| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 7597698 |
Apparatus and method for endoscopic encirclement of pulmonary veins for epicardial ablation |
October 6, 2009 |
| Surgical instruments and procedures promote placement of a tissue-ablating probe surrounding the left and right pulmonary veins within the intrapericardial space of a patient's heart via access through a subxiphoid or subcostal entry incision. An opening is formed in the pericardium |
| 7544203 |
Temporary seal and method for facilitating anastomosis |
June 9, 2009 |
| Forming a proximal anastomosis on an aortic wall includes method and instrumentation and apparatus for forming an aortic puncture and inserting a fluid-impervious sealing element with a lateral flange and central stem into the vessel through the puncture. An anastomosis of a graft ve |
| 7534243 |
Dissection and welding of tissue |
May 19, 2009 |
| A tissue dissector and method for welding and severing blood vessels includes advancing the tip of a tissue-dissecting surgical instrument through tissue, with a tissue welder substantially concealed within the tip during tissue dissection. Blood vessels encountered in the tissue bei |
| 7526342 |
Apparatus for endoscopic cardiac mapping and lead placement |
April 28, 2009 |
| Apparatus and surgical methods establish temporary suction attachment to a target site on the surface of a beating heart for analyzing electrical signals or hemodynamic responses to applied signals at the target sites for enhancing the accuracy of placement of cardiac electrodes at selec |
| 7485092 |
Vessel harvesting apparatus and method |
February 3, 2009 |
| Apparatus and method for harvesting selected vessels in the body of a patient include manual manipulation of a rigid dissecting endoscope and the reconfiguration thereof to facilitate tissue dissection and tissue dilation in the formation of an anatomical space about the vessel within |
| 7476198 |
Cannula-based surgical instrument |
January 13, 2009 |
| A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a dissection cradle that is resiliently supported along an axis skewed relative to the axis of the cannula. The |
| 7398781 |
Method for subxiphoid endoscopic access |
July 15, 2008 |
| Apparatus and method for performing surgical procedures within the mediastinum or within the pericardium include an endoscopic cannula that is introduced into the mediastinum and optionally into the pericardium via a subxiphoid incision. A cavity may be initially dilated for advancin |
| 7384423 |
Tissue dissection method |
June 10, 2008 |
| Method and apparatus for dissecting tissue along a vessel include a cannula having a tubular body and at least one lumen extending the length of the body to receive an endoscope in the lumen with a viewing end disposed near the distal end of the body that is covered by a transparent, |
| 7364657 |
Integrated system for on-site cell acquisition, processing, and delivery |
April 29, 2008 |
| Numerous embodiments of a system and method for treating cardiac tissue are described. In one embodiment, bone marrow cells are extracted from a patient. The cells are then processed to isolate mononuclear cells, which can then be delivered back near the cardiac tissue of the patient. |
| 7326178 |
Vessel retraction device and method |
February 5, 2008 |
| A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an |
| 7288096 |
Apparatus for placement of cardiac defibrillator and pacer |
October 30, 2007 |
| Surgical procedure and surgical instruments include an electrode structure for insertion through tissue superiorly of a subxiphoid incision to a position posterior of an aspect of the sternum and anterior of the pericardium. The electrode structure may be expanded, for example, inclu |
| 7276075 |
Endoscopic surgical access port and method |
October 2, 2007 |
| A sliding gas-tight seal on an access port promotes insufflation of an anatomical space formed in tissue at a surgical site only during insertion of an endoscopic instrument through the access port into the anatomical space, and promotes deflation of the inflated space upon removal o |
| 7264587 |
Endoscopic subxiphoid surgical procedures |
September 4, 2007 |
| Endoscopic subxiphoid surgical procedures and instruments facilitate translumination of tissue through the pericardium, and promote encircling an intrapericardial region with one or more tissue-ablating probes for ablating cardiac tissue substantially encircling the left and right pu |
| 7226409 |
Organ manipulator having suction member supported with freedom to move relative to its support |
June 5, 2007 |
| An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disk 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 |
| 7214180 |
Method for cardiac restraint |
May 8, 2007 |
| Apparatus and methods for using the apparatus are disclosed for cardiac restraint. More specifically, the apparatus and methods are directed to accessing the pericardium, accessing the heart within the pericardium, and restraining the heart by at least partially enclosing the heart with |
| 7001404 |
Tissue separation cannula and method |
February 21, 2006 |
| A cannula includes a tubular body having proximal closed end and distal blunt end, at least one lumen extending the length of the body, an endoscope having a lighted, viewing end disposed in the lumen near the distal end of the body, and a transparent, tissue separating member substa |
| 6976957 |
Cannula-based surgical instrument and method |
December 20, 2005 |
