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:
May. 22, 2007
Filed:
Jul. 06, 2001
Lawrence W. HU, Mountain View, CA (US);
David J. Paul, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Eugene E. Reis, San Jose, CA (US);
Harry L. Green, Ii, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Lawrence W. Hu, Mountain View, CA (US);
David J. Paul, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Eugene E. Reis, San Jose, CA (US);
Harry L. Green, II, Santa Cruz, CA (US);
Cardiothoracic System, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed surgical methods and apparatus for accessing and stabilizing the heart. The methods and apparatus facilitate access to an anastomosis site, allows various instruments or devices to be maneuvered and secured in place, and provide stabilization of the heart. In particular, the apparatus involves a retractor apparatus having one or more opposing blades having a channel adapted to engage an incision in a patient. The retractor blades may have features to cooperatively engage an instrument mount. The instrument mount preferably is configured to hold an instrument, such as a tissue stabilizer, and allows the instrument to be easily maneuvered. The retractor blades may have a number of suture locks for securing sutures used during surgery. The retractor system is particularly useful in accessing, positioning and stabilizing the beating heart for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.