Abstract: The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes orgy minimal excess motion at the surgery site.

Abstract: A directed stream blower is provided for removing materials from a surgical site, thus improving the visibility of the surgical site. Preferably, the directed stream blower provides a directed stream of pressurized gas combined and intermixed with a sterile fluid which may be used to clear or wash away blood, debris, particulate, or other materials from the target surgical site. The directed stream blower may be provided with flow control positioned directly on the handle for convenient one-handed operation during use.

Abstract: An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and a sternal pad interconnected to a blade. The superior blade is pivotally coupled to the spreader member such that it naturally rises as the blades are separated. Alternatively, a vertical displacement member is operably interconnected to a blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the interconnected superior blade and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor is interconnected to the blades to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area.

Abstract: An access platform having a first and a second blade interconnected to a spreader member that laterally drives the blades apart or together and support pads interconnected to the first blade. A torsional member is operably interconnected to the first blade and the spreader member and is used to vertically displace the first blade in either direction and, thus, increase a surgeon's working space and visual access for the dissection of an internal mammary artery. A tissue retractor interconnected to the blades is used to draw the soft tissue around an incision away from the surgeon's working area.