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Tissue stabilization system

a tissue stabilization and tissue technology, applied in the field of cardiac tissue stabilization devices, can solve the problems of substantial rigidity of the bladder

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-03-17
TERUMO CARDIOVASCULAR SYST CORP +1
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a tissue stabilizer that uses pneumatics to stabilize tissue. The stabilizer includes a flexible bladder that can be positioned on the tissue to be stabilized and then rigidified by applying negative pressure. The rigidified bladder maintains the tissue in a stable position. The stabilizer can be used in various medical procedures, such as cardiac procedures, where it can be positioned on the heart to stabilize it during surgery. The invention allows for contouring the stabilizer to the surface topography of the heart and allows for easy repositioning and re-rigidification.

Problems solved by technology

However, when subject to negative pressure, such as through suction or vacuum, the bladder becomes substantially rigid.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0052] Referring more particularly to the drawings, an exemplary tissue stabilizer 10 configured in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. For descriptive purposes and without limiting the scope of the present invention, exemplary stabilizer 10 is illustrated as a cardiac stabilizer for stabilizing a heart during surgical procedures, particularly surgical procedures which are performed on a heart which is not immobilized but rather which is warm and beating. Tissue stabilizers configured for alternative functions are contemplated as being within the scope of the invention as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Those skilled in the art will also appreciated that exemplary tissue stabilizer 10 utilized during cardiac procedures must be biocompatible and possess substantially a traumatic features. However, these additional properties may not be essential to all tissue stabilizers produced in accordance with the teachings of t...

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Abstract

A tissue stabilizer includes a pneumatic rigidifying bladder which is flexible when at ambient pressure and rigid when at negative pressure or evacuated. Structure such as straps with hook-and-eye fasteners attaches the rigidifying bladder to tissue to be stabilized, such as a broken arm. When positioned on the tissue, the bladder is evacuated, thereby rigidifying the bladder and supporting the tissue. The tissue stabilizer may be configured for use in surgical procedures, such as performing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on a warm, beating heart. In a cardiac embodiment, the tissue stabilizer includes an attaching bladder with a plurality of openings. When suction is applied at a port of the attaching bladder, suction is applied at the openings, which is utilized to attach the stabilizer to the epicardium of the heart. Once in position on the heart, suction may be applied at a port of the rigidifying bladder. When rigid, the heart may be moved as desired to perform CABG procedures.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 268,556, entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Stabilizing Tissue”, filed on Mar. 15, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,065, filed on Mar. 17, 1998 and issued on Jun. 26, 2001, which are both herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates in general to devices for stabilizing tissue and to methods for using such tissue-stabilizing devices, particularly cardiac tissue stabilizers. More particularly, the present invention relates to medical devices designed to stabilize the heart, for example, to retain the heart physically in an stabile position, during cardiac surgery. The apparatus of the present invention allows a surgeon to perform cardiac surgery on a warm beating heart, thus eliminating the need to place a patient on a cardiac bypass machine to stop the heart from beating. The methods and app...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A61B17/00A61B17/02A61B17/30A61F2/00A61F5/01A61F5/055A61F5/058
CPCA61B17/02A61B2017/00243A61B2017/00247A61B2017/0243A61F5/05833A61B2018/00392A61F2/2481A61F5/0104A61F5/055A61B2017/306
Inventor KOCHAMBA, GARY S.
Owner TERUMO CARDIOVASCULAR SYST CORP