Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
  • A61B17/02—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for holding wounds open; Tractors
  • A61B17/0206—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for holding wounds open; Tractors with antagonistic arms as supports for retractor elements
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
  • A61B17/28—Surgical forceps
  • A61B17/2804—Surgical forceps with two or more pivotal connections
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
  • A61B17/00234—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for minimally invasive surgery
  • A61B2017/00238—Type of minimally invasive operation
  • A61B2017/00243—Type of minimally invasive operation cardiac
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
  • A61B17/02—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for holding wounds open; Tractors
  • A61B2017/0237—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for holding wounds open; Tractors for heart surgery
  • A61B2017/0243—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for holding wounds open; Tractors for heart surgery for immobilizing local areas of the heart, e.g. while it beats
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
  • A61B17/28—Surgical forceps
  • A61B17/29—Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
  • A61B17/2909—Handles
  • A61B2017/2912—Handles transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
  • A61B17/28—Surgical forceps
  • A61B17/29—Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
  • A61B2017/2926—Details of heads or jaws
  • A61B2017/2927—Details of heads or jaws the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
  • A61B2017/2929—Details of heads or jaws the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
  • A61B17/28—Surgical forceps
  • A61B17/29—Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
  • A61B2017/2926—Details of heads or jaws
  • A61B2017/2932—Transmission of forces to jaw members

Definitions

• This invention relates to an apparatus for stabilizing a predetermined area of the body during surgical intervention, which better enables a surgeon to perform a surgical procedure at the predetermined site.
• the invention relates to a hand held or retractor mounted apparatus for stabilizing a predetermined area of the heart for performing minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting at the surgical site which has adjustable tool end comprised of substantially at least two parallel prongs (tines or feet) with actuator means to allow for adjustment of the spacing between the tines and wherein the tines are also moveable so as to be self-aligning with the surface of the heart.
• Atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease is among the most common and serious health problems confronting the medical profession.
• many different approaches at therapy have been utilized. Surgical correction of occluded or stenosed coronary arteries via bypass grafting through conventional approaches, such as the sternotomy, are probably still the most common procedure performed today, especially where multiple bypass grafts are needed.
• PTCA percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
• the transluminal approach is a minimally invasive technique which subjects the patient to less trauma and less recovery time, especially when compared to bypass grafts which utilize homologous tissue, such as saphenous vein grafts. Often the patient suffers complications at the graft donor site which are worse than the sternotomy and anastomosis.
• PTCA procedures are often successful, complications such as restenosis or thrombosis and embolism can occur.
• Intravascular stents are sometimes deployed at the PTCA site to lessen the occurrence of restenosis.
• restenosed vessels often require surgical intervention for correction.
• physicians have recently turned to minimally invasive surgical approaches to the heart, such as intercostal and endoscopic access to the surgical site.
• utilization of alternative graft vessels, such as the internal mammary artery (IMA) have also greatly reduced the trauma to the patient and increased the efficacy of surgical therapy.
• IMA internal mammary artery
• the above problems of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which provides an apparatus for stabilizing a predetermined area on a heart or other organ of a patient to enable a surgical procedure to be performed
• the apparatus of the present invention comprises a bifurcated member having at least two elongated prongs, an elongated handle segment, and a means for joining the handle member to the bifurcated member
• Each prong of the bifurcated member may have a first section, a second section, and a third section The first section is adjacent the handle segment and terminates in the second section The second section engages the heart or other organ that the surgical procedure occurs and terminates in the third section
• the bifurcated prongs may be substantially parallel to one another along at least a portion of their bodies and may further comprise a means for movement of the tines between an open and a closed position to increase or decrease the width or spacing between the parallel portions
• the moving means can comprise a scissor hinge assembly attached to an actuator rod which passes through a bore in the handle to means for selective movement of the actuator rod allowing the surgeon to space the tines at a desired distance (width) apart
• the second section engages the heart, it is desired that the second section further comprises a means for stabilizing it from sliding on the heart Stabilizing the apparatus on the heart is an important consideration during the surgical procedure
• the present invention can encompass many different stabilizing means, including, for example, a textured portion on at least a portion of one second section, an insert disposed on the second section having a plurality of teeth, an insert having a plurality of flexible hooks, an insert having a plurality of bristles, or even a flexible covering disposed over at least a portion of the second section
• the flexible covering can be a cloth, such as cotton, or a tubular member formed from a material such as silicon
• the section which engages the heart can be fenestrated using slots or holes interspersed between or among a textured gripping surface. When this section is applied to the surface of the heart, a portion of the heart tissue gently and atraumatically pouches up into or fills the fenestrations or openings to further stabilize the heart and prevent slippage of the
• One embodiment of the invention comprises bifurcated prongs wherein a first portion terminates in a means for allowing rotational movement of a second and or third portion in a desired plane that can be generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first portion. Rotational stops can be placed on the first and second portions to limit the rotational movement to a desired range.
• the independently rotatable portion e.g., a prong, tine or foot is self-aligning with the surface of the heart in the deployed position.
• the present invention further comprises a means for securing a portion of a surgical thread that can be used in the surgical procedure.
• the securing means comprises at least one cleat disposed on the apparatus.
• the cleat or cleats can be disposed in the end of the third section of each of the prongs and/or disposed on the handle segment or the bifurcated member adjacent the first section or both.
• the joining means comprises a means for pivotally connecting the handle segment to the bifurcated member.
• a means for pivotally connecting the handle segment to the bifurcated member This can be achieved by a socket disposed on the handle segment and a ball joined to the bifurcated member, wherein the ball is sized to be complementarily received within the socket.
• it preferably further comprises a means for locking the ball in a selective position within the socket so that the handle segment is disposed at a desired pivotal orientation relative to the bifurcated member.
• an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for stabilizing a predetermined area of the heart of a patient to enable a surgeon to perform a surgical procedure at the predetermined site. It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus which stabilizes a predetermined area of a beating heart to enable a surgeon to perform a surgical procedure at the predetermined site.
• a further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for stabilizing a predetermined area of the heart which further comprises means for anchoring tension or ligation sutures.
• Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for stabilization of an area of the beating heart adjacent to a coronary artery for performing coronary artery bypass grafting.
• Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus as above which is further adapted for pivotal attachment to a device which provides access to the surgical site such as a rib spreader or other retractor.
• Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for stabilization of a predetermined area of the body to enable a surgical procedure at the predetermined site.
• a further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is capable of stabilizing a predetermined area of the body that can also function as a tissue retractor to assist the surgeon in accessing the surgical site.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the apparatus being place on the heart of a patient to perform a surgical procedure.
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment the stabilizing means of the present invention comprising a textured portion on the second surface of the prongs of the bifurcated member.
• Fig. 3 is an alternative embodiment of Fig. 2 in which the stabilizing means comprises an insert having a plurality of teeth.
• Fig. 4 is an alternative embodiment of Fig. 2 in which the stabilizing means comprises a plurality of flexible hooks.
• Fig. 5 is an alternative embodiment of Fig. 2 in which the stabilizing means comprises a plurality of bristles.
• Fig 6 is an alternative embodiment of Fig 2 in which the stabilizing means comprises a flexible covering disposed over the second surface of the prongs of the bifurcated member
• Fig 7 is an alternative embodiment of Fig 6 in which the flexible covering is a tubular member
• Fig 8 is an elevated front view of one embodiment of a cleat for use with the present invention
• Fig 9 is an alternative embodiment of the cleat shown in Fig 8
• Fig 10 is an alternative embodiment of the cleat shown in Fig 8
• Fig 11 is an alternative embodiment of the cleat shown in Fig 8
• Fig 12 is another embodiment of the present invention in which the handle is pivotally connected to the bifurcated member
• Fig 13 is a cut away perspective view of one embodiment of the invention showing means for actuation of the bifurcated prongs (tines or feet), including a scissors linkage assembly, actuator rod and prong (or tine) width adjustment knob and boss assembly on the handle
• Fig 14 is a perspective view of the adjustable width prongs (or tines)
• Fig 15 is a perspective (or top plan) view of the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig 14 with the prongs (or tines) in the open position
• Fig 15 A shows the prongs (or tines) in the closed position
• Fig. 16 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention showing independently rotatable prongs (tines or feet) and means for actuation of the scissor extension links (or a first section of the prongs).
• Fig. 17 shows an alternate means for linkage of the actuator rod to the scissors linkage assembly shown in Fig 16.
• Fig. 18 is an exploded view of the rotational mechanism and stops of the rotating prongs (tines or feet) shown in Fig. 16.
• Fig. 19 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention wherein rotatable textured sleeves are covering a portion of the prongs (tines or feet) shown in Fig 16.
• Fig. 20 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the stabilizing tines or prongs showing fenistrations or holes through the tines for capturing cardiac tissue to increase stabilization at the predetermined site.
