초록 ▼

The present invention provides stabilizing devices and methods of use for temporarily remotely immobilizing a local area of tissue, such as a local area of tissue on a beating heart, or other internal organ, to thereby permit minimally-invasive or robotic surgery thereon. The invention stabilizing d

The present invention provides stabilizing devices and methods of use for temporarily remotely immobilizing a local area of tissue, such as a local area of tissue on a beating heart, or other internal organ, to thereby permit minimally-invasive or robotic surgery thereon. The invention stabilizing device, which is coupled to a vacuum source, features an elastomeric suction body mounted on the steerable tip of a rod-like instrument, such as a steerable catheter. The flexible or steerable tip and elongate suction channel are sized for introduction into an interior body cavity via a small surgical opening. A steering mechanism mounted at the proximal end of the device is used to coil the elongate tip and suction channel into a ring- or horseshoe-shape within the body cavity. Preferably, the suction channel has a flexible, spreadable outer rim portion which is designed to flatten and spread outwardly against the surface of the treatment site as air is withdrawn from the coiled suction channel to distribute the pressure against the treatment site while maximizing the suction field. The suction body is manufactured of a soft, compliant material, such as an elastomeric polymer, to allow the suction channel to be transformed into the coiled conformation without deformation sufficient to defeat its purpose of use, i.e., clinging to the surface of a treatment site under partial vacuum.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A device for stabilizing the surface of a treatment site within a body cavity of a subject, said device comprising:an elongate hollow rod having a proximal end and a distal end with a flexible portion at the distal end thereof, said rod being sized and constructed to be

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A device for stabilizing the surface of a treatment site within a body cavity of a subject, said device comprising:an elongate hollow rod having a proximal end and a distal end with a flexible portion at the distal end thereof, said rod being sized and constructed to be advanced into a body cavity of a subject;a deflection mechanism within the hollow rod attached to the flexible portion of the rod and to a steering mechanism associated with the proximal end of the rod for causing the flexible portion of the rod to coil into a ring- or horseshoe-shape, and,an elongate coilable suction channel, said suction channel comprisingan elongate base attached along one side of the flexible portion,a flexible rim surrounding the perimeter of the base on the side opposite to the attachment of the base to the flexible portion, andone or more suction ports in the suction channel in fluid communication with a partial vacuum from a remote source;wherein actuation of the steering mechanism coils the flexible portion containing suction channel into a ring- or horseshoe-shape.