Abstract: The present invention provides a tissue retractor (2) for displacing body tissue during surgery consisting of a tissue piercing member such as a surgical needle (20), a wire-like filament such as a suture line (23) affixed to the surgical needle (20), a fixed element such as an anchoring port (90) being associated with a stable surgical platform such as a sternum retractor (1), and a movable element such as an anchoring plug (25) cooperating with anchoring port (90) to engage a portion of suture line (23) after the suture line (23) is threaded through the body tissue with the surgical needle (20) and after the suture wire (20) 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 (23) by the fixed anchoring port (90) and the movable anchoring plug (25).

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved surgical loop (1; 2; 3) for constricting or ligating, partially or fully, an anatomic conduit (AC) during a surgical intervention. The surgical loop (1; 2; 3) is preferably comprised of an elastomeric tubular body (14), a curved needle (12) that is attached to one free end of said tubular body to facilitate its insertion through a body tissue containing an anatomic conduit (AC), and a pledget (10; 20; 30) which is frictionally engaged and positionable along the length of said tubular body (14). Pledget (10; 20; 30) is frictionally engaged with a first portion (146) of tubular body (14) through a closed-perimeter opening (102; 202; 302), thereby forming an integral assembly with said tubular body. A second portion (147) of tubular body is subsequently frictionally engaged or restrained with pledget (10; 20; 30) through a slot (103; 203; 303) configured therein.

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: The present invention provides a tissue retractor (2) for displacing body tissue during surgery consisting of a tissue piercing member such as a surgical needle (20), a wire-like filament such as a suture line (23) affixed to the surgical needle (20), a fixed element such as an anchoring port (90) being associated with a stable surgical platform such as a sternum retractor (1), and a movable element such as an anchoring plug (25) cooperating with anchoring port (90) to engage a portion of suture line (23) after the suture line (23) is threaded through the body tissue with the surgical needle (20) and after the suture wire (20) is tension 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 (23) by the fixed anchoring portion (90) and the movable anchoring plug (25).

Abstract: A surgical apparatus for suction attachment to a body tissue. The apparatus includes a tissue-engaging component defining a concave vacuum compartment. The vacuum compartment is connectable to a vacuum source. A valve selectively allows and prevents the generation of a vacuum in the vacuum compartment. The peripheral edge of the vacuum compartment is attachable by suction to the body tissue when the vacuum is generated. A valve closing arrangement automatically closes the valve upon the peripheral edge being separated from the body tissue so as to maintain vacuum generating efficiency for the other tissue-engaging components coupled to the same vacuum source.

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: The present invention provides an improved coronary stabilizer for use in cardiac surgery, and more particularly during a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery performed directly on a beating heart. The coronary stabilizer is comprised of a body contact member and a handle. An opening or arterial window is provided in the body contact member, in order to allow surgical access to a target coronary artery which is exposed through said arterial window. In a first embodiment, the body contact member is a bifurcated hand comprising first and second body contacting portions, for placement alongside a target artery. Each of said body contacting portions is contoured to provide a coronary stabilizer with a substantially saddle-shaped body contacting surface, thereby tending to promote the extrusion of immobilized myocardium tissue through the arterial window generally disposed between first and second contacting portions.

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: 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: 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.

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: Surgical apparatus for coronary surgery of a patient comprising contacting means being capable of providing a mechanical force against at least a portion of the patient's coronary organs according to its positioning with regard to said organs, positioning means to set said contacting means in a given substantially stable spatial position and orientation within a given volume, said contacting means being pivotally connected to a sternum retractor via said positioning means. The surgical apparatus according to the invention allows to perform coronary artery revascularization without the need for extra-corporeal circulation.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is described for performing cardiac surgery on the coronary organs of a patient. It has a contacting means capable of providing a mechanical load on at least a portion of said coronary organ, a positioning means which allows the setting of either or both the contacting means and coronary organ in a large number of positions or orientations within a surgical workspace. The apparatus also has a manipulation means serving as a single point control to position and orient the contacting means onto the coronary organ tissue. An adjustment means serves to bias the range of at least one motion degree of freedom of the surgical apparatus within a the limits of a restricted range that is less than the full range of motion of that degree of freedom of motion that would be otherwise achievable when the bias is not present or overridden.

Abstract: Surgical apparatus for coronary surgery of a patient comprising contacting means being capable of providing a mechanical force against at least a portion of the patient's coronary organs according to its positioning with regard to said organs, positioning means to set said contacting means in a given substantially stable spatial position and orientation within a given volume, said contacting means being pivotally connected to a sternum retractor via said positioning means. The surgical apparatus according to the invention allows to perform coronary artery revascularization without the need for extra-corporeal circulation.