• Fig 21 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown in Fig 20.
• Fig 22. is an rear elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig 20.
• Fig 23 is side elevational view of the embodiment shown in Fig 20.
• Fig 24 is an enlargement of the inset at circle A of Fig 23 showing the textured surface of the bottom of the tines or prongs.
• the present invention encompasses an apparatus 10 for stabilizing a predetermined area on a heart 2 of a patient to enable a surgical procedure to be performed.
• the apparatus 10 comprises a bifurcated member 20, an elongated handle segment 40, and a means for joining the handle segment 40 to the bifurcated member 20. It is preferred that the bifurcated member 20 and the handle segment 40 be constructed of stainless steel or other acceptable material for surgical instruments.
• the apparatus of the present invention can be utilized at any location on or within the body where tissue stabilization or isolation of a predetermined area is desired, including but not limited to the heart, liver kidneys, bladder, stomach, intestines, and vascular and other soft tissue surgery.
• tissue stabilization or isolation of a predetermined area including but not limited to the heart, liver kidneys, bladder, stomach, intestines, and vascular and other soft tissue surgery.
• the unique design of the apparatus also provides the added feature of using the apparatus as a tissue retractor for use, e.g., in gaining access to a predetermined surgical site.
• the present invention is ideal for use in heart surgery, in either conventional open heart surgery or by minimally invasive surgery, e.g., minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting.
• minimally invasive surgery access to the heart 2 may be achieved through the ribs of the patient using a rib spreader 12, as shown in Fig. 1.
• the surgeons will usually access the heart via the fourth intercostal space located between the third and fourth ribs, but this may be changed based on the individual patient's anatomy. Since, for the above reasons, this procedure is sometimes performed on a beating heart 2, it is advantageous to stabilize the heart 2 in the area that the surgical procedure will occur.
• the apparatus of the present invention can be used in a manner (as shown in Fig.
• the stabilizing of the heart 2 is particularly useful for a heart suturing technique in the area of the coronary arteries such as the anastomosis of a bypass graft.
• the elongated handle segment 40 is used to extend the bifurcated member 20 into the chest of the patient to reach the surface of the heart 2.
• the handle segment 40 has a first end 42 and an opposite second end 44. As shown in Fig. 1, the handle segment 40 preferably has a hand grip 46 disposed on its second end 44.
• the bifurcated member 20 comprising two elongated prongs 22.
• Each prong 22 has a proximal end 24 and an opposite distal end 26.
• Each prong is divided into three sections, a first section 30, a second section 32, and a third section 36.
• the first section 30 is adjacent the proximal end 24 and terminates in the second section 32.
• the second section 32 engages the heart 2 and terminates in the third section 36, which is adjacent the distal end 26. It is also preferred that the second sections 32 of each of the two prongs 22 are in the same plane, which is shown in Figs. 1-3.
• the apparatus 10 of the present invention can be used in surgical procedures other than heart surgery, including, for example, soft tissue procedures such as vascular thrombosis repair, intestinal resection and anastomosis and other intra abdominal procedures, and the like.
• the third section 36 can be used as a tissue retractor or a retractor to pull a selected item, such as surgical thread 6, away from the area that the surgical procedure is being performed.
• the third section 36 can be advantageously positioned to secure surgical thread 6 in a cleat 70, which is discussed below.
• the apparatus 10 has certain size limitations. For example, the available area to a surgeon to perform a minimally invasive surgical procedure on the heart 2 via an intercostal approach is approximately three (3) inches by one and a half ( 11 ) inches.
• the width between the second sections 32 be in the range of one half ⁇ ) to one and a quarter (VA) inches, more preferably in the range of three quarters (%) of an inch to one (1) inch.
• the range for the length of the second section 32 is in the range of one half (V2) inch to one (1) inch, more preferably in the range of two-thirds (%) of an inch to three quarters (%) of an inch.
• each second section 32 is three quarters ( 3 A) of an inch long and separated by three quarters ( 3 ⁇ ) of an inch from the other second section 32.
• the juncture between the first section 30 and the second section 32 forms at least a 90°, or right, angle ⁇ therebetween. It is preferred that the angle ⁇ be obtuse so that the surgeon has uninhibited access to the area that the surgical procedure is occurring. An acute angle could be used in the present invention, but it is less desirable because it would likely interfere with the surgical procedure.
