Abstract: A method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for temporarily immobilizing a local area of heart tissue to thereby permit surgery on a coronary vessel in that area without significant deterioration of the pumping function of the beating heart. The local area of heart tissue is immobilized to a degree sufficient to permit minimally invasive or micro-surgery on that area of the heart. The present invention features a suction device to accomplish the immobilization. The suction device is coupled to a source of negative pressure. The suction device has a series of suction ports on one surface. Suction through the device causes suction to be maintained at the ports. The device further is shaped to conform to the surface of the heart. Thus, when the device is placed on the surface of the heart and suction is created, the suction through the ports engages the surface of the heart.

Abstract: A device (1) for making a cut in a tissue, such as a blood vessel (2), capsule and the like, includes a trocar (3), the distal end (4) of which can be placed on the tissue (2) and inside which trocar (3) a reduced pressure can be generated for holding the tissue pressed against the distal end (3) under the influence of the reduced pressure, as well as a cutting member (6) located in the trocar (3), such that the tissue (2) pressed against the distal end (4) and the cutting member (6) can be moved relative to one another to make the cut (9). A tissue support (10) is provided in the trocar (3) close to the distal end (4) thereof with which the tissue (2) that extends over the lumen of the trocar (3) can make contact under the influence of the reduced pressure inside the trocar (3).

Abstract: A surgical device for application in a treatment performed on the human or animal body with the aim of providing access to a surgical site in the body includes expansion element (1) suitable for exerting a force on the organs and/or tissues at the surgical site, e.g. for mobilising and/or supporting the organs and/or tissues, upon expansion of the device at the location of the surgical site, at least one fluid reservoir (2) as well as element (3) for conveying fluid from the reservoir (2) to the expansion element (1) with the aim of expanding the expansion element (1). The expansion element includes a sheet type material (11) having a relatively low bending stiffness and a relatively high in-plane stiffness.