Abstract: A minimally invasive occlusion device is disclosed. The minimally invasive occlusion device includes a first link having a first end and a second end, a second link having a first end and a second end; the first end of the second link connected to the first end of the first link by a compensating coupler. Another minimally invasive occlusion device may include a delivery frame or a shaft having an articulating cradle coupled to the shaft. A method of occluding tissue is also disclosed. The method of occluding tissue includes placing a first link of an occlusion device laterally at a base of tissue, placing a second link of an occlusion device on an opposing side of the base of tissue, substantially parallel with the first link, and securing the first link and the second link to fully occlude the base of tissue.

Abstract: A surgical port is disclosed. The surgical port has a cannular channel. The surgical port also has one or more suture slots in communication with the cannular channel. The surgical port further has a pair of cam grips for each of the one or more suture slots, each pair of cam grips comprising opposing gripping arms configured to allow suture to be pulled through the opposing gripping arms in a direction away from the cannular channel and to resist suture movement in a direction towards the cannular channel.

Abstract: A sternal elevator apparatus is disclosed. The sternal elevator may include a panel, a support beam traversing the panel, and a post coupled to a proximal end of the panel. The apparatus may also include an indicator handle coupled to the sternal elevator, an actuator drive pivotably coupled to the indicator handle, and a housing movably coupled to the actuator drive. The sternal elevator apparatus may have an actuator drive incorporating a linear rack. The housing further may include a cylindrical gear where the cylindrical gear is engaged with the linear rack.

Abstract: A sternal elevator apparatus is disclosed. The sternal elevator may include a panel, a support beam traversing the panel, and a post coupled to a proximal end of the panel. The apparatus may also include an indicator handle coupled to the sternal elevator, an actuator drive pivotably coupled to the indicator handle, and a housing movably coupled to the actuator drive. The sternal elevator apparatus may have an actuator drive incorporating a linear rack. The housing further may include a cylindrical gear where the cylindrical gear is engaged with the linear rack.

Abstract: A device for vessel harvesting is disclosed. The device for vessel harvesting includes a distal housing, a dissector coupled to the distal housing, a drive element coupled to the dissector, and an actuator coupled to the drive element. The device for vessel harvesting may also include a rotatable dissector, a shaft coupled to the distal housing having a first articulation joint movable within a first plane, and a second articulation joint movable within a second plane, which is substantially perpendicular to the first plane, a barrel chain drive element coupled to the rotatable dissector, and an actuator coupled to the drive element. The device for vessel harvesting may also include a member slidably engaged to the distal tip.

Abstract: A retractor member includes a body portion extending along a longitudinal axis and being at least partially defined by a first lateral perimeter edge and a second lateral perimeter edge that each extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. The body portion additionally includes an upper surface and a lower surface that each extends between the first lateral perimeter edge and the second lateral perimeter edge. A first lateral support portion is coupled to the body portion at a first location at or adjacent to the first lateral perimeter edge, and a second lateral support portion is coupled to the body portion at a second location at or adjacent to the second lateral perimeter edge. A first coupling portion is disposed at a top end portion of the first lateral support portion and a second coupling portion is disposed at a top end portion of the second lateral support portion.

Abstract: A sternal elevator apparatus is disclosed. The sternal elevator may include a panel, a support beam traversing the panel, and a post coupled to a proximal end of the panel. The apparatus may also include an indicator handle coupled to the sternal elevator, an actuator drive pivotably coupled to the indicator handle, and a housing movably coupled to the actuator drive. The sternal elevator apparatus may have an actuator drive incorporating a linear rack. The housing further may include a cylindrical gear where the cylindrical gear is engaged with the linear rack.

Abstract: A device for cardiac surgery is disclosed, having a) a plurality of pairs of suture guides spaced about the frame; b) a plurality of suture tubes, with one suture tube corresponding to each pair of suture guides; c) a plurality of snares, each corresponding to and passed through one of the plurality of suture tubes so that a handle at one end of the snare protrudes from a proximal end of the corresponding suture tube and a snare loop at another end of the snare protrudes through a distal end of the corresponding suture tube, and wherein the snare loop further protrudes through one of the suture guides in the corresponding pair of suture guides; and d) a plurality of sutures, each corresponding to one of the pairs of suture guides and coupled to the suture guide in the corresponding pair of suture guides which does not have the snare loop passing through it.

Abstract: A needle assembly for pleural space insufflation is disclosed. The needle assembly has an outer shaft defining one or more pliable tissue receivers. The needle assembly also has a needle moveable within the outer shaft from a retracted position to an engaged position that does not extend past a distal end of the outer shaft. A method of pleural space insufflation is also disclosed. A parietal pleura is contacted with a distal end of an outer shaft that defines one or more pliable tissue receivers. The distal end of the outer shaft is pushed against the parietal pleura so that a portion of the parietal pleura enters the one or more pliable tissue receivers. A needle is advanced within the outer shaft so that the needle pierces the parietal pleura.

Abstract: A minimally invasive VAD installation system is disclosed. The installation system has a curved hook having another hook at its distal end. The installation system also has a valve insertion tool having a gimbaled set of clamp jaws configured for releasably holding the inflow tube of a VAD pump. The installation system further has a pushing tool having a distal opening configured to pass over a tube.