• each prong 22 is substantially "U" shape in side view, which can be appreciated from Fig. 1 and also from Figs. 2 and 3, which show a truncated inverted "U" shape.
• the stabilizing means in other words, resists sliding or slipping motion between the surface of the heart 2 and the second section 32 Obviously, the stabilizing means should not be of a type that may potentially damage tissue of the heart 2 or other vital organs with which the apparatus 10 is used
• the stabilizing means comprises a textured portion 52 on the second section 32
• the surface shown in Fig 2 is a knurled texture
• Other embodiments are contemplated, such as a plurality of intersecting slits therein that prevent the second section 32 from sliding when it engages the heart 2
• any configuration for the surface of the stabilizing means can be utilized so long as the stabilizing means atraumatically grips the tissue
• the stabilizing means can comprise an insert 54 having an attaching surface 56 secured to the second section 32 of each prong 22 and an opposite stabilizing surface 58 which carries the stabilizing means
• the stabilizing surface 58 of the insert 54 comprises a plurality of tungsten carbide teeth 60
• Other materials may be used, however, including stainless steel
• the teeth should be aggressive enough to prevent sliding, but not so aggressive that they could potentially damage the surface of the heart 2
• stabilizing surface 58 of the insert 54 comprises a plurality of flexible hooks 62
• the preferred hooks are those of a hook and loop fastener, commonly referred to as VELCRO ® fasteners
• the stabilizing means comprises a plurality of bristles 64
• the bristles 64 are disposed at a plurality of different orientations, similar to that of a tube or glass cleaner Because of the multiple orientations of the bristles 64, any direction that the second section 32 tends to slide is resisted by bristles 64 oriented that direction, which contact the surface of the heart 2 to resist the motion
• the stabilizing means comprises a flexible covering 66 disposed over at least a portion of the second section 32
• the covering 66 can a cloth 68, such as cotton, braided cotton, or linen Other coverings that resist motion when disposed on the surface of a heart 2 can also be used
• the covering 66 is a tubular member 69 selected from the group of silicon, rubber, or plastic Likewise, other materials that resist motion when disposed on the surface of a heart 2 can also be used
• the apparatus 10 further comprises a means for securing a portion of a surgical thread 6 used in the surgical procedure
• the securing means comprises at least one cleat 70
• the cleat 70 is disposed in the distal end 26 of each of the prongs 22 of the bifurcated member 20
• Some of the different embodiments for the cleat 70 are shown in Figs 8-11
• the preferred embodiment of the cleat 70 that is disposed in the distal end 26 is a slot 72, which is shown in Fig 8, or a slot with a curved opening 74, which is shown in Fig 9
• Other embodiments to dispose at the distal end 26 include a wedge 76, shown in Fig 10, or a lateral "V" barrel 78, which is similar in design to a bollard and shown in Fig 11
• cleat 70 on either the first end 42 of the handle segment 40 or the proximal end 24 of the bifurcated member 20 More than one cleat 70 can be disposed in this area if the use of the present invention requires multiple cleats 70 As discussed above and shown in Figs 8-11, the cleat 70 can be selected from the group of a wedge 76, a lateral "V" barrel 78, a protrusion having a slot 72 therein, or a protrusion having a slot with a curved opening 74 therein As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, other embodiments of the present invention can use other types of cleats 70 and other locations to dispose the cleats 70
• the joining means which joins the handle segment 40 to the proximal ends 24 of the two prongs 22, comprises fixedly attaching the first end 42 of the handle segment 40 directly to the proximal end 24 of each of the two prongs 22
• the joining means can comprise a connecting bar (not shown) disposed so that it is fixed attached to the first end 42 of the handle segment 40 to form a "T" shape
• Each end of the connecting bar is fixedly attached to the proximal end 24 of a respective prong 22
• the joining means further comprises a means for pivotally connecting the first end 42 of the handle segment 40 to the proximal end 24 of the bifurcated member 20
• the advantage of the pivoting means is the second sections 32 can be disposed at the predetermined location with the handle segment 40 at a position that facilitates moving the bifurcated member 20 Once properly positioned, then the handle segment 40 can be pivoted to another position and, optionally, locked at that position so that the handle segment 40 does not interfere with the surgical procedure
• the pivotally connecting means comprises a socket 47 disposed on the first end 42 of the handle segment 40 and a ball 48 joined to the proximal ends 24 of the two prongs 22 of the bifurcated member 20
• the ball 48 is sized to be complementarily received within the socket 47
• the joining means further comprises a means for locking the ball 48 in a selective position within the socket 47 so that the handle segment 40 is disposed at a desired pivotal orientation relative to the second sections 32
• An example is a tightener 49 that constricts the size of the socket 47 to lock the ball 48 in the desired position
• Other pivoting means are contemplated including, for example, a hinged connection (not shown) in which the handle segment 40 only pivots in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane formed by the second segments 36
• Another embodiment that is contemplated of the present invention further comprises a means for attaching the handle segment 40 to a rib spreader 12 Since access to the heart 2 may be achieved using a rib spreader 12, it is desired to have a means to hold the apparatus 10 at the desired stationary position An attachment 14 to the rib spreader 12 can serve this purpose. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, there are numerous other options available to attach the handle segment 40 mechanically so that the second section is maintained at a desired position without a person physically holding the apparatus 10.
