Patents by Inventor Charles S. Taylor
Charles S. Taylor has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6110170Abstract: A surgical instrument is configured to aid in performing a procedure of detaching an internal mammary artery (IMA) and the like, from the connecting tissues and side branch vessels which surround the artery in its native location, wherein the detaching procedure is preliminary to the performing of a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure and wherein the IMA is detached via a minimally invasive thoracotomy. To this end, an elongated slender rod includes a handle at its proximal end and an artery engaging loop, arc, fork configuration, or hook at its distal working end. Embodiments may incorporate electrosurgical capability or electrical insulation. A surgeon thus has means for harvesting an intact and undamaged graft vessel from its native location through a minimally invasive incision with enhanced speed, visibility, and freedom of motion.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: CardioThoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Taylor, Hani Shennib, Michael V. Morejohn
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Patent number: 6110190Abstract: A surgical instrument is configured to aid in performing a procedure of detaching an internal mammary artery (IMA) and the like, from the connecting tissues and side branch vessels which surround the artery in its native location, wherein the detaching procedure is preliminary to the performing of a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure and wherein the IMA is detached via a minimally invasive thoracotomy. To this end, an elongated slender rod includes a handle at its proximal end and an artery engaging loop, arc, fork configuration, or hook at its distal working end. Embodiments may incorporate electrosurgical capability or electrical insulation. A surgeon thus has means for harvesting an intact and undamaged graft vessel from its native location through a minimally invasive incision with enhanced speed, visibility, and freedom of motion.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1999Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: CardioThoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Ginn, Hani Shennib, Charles S. Taylor, Ivan Sepetka
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Patent number: 6071297Abstract: A plurality of embodiments of a distal perfusion device are disclosed, which device facilitates anastomosis constructions by maintaining a dry anastomosis site while simultaneously maintaining blood flow distally in the blood vessel to prevent ischemia and reduce overall patient trauma. The perfusion device is configured for installation into a blood vessel such as a left anterior descending coronary artery through an incision therein, to which is to be grafted a distal end of a blood vessel such as an internal mammary artery. The device includes a central member of selected configuration and material, terminating at either end thereof in respective selectively tapered end members. A lumen extending through the central member and end members, and selected perforations in the end members, maintain blood flow through the perfusion device.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1997Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Charles S. Taylor, Alfredo R. Cantu, Ivan Sepetka, Robert G. Matheny
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Patent number: 6050266Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes only minimal excess motion at the surgery site.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Cardiothracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Federico J. Benetti, Charles S. Taylor
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Patent number: 6036641Abstract: This invention is methods and devices for stabilizing the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing device, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing device such that the contraction of the beating heart causes only minimal excess motion at the surgery site.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1997Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Cardiothoracic System, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Taylor, Dwight P. Morejohn, Benjamin Sherman, Gary B. Weller, William Friederich Witt, Caralin R. Adair
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Patent number: 6032672Abstract: The invention is devices and techniques which use a negative (suction) pressure or vacuum, applied through a surgical instrument, to fix the position of a portion of the surface of a beating heart so that a surgical procedure can be more easily performed. The devices apply a negative pressure at several points on the outer surface of the heart such that a portion of the heart is fixed in place by the suction imposed through the surgical instrument. Because the instrument fixes the position of the tissue, and because the instruments remain at a constant distance from the particular portion of the heart where the surgery is being performed, the device may also serve as a support or platform so that other surgical instruments or devices can be advantageously used at the site.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1997Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventor: Charles S. Taylor
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Patent number: 5976171Abstract: An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and support pads interconnected to a blade. A torsional member is operably interconnected to a blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the interconnected blade and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor interconnected to the blades and is used to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1996Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventor: Charles S. Taylor
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Patent number: 5972020Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method to perform a surgical procedure within the beating heart. The instrument provides a seal to surround cardiac tissue, thereby defining a segregated surgical field within the body of the instrument. A suction device is preferred to remove blood and fluids from the surgical field so that a surgical procedure can be performed while the heart continues to beat. The instrument is particularly suitable for a procedure to repair defective or diseased cardiac valves, such as the mitral valve; a procedure which previously required that the heart be stopped so that the corrective surgical procedure could be performed.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1997Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Alain Carpentier, Charles S. Taylor
