| US 7,494,460 B2 | ||
| Methods and apparatus providing suction-assisted tissue engagement through a minimally invasive incision | ||
| Philip J. Haarstad, Chanhassen, Minn. (US); Christopher P. Olig, Eden Prairie, Minn. (US); Paul T. Rothstein, Maple Grove, Minn. (US); Michael J. Hobday, Lino Lakes, Minn. (US); William J. Steinberg, Coon Rapids, Minn. (US); David J. S. Kim, Maple Grove, Minn. (US); Thomas P. Daigle, Corcoran, Minn. (US); Ann M. Thomas, Plymouth, Minn. (US); Brian J. Ross, Maple Grove, Minn. (US); Steven C. Christian, New Brighton, Minn. (US); Robert H. Reetz, Rockford, Minn. (US); and Douglas H. Gubbin, Brooklyn Park, Minn. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn. (US) | ||
| Filed on Sep. 30, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/675,815. | ||
| Application 10/675815 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/643299, filed on Aug. 19, 2003, granted, now 7,338,434. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/404969, filed on Aug. 21, 2002. | ||
| Claims priority of provisional application 60/424243, filed on Nov. 06, 2002. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2004/0138522 A1, Jul. 15, 2004 | ||
| Int. Cl. A61F 2/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 600—37 | 33 Claims |
| 1. A method of performing a medical procedure on a body organ, accessed through first and second incisions into a body cavity
comprising:
providing an elongated shaft having a shaft body extending between a proximal shaft handle and a shaft body distal end, the
shaft body distal end supporting a shaft fastener element, providing a suction head having a suction pad adapted to be coupled
to a source of suction to engage the body organ through the application of suction to the body organ and a suction head fastener
element adapted to be attached to or detached from the shaft fastener element;
advancing the elongated shaft through both the first and second incision to dispose the shaft body distal end outside the
body adjacent the second incision while the shaft handle is disposed outside the body adjacent the first incision;
attaching the suction head fastener element to the shaft fastener element to form a suction-assisted tissue-engaging device;
positioning the suction pad of the suction head against the body organ;
applying suction through the suction pad to engage the body organ; and,
performing the medical procedure on the body organ via the second incision.
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