Organ manipulator having suction member supported with freedom to move relative to its support
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An organ manipulation apparatus, including:
- at least one suction member having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the suction member is configured to exert sufficient suction force on an organ to move the organ when the suction member is placed against the organ, a pressure differential is established between the inner surface and the outer surface, and the suction member is moved;
a support structure; and
a joint coupled between the suction member and the support structure, wherein the support structure and the compliant joint are configured to support the suction member, with the organ supported in a retracted position by the suction member, such that the suction member has freedom to move relative to the support structure, to allow movements of the organ, while the support structure remains relatively fixed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a joint providing freedom of movement of the at least one suction member or adhesive disk relative to its support. A method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive force) so that the organ is free to move normally (e.g., to beat or undergo other limited-amplitude motion) in at least the vertical direction during both steps.
122 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An organ manipulation apparatus, including:
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at least one suction member having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the suction member is configured to exert sufficient suction force on an organ to move the organ when the suction member is placed against the organ, a pressure differential is established between the inner surface and the outer surface, and the suction member is moved; a support structure; and a joint coupled between the suction member and the support structure, wherein the support structure and the compliant joint are configured to support the suction member, with the organ supported in a retracted position by the suction member, such that the suction member has freedom to move relative to the support structure, to allow movements of the organ, while the support structure remains relatively fixed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for compliant retraction of an organ, including the steps of:
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automatically retracting the organ by contacting at least one suction member to the organ and applying suction to a joint assembly interconnecting the at least one suction member with a support; and permitting the at least one suction member to move relative to the support in response to movement of the refracted organ. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A method for compliant retraction of an organ, including the steps of:
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contacting at least one suction member to the organ; applying suction to the at least one suction member, whereby at least a portion of the at least one suction member transforms from a flexible state to a substantially rigid state, and suction is applied through at least a portion of the at least one suction member to engage the organ; retracting the organ; and permitting the at least one suction member to move relative to a support in response to movement of the retracted organ. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification