Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for surgical repair of dilated aortic root to restore aortic valve competence while preserving native leaflets. In one aspect of the invention an expandable annuloplasty ring is provided for external placement at the base of a dilated aortic root. The expandable ring is capable of elastically expanding between a first diastolic diameter and a larger second systolic diameter to provide a physiologically representative surgical repair of the aortic root. In a further aspect of the invention, is provided a holder assembly for aortic annuloplasty ring and suitable for other cardiac valve prosthesis. The holder assembly consists of a holder body pivotingly coupled to a handle member through a ball-and-socket arrangement.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for surgical repair of dilated aortic root to restore aortic valve competence while preserving native leaflets. In one aspect of the invention an expandable annuloplasty ring is provided for external placement at the base of a dilated aortic root. The expandable ring is capable of elastically expanding between a first diastolic diameter and a larger second systolic diameter to provide a physiologically representative surgical repair of the aortic root. In a further aspect of the invention, is provided a holder assembly for aortic annuloplasty ring and suitable for other cardiac valve prosthesis. The holder assembly consists of a holder body pivotingly coupled to a handle member through a ball-and-socket arrangement.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring to resize a dilated aortic root during valve sparing surgery includes a scalloped space frame having three trough sections connected to define three crest sections. The annuloplasty ring is mounted outside the aortic root, and extends in height between a base plane and a spaced apart commissure plane of the aortic root. At least two adjacent trough sections are coupled by an annulus-restraining member or tether that limits the maximum deflection of the base of the annuloplasty ring. In use, the tether is preferably located in proximity to the base plane of the aortic root. The annuloplasty ring is movable between a first, substantially conical configuration occurring during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, and a second, substantially cylindrical configuration occurring during a systolic phase of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: A prosthetic aortic conduit (1) for use during surgery on the aorta of a patient. The conduit includes an elongate tubular portion (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (11) between a first conduit terminal end (12) and a second conduit terminal end (13). The first conduit terminal end (12) is configured with two substantially U-shaped tongues (21, 22) extending away from the tubular portion (10) generally along the longitudinal axis (11). Each of the tongues (21, 22) is appropriately sized to together collectively approximate the shape of the scalloped bicuspid valve annulus. The second conduit terminal end (13) is configured with three substantially U-shaped tongues (31, 32, 33) extending away from the tubular portion (10) generally along the longitudinal axis (11). Each of the tongues (31, 32, 33) is appropriately sized to together collectively approximate the shape of the scalloped tricuspid valve annulus.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring to resize a dilated aortic root during valve sparing surgery includes a scalloped space frame having three trough sections connected to define three crest sections. The annuloplasty ring is mounted outside the aortic root, and extends in height between a base plane and a spaced apart commissure plane of the aortic root. At least two adjacent trough sections are coupled by an annulus-restraining member or tether that limits the maximum deflection of the base of the annuloplasty ring. In use, the tether is preferably located in proximity to the base plane of the aortic root. The annuloplasty ring is movable between a first, substantially conical configuration occurring during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, and a second, substantially cylindrical configuration occurring during a systolic phase of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring to resize a dilated aortic root during valve sparing surgery includes a scalloped space frame having three trough sections connected to define three crest sections. The annuloplasty ring is mounted outside the aortic root, and extends in height between a base plane and a spaced apart commissure plane of the aortic root. At least two adjacent trough sections are coupled by an annulus-restraining member or tether that limits the maximum deflection of the base of the annuloplasty ring. In use, the tether is preferably located in proximity to the base plane of the aortic root. The annuloplasty ring is movable between a first, substantially conical configuration occurring during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, and a second, substantially cylindrical configuration occurring during a systolic phase of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: A surgical loop for constricting or ligating, partially or fully, an anatomic conduit during a surgical intervention. The surgical loop includes an elastomeric tubular body, a curved needle that is attached to one free end of the tubular body to facilitate its insertion through a body tissue containing an anatomic conduit, and a pledget which is frictionally engaged and positionable along the length of the tubular body. The pledget is frictionally engaged with a first portion of the tubular body through a closed-perimeter opening. A second portion of the tubular body is subsequently frictionally engaged or restrained with the pledget through a slot. The pledget is configured with a bias structure which maintains the slot in a biased-closed configuration to engage and restrain the second portion of tubular body.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for surgical repair of dilated aortic root to restore aortic valve competence while preserving native leaflets. In one aspect of the invention an expandable annuloplasty ring is provided for external placement at the base of a dilated aortic root. The expandable ring is capable of elastically expanding between a first diastolic diameter and a larger second systolic diameter to provide a physiologically representative surgical repair of the aortic root. In a further aspect of the invention, is provided a holder assembly for aortic annuloplasty ring and suitable for other cardiac valve prosthesis. The holder assembly consists of a holder body pivotingly coupled to a handle member through a ball-and-socket arrangement.

Abstract: A prosthetic aortic conduit (1) for use during surgery on the aorta of a patient. The conduit includes an elongate tubular portion (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (11) between a first conduit terminal end (12) and a second conduit terminal end (13). The first conduit terminal end (12) is configured with two substantially U-shaped tongues (21, 22) extending away from the tubular portion (10) generally along the longitudinal axis (11). Each of the tongues (21, 22) is appropriately sized to together collectively approximate the shape of the scalloped bicuspid valve annulus. The second conduit terminal end (13) is configured with three substantially U-shaped tongues (31, 32, 33) extending away from the tubular portion (10) generally along the longitudinal axis (11). Each of the tongues (31, 32, 33) is appropriately sized to together collectively approximate the shape of the scalloped tricuspid valve annulus.

Abstract: A tissue retractor for displacing body tissue during surgery includes a tissue piercing member such as a surgical needle, a wire-like filament such as a suture line affixed to the surgical needle, a fixed element such as an anchoring port being associated with a stable surgical platform such as a sternum retractor and a movable element such as an anchoring plug cooperating with anchoring port to engage a portion of suture line after the suture line is threaded through the body tissue with the surgical needle and after the suture wire is tensioned to effect a predetermined displacement of the body tissue. The predetermined displacement of body tissue is maintained by retention of the engaged portion of suture line by the fixed anchoring port and the movable anchoring plug.

Abstract: A surgical tool for visually assessing or measuring the aortic structures contained within a generally tubular aortic root. The surgical tool is appropriately configured and sized to be insertable within an aortic root during surgery. The surgical tool comprises a handle portion and a cylindrical portion connectable thereto. The cylindrical portion defines an external cylindrical surface and extends in height along a tool axis between a base portion and a top portion. The cylindrical portion being optically clear or having at least a section thereof that is sufficiently transparent whereby, in use, when the surgical tool is placed within the aortic root and the aortic structures are in contact with the external cylindrical surface, the aortic structures are visible through said optically clear or sufficiently transparent section.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for surgical repair of dilated aortic root to restore aortic valve competence while preserving native leaflets. In one aspect of the invention an expandable annuloplasty ring is provided for external placement at the base of a dilated aortic root. The expandable ring is capable of elastically expanding between a first diastolic diameter and a larger second systolic diameter to provide a physiologically representative surgical repair of the aortic root. In a further aspect of the invention, is provided a holder assembly for aortic annuloplasty ring and suitable for other cardiac valve prosthesis. The holder assembly consists of a holder body pivotingly coupled to a handle member through a ball-and-socket arrangement.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring to resize a dilated aortic root during valve sparing surgery includes a scalloped space frame having three trough sections connected to define three crest sections. The annuloplasty ring is mounted outside the aortic root, and extends in height between a base plane and a spaced apart commissure plane of the aortic root. At least two adjacent trough sections are coupled by an annulus-restraining member or tether that limits the maximum deflection of the base of the annuloplasty ring. In use, the tether is preferably located in proximity to the base plane of the aortic root. The annuloplasty ring is movable between a first, substantially conical configuration occurring during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, and a second, substantially cylindrical configuration occurring during a systolic phase of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: A tissue retractor for displacing body tissue during surgery includes a tissue piercing member such as a surgical needle, a wire-like filament such as a suture line affixed to the surgical needle, a fixed element such as an anchoring port being associated with a stable surgical platform such as a sternum retractor and a movable element such as an anchoring plug cooperating with anchoring port to engage a portion of suture line after the suture line is threaded through the body tissue with the surgical needle and after the suture wire is tensioned to effect a predetermined displacement of the body tissue. The predetermined displacement of body tissue is maintained by retention of the engaged portion of suture line by the fixed anchoring port and the movable anchoring plug.

