Abstract: A stabilizer for use in surgical procedures such as coronary bypass surgery includes an elongate, rigid handle, a neck at the end of the handle, a base leg connected to the end of the neck, and first and second spaced, generally flat fingers that are disposed generally parallel with each other and which lie in a plane disposed at an angle from the longitudinal axis of the handle. The fingers can be used to press against the surface of the heart to stabilize it during surgery. In another embodiment, the handle is in the form of a flexible member that can be adjusted in a variety of positions. In either embodiment, the attachment between the fingers and the heart can be enhanced by providing serrations for the underside of the fingers, or by making the fingers hollow and forming a plurality of openings in the underside of the fingers in order to apply a vacuum to the underside of the fingers.

Abstract: A retractor for use in partial sternotomy includes a toothed crossbar to which a pair of small, parallel grips are attached. The first grip is attached to an arm which is fixed to one end of the crossbar. The second grip is attached to an arm which is movably attached to the crossbar by a pinion, thereby permitting the second grip to be moved along the crossbar toward or away from the first grip. A first rod is connected to the fixed arm by means of a bracket, while a second rod is connected to the movable arm by means of a similar bracket. Retractor blades of different configurations can be connected to the rods by universal clamps. Suture holders are disposed atop each of the arms. A holder for a carbon dioxide tube can be removably connected to the toothed portion of the crossbar.

Abstract: A retractor for use in various types of surgical procedures such as harvesting mammary arteries, coronary bypass surgery, heart valve repairs, mitral valve replacement, partial sternotomies, and other types of surgery includes a toothed crossbar to which a pair of small grips are attached. The first grip is attached to an arm which is removably connected to a first block. The first block is movable along the crossbar, thereby permitting the first grip to be moved toward or away from the second grip. The second grip is attached to an arm which is removably connected to a second block. The second block can be fixed or movably connected to the crossbar. The crossbar includes a hinge that enables the grips to be pivoted relative to each other. Pivoting is accomplished by a pair of vertically extending brackets that are connected to the blocks and which are connected to each other by an adjustable connector.

Abstract: A cardiovascular retractor is provided which is adapted to be mounted on a thoracic retractor. The cardiovascular retractor includes a clamp support which is mounted along an axis of a thoracic retractor and a retractor blade clamp adjustably secured to a rod of the clamp support. The clamp has a blade grip which grasps a retractor blade. The clamp also includes locking means. When the clamp locking means is not locked, the clamp is adjustable along the clamp support rod, the grip is rotatable in the clamp, the retractor blade is axially adjustable in the clamp, and the retractor blade is rotatable in the clamp. However, when the clamp locking means are locked the clamp locking means securely fix the retractor blade relative to the clamp support so that the retractor blade resists movement and will counteract the tension applied as the cardiovascular retractor is used.

Abstract: A cardiovascular retractor is provided which is adapted to be mounted on a thoracic retractor. The cardiovascular retractor includes a clamp support which is mounted along an axis of a thoracic retractor and a retractor blade clamp adjustably secured to a rod of the clamp support. The clamp has a blade grip which grasps a retractor blade. The clamp also includes locking means. When the clamp locking means is not locked, the clamp is adjustable along the clamp support rod, the grip is rotatable in the clamp, the retractor blade is axially adjustably in the clamp, and the retractor blade is rotatable in the clamp. However, when the clamp locking means are locked the clamp locking means securely fix the retractor blade relative to the clamp support so that the retractor blade resists movement and will counteract the tension applied as the cardiovascular retractor is used.