Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue

• US 7,611,455 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2005
• Issued: 11/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Borst, Cornelius, Grundeman, Paul F., Jansen, Erik W. L., Mansvelt Beck, Hendricus J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser; Robert L
• Application Number:
  US11/249,530
• Publication Number:
  US 20060036128A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,482 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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 17/0206 with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00703 correcting for movement of heart, e.g. ECG-triggered
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms

Abstract

A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissue to thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area without significant deterioration of the pumping function of the beating heart. The local area of heart tissue is immobilized to a degree sufficient to permit minimally invasive or micro-surgery on that area of the heart. The present invention features a suction device to accomplish the immobilization. The suction device is coupled to a source of negative pressure. The suction device has a series of suction ports on one surface. Suction through the device causes suction to be maintained at the ports. The device further is shaped to conform to the surface of the heart. Thus, when the device is placed on the surface of the heart and suction is created, the suction through the ports engages the surface of the heart. The suction device is further fixed or immobilized to a stationary object, such as an operating table or a sternal or rib retractor. Thus, the local area of the heart near the suction device is temporarily fixed or immobilized relative to the stationary object while suction is maintained. In such a fashion, the coronary artery may be immobilized even though the heart itself is still beating so that a bypass graft may be performed. In addition the suction device may be used in either a conventional, open-chest environment or in a minimally-invasive environment, e.g. endoscopic.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

an arm comprising a first lumen;

a member attached to the arm by a movable joint that permits the member to be placed in a desired orientation with respect to the arm, the member having

a suction port comprising a suction aperture, wherein the port has a first diameter and the aperture has a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter, and wherein the port is positioned on a surface of the member,

a second lumen in fluid communication with the suction port and the first suction lumen, wherein suction to the second lumen is communicated to the suction port and at least one electrode; and

a pulse generator coupled to the at least one electrode, wherein the joint comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of links are free to move relative to one another so that the arm articulates, a cable extending through the links, wherein the cable comprises a distal end and a proximal end, and a locking actuator coupled to the proximal end of the cable and the proximal end of the arm to tension the cable thereby locking the links relative to one another so that the arm changes from an articulating condition to a locked rigid condition.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the locking actuator comprises a rotatable handle coupled to the proximal end of the arm wherein rotating the handle changes the arm from the articulating condition to the locked rigid condition.