Abstract: A mechanical suture fastener is disclosed. The mechanical suture fastener includes a crimpable sleeve defining a channel therein. The crimpable sleeve also has a sleeve length, a channel diameter, and a sleeve length to channel diameter ratio of at least 4.0. The mechanical suture fastener also includes a flange joined to the crimpable sleeve on a distal end of the sleeve. The flange further includes a distal opening which is in communication with a proximal opening defined by the crimpable sleeve. The mechanical suture fastener also includes an inner flange radius of at least 0.007 inches.

Abstract: A tissue manipulation device including a securing member pivotably coupled to a handle portion and is pivotably displaceable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A distal end of a wire is coupled to an end effector of the tissue manipulation device, and the proximal end of the wire is removably coupled to an engagement portion of the securing member when the securing member is in the engaged position and is disengaged from the engagement portion of the securing member when the securing member is in the disengaged position. When the securing member is in the engaged position, the wire couples the securing member and the end effector such that when the securing member is displaced from a first securing member position to a second securing member position, the end effector is displaced from a undeployed position to a deployed position.

Abstract: A medical device assembly includes a hinge rod having a first portion and a second portion, and a pedestal is coupled to the second portion of the hinge rod, the pedestal having a top surface, and portions of the pedestal cooperate to define a trough that is configured to hold a first portion of a vessel on the top surface of the pedestal. A retainer is movably coupled to the pedestal, and the retainer has a planar member having a lower surface configured to oppose the top surface of the pedestal. A joint member is coupled to the hinge rod, and a clamp assembly is releasably coupled to the joint member such that when the clamp assembly is in a locked configuration, the hinge rod is not repositionable, and when the clamp assembly is in an unlocked configuration, the hinge rod is repositionable.

Abstract: A medical device assembly includes a hinge rod having a first portion and a second portion, and a pedestal is coupled to the second portion of the hinge rod, the pedestal having a top surface, and portions of the pedestal cooperate to define a trough that is configured to hold a first portion of a vessel on the top surface of the pedestal. A retainer is movably coupled to the pedestal, and the retainer has a planar member having a lower surface configured to oppose the top surface of the pedestal. A joint member is coupled to the hinge rod, and a clamp assembly is releasably coupled to the joint member such that when the clamp assembly is in a locked configuration, the hinge rod is not repositionable, and when the clamp assembly is in an unlocked configuration, the hinge rod is repositionable.

Abstract: A surgical instrument guide assembly includes a main guide portion that includes a shaft portion extending along a longitudinal axis and a body portion extending along the longitudinal axis, and a proximal end of the shaft portion is disposed at a distal end of the body portion. The main guide portion further includes a first lumen and a second lumen that each extends along the longitudinal axis from a proximal end at a proximal end of the body portion to a distal end at a distal end of the shaft portion. A seal portion is coupled to the proximal end of the body portion of the main guide portion, and the seal portion includes a first port and a second port formed in a seal wall of the seal portion. The seal portion is selectively displaceable from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A surgical rib retractor is disclosed. The surgical rib retractor has a housing and a body pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. The surgical rib retractor further has a first arm unit pivotably coupled to the first shoulder and configured to receive one rib. The first arm unit may include a first arm, and a first strut movable relative to the first arm in a first plane defined by the first arm. The surgical rib retractor also has a second arm unit pivotably coupled to the second shoulder and configured to receive another rib. The second arm unit may include a second arm and a second strut movable relative to the second arm in a second plane define by the second arm, where the second plane is not parallel to the first plane when the body is in the closed position.

Abstract: A cardiac retractor is disclosed. The cardiac retractor has an outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has a fixed collar fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the outer tube. The cardiac retractor further has a fixed link fixedly coupled to a distal end of the outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has an inner tube rotatable within the outer tube. The cardiac retractor further has a fixed key coupled to a proximal end of the inner tube and configured to rotate the inner tube relative to the outer tube. The cardiac retractor also has a keyed link coupled to a distal end of the outer tube.

Abstract: A surgical procedure kit includes a base, a first expansion panel having a first edge pivotably coupled to a first edge of the base, a first tent panel having a first edge pivotably coupled to a second edge of the first expansion panel, a second expansion panel having a first edge pivotably coupled to a second edge of the first tent panel and a second tent panel having a first edge pivotably coupled to the second edge of the second expansion panel. The base, the first tent panel, and the second tent panel each includes a receptacle configured to releasably hold a surgical device. In addition, the base, the first expansion panel, the first tent panel, the second expansion panel and the second tent panel are configurable between a deployed state and a shipping state.

Abstract: A device for pacemaker lead placement is disclosed. The device has a device tip having a tissue bite area, ferrule holders, and needle tips. The device also has a lead end rest at the distal end, with a pacemaker lead end situated on the lead end rest, the pacemaker lead end having first and second anchor suture holes. The device further has an anchor suture with ferrules at respective ends of the anchor suture, wherein the ferrules of the anchor suture are passed through the anchor suture holes and into communication with the ferrule holders. The device further has one or more tube guides configured to organize and manage sutures during a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Abstract: A minimally invasive suturing device is disclosed. The minimally invasive suturing device has a shaft and a distal tip. The minimally invasive suturing device also has a flexible span coupling the distal tip to the shaft. The flexible span has an angling link, a plurality of bending links, and an end link.