Single-Arm Stabilizer Having Suction Capability

Abstract

A single-arm stabilizer having suction capability includes a single, small leg through which suction can be applied. The leg has an upper surface and a lower surface that are spaced apart to define a chamber. The lower surface includes a plurality of openings that are disposed adjacent each other. A support arm is connected to the leg in order to position the leg as desired. A suction line is in fluid communication with the chamber in order to create a vacuum within the chamber. The stabilizer can be used to stabilize any desired portion of a patient's body, but is particularly effective at stabilizing the septum of a patient's heart. Such stabilization can be accomplished by inserting the leg into the patient's heart through the aorta.

Claims

1. A single-arm stabilizer especially adapted to stabilize the septum of a patient's heart and being of a size and shape to be inserted into the heart through the patient's aorta, comprising: a single, small leg in the form of an elongate, generally rectangular housing through which suction can be applied through the lower surfaces thereof, the housing having a proximal end wall, a distal end wall, an upper surface and a lower surface, the proximal end wall, the distal end wall, the upper surface and the lower surface being spaced apart to define a chamber, the lower surface including a plurality of openings that are disposed adjacent each other; a support arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the support arm being connected to the housing and the second end of the support arm being connectable to a supporting member such as a cardiovascular retractor, the first end of the support arm extending into the chamber through the proximal end wall; and a suction line having a first end and a second end, the first end of the suction line being in fluid communication with the chamber and the second end being connectable to a suction source, whereby, when the second end is connected to a suction source a vacuum will be established within the chamber.

2. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, wherein: the first end of the support arm is hollow and includes a terminal portion having one or more openings in fluid communication with the chamber; and the first end of the suction line is connected to the support arm adjacent the first end thereof such that the suction line can apply a vacuum to the chamber through the first end of the support arm.

3. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the first end of the suction line is directly connected to the housing.

4. (canceled)

5. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of a plastics material.

6. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the housing is about 2-3 cm long, 5-7 mm wide and about 4-5 mm high.

7-8. (canceled)

9. A single-arm stabilizer especially adapted for stabilizing the septum of a patient's heart and being of a size and shape to be inserted into the heart through the patient's aorta, comprising: a single, small leg in the form of an elongate, generally rectangular housing through which suction can be applied through the lower surfaces thereof, the housing having a proximal end wall, a distal end wall, an upper surface and a lower surface that are spaced apart to define a chamber, the lower surface being generally flat and including a plurality of openings that are disposed adjacent each other along the length of the lower surface, the housing being made of a plastics material and being about 2-3 cm long, 5-7 mm wide and about 4-5 mm high; a support arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the support arm being connected to the housing and the second end of the support arm being connectable to a supporting member such as a cardiovascular retractor, the first end of the support arm extending into the chamber through the proximal end wall and defining a portion of the upper surface of the housing, the first end of the support arm and the upper surface of the housing forming a generally flat surface; and a suction line having a first end and a second end, the first end of the suction line being in fluid communication with the chamber and the second end being connectable to a suction source, whereby, when the second end is connected to a suction source a vacuum will be established within the chamber.

10. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 9, wherein: the first end of the support arm is hollow and includes a terminal portion disposed within the chamber, the terminal portion having one or more openings in fluid communication with the chamber; and the first end of the suction line is connected to the support arm adjacent the first end thereof such that the suction line can apply a vacuum to the chamber through the first end of the support arm.

11. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 9, wherein: the first end of the support arm is solid and includes a terminal portion disposed within the chamber; and the first end of the suction line is connected directly to the housing.

12. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 9, wherein the housing is made of a plastics material.

13. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 9, wherein the support arm is made of a malleable material.

14. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 9, further comprising a clamp, the clamp being disposed at the second end of the support arm.

15. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 14, wherein the clamp is C-shaped and includes a thumbscrew that extends through a portion thereof, whereby the clamp can be fitted about a generally flat portion of a cardiovascular retractor and retained in place there.

16. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the support arm is made of a malleable material.

17. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, further comprising a clamp, the clamp being disposed at the second end of the support arm.

18. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 17, wherein the clamp is C-shaped and includes a thumbscrew that extends through a portion thereof, whereby the clamp can be fitted about a generally flat portion of a cardiovascular retractor and retained in place there.

19. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the first end of the support arm defines a portion of the upper surface of the housing.

20. The single-arm stabilizer of claim 19, wherein the first end of the support arm and the upper surface of the housing form a generally flat surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical retractor according to the invention in which a suction capability is provided;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the retractor of FIG. 1; and

[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the surgical retractor according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a surgical stabilizer according to the invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. The stabilizer 10 includes a hollow leg 12. The leg 12 is formed by an elongate, hollow arm 14 to which a housing 16, preferably of a plastic material, is attached. The end of the leg 12 is provided with a plurality of spaced openings 18. The housing 16 is hollow and defines a chamber 20. The housing 16 and the arm 14 form an upper surface 22. The underside of the housing 16 forms a lower surface 24. The lower surface 24 has a plurality of openings 26 that are disposed adjacent to each other, in this instance in a straight line.

[0019] A suction line 28 is spliced into the hollow arm 14 at a location remote from the housing 16. The suction line 28 can be connected to a wall-mounted suction port typically found in operating rooms. A clamp 30 is mounted at the distal end of the arm 14. The clamp has a C-shaped opening 32 that can be fitted about a generally flat portion of a cardiovascular retractor and retained in place there by a thumbscrew 34.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of the invention is indicated by the reference numeral 40. The embodiment 40 is similar to the embodiment 10. The stabilizer 40 includes a hollow leg 42. The leg 42 is formed by an elongate, solid arm 44 to which a housing 46, preferably of a plastic material, is attached. The housing 46 is hollow and defines a chamber 50. The housing 46 and the arm 44 form an upper surface 52. The underside of the housing 46 forms a lower surface 54. The lower surface 54 has a plurality of openings 56 that are disposed adjacent to each other, in this instance in a straight line.

[0021] A suction line 58 is connected to the housing 46 and is in fluid communication with the chamber 50. The suction line 58 can be connected to a wall-mounted suction port typically found in operating rooms. A clamp (not shown) similar or identical to the clamp 30 can be used to connect the arm 44 to a stable member such as a retractor.

[0022] Since the stabilizers 10, 40 are expected to be inserted through the aorta, they must be very small. Typically, the legs 12, 42 will be about 2 or 3 cm long, 5 to 7 mm wide, and approximately 4 or 5 mm high. The arms 14, 44 will be about 6 cm long.

[0023] As will be appreciated from the foregoing description, the stabilizer according to the invention can apply suction to the lower surfaces 24, 54 of the legs 12, 42 in an effective manner. The stabilizer according to the invention enables the septum or other engaged surface to be pushed or pulled into a desired position for the course of the surgical procedure.

[0024] Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it will be understood that the present disclosure of the preferred embodiment has been made only by way of example and that various changes may be resorted to without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed and claimed.