| A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a dissection cradle that is resiliently supported along an axis skewed relative to the axis of the cannula. The |
| 6972028 |
Method of cooling an organ |
December 6, 2005 |
| A method of cooling an organ. A portion of a body fluid bathing an organ is withdrawn while a cool fluid is infused. A separate portion of the body fluid can be cooled during the withdrawing. A volume of up to about 5% of the body fluid can be withdrawn. A catheter is provided with a coo |
| 6966887 |
Temporary arterial shunt and method |
November 22, 2005 |
| Surgical construction or bypass grafting of a target vessel includes method and instrumentation and apparatus for forming and inserting a fluid-impervious tubular conduit including a central protrusion through an aperture in the vessel to form a fluid-conducting shunt past the aperture. |
| 6951568 |
Low-profile multi-function vessel harvester and method |
October 4, 2005 |
| A cannula comprises a main body for accommodating both an endoscopic lumen and a working lumen. The main body of the cannula ends at a point proximal to the distal end of the cannula. Extending distally from the point at which the main body end is an endoscopic dissection shaft of decrea |
| 6899670 |
Organ manipulator having suction member supported with freedom to move relative to its support |
May 31, 2005 |
| An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a compliant joint, a flexible locking arm for mounting such suction member or compliant joint, and a method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive |
| 6830546 |
Device and method for remote vessel ligation |
December 14, 2004 |
| A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned at the distal end of the cannula. A dissection cradle is located at the distal end of a distal portion of the retractor that is resiliently skewed relative to the cannula axis, and includes two substantially parallel, spaced legs with th |
| 6814743 |
Temporary seal and method for facilitating anastomosis |
November 9, 2004 |
| Forming a proximal anastomosis on an aortic wall includes method and instrumentation and apparatus for forming an aortic puncture and inserting a fluid-impervious sealing element with a lateral flange and central stem into the vessel through the puncture. An anastomosis of a graft vessel |
| 6811546 |
Endoscopic surgical access port and method |
November 2, 2004 |
| A sliding gas-tight seal on an access port promotes insufflation of an anatomical space formed in tissue at a surgical site only during insertion of an endoscopic instrument through the access port into the anatomical space, and promotes deflation of the inflated space upon removal of th |
| 6773456 |
Adjustable customized endovascular graft |
August 10, 2004 |
| The present invention embodies an adjustable customized graft for placement within body lumens. The adjustable graft includes longitudinal and lateral pleats that can be individually released to thereby customize the length and lateral profile of the graft. A tubular jacket configured wi |
| 6752756 |
Combined vessel dissection and transection device and method |
June 22, 2004 |
| A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axi |
| 6730020 |
Locking arm having ball joints for use in an organ manipulator apparatus |
May 4, 2004 |
| A flexible locking arm for use in an organ manipulator apparatus. The flexible locking arm has a flexible state, used to position the organ manipulator as needed, and a fixed state for mounting the manipulator in a desired orientation. Even in the fixed state, the organ manipulator m |
| 6706052 |
Longitudinal dilator and method |
March 16, 2004 |
| Apparatus and method for dilation of tissue utilize a tissue expansion device positioned on an inner cannula with an outer overlying expansive sheath that expands upon translation of the tissue expansion device therethrough. The tissue expansion device may be an olive or wedge formed |
| 6623514 |
Method of cooling an organ |
September 23, 2003 |
| A method of cooling an organ. A portion of a body fluid bathing an organ is withdrawn while a cool fluid is infused. A separate portion of the body fluid can be cooled during the withdrawing. A volume of up to about 5% of the body fluid can be withdrawn. A catheter is provided with a coo |
| 6610031 |
Valve assembly |
August 26, 2003 |
| A valve assembly. The valve assembly can include valve members with passageways partially non-overlapping. A compression member can be, provided adjacent the valve members. The valve assembly can be incorporated into a medical access device. |
| 6607547 |
Longitudinal dilator and method |
August 19, 2003 |
| Apparatus and method for dilation of tissue utilize a tissue expansion device positioned on an inner cannula with an outer overlying expansive sheath that expands upon translation of the tissue expansion device therethrough. The tissue expansion device may be an olive or wedge formed |
| 6607539 |
Electric endovascular implant depolyment system |
August 19, 2003 |
| A system for releasing a graft within vasculature that incorporates graft bindings severed by current-generated heat in a resistive wire element. In one aspect, the graft is held by bindings threaded through a resistive wire loop formed between conducting wires attached to opposite ends |
| 6605037 |
Endoscopic inflatable retraction device |
August 12, 2003 |
