Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a “swivel” having a string extending from one end and a string extending from the midpoint between the two ends. The swivel is delivered by pushing it out of a tube which is inserted through a small incision between the ribs of the patient. After the swivel is deployed, the tube is removed and the string which is attached to the center of the swivel is pulled to lift the pericardium. When the procedure is complete, the swivel is removed from the patient by pulling the string attached to the end of the swivel. According to one embodiment, the swivel is a cylinder with a blunt conical end. According to another embodiment, the swivel has a sharp end which is covered by a spring loaded collar.

Abstract: A surgical retractor includes a “swivel” having a string extending from one end and a string extending from the midpoint between the two ends. The swivel is delivered by pushing it out of a tube which is inserted through a small incision between the ribs of the patient. After the swivel is deployed, the tube is removed and the string which is attached to the center of the swivel is pulled to lift the pericardium. When the procedure is complete, the swivel is removed from the patient by pulling the string attached to the end of the swivel. According to one embodiment, the swivel is a cylinder with a blunt conical end. According to another embodiment, the swivel has a sharp end which is covered by a spring loaded collar.

Abstract: An endoscopic retractor includes a tube having a proximal end and a distal end with a push rod extending therethrough. The proximal ends of the push rod is provided with a threaded portion. A rotatable handle is coupled to the proximal end of the tube and threadably engages the threaded portion of the push rod such that rotation of the handle causes a translation of the push rod. The distal end of the tube is provided with a clevis through which the distal end of the push rod extends. A multi-segment canopy is coupled to the clevis and the push rod via an articulate linkage. Translation of the push rod in the distal direction causes the canopy to be moved from a starting substantially cylindrical configuration with its axis nearly collinear with the axis of the tube to an opened quasi-planar configuration. Further translation of the push rod in the distal direction causes the quasi-planar canopy to be rotated in the clevis to an angle of approximately ninety degrees relative to the axis of the tube.

Abstract: A device for holding a blood vessel (and corresponding method of operation) includes a mandrel having a proximal end opposite a distal end. A tube houses a portion of the mandrel. A tip assembly, which is operably coupled to the distal end of the mandrel, comprises a sheath having a tapered portion and a cylindrical portion. The sheath is adapted to be inserted into a lumen of a blood vessel such that an end of the blood vessel is supported by the tapered portion. The elastic nature of the blood vessel holds the end of the blood vessel in place with respect to the tip assembly. The tapered portion includes an exterior surface with a plurality of needle-guide-grooves that extend along such exterior surface. A needle is driven through the blood vessel while being guided by a needle-guide groove such that the needle is driven through the blood vessel near the end of the blood vessel.