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:
Feb. 01, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 18, 1998
Richard S Rhee, Diamond Bar, CA (US);
Keith E Myers, Lake Forest, CA (US);
Jerry L Jackman, Tustin, CA (US);
Baxter International Inc., Deerfield, IL (US);
Abstract
An annulus sizer measures the size of a valve annulus during annuloplasty surgery. The annulus sizer includes a sizing portion for measuring the valve annulus and a coupling portion for attaching to a handle. The coupling portion is disposed on a proximal surface of the sizing portion. The sizing portion has a thickness on the order of about 0.1 inch. This relatively small thickness of the sizer facilitates minimally invasive annuloplasty surgery. For example, the sizer may be inserted through a relatively small intercostal incision. In addition, the relatively thin sizing portion minimizes optical distortion. The coupling portion may be disposed on the sizing portion at a location which is offset from the center of the sizer, thereby defining an enlarged viewing area. The coupling portion may have threading to engage with threading of the handle to ensure secure attachment.