• the embodiment shown in Figs. 13 and 14 comprises a coronary stabilizing retractor 10 of the type generally shown in Fig. 1 above but further having prongs 22 (also referred to herein as tines or feet) which have means 23 for allowing adjustment of the distance, spacing or width Wl and W2 between the distal ends 25, 27 of prongs 22.
• the means 23 for allowing adjustable movement of prongs 22 can be a scissors assembly as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, however other configurations will be apparent to one of skill in the art.
• handle segment 40 is hollow with an actuator rod 35 slidably disposed within the hollow lumen of handle segment 40.
• Actuator rod 40 is pivotally connected to scissors hinge (or linkage) assembly 33 at pivot point 37 at the proximal (or free) end of scissors hinge (or linkage) assembly 33.
• Scissors hinge assembly 33 is pivotally attached to hollow handle segment 40 at its distal (or stationary) end 29.
• An adjustment knob 17 is threaded complimentary to threads 19 on the adaptor 21 on proximal end of actuator rod 35 such that turning the knob clockwise as shown in Fig. 15A retracts actuator rod 35 proximally and causes movement of prongs 22 to the closed position W2. The surgeon can thus adjust the width of prongs 22 to a desired width over a range of positions between Wl and W2.
• the embodiment shown in Fig. 16 shows a pair of prongs (tines or feet) 132 which are self-aligning with a surface on which they are placed (such as the heart) having rotation about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the long axis of scissor extension links (or leg portions) 122.
• the pair of tines (or feet) 132 can be independently rotatable with respect to each other.
• the pivotal arrangement shown in Fig. 18 is a preferred means for rotational attachment of prongs (or feet) 132 to scissor extension links (or leg portions) 122.
• Figs 17 shows a preferred means for attachment of actuator rod 135 to scissors hinge (or linkage) assembly 133
• the attachment can be a yoke 103 having a slot 105 and complimentary barrel link 107 for threaded attachment to actuator rod 135
• yoke 103 can be a single piece attached by a pin 111 to the scissors hinge (or linkage) assembly 133 and having a means such as a threaded engagement (not shown) for attachment to actuator rod 135
• Fig 19 shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein the prongs (or feet) 132 are configured so as to allow positioning of a rotatable textured sleeve 151 over shank portion 153
• the textured rotatable sleeves are held in place by cap screws 155
• the second section 232 which engages the heart can be fenestrated using slots 274 or holes interspersed between or among a textured gripping surface 276
• Prongs 222 of second section 232 have a top surface 270 and a bottom surface 272 Holes or fenestrations 274 extend through the body portion of prongs 222 such that hole 274 communicates the top surface 270 with the bottom surface 272
• the fenistrations or slots in the bottom surface 272 do not have to extend all the way through the body of prongs 222 such that a cavity is created in the bottom surface
• the textured surface 276 be adjacent to and surround the fenistrations or holes 274 on the bottom surface 272 of prongs 222
• the textured surface 276 is comprised of atraumatic (non- traumatic) teeth 278 for increasing the frictional grip of prongs 222 on the surface of the heart
• first section 230 can be attached via first section 230 to a handle sction utilizing, e.g., a ball and socket connection as shown in Fig. 12 and described above.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Surgical Instruments (AREA)
• Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)

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• 1997
  • 1997-09-25 AU AU45996/97A patent/AU733169B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1997-09-25 CA CA002266973A patent/CA2266973A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1997-09-25 WO PCT/US1997/017411 patent/WO1998017182A1/en active Application Filing
  • 1997-09-25 EP EP97944520A patent/EP0944356A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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