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Patent number: 5957832Abstract: The invention provides a percutaneous visualization system for direct, stereoscopic visualization of a body cavity during minimally-invasive surgical procedures. The visualization system includes a cannula having a distal end, a proximal end, and a passage extending therebetween. The passage is configured to allow stereoscopic vision therethrough, and is preferably tapered from the proximal end to the distal end. A sleeve is positionable in the passage of the cannula, the sleeve having an optical passage also configured to allow stereoscopic vision, preferably by tapering. A lens may be disposed in the optical passage of the sleeve for wide-angle viewing. Magnification means may be positioned in optical alignment with the optical passage to provide a magnified image of a surgical site.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1996Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Heartport, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Taylor, Timothy R. Machold
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Patent number: 5944736Abstract: An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and a sternal pad interconnected to a blade. The superior blade is pivotally coupled to the spreader member such that it naturally rises as the blades are separated. Alternatively, a vertical displacement member is operably interconnected to a blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the interconnected superior blade and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor is interconnected to the blades to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Taylor, William N. Aldrich, Federico J. Benetti, Richard S. Ginn, Dwight P. Morejohn, Brent Regan, Eugene E. Reis, Ivan Sepetka, William F. Witt
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Patent number: 5925054Abstract: A plurality of embodiments of a distal perfusion device are disclosed, which device facilitates anastomosis constructions by maintaining a dry anastomosis site while simultaneously maintaining blood flow distally in the blood vessel to prevent ischemia and reduce overall patient trauma. The perfusion device is configured for installation into a blood vessel such as a left anterior descending coronary artery through an incision therein, to which is to be grafted a distal end of a blood vessel such as an internal mammary artery. The device includes a central member of selected configuration and material, terminating at either end thereof in respective selectively tapered end members. A lumen extending through the central member and end members, and selected perforations in the end members, maintain blood flow through the perfusion device.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1997Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Taylor, Alfredo R. Cantu, Son M. Gia, Jeff A. Krolic, Robert G. Matheny, Amr Salahieh, Ivan Sepetka
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Patent number: 5913876Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating coronary surgery on the beating heart wherein the vagus nerve is electrically stimulated to purposely temporarily stop or substantially reduce the beating of the heart under precisely controlled conditions. The apparatus controllably applies the electrical stimulus to preselected locations along the vagus nerve and thus to preselected nerve branches related to the heart. The apparatus includes several clip and probe configurations for establishing electrical contact with the vagus nerve. Such purposely caused temporary stoppage or substantial reduction of the beating of the heart facilitates procedures such as suturing of an anastomosis which would otherwise be more difficult because of the motion induced by the beating heart.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1997Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Taylor, Robert G. Matheny, Dwight P. Morejohn
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Patent number: 5906607Abstract: The invention is devices and techniques which use a negative (suction) pressure or vacuum, applied through a surgical instrument, to fix the position of a portion of the surface of a beating heart so that a surgical procedure can be more easily performed. The devices apply a negative pressure at several points on the outer surface of the heart such that a portion of the heart is fixed in place by the suction imposed through the surgical instrument. Because the instrument fixes the position of the tissue, and because the instruments remain at a constant distance from the particular portion of the heart where the surgery is being performed, the device may also serve as a support or platform so that other surgical instruments or devices can be advantageously used at the site.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1997Date of Patent: May 25, 1999Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Taylor, Federico J. Benetti, Robert G. Matheny
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Patent number: 5894843Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing device, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing device such that the contraction of the beating heart causes only minimal excess motion at the surgery site.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1996Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Federico J. Benetti, Charles S. Taylor, Ivan Sepetka, Amr Salahieh, Robert C. Glines, William N. Aldrich, Brent Regan, John J. Frantzen
