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.

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.