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:
Dec. 14, 1999
Filed:
Jan. 16, 1998
Ivan Sepetka, Los Altos, CA (US);
Robert G Matheny, Carmel, IN (US);
James A Magovern, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Dwight P Morejohn, Davis, CA (US);
Robert C Glines, Cameron Park, CA (US);
Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc., Cupertino, CA (US);
Abstract
A low profile unobtrusive occluder device is disclosed which is particularly applicable for occluding blood vessels in minimally invasive beating heart CABG surgical procedures, wherein relatively small surgical openings are provided. At least one flexible member is provided on the occluder, which is placed against the vessel. A suture thread is passed under the vessel to encompass the vessel between the occluder and suture thread. The suture thread is selectively attached to the occluder such that the flexible member, when deformed, applies continuous selected tension on the suture thread to apply a corresponding compression on the vessel which occludes the flow of blood. An applicator is attached to the occluder to enable installation thereof, but is detachable after installation such that only the low profile occluder remains on the heart surface during surgery. The applicator is re-attached to the occluder to facilitate removal of the latter. In an alternative embodiment, the occluder is formed as an adjustable part of a heart contacting member of a thoracotomy stabilizer apparatus.