Abstract: A tissue stabilizer is disclosed that comprises a malleable planer foot integrated into a flexible membrane and is useful for stabilizing tissue such as the heart while performing surgery thereon. The malleable planar foot has an open central region and a rigid arm connected to the foot. The membrane integrated with the foot has a shape approximating the foot, a lower section having a bottom surface for contacting the tissue to be stabilized, and an upper section opposite the lower section. The membrane has an inner chamber in fluid communication through an opening with a plurality of suction ports on the bottom surface. An outlet port connects the inner chamber and suction ports to a negative pressure source.

Abstract: A tissue stabilizer is disclosed that comprises a malleable planer foot integrated into a flexible membrane and is useful for stabilizing tissue such as the heart while performing surgery thereon. The malleable planar foot has an open central region and a rigid arm connected to the foot. The membrane integrated with the foot has a shape approximating the foot, a lower section having a bottom surface for contacting the tissue to be stabilized, and an upper section opposite the lower section. The membrane has an inner chamber in fluid communication through an opening with a plurality of suction ports on the bottom surface. An outlet port connects the inner chamber and suction ports to a negative pressure source.

Abstract: A multi-lumen aortic balloon catheter is disclosed. The catheter is designed to assist surgeons in more effectively performing cardiovascular surgery, particularly cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery. In one aspect the catheter is inserted into a femoral artery and threaded through the artery to the aortic arch where it is positioned so that the balloon is positioned in the ascending aorta. When inflated, the balloon (preferably a cylindrical design) blocks the aortic arch between the great arteries and the coronary ostia. A cardioplegia solution is delivered to the heart through an internal lumen in the catheter to slow the heart. Blood from a cardiopulmonary machine is transported through a blood flow lumen of the catheter to be delivered antegrade flow throughout the arteries. The catheter has a distal portion having fewer lumens than are present in a proximal portion. An alternative multilumen aortic balloon catheter is disclosed that is inserted through a patient's aorta.