Abstract: An adjustable multi-bladed tissue retractor capable of producing an incrementally variable or fine-tunable retracted opening in a surgical incision, or a body cavity. The adjustable tissue retractor comprises an actuator coupled to a retractor housing and a movable linkage arrangement capable of moving the plurality of tissue-engaging blades attached thereto, between a closed-blade configuration and an open-blade configuration. Through the application of a predetermined input to the actuator, a controlled, or selectable spaced apart spatial relationship of the plurality of tissue retracting blades results, and whereby, in use, the tissue retractor may be customized, or individually tailored to suit the specific anatomy of the patient.

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: 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.

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 retractor assembly for retracting a surgical incision in a patient, having a plurality of perimeter mounting rails. The retractor having first and second generally opposed spreader arms movable relative to each other along a guide member connected thereto, through the actuation of a drive mechanism. Each of first and second spreader arms having respectively a first and second blade portion adapted to retract opposing edges of a surgical incision. The first and second spreader arms and guide member are provided with a mounting rail configured and sized for selectively mounting an instrument-positioning member thereto. The instrument-positioning member is adapted to cooperatively engage mounting rail on either of spreader arms or rack bar and is slidable along a length of the mounting rail when it is in an loosened configuration and adapted to resist any movement along the mounting rail when it is in a locked configuration.

Abstract: An articulation member for use in a surgical apparatus provides articulation between a surgical tool and a surgical arm configured with a spherical ball. The articulation member includes a pair of opposed clamping members each having a socket portion for receiving the ball end of the surgical arm, and each having a clamp surface for receiving an insertable portion of the surgical tool. The articulation member also includes a locking member moveable between a loosened and a tightened configuration. In the loosened configuration, the orientation of the ball relative to the socket portions is modifiable so as to permit relative pivotal movement between the surgical arm and the surgical tool. In the tightened configuration, the locking member simultaneously urges the socket portions toward the ball, and the clamp surfaces toward the insertable tool portion, thereby frictionally locking the orientation of the surgical tool relative to the surgical arm.

Abstract: A suture deflector for retracting a body tissue by deflecting a surgical suture that is simultaneously attached to a body tissue and a surgical retractor. The suture deflector imparts a deflecting force on the surgical suture to retract a body tissue between a first and second retracted position. The suture deflector consists of a securing mechanism for attaching the suture deflector to a surgical retractor and a deflection member extending from the securing mechanism. The deflection member includes a suture contacting section that is configured so as to prevent the severing of the surgical suture when it is deflected by the suture deflector. In certain embodiments, the deflection member includes a connecting section that extends between the securing mechanism and the suture contacting section and that is also movable relative to the securing mechanism in order to impart a deflecting force on the surgical suture.

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 device and method for retracting a pericardium tissue, the surgical device having a tissue-engaging member for providing a negative pressure suction force to the pericardium tissue which is sufficient to retract same. The surgical device may be positioned in a retracting configuration wherein it provides a tensile load on the contacted portion of pericardium tissue thereby also positioning the patient's heart, that is anatomically attached to the pericardium tissue, within the thoracic cavity of the patient. The surgical device may be temporarily coupled to a surgical platform in its retracting configuration.

Abstract: A retractor for performing surgery, for instance cardiac surgery on the coronary organs of a patient, which has a driving member to which the surgeon input is applied in the form of a mechanical force or torque, a thoracic structure engaging member which interfaces and retracts the patient's thoracic structure when surgeon input is applied to the movable driving member, and a surgeon input load-reducing and load-normalizing mechanism provided in at least one mechanical interface between retractor components where relative motion therebetween occurs. The load-reducing and load-normalizing mechanisms are preferably non-lubricated, thereby tending to ensure an inert and sterile environment during surgery. The retractor is comprised of a locking arrangement allowing a retractor spreader arm to be secured at any longitudinal position along the rack bar, independently of the pinion's position.

