Medtronic, Inc.

Other

Steven R Gundry

Ronald A Devries

David Bruce DeWindt

Roderick E Briscoe

Paul F Rom

Karyl L Stapert

William E Sidor

William F Sidor

James H DeVries

Brian S Beals

A method of performing minimally invasive cardiac surgery includes the step of creating an access aperture into a patient's chest cavity, the access aperture being considerably smaller than a traditional cardiac surgery incision. A cannula is provided that has an oval portion with a longer major axis and a shorter minor axis and the cannula is inserted into the chest cavity through the access aperture.

Oval-shaped cardiac cannula

A suction retractor that provides support to and positions an organ for surgery is provided. This retractor includes a support surface, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, at least one leash operatively attached to the support surface; and at least one suction tube operatively connected with the suction elements. A method for using the retractor to manipulate an organ during surgery is also provided.

Suction retractor for attaching to an organ within a body

An obturator for a cannula includes an elongate member and a flexible disc. The cannula has proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therebetween. The distal end of the cannula has a circular cross-section. The cannula also includes a first portion having a non-circular cross-section and at least one fluid aperture formed adjacent the distal end. The flexible disc of the obturator is coupled to a distal end of the elongate member, both of which are adapted to be telescopically received in the lumen of the cannula. The flexible disc is configured to restrict the flow of fluid, entering the at least one fluid aperture, through the lumen.

Flexible disc obturator for a cannula assembly

Apparatus and method for stapling a prosthesis in-situ includes an adjustable annuloplasty band and a positioning instrument for holding and positioning the band in a heart valve annulus. The instrument includes a curvature adjustable portion at one end for adjusting the band to conform to the heart valve annulus. Another end of the instrument, opposite the one end, includes a curvature adjustment actuating means. A stapling device attaches the band to the annulus simultaneously with the band being held in the annulus by the positioning instrument.

Method and apparatus for stapling an annuloplasty band in-situ

Growing community of inventors

Redlands, CA, United States of America

Steven R Gundry