| An inflatable retraction apparatus is provided for retracing an organ inside a body to gain access to an adjacent tissue. The apparatus includes an able chamber formed from a single thin envelope, and capable of being collapsed for insertion through an incision and being expanded to a |
| 6569082 |
Apparatus and methods for cardiac restraint |
May 27, 2003 |
| Apparatus and methods for using the apparatus are disclosed for cardiac restraint. More specifically, the apparatus and methods are directed to accessing the pericardium, accessing the heart within the pericardium, and restraining the heart by at least partially enclosing the heart with |
| 6506200 |
Tissue separation cannula and method |
January 14, 2003 |
| A cannula includes a tubular body having proximal closed end and distal blunt end, at least one lumen extending the length of the body, an endoscope having a lighted, viewing end disposed in the lumen near the distal end of the body, and a transparent, tissue separating member substa |
| 6506149 |
Organ manipulator having suction member supported with freedom to move relative to its support |
January 14, 2003 |
| An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a compliant joint, a flexible locking arm for mounting such suction member or compliant joint, and a method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive |
| 6432044 |
Combined vessel dissection and transection device and method |
August 13, 2002 |
| A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axi |
| 6428556 |
Longitudinal dilator and method |
August 6, 2002 |
| Apparatus and method for dilation of tissue utilize a tissue expansion device positioned on an inner cannula with an outer overlying expansive sheath that expands upon translation of the tissue expansion device therethrough. The tissue expansion device may be an olive or wedge formed |
| 6406425 |
Cannula-based irrigation system and method |
June 18, 2002 |
| A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axi |
| 6361543 |
Inflatable devices for separating layers of tissue, and methods of using |
March 26, 2002 |
| An apparatus and method for separating a first layer of tissue from a second layer of tissue. An inflatable balloon is mounted to a delivery device. The inflatable balloon has a first, inwardly-displaced portion which everts when the balloon is inflated. The balloon is inserted into a |
| 6348037 |
Device and method for remote vessel ligation |
February 19, 2002 |
| A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axi |
| 6287250 |
Method and apparatus for cardiac lifting during beating heart surgery using pericardial clips |
September 11, 2001 |
| A clip which can be temporarily clamped to a cut edge of a pericardium during heart surgery. Two or more of the clips, which may be each connected to a respective flexible member, are clipped to the pericardium and tension is applied to the connectors to suspend the clips and the per |
| 6277137 |
Tissue separation cannula with dissection probe and method |
August 21, 2001 |
| A cannula includes a tubular body having a proximal end and distal blunt end, at least one lumen extending the length of the body, an endoscope having a lighted, viewing end disposed in the lumen near the distal end of the body, and a transparent, tissue-separating tip substantially cove |
| 6264670 |
Tissue dissection method |
July 24, 2001 |
| A cannula includes a tubular body having a proximal end and distal blunt end, at least one lumen extending the length of the body, an endoscope having a lighted, viewing end disposed in the lumen near the distal end of the body, and a transparent, tissue-separating tip substantially cove |
| 6206827 |
Apparatus and method for tissue and organ stabilization |
March 27, 2001 |
| A system for locally stabilizing an anastomotic site of a vessel of a beating heart during a surgical procedure is disclosed. The system includes bonding a pad to the myocardium and attaching a control arm to the pad, all by use of a bioabsorbable adhesive. The control arm is grasped |
| 6203557 |
Tissue separation cannula and method |
March 20, 2001 |
| A cannula includes a tubular body having proximal closed end and distal blunt end, at least one lumen extending the length of the body, an endoscope having a lighted, viewing end disposed in the lumen near the distal end of the body, and a transparent, tissue separating member substa |
| 6176825 |
Cannula-based irrigation system and method |
January 23, 2001 |
| A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axi |
| 6162173 |
Device and method for remote vessel ligation |
December 19, 2000 |
| A retractor and a surgical tool are positioned within a cannula, and a dissection cradle of the retractor is positioned at the distal end of the cannula. The retractor includes a first portion with an axis approximately parallel to the axis of the cannula and a second portion with an axi |
| 6053863 |
Perivascular self-retaining retractor and method |
April 25, 2000 |
| Apparatus and method for expanding a perivascular cavity at a surgical site includes an elongated retractor having a tip at the distal end for convenient insertion into a perivascular cavity, and having a slidable coupler near the proximal end for convenient coupling to an elevator e |
| 6036714 |
Tissue separation method |
March 14, 2000 |
| A cannula includes a tubular body having proximal closed end and distal blunt end, at least one lumen extending the length of the body, an endoscope having a lighted, viewing end disposed in the lumen near the distal end of the body, and a transparent, tissue separating member substa |