Abstract: An annuloplasty ring to resize a dilated aortic root during valve sparing surgery includes a scalloped space frame having three trough sections connected to define three crest sections. The annuloplasty ring is mounted outside the aortic root, and extends in height between a base plane and a spaced apart commissure plane of the aortic root. At least two adjacent trough sections are coupled by an annulus-restraining member or tether that limits the maximum deflection of the base of the annuloplasty ring. In use, the tether is preferably located in proximity to the base plane of the aortic root. The annuloplasty ring is movable between a first, substantially conical configuration occurring during a diastolic phase of the cardiac cycle, and a second, substantially cylindrical configuration occurring during a systolic phase of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: A tissue retractor for displacing body tissue during surgery includes a tissue piercing member such as a surgical needle, a wire-like filament such as a suture line affixed to the surgical needle, a fixed element such as an anchoring port being associated with a stable surgical platform such as a sternum retractor and a movable element such as an anchoring plug cooperating with anchoring port to engage a portion of suture line after the suture line is threaded through the body tissue with the surgical needle and after the suture wire is tensioned to effect a predetermined displacement of the body tissue. The predetermined displacement of body tissue is maintained by retention of the engaged portion of suture line by the fixed anchoring port and the movable anchoring plug.

Abstract: The invention provides a surgical apparatus and method for performing less-invasive, closed chest cardiac surgery through a transabdominal approach, without cardiopulmonary bypass. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a heart manipulator and a coronary stabilizer which are deployed through an access cannula and secured relative to a stationary support through a surgical arm. Heart manipulator and coronary stabilizer cooperate together to enable access to all the coronary artery territories of the heart through a single access cannula. Also provided is a diaphragm tissue retractor.

Abstract: The invention provides a surgical apparatus and method for performing less-invasive, closed chest cardiac surgery through a transabdominal approach, without cardiopulmonary bypass. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a heart manipulator and a coronary stabilizer which are deployed through an access cannula and secured relative to a stationary support through a surgical arm. Heart manipulator and coronary stabilizer cooperate together to enable access to all the coronary artery territories of the heart through a single access cannula. Also provided is a diaphragm tissue retractor.

Abstract: An intervention is performed on a target anatomic structure of a patient body by first altering the configuration of the diaphragm through displacement or puncturing of the latter, in order to create a passageway leading into the thoracic cavity. An implement is introduced into the thoracic cavity through the passageway. The implement is then used while extending through the passageway to alter a biological tissue of the target structure or manipulate the latter. Optionally, a separating component having a peripheral wall encompassing a component channel is introduced into the passageway for receiving the implement and separating the latter from the non-target anatomic structure.

Abstract: A tissue retractor for displacing body tissue during surgery includes a tissue piercing member such as a surgical needle, a wire-like filament such as a suture line affixed to the surgical needle, a fixed element such as an anchoring port being associated with a stable surgical platform such as a sternum retractor and a movable element such as an anchoring plug cooperating with anchoring port to engage a portion of suture line after the suture line is threaded through the body tissue with the surgical needle and after the suture wire is tensioned to effect a predetermined displacement of the body tissue. The predetermined displacement of body tissue is maintained by retention of the engaged portion of suture line by the fixed anchoring port and the movable anchoring plug.