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 heart stabilizer includes a shaft and two articulating arms coupled to a distal end of the shaft. At the end of each arm is a rotatable foot adapted to be angled relative to the heart wall contour and apply pressure against the wall of the heart to effectively eliminate motion of the heart wall between the feet. The stabilizer is adapted to be collapsible (foldable) to be inserted through the port device and locked longitudinally relative thereto. The stabilizer is also adapted to be deployed into an open configuration and then manipulated by actuation of a proximal control and actuation handle into a selected orientation.

Abstract: A port device includes a tubular body sized to be inserted through a pair of ribs in a chest wall of a patient, a ball provided about the body, and a base defining a socket in which the ball is provided. Detent structure permits but limits longitudinal movement of the body relative to the ball. The base includes a clamping system which compresses the ball to lock the ball at a selected orientation within the socket and also immobilizes the port body relative to the ball. The distal end of the body includes a pair of swivels rotatably attached thereto. An obturator is extendable within the body maneuvers the swivels between a closed position (in which the swivels are oriented substantially parallel to the axis of the body), and an open position (in which the swivels are directed outward from the port).

Abstract: An instrument stabilizer minimizes unwanted motion at the distal end of a surgical instrument by applying a damping force to the instrument. According to one embodiment, the instrument stabilizer preferably includes a cannula through which an instrument can extend, and a distal bushing adapted to contact the instrument. The instrument stabilizer also includes a proximal housing which includes a mechanism which applies a stabilizing or damping force to the proximal portion of the cannula. The mechanism which applies the force may be, by way of example, one or more of elastic bands, springs, struts, etc. When a surgical instrument is extended through the cannula and contacts the bushing, movement of the cannula and consequently the surgical instrument is damped by the stabilization force on the proximal portion of the cannula. In addition, a swivel device for angularly orienting the instrument stabilizer relative to a body of patient is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical knife device includes a tubular shaft, a blade guide at the distal end of the shaft, an actuation wire extending through the shaft, a blade coupled to the distal end of the wire, and a handle which moves the wire relative to the shaft to effect extension and retraction of the blade from the guide. The blade height is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the distal end of the shaft and the blade guide to provide a large cutting surface. Movement of the blade is effected with a knob rotatably coupled to the handle and which provides fine longitudinal movement of the blade. The device is also preferably steerable such that it may be controllably articulated about a flexible distal portion of the shaft.

Abstract: An instrument stabilizer minimizes unwanted motion at the distal end of a surgical instrument by applying a damping force to the instrument. According to one embodiment, the instrument stabilizer preferably includes a cannula through which an instrument can extend, and a distal bushing adapted to contact the instrument. The instrument stabilizer also includes a proximal housing which includes a mechanism which applies a stabilizing or damping force to the proximal portion of the cannula. The mechanism which applies the force may be, by way of example, one or more of elastic bands, springs, struts, etc. When a surgical instrument is extended through the cannula and contacts the bushing, movement of the cannula and consequently the surgical instrument is damped by the stabilization force on the proximal portion of the cannula. In addition, a swivel device for angularly orienting the instrument stabilizer relative to a body of patient is also provided.

Abstract: A heart stabilizer includes a shaft and two articulating arms coupled to a distal end of the shaft. At the end of each arm is a rotatable foot adapted to be angled relative to the heart wall contour and apply pressure against the wall of the heart to effectively eliminate motion of the heart wall between the feet. The stabilizer is adapted to provide a stabilized area sufficiently large to allow an accurate anastomosis to be performed. According to preferred aspects of the invention, the stabilizer is particularly adapted to be collapsible (foldable) to be inserted through the port device and locked longitudinally relative thereto. The stabilizer is also preferably adapted to be automatically deployed into its final configuration by release of a lock actuated at a proximal portion of stabilizer extending outside the port. In addition, the stabilizer is adapted to automatically fold when being pulled back through the port.

Abstract: A port device is insertable between the ribs of a patient and functions as an entryway for surgical instruments. The port device includes a tubular body having proximal and distal portions. The distal portion of the tubular body is coupled to a swivel adapted to be moved between a first orientation in which the swivel extends in substantially a same direction as the body, and a second orientation at an angle relative to, and preferably substantially perpendicular to, the first orientation. In the second orientation, the swivel engages the inside of the chest wall. The proximal portion of the tubular body has a clamping assembly which clamps the chest wall against the swivels to secure the port in its location. The port body can be anchored in a various angular positions.

Abstract: An instrument stabilizer minimizes unwanted motion at the distal end of a surgical instrument by applying a damping force to the instrument. According to one embodiment, the instrument stabilizer preferably includes a cannula through which an instrument can extend, and a distal bushing adapted to contact the instrument. The instrument stabilizer also includes a proximal housing which includes a mechanism which applies a stabilizing or damping force to the proximal portion of the cannula. The mechanism which applies the force may be, by way of example, one or more of elastic bands, springs, struts, etc. When a surgical instrument is extended through the cannula and contacts the bushing, movement of the cannula and consequently the surgical instrument is damped by the stabilization force on the proximal portion of the cannula. In addition, a swivel device for angularly orienting the instrument stabilizer relative to a body of patient is also provided.

Abstract: A heart stabilizer includes a shaft and two articulating arms coupled to a distal end of the shaft. At the end of each arm is a rotatable foot adapted to be angled relative to the heart wall contour and apply pressure against the wall of the heart to effectively eliminate motion of the heart wall between the feet. The stabilizer is adapted to be collapsible (foldable) to be inserted through the port device and locked longitudinally relative thereto. The stabilizer is also adapted to be deployed into an open configuration and then manipulated by actuation of a proximal control and actuation handle into a selected orientation.

Abstract: A port device includes a tubular body sized to be inserted through a pair of ribs in a chest wall of a patient, a ball provided about the body, and a base defining a socket in which the ball is provided. Detent structure permits but limits longitudinal movement of the body relative to the ball. The base includes a clamping system which compresses the ball to lock the ball at a selected orientation within the socket and also immobilizes the port body relative to the ball. The distal end of the body includes a pair of swivels rotatably attached thereto. An obturator is extendable within the body maneuvers the swivels between a closed position (in which the swivels are oriented substantially parallel to the axis of the body), and an open position (in which the swivels are directed outward from the port).

Abstract: A port device includes tubular body with a distal swivel, a platform movable along the length of the port body, and preferably three legs movable relative to the platform. The tubular body is inserted through the chest wall, and the platform is then positioned over the proximal end of the tubular body and adjusted such that feet on the legs contact the chest wall and clamp the chest wall between the feet and the swivel. The legs may be individually adjusted to provide the tubular body at a desired angle relative to the chest wall. According to preferred aspects of the port device, the platform may be ratcheted relative to the port body and the feet may be ratcheted relative to the platform to permit rapid adjustment of the port relative to the patient.