Abstract: Surgical instruments and devices for creating surgical working spaces and related methods are disclosed. An example surgical spacemaking device may include surgical spacemaking device an elongated connecting portion and an expandable spacemaking portion disposed distally on the connecting portion. The spacemaking portion may include an expandable lateral base portion. an expandable first vertical lateral portion configured to extend generally orthogonally from the lateral base portion, and an expandable second vertical lateral portion configured to extend generally orthogonally from the lateral base portion.

Abstract: Electrosurgical pericardiotomy devices are disclosed. An example electrosurgical pericardiotomy device configured to create an opening through a pericardium may include an end effector comprising a tip portion and at least one electrosurgical electrode. The tip portion may include an opening configured to engage a target portion of a pericardium, and the tip portion may be configured, upon application of vacuum to the tip portion, to separate the target portion of the pericardium from an external surface of a heart. The electrosurgical electrode may be disposed proximate the tip portion so that, with vacuum applied to the tip portion, the target portion of the pericardium contacts the electrosurgical electrode. The electrosurgical electrode may be configured to create an opening through the target portion of the pericardium using electrosurgical energy.

Abstract: Pericardiotomy devices are disclosed. An example pericardiotomy device includes an elongated shaft and an end effector disposed distally on the shaft. The end effector includes a tip portion and a penetrating element. The tip portion includes an opening configured to engage a target portion of a pericardium and is configured, upon application of vacuum to the tip portion, to separate the target portion of the pericardium from an external surface of a heart. The penetrating element is disposed within the tip portion so that, with vacuum applied to the tip portion, the penetrating element is operative to create an opening in the target portion of the pericardium.

Abstract: A gripping attachment (10) is disclosed which facilitates the handling of a medication bottle (12). The medication bottle includes a container (14) having a cylindrical wall (16) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis. The container is closed at one end by a base wall (18) and has an opposed open end. The container receives a cap (20) on the open end to enclose the container. The gripping attachment comprises a sleeve portion (22) having a sleeve wall (24) defining an internal, cylindrical surface configured to removably attach to the container wall. The gripping attachment further comprises a leverage component connected to the sleeve portion to facilitate gripping the sleeve portion.

Abstract: A gripping attachment (10) is disclosed which facilitates the handling of a medication bottle (12). The medication bottle includes a container (14) having a cylindrical wall (16) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis. The container is closed at one end by a base wall (18) and has an opposed open end. The container receives a cap (20) on the open end to enclose the container. The gripping attachment comprises a sleeve portion (22) having a sleeve wall (24) defining an internal, cylindrical surface configured to removably attach to the container wall. The gripping attachment further comprises a leverage component connected to the sleeve portion to facilitate gripping the sleeve portion.

Abstract: A gripping attachment (10) is disclosed which facilitates the handling of a medication bottle (12). The medication bottle includes a container (14) having a cylindrical wall (16) extending parallel to a longitudinal axis. The container is closed at one end by a base wall (18) and has an opposed open end. The container receives a cap (20) on the open end to enclose the container. The gripping attachment comprises a sleeve portion (22) having a sleeve wall (24) defining an internal, cylindrical surface configured to removably attach to the container wall. The gripping attachment further comprises a leverage component connected to the sleeve portion to facilitate gripping the sleeve portion.