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Felix Hoffmann, a German chemist, was searching for something to relieve his father's arthritis. In doing so, he "rediscovered" acetylsalicylic acid and in 1900, patented a stable process for developing it. Hence, we have aspirin.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8114020 | Surgical retractor fixing device A surgical retractor fixing device including a clamp body arranged for removably fixing the surgical retractor fixing device to a frameset that extends along a frameset longitudinal axis and that is arranged to be mounted to an operating table, a rotating body attac... | 02/14/2012 |
| 8038611 | Surgical methods and surgical kits This invention includes surgical retractors that comprise an expandable frame that includes at least two base components, a connector, and at least two retractor blades attached to the expandable frame. Also included are surgical retractors that comprise a housing c... | 10/18/2011 |
| 7491168 | Surgical retractor systems and illuminated cannulae This invention includes surgical retractors that comprise an expandable frame that includes at least two base components, a connector, and at least two retractor blades attached to the expandable frame. Also included are surgical retractors that comprise a housing c... | 02/17/2009 |
| 7338441 | Superelastic/shape memory tissue stabilizers and surgical instruments A surgical instrument is used for temporary use in a medical procedure in a mammalian body. The surgical instrument is configured to be changed between two shapes upon application of one or both of heating and cooling. The instrument includes a first member, a secon... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7338434 | Method and system for organ positioning and stabilization This invention provides a heart positioning device, method and system for positioning, manipulating, holding, grasping, immobilizing and/or stabilizing a heart. The heart positioning device may include a suction head and a shaft with a means for remotely changing th... | 03/04/2008 |
| 7311664 | Apparatus for temporarily engaging body tissue An improved tissue engagement device such as a suction stabilizer or retractor. The stabilizer or retractor is provided with one or more suction pods mounted to the distal end of a flexible arm. The flexible arm is coupled to a base assembly, which attaches the arm ... | 12/25/2007 |
| 7309312 | Apparatus for retaining otherwise hand-held retractors and method of use A retractor retaining device retains an otherwise hand-held retractor in a retracting position within a surgical wound. The retractor retaining device includes a clamp that is attachable to a retractor support that is positioned about the wound. A retaining plate is... | 12/18/2007 |
| 7294103 | Retractor with inflatable blades A surgical retractor is configured to provide surgical access in thoracic surgery, for example through an intercostal incision. The surgical retractor includes at least one inflated or inflatable member to cushion the ribs and surrounding tissue from injury or traum... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7288065 | Access platform for internal mammary dissection 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 preferably pivotally coupled to the spreader member such th... | 10/30/2007 |
| 7270632 | Surgical retractor having lifting capability A surgical retractor includes a pair of small grips that are disposed at the ends of arms that can be moved toward or away from each other. The grips engage and separate the sides of an incision that has been made in a patient. A lifting mechanism that can be attach... | 09/18/2007 |
| 7235049 | Surgical retractor and method of positioning an artery during surgery The present invention relates to a surgical retractor that immobilizes tissue at a surgical site. A preferred embodiment of the retractor is used during minimally invasive direct coronary bypass procedures to arrest movement of the grafting site while the heart cont... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7201716 | Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue The invention is a method and apparatus for performing beating heart surgery, in which a single articulating arm supports multiple suction pods. Once the suction pods are applied to the heart surface, tightening a cable fixes the arm in place. Then, the suction pods... | 04/10/2007 |
| 7191683 | Swivel retractor blade assembly A retractor clamp assembly includes a clamp positionable about a support ring. A retractor shaft extends from the clamp and has a connector at the end with a retractor blade connected thereto by a stem. The connector is preferably equipped with a first slot limiting... | 03/20/2007 |
| 7125380 | Clamping apparatus and methods The methods and apparatus of this invention provide instrumentation for clamping and securing instruments to support members. Specific embodiments of the invention are particularly useful as devices and methods for use during surgical procedures, such as implantatio... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7125379 | Surgical support arm docking apparatus An assembly for exchanging retractor support arms within a retractor support clamp. The assembly includes a main body having a surface defining a cavity extending into the main body from a first end. A support arm having an end portion with a substantially complimen... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7097612 | Tissue positioner Apparatus and methods for stabilizing and/or positioning tissues or organs during surgical procedures. One feature of the positioners of the invention includes the use of one or more suction elements used to grip the organ or tissue. The main body of the suction ele... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7048683 | Method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissue to thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area wit... | 05/23/2006 |
| 7048744 | Attachable surgical accessory instrument A surgical assisting instrument and device having an elongated rectangular u-shaped body with fasteners extending outward therefrom. These fasteners can be of any number and mounted on the top or sides of the body. The body is affixed vertically on the long handle o... | 05/23/2006 |
| 6994669 | Apparatus and method for cardiac surgery The invention provides a stabilizer having a foot to stabilize a patient's heart. The stabilizer has a first foot which is larger than a second foot. The first foot has lateral surfaces which are used to retract other parts of the heart while contact surfaces stabil... | 02/07/2006 |
| 6958038 | Multipositional ratchet device for surgical retractor The invention disclosed herein relates to a multipositional ratchet device for use in conjunction with a surgical retractor assembly. The ratchet device of the invention permits both independent and simultaneous adjustment of the longitudinal axial positioning of a ... | 10/25/2005 |
