Abstract
A cardiac sling for supporting the heart during surgery a support a polymeric film net of interconnecting ribs of polymeric material for applying, in use, sufficient pressure to the portions of the surface of the heart adjacent the ribs to prevent hemorrhage from the anastomotic site of bypass grafting is disclosed.
Filing date: Sep 22, 1989
Issue date: Nov 27, 1990
Inventor: John T. M. Wright
Assignee: Pioneering Technologies, Inc.
Primary Examiner: Kerry Owens
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What is claimed is:
1. A cardiac sling for supporting the heart during surgery comprising:
- a support portion comprising a latticework of ribs surrounding a multiplicity of holes formed in an elastomeric film sheet, the lattice work being so constructed an configured such that the holes have a minimum diameter of from about 0.25 to about 0.75 inch and the ribs are from about 0.062 to about 0.312 inches wide as to apply, sufficient pressure to the portions of the surface of the heart adjacent there is to prevent hemorrhage from the anastomotic site by bypass grafting;
- and means for securing the support portion under the heart.
2. The cardiac sling of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric film sheet is formed of transparent polymer lightly colored a color which contrasts with blood and tissue.
3. The cardiac sling of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric film sheet is formed of polymeric material between about 0.005 and about 0.030 inches in thickness.
4. The cardiac sling of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric film sheet is formed of soft, smooth, matt finish, tear resistant, blood impervious polyurethane.
5. The cardiac sling of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the support portion under the heart comprises at least a pair of tapes extending from the support portion, at the support portion and tapes being formed of one unitary sheet of said polymeric film.
6. A cardiac sling for supporting the heart during surgery comprising:
- a support portion formed of soft, smooth, tear resistant, blood impervious transparent polyurethane colored with a color which contrasts with the color of tissue and blood having a matt finish between about 0.005 and about 0.030 inches in thickness, having a multiplicity of hexagonal holes having a diameter of from about 0.25 to about 0.75 inch as measured between opposed flat sides thereof separated by interconnecting ribs from about 0.062 to about 0.312 inches wide defining six sides thereof forming a net of said interconnecting ribs for applying, in use, sufficient pressure to the portions of the surface of the heart adjacent the ribs to prevent hemorrhage from the anastomotic site of bypass grafting;
- and means for securing the support portion under the heart.
7. A cardiac sling for supporting the heart during surgery comprising:
- a support portion formed of soft, smooth, tear resistant, blood impervious transparent polyurethane film colored with a color which contrasts with the color of tissue and blood and having a matt finish, thefilm being between about 0.005 and about 0.030 inches in thickness, having a multiplicity of hexagonal holes having a diameter of from about 0.25 to about 0.75 inch as measured between opposed flat sides thereof separated by interconnecting ribs from about 0.062 to about 0.312 inches wide defining six sides thereof forming a net of said interconnecting ribs for applying, in use, sufficient pressure to the portions of the surface of the heart adjacent the ribs to prevent hemorrhage from the anastomotic site of bypass grafting;
- and at least a pair of tapes extending from the support portion for securing the support portion under the heart;
- the support portion and tapes being formed of one unitary sheet of said polyurethane film.