Abstract: A retractor for performing surgery, for instance cardiac surgery on the coronary organs of a patient, which has a driving member to which the surgeon input is applied in the form of a mechanical force or torque, a thoracic structure engaging member which interfaces and retracts the patient's thoracic structure when surgeon input is applied to the movable driving member, and a surgeon input load-reducing and load-normalizing mechanism provided in at least one mechanical interface between retractor components where relative motion therebetween occurs. The load-reducing and load-normalizing mechanisms are preferably non-lubricated, thereby tending to ensure an inert and sterile environment during surgery. The retractor is comprised of a locking arrangement allowing a retractor spreader arm to be secured at any longitudinal position along the rack bar, independently of the pinion's position.

Abstract: A surgical tool for retracting body tissue during surgery consisting of two pivoting arms each provided with a finger, a translating actuation member also provided with a finger, and a single actuator mechanically coupled to either one of the pivoting arms or the translating actuation member. The two pivoting arms and the actuation member are operatively connected together for simultaneous movement between a closed configuration having the three fingers close together, and an open configuration having the three fingers spaced apart. The surgical tool is adaptable to suit the specific patient anatomy and desired degree of tissue retraction.

Abstract: A device having a tissue-engaging member including a generally concave vacuum compartment. The vacuum compartment defines a contacting peripheral edge for contacting a portion of body tissue. The vacuum compartment also defines two compartment grasping portions. The vacuum compartment is deformable between a first compartment configuration and a second compartment configuration upon the creation of a vacuum having a threshold pressure value within the vacuum compartment. The compartment grasping portions are closer together when the vacuum compartment is in the second compartment configuration then when the vacuum compartment is in the first compartment configuration. A coupling allows fluid coupling of the vacuum compartment to a vacuum source.

Abstract: A surgical tool for retracting body tissue during surgery consisting of two pivoting arms each provided with a finger, a translating actuation member also provided with a finger, and a single actuator mechanically coupled to either one of the pivoting arms or the translating actuation member. The two pivoting arms and the actuation member are operatively connected together for simultaneous movement between a closed configuration having the three fingers close together, and an open configuration having the three fingers spaced apart. The surgical tool is adaptable to suit the specific patient anatomy and desired degree of tissue retraction.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for retracting a pair of opposed tissue edges to define a surgical opening extending in a surgical opening plane. The retractor consists of a pair of tissue blades configured to contact the tissue edges, an actuator releasably attached to the tissue blades for selective adjustment of the spacing between the blades, and a bracing member attachable to the tissue blades for maintaining the the blades in a desired retracted configuration when the actuator is separated from the blades.

Abstract: A tissue clamp for clamping a target tissue site includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member being movable between an open configuration and a clamping configuration. In the open configuration, the first and second jaw members are in a substantially spaced relationship relative to each other for allowing insertion of at least a portion of the target tissue site therebetween. In the closed configuration, the first and second jaw members are in a substantially proximal relationship relative to each other for exerting a hemostatic pressure on the inserted portion of the target tissue site. In the clamping configuration, the first and second jaw members together defining a substantially endless tissue contacting surface for exerting a hemostatic pressure substantially encompassing the target tissue site. A jaw actuating means mechanically coupled to the first and second jaw members is provided for actuating the first and second jaw members between the open and clamping configurations.

Abstract: An articulation member for use in a surgical apparatus provides articulation between a surgical tool and a surgical arm configured with a spherical ball. The articulation member includes a pair of opposed clamping members each having a socket portion for receiving the ball end of the surgical arm, and each having a clamp surface for receiving an insertable portion of the surgical tool. The articulation member also includes a locking member moveable between a loosened and a tightened configuration. In the loosened configuration, the orientation of the ball relative to the socket portions is modifiable so as to permit relative pivotal movement between the surgical arm and the surgical tool. In the tightened configuration, the locking member simultaneously urges the socket portions toward the ball, and the clamp surfaces toward the insertable tool portion, thereby frictionally locking the orientation of the surgical tool relative to the surgical arm.

Abstract: An articulation member for use in a surgical apparatus is provided. The articulation member includes a fitting for mounting to a support structure, a socket for receiving an arm of a surgical tool and a clamp moveable between a loosened position and a tightened position. In the loosened position the clamp permits movement between the fitting and the support structure, and permits rotation of the socket. In the tightened position, the clamp secures the fitting and the arm relative to the support structure.