The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 07, 1998
Filed:
May. 14, 1997
John C Alexander, Jr, Kenilworth, IL (US);
Carl A Swindle, Salt Lake City, UT (US);
Research Medical, Inc., West Midvale, UT (US);
Abstract
The present invention is directed to new and useful methods and apparatus for improving access to the heart during cardiac surgery, while avoiding damage to the phrenic nerves. The present invention comprises a heart elevation apparatus which is soft and substantially cylindrical, with substantially flat anterior and posterior surfaces. Upon inflation, the anterior surface stabilizes the positioning of the heart and prevents the heart from falling off of the apparatus. The flat posterior surface facilitates positioning of the apparatus on the chest wall. An insulation pad on the posterior surface serves to insulate the phrenic nerves from the frigid bathes commonly employed in cardiac surgical procedures, and also protects the nerves from any compressive forces exerted during the surgery. A web member in the interior of the inflatable chamber prevents the inflatable chamber from blowing up into a ball, and instead constrains the anterior and posterior surfaces, thus resulting in flat or concave appearance, depending on the level of inflation in the inflation chamber. Insertion and proper placement of the apparatus in a deflated state is preferably through an incision in the thoracic wall or through an opening in the sternum. The apparatus is positioned beneath the heart along the chest wall, such that the heart balances stably thereon. The apparatus is then selectively inflated, which elevates the heart and improves the surgeons access thereto. After completion of the cardiac surgical procedure, the apparatus is deflated and then removed from the patient.