IP Library Granted Patent US 11,439,423
Granted Patent B2
US 11,439,423 · App. 16/582,593 · Granted Sep 13, 2022

Diaphragm entry for posterior surgical access

Inventors: Andy C. Kiser (Carthage, NC); James G. Whayne (Cary, NC); Sidney D. Fleischman (Durham, NC); Earl W. Rogers (Rougemont, NC); Rebecca Schlieman (Raleigh, NC)
Assignee: AtriCure, Inc.
A61B17/29A61B17/3421A61B17/3468A61M29/02A61B1/04A61B17/068A61B18/14A61B90/37A61B2017/00243A61B2017/00278A61B2017/0237A61B2017/291A61B2017/2906A61B2017/2927A61B2017/308A61B2017/320044A61B2017/320048A61B2017/3419A61B2017/3445A61B2017/3484A61B2017/3486A61B2017/3488A61B2018/00291A61M25/1002A61M25/1011A61N7/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,439,423
App. No.
16/582,593
Granted
Sep 13, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and devices described herein facilitate diaphragm entry for posterior access of body organs.

Claims (19)

1. An access device for creating a temporary cavity between organs in a body, the access device comprising:

an elongate member having a working channel extending therethrough, the elongate member further comprising a working lumen extending therethrough, wherein the working lumen is separate from the working channel;

a slot extending along a side wall at a distal end of the elongate member, wherein a distal end of the working channel is located at the slot; and

an expandable member adjacent to the slot, wherein the slot extends proximally past a distal end of the expandable member, wherein the expandable member is in fluid communication with an inflation lumen within the elongate member, wherein the expandable member is configured to separate organs to form the temporary cavity when placed therebetween.

2. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the expandable member is configured to expand non-uniformly about the elongate member.

3. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the working lumen exits the elongate member at an opening, wherein the opening is separate from the slot.

4. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member has a cross sectional shape selected from the group consisting of an oval, a rectangle, a circle, a trapezoid, and a square.

5. The access device of claim 1 , wherein a proximal portion of the elongate member comprises a handle, wherein the handle is configured for manipulation of the access device outside of the body.

6. The access device of claim 1 , wherein upon expansion between organs, the expandable member expands in a direction away from the slot of the working channel such that the slot is not covered by the expandable member.

7. The access device of claim 1 , further comprising a shapeable support member located within the elongate member, wherein the shapeable support member causes the elongated member to retain a shape of the shapeable support member.

8. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member further comprises at least one suction lumen located in the side wall, wherein the suction lumen terminates in a suction port located at the distal end of the elongate member.

9. The access device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one visual element located in a distal portion of the elongate member.

10. The access device of claim 9 , wherein the visual element is a fiber optic scope.

11. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the working channel of the elongate member comprises a non-circular shape having a height and width, such that the working channel width is not equal to the working channel height.

12. The access device of claim 1 , further comprising a locking balloon spaced axially from the expandable member to secure the device within the body.

13. The access device of claim 1 , wherein a length of the elongate member from a proximal end to the slot is about 30 cm.

14. The access device of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises at least a planar surface.

15. The access device of claim 14 , wherein the expandable member is on the planar surface of the elongate member.

16. The access device of claim 14 , wherein the expandable member is on a surface of the elongate member that is adjacent to the planar surface.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2024
From: SILICON VALLEY BANK, A DIVISION OF FIRST-CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY
To: ATRICURE, INC.; ATRICURE, LLC; ENDOSCOPIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; NCONTACT SURGICAL, LLC; SENTREHEART LLC
Reel/Frame 066256/0797 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2024
From: ATRICURE, INC.; ATRICURE, LLC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 066267/0896 →
SUPPLEMENT TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENTS Recorded Feb 5, 2021
From: ATRICURE, INC.; ATRICURE, LLC; ENDOSCOPIC TECHNOLOGIES, LLC; NCONTACT SURGICAL, LLC; SENTREHEART, LLC
To: SILICON VALLEY BANK
Reel/Frame 055229/0400 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2019
From: ROGERS, EARL W.; KISER, ANDY C.; WHAYNE, JAMES G.; FLEISCHMAN, SIDNEY D.; SCHLIEMAN (NÉE NEUBERT), REBECCA
To: NCONTACT SURGICAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 050489/0751 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 25, 2019
From: NCONTACT SURGICAL, INC.
To: ATRICURE, INC.
Reel/Frame 050489/0791 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 11408307 · Apr 21, 2006
Provisional Application 60726342 · Oct 12, 2005
Related Publication 20200261103A1 · Aug 20, 2020