Inventors:
James Fonger - Atlanta GA, US
Chris Jorgensen - Bethesda MD, US
Kevin Rego - Marietta GA, US
Tahir Haque - Atlanta GA, US
Nick Patel - North East MD, US
Assignee:
SAINT JOSEPH'S TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE - Atlanta GA
International Classification:
A61B 1/00
Abstract:
The present invention provides an access device for surgery. The access device includes a guide member and a head member. The guide member and head member define a channel configured to receive and guide a sterile flexible scope with a working channel. The guide member and head member cooperate to extend through a small opening of 2 cm or less to access tissue structures. The head member may include surfaces to separate a pericardium from a surface of the heart, stabilize a beating heart and, with the endoscope, provide visibility for the implantation of a therapeutic such as stem cells to the surface of the heart with improved safety and accuracy. Ranges of other diagnostic, application of therapeutics or biologics, and observational applications may be facilitated by the access device, such as TMR, ablation, echo-probe diagnostics, LAA isolation, observation of the same procedures, etc.