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:
Nov. 10, 1998
Filed:
Mar. 19, 1997
Paul F Rom, Kentwood, MI (US);
Russell A Corace, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A device for continuously monitoring the output of a heart in a surgical patient includes a probe head attached at one end to a catheter adapted to be inserted into the patient. The probe head includes a probe and a pair of flexible flat projections extending outwardly from opposite sides of the probe for securing the probe head in the transverse sinus of the patient. At least one transducer is positioned in the probe for detecting a condition of the heart. A hollow needle is adapted for receiving the probe head prior to its installation in the patient, such that the probe head can be installed in the patient immediately after medianstemotomy and division of the patient's pericardium by inserting the needle through the patient's chest wall. A method for continuously monitoring the condition of the heart in a surgical patient includes the steps of providing a probe head responsive to heart function; positioning the probe head in the transverse sinus of the patient proximal to the aortic valve and behind the ascending aorta; and displaying an output of the probe head reflective of the heart condition.