Heartport, Inc.

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation

Zeos International, Ltd.

Beaver Computer Corporation

James R Flom

Stephen W Boyd

Richard L Mueller

William S Peters

Scott H Miller

Lorraine F Mangosong

Hanson S Gifford, Iii

Lee R Bolduc

Matthias Vaska

Meir H Moshe

Pinaki Ray

Michael R Barry

Craig R Davis

Gregory G Ulrich

William B Thomas

Jens E Hoekendijk

John R Hoving

Michael J Greaney

The present invention provides a retractor for providing surgical access through a passage in tissue, together with methods for its use and deployment. The retractor comprises an anchoring frame having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an opening therethrough which defines an axial axis. A flexible tensioning member is attached to the frame, and is extendable from the frame out of the body through the passage when the frame is positioned through the passage and into a body cavity. This tensioning member is selectively tensionable to spread the tissue radially outwardly from the axial axis. Hence, it is the tension imposed on the flexible liner which effects retraction of the tissue, rather than relying on the structural integrity of an artificial lumen.

Soft tissue retractor and method for providing surgical access

Illuminating soft tissue retractor

The present invention provides a retractor for providing surgical access through a passage in a patient's body, together with a delivery device for positioning the retractor in the patient's body. The retractor comprises an anchoring frame having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an opening therethrough which defines an axial axis. A flexible tensioning member is attached to the frame, and is extendable from the frame out of the body through the passage when the frame is positioned through the passage and into a body cavity. The retractor is held by the delivery device in a collapsed orientation for placement in the patient's body. The delivery device is released from the retractor to allow the retractor to assume an expanded orientation in the patient's body. This tensioning member is selectively tensionable to spread the tissue radially outwardly from the axial axis.

Soft tissue retractor and delivery device therefor

A trocar which is particularly suited for use as a thoracic trocar. The trocar includes a number of arms at the distal end which are movable from a closed position, which is used for inserting the trocar into the patient, to a second position, which is used for locking the trocar to the patient. The arms may be naturally biased to the open position or may be moved by mechanical actuation.

Trocar with expandable members for retaining the trocar

Methods and apparatus for thoracoscopic defibrillation of a patient's heart. The technique involves introducing a first electrode (10) through a percutaneous intercostal penetration, positioning the first electrode against the heart surface (H) and positioning a second electrode (10') against the patient's body. A voltage is then applied through the percutaneous intercostal penetration to the first electrode and to a second electrode to deliver electrical energy to the first electrode, through at least a portion of the patient's heart, and to the second electrode. The electrical energy applies an electric charge to the patient's heart to defibrillate the heart muscle or restart the heart during, for example, cardiac procedures that involve arresting the heart.

Expandable thoracoscopic defibrillation catheter system and method

The invention provides an electrosurgical device (2) and method for cauterizing tissue and evacuating fluid from the surgical site. The device comprises an insulated conductive shaft (4) having a proximal end coupled to an electric generator (40) and a distal end coupled to an electrode (6) for cutting or coagulating tissue. The shaft has an inner lumen (14) fluidly coupled to a vacuum source (50) and a plurality of insulated side holes (8) in communication with the lumen. The side holes are configured to remain free of obstructions so that fluid, such as smoke, can be continuously evacuated during the surgical procedure.

Fluid-evacuating electrosurgical device

A thoracic trocar having a deflectable member. The deflectable member has a frustoconical outer surface and is movable between first and second positions. The outer surface is angled toward the distal end in the first position and angled toward the proximal end in the second position. The first and second positions are both stable, unbiased positions and the deflectable member is movable from the first position to the second position upon application of the necessary force.

Trocar

A laptop computer (10) with a tiltable and swivelable display (12) is connected to case (29) by a pivot mechanism (20) and a swivel mechanism (33). In the pivot mechanism (20), a first pivot (22) connects display (12) to a pivot plate (50), and the second pivot (24) connects the pivot plate (50) to base (32) of the display (12). The first pivot (22) consists of a pair of pivot pins (52) on each end of the pivot plate (50). The second pivot (24) consists of split pivot pins (54) at each end of the pivot plate (50). The pivot pins (54) and inboard shafts (58) are fastened together and inboard shafts (58) rotate within outboard shafts (56). The outboard shafts (56) and the inboard shafts (58) are surrounded by clutch springs (60), which are connected so that the clutches are in their free rotating direction, i.e., does not resist motion between them when the display is being opened, and which resist motion between the inboard shafts (58) and outboard shafts (56) when the display is being lowered, to produce a greater friction than produced by the first pivot (22). The swivel mechanism (33) consists of a first swivel member (70) fixedly attached to case (29) and a second swivel member (72) which is fixedly attached to display base (32) and nests inside the first swivel member (70). The second swivel member (72) rotates inside the first swivel member (70).

Pivot and swivel mechanism for lap top display

A hinge mechanism for controlling the movement of the cover panel of a portable computer includes a pivot arm and a slide mechanism. The ends of the pivot arm are pivotally attached to the cover panel and to the housing of the computer, respectively. The cover panel is also pivotally attached to the slide mechanism, which slides along a track mounted in the housing of the computer. The pivot points provide a predetermined frictional resistance to rotational movement whereby the cover panel, which typically includes a display, may be stabilized in an upright position while the computer is in use.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

James R Flom