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Patent number: 5891159Abstract: An automatic purse string suture device is disclosed that enables a surgeon to install a purse string suture in tissue structures, particularly for sealing the tissue about a cannula. The device is particularly suited for minimally invasive cardiothoracic procedures and is comprised of an applicator having an elongated structure with protrusions extending from the distal edge thereof. Also provided are means for advancing a needle through a passage to pass a suture through tissue that has been conformed to the distal edge of the device. Various means for conforming the tissue to the distal edge are disclosed as are methods for using the device to facilitate cardiothoracic surgery.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Cardiothoratic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Sherman, Robert C. Glines, Ivan Sepetka, Charles S. Taylor, Dwight P. Morejohn
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Patent number: 5891140Abstract: Devices and methods for minimally invasive harvesting of a vessel, especially the internal mammary artery for coronary artery bypass grafting, are disclosed. Generally, an electrosurgical instrument is provided which has a scissors mechanism or other end effector for dissecting tissue. The instrument also has monopolar or bipolar capabilities. Bipolar blade configurations provide current flow between blades or within each blade of the scissors mechanism or both. The instrument includes at least one ergonomically positioned actuator for actuating movement of the blades or end effectors for cutting tissue, for actuating current flow for cauterizing tissue, or for simultaneously or sequentially actuating movement and current flow. In one embodiment, the actuator is operable by a fingertip. The instrument also has a shaft which extends between the scissor mechanism and a handle portion which may be selectively rotatable or malleable to optimize orientation of the scissor mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1996Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Ginn, Charles S. Taylor, Michael D. Hooven
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Patent number: 5875782Abstract: Methods and devices for revascularization of a patient's coronary artery system which obviate the need to place the patient on cardiopulmonary bypass. A method is provided for revascularizing a patient while the-heart is beating, and includes performing at least one minimally invasive coronary artery bypass graft procedure, or other cardiac surgical procedure, and contemporaneously performing at least one catheter-based procedure in at least one coronary artery. The catheter-based procedure(s) may be either therapeutic or diagnostic or both, and may involve delivering at least one catheter to a coronary artery via a surgical or percutaneous opening in the thoracic cavity or via a percutaneous opening at a location peripheral to the thoracic cavity. The catheter-based procedure or procedures is performed contemporaneously with the bypass graft procedure, and specifically prior to, during, or after anesthetizing the patient for purposes of the bypass graft procedure.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1996Date of Patent: March 2, 1999Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard M. Ferrari, Charles S. Taylor, Jack W. Lasersohn, Federico J. Benetti, Jodi J. Akin, Richard Ginn, Amr Salahieh
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Patent number: 5871496Abstract: A surgical instrument is configured to aid in performing a procedure of detaching an internal mammary artery (IMA) and the like, from the connecting tissues and side branch vessels which surround the artery in its native location, wherein the detaching procedure is preliminary to the performing of a coronary artery bypass grafting procedure and wherein the IMA is detached via a minimally invasive thoracotomy. To this end, an elongated slender rod includes a handle at its proximal end and an artery engaging loop, arc, fork configuration, or hook at its distal working end. Embodiments may incorporate electrosurgical capability or electrical insulation. A surgeon thus has means for harvesting an intact and undamaged graft vessel from its native location through a minimally invasive incision with enhanced speed, visibility, and freedom of motion.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1997Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Richard S. Ginn, Hani Shennib, Charles S. Taylor, Ivan Sepetka
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Patent number: 5776154Abstract: Surgical instruments and methods for making substantially linear incisions, especially through the wall of vessels, such as arteries, specifically designed for coronary artery bypass graft procedures (CABG) on the beating heart. The invention is particularly useful to create the incision in the artery to which a bypass graft is sewn, typically the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The instruments allow incisions to be rapidly made, precisely measured, and cleanly formed so that a bypass graft can be rapidly sewn in place, without undue trauma to surrounding tissue and excessive loss of blood. In one embodiment, a hand-held instrument has a cutting edge formed on the interior edge of a curved blade fixed near the end of the instrument. The tip of the blade has a point for penetrating the vessel wall which may have several alternate shapes to facilitate penetration of the vessel wall while minimizing trauma to the surrounding tissue.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Charles S. Taylor, John J. Frantzen, Ivan Sepetka
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Patent number: 5769870Abstract: A plurality of embodiments of a distal perfusion device are disclosed, which device facilitates anastomosis constructions by maintaining a dry anastomosis site while simultaneously maintaining blood flow distally in the blood vessel to prevent ischemia and reduce overall patient trauma. The perfusion device is configured for installation into a blood vessel such as a left anterior descending coronary artery through an incision therein, to which is to be grafted a distal end of a blood vessel such as an internal mammary artery. The device includes a central member of selected configuration and material, terminating at either end thereof in respective selectively tapered end members. A lumen extending through the central member and end members, and selected perforations in the end members, maintain blood flow through the perfusion device.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1996Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Cardiothoracic Systems, Inc.Inventors: Amr Salahieh, Charles S. Taylor, Alfredo R. Cantu, Ivan Sepetka, Robert G. Matheny