Claims
- 1. A device comprising:
a seal member to contact a surface of an organ, the seal member including an inner surface, a central body, and at least two protrusions that extend outward from the central body. wherein the inner surface defines a chamber when the seal member is in contact with the surface of the organ.
- 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the seal member includes at least three protrusions.
- 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions are located equidistant from each other.
- 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions are of equal size and shape.
- 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions exhibit a long and narrow geometry.
- 6. The device of claim 1, wherein each protrusion includes a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the width of a protrusion tapers from the proximal end to the distal end.
- 7. The device of claim 1, wherein each protrusion includes a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the thickness of a protrusion tapers from the proximal end to the distal end.
- 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the protrusions are substantially flexible and compliant.
- 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the seal member is formed from silicone.
- 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the seal member includes a distal edge that extends around the perimeter of the seal member and contacts a surface of the organ.
- 11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a coating located on the distal edge.
- 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the coating is tacky.
- 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the coating comprises silicone gel.
- 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the seal member further includes a vacuum port in fluid communication with the chamber.
- 15. The device of claim 14, further comprising a valve to regulate fluid flow through the vacuum port.
- 16. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
at least one of a vacuum tube and a support shaft; and a connector connected to at least one of the vacuum tube and support.
- 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the connector is located on a proximal end of the seal member.
- 18. The device of claim 16, wherein the connector is formed integrally with the seal member.
- 19. The device of claim 16, wherein the connector is flexible.
- 20. The device of claim 16, wherein the seal member further includes a vacuum port in fluid communication with the chamber, and
wherein the connector is in fluid communication with the vacuum tube and the vacuum port.
- 21. The device of claim 16, further comprising a handle, the handle attached to at least one of the seal member, the connector, the tube and the support shaft.
- 22. The device of claim 16, further comprising a fixed support that holds the organ in a position, the fixed support attached to at least one of the seal member, the connector, the tube and the support shaft.
- 23. The device of claim 1, further comprising an electrode affixed to the seal member.
- 24. The device of claim 23, wherein the electrode is located on the distal edge.
- 25. The device of claim 1, wherein the seal member comprises a central member and a skirt-like member.
- 26. The device of claim 25, wherein the skirt-like member is substantially compliant and tacky, and
wherein central member is less deformable than the skirt-like member, thereby imparting structural integrity to the seal member.
- 27. A device comprising:
a seal member to contact a surface of an organ, the seal member including a central member and skirt-like member, wherein the skirt-like member includes at least two protrusions that extend outward from the central member.
- 28. The device of claim 27, wherein the skirt-like member is substantially compliant and tacky.
- 29. The device of claim 27, wherein central member is less deformable than the skirt-like member, thereby imparting structural integrity to the seal member.
- 30. The device of claim 27, wherein the seal member includes an inner surface that defines a chamber when the seal member is in contact with the surface of the organ.
- 31. The device of claim 30, wherein the seal member further includes a vacuum port in fluid communication with the chamber.
- 32. The device of claim 27, wherein the skirt-like member further includes a distal edge extending around the perimeter of the skirt-like member.
- 33. The device of claim 32, further comprising a coating located on the distal edge that is more compliant and tacky than the skirt-like member.
- 34. The device of claim 27, further comprising at least one of a handle and a support affixed to the device configured to permit the device to be manipulated and to be immobilized relative to a body of a patient.
- 35. The device of claim 27, wherein the central member includes a protruding structure that extends outward from the center of the central member, wherein at least one protrusion extends from the protruding structure.
- 36. The device of claim 27, wherein the central member has a cup-like shape.
- 37. A method comprising:
bringing a seal member into contact with a surface of an organ to define a chamber, the seal member having at least two protrusions; bringing the protrusions into contact with the surface of the organ; and applying vacuum pressure to the chamber to adhere the seal member and the protrusions to the surface.
- 38. The method of claim 37, wherein applying vacuum pressure comprises causing at least one of the protrusions to deform slightly.
- 39. The method of claim 37, wherein applying vacuum pressure comprises forming a seal between the seal member and the surface of the organ.
- 40. The method of claim 37, wherein applying vacuum pressure comprises closing a valve to maintain a first fluid pressure within the chamber at a lower value than a second fluid pressure outside of the seal member.
- 41. The method of claim 37, further comprising manipulating the organ by manipulating the seal member.
- 42. The method of claim 41, wherein manipulating the organ comprises manipulating the organ by manipulating a handle attached to the seal member.
- 43. The method of claim 42, further comprising:
moving the organ from a first position to a second position; and maintaining the organ in the second position by attaching the seal member to a support.
- 44. The method of claim 37, wherein the organ is a heart, further comprising delivering pacing pulses to the heart.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/336,345, filed Oct. 18, 2001, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60336345 |
Oct 2001 |
US |