| 6936002 | Stabilizing tissue method and apparatus A tissue stabilizer includes a pneumatic rigidifying bladder which is flexible when at ambient pressure and rigid when at negative pressure or evacuated. Structure such as straps with hook-and-eye fasteners attaches the rigidifying bladder to tissue to be stabilized... | 08/30/2005 |
| 6932765 | Apparatus for retaining otherwise hand-held retractors A retractor retaining device retains an otherwise handheld retractor in the retraction position. The device includes a flexible loop that is detachably attached to a retractor support proximate the surgical wound with the loop engaging a proximal end or handle of th... | 08/23/2005 |
| 6902523 | Tissue stabilization A tissue stabilizer includes a pneumatic rigidifying bladder which is flexible when at ambient pressure and rigid when at negative pressure or evacuated. Structure such as straps with hook-and-eye fasteners attaches the rigidifying bladder to tissue to be stabilized... | 06/07/2005 |
| 6899670 | Organ manipulator having suction member supported with freedom to move relative to its support An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a compliant joint, a flexible locking arm for mounting such suction member or compliant joint, and a method for retracting and suspending an organ in a retracted position using su... | 05/31/2005 |
| 6869437 | Method and system for performing closed-chest bypass A coronary artery bypass graft procedure is performed through one or more openings made in the patient to create a point of entry to the thoracic cavity. A vein measurement device measures the distance between the proximal and distal anastomotic sites for each graft... | 03/22/2005 |
| 6808493 | Adjustable ratchet retractor support apparatus An adjustable ratchet retractor support apparatus includes in one aspect a rotatable locking mount having first and second surfaces and an axis of rotation perpendicular to the surfaces. First and second rotatable pivot members are disposed respectively on the first... | 10/26/2004 |
| 6767324 | Epicardial cooled stabilizer for beating heart surgery An epicardial cooled stabilizer system is useful for surgical or laparoscopic applications, especially beating heart surgery. The system comprises a stabilizer connected to a cooler/pump where coolant flows into tubing at the distal end of the stabilizer. The tubing... | 07/27/2004 |
| 6746396 | Self-seating surgical access device and method of use A surgical access device includes two opposed side members each of which carries a downwardly depending flange. One lateral member adjustably connects a first end of the first side member to a first end of the second side member, with at least one of these first end... | 06/08/2004 |
| 6736774 | Xyphoid access for cardiac surgical procedures Surgical procedures on the beating heart are enabled by an incision made in the xyphoid area and specially designed retractors and related devices to facilitate cardiac surgical procedures. Specifically, coronary artery bypass graft procedures (CABG) are achieved us... | 05/18/2004 |
| 6733445 | Surgical retractor Apparatus and method for surgery is disclosed which includes a retractor having a substantially planar base defining an opening for overlying an operative site on a patient, and at least one retractor blade slidably mounted to the base. The base is positioned on the... | 05/11/2004 |
| 6709389 | Surgical apparatus and method A surgical instrument includes a frame structure defining proximal and distal portions. The proximal portion has an articulating arm for repositionably mounting to a base and the distal portion supporting a stabilizing member. An attachment mounts on the stabilizing... | 03/23/2004 |
| 6689053 | IMA surgical retractor system A retractor system that is easily and quickly attached to the operating room table utilizing low profile retractor blades which minimize obstruction of the surgeons view and access to the surgical field. Retraction is accomplished quickly and simply with ... | 02/10/2004 |
| 6685632 | Surgical instruments for accessing and stabilizing a localized portion of a beating heart Surgical devices for stabilizing the heart which facilitate anastomosis under beating heart conditions. Various instruments or devices may be maneuvered and secured on a retractor device to provide stabilization of the heart. An instrument mount is provid... | 02/03/2004 |
| 6673013 | Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgery Methods and devices used to stabilize a beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart and to expose a surgical site are disclosed. The stabilizing device is introduced through an opening through the chest and brought into contact with the beating... | 01/06/2004 |
| 6626830 | Methods and devices for improved tissue stabilization Devices and methods are disclosed for accessing and stabilizing an unstable or moving tissue structure within a patient's body, and in particular, for temporarily stabilizing a target site on the beating heart. The devices generally involve tissue stabili... | 09/30/2003 |
| 6620097 | Three-dimensional tilt ratchet mechanism A three-dimensional tilt ratchet mechanism that is able to rotate, pivot, and bend forwards or backwards with ease is provided. The mechanism includes a device for multi-dimensional movement and placement of a retractor blade which comprises a first membe... | 09/16/2003 |
| 6602190 | Multi-position spherical retractor holder A device for securing a retractor to a support arm, the retractor including a handle and a blade, the device includes a spheroidal member having a through bore adapted to engage the handle of the retractor where the spheroidal member is rotatably captivat... | 08/05/2003 |
| 6592514 | Organ retraction tape positioner and method for retracting and positioning an internal organ A surgical retraction and positioning device comprises a stable platform and a flexible tape attached thereto for easier retraction and manipulation of a heart during cardiac surgery. The stable platform has an elongate body having a curved handle extendi... | 07/15/2003 |
| 6589254 | Breast bracket Methods and systems for stability of a human breast during biopsy and surgical procedures are disclosed. An outward lesion is applied to external surface regions of the breast to facilitate and increase the accuracy of access to lesions and other target s... | 07/08/2003 |
| 6589166 | Cardiac stabilizer device having multiplexed vacuum ports and method of stabilizing a beating heart A cardiac stabilizer for use during cardiac surgery. The stabilizer has a cardiac engagement member having at least two vacuum ports, wherein each vacuum port is connected to a separate pressure tube. The pressure in each vacuum port is individually contr... | 07/08/2003 |
