, wherein the spray tube comprises at least one spray nozzle positioned and directed so that fluids may be sprayed onto a surgical site.

15. The device of claim 14, further comprising a fluid supply controller coupled to the spray tube to regulate a flow of fluids.

16. The device of claim 15, further comprising a supply of fluids coupled to the fluid supply controller, wherein the fluids comprise saline solution.

17. The device of claim 15, further comprising a supply of fluids coupled to the fluid supply controller, wherein the fluids comprise water.

18. The device of claim 15, further comprising a supply of fluids coupled to the fluid supply controller, wherein the fluids comprise carbon dioxide.

19. The device of claim 15, further comprising a supply of fluids coupled to the fluid supply controller, wherein the fluids comprise air.

20. A device for isolating a cardiac surgical site, comprising:

a first and second finger, each finger having a clinging accessory adapted to attach to a heart, wherein at least one of the fingers may rotate on a surface of the heart such that the rotation stretches a surgical site, and at least one of the fingers has a varying diameter; and

a guard coupled to the first finger and the second finger.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the guard comprises an element, and wherein the element is longitudinally aligned with at least one finger such that the element partially covers the finger.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the element has a cross-sectional shape in the form of an arc.

23. The device of claim 20, further comprising a spray tube coupled to the guard, wherein the spray tube comprises at least one spray nozzle positioned and directed so that fluids may be sprayed onto a surgical site.

24. The device of claim 20, further comprising a fluid supply controller coupled to the spray tube to regulate a flow of fluids.

26. The device of claim 24, comprising a supply of fluids coupled to the fluid supply controller, wherein the supply of fluids comprises water.

27. The device of claim 24, further comprising a supply of fluids coupled to the fluid supply controller, wherein the supply of fluids comprises air.

25. The device of claim comprising a supply of fluids coupled to the fluid supply controller, wherein the supply saline solution.