Abstract: A grasping pad assembly comprises a silicone element with a hydrophobic membrane. The silicone element is adhered to a stainless steel element having a C-shaped clip at its distal end for grasping the tip of a forceps jaw. A molded polypropylene element extends through a hole in the metal element and includes a projection which extends through an opening in the metal element near the proximal end of the pad. This projection fits into a hole in the face of the jaw of the forceps to hold the grasping pad securely to the jaw until it is forcibly removed by bending and sliding. The use of the stainless steel clip in combination with the polypropylene projection enables the thickness of the pad assembly to be minimized while obviating adherence to very close manufacturing tolerances for ensuring proper fit of the projection into the hole in the jaw.

Abstract: A stabilizer is used to immobilize a portion of the heart or other organ to facilitate a surgical procedure such as anastomosis. The stabilizer comprises two, C-shaped, organ wall-contacting elements, hinged together so that they can form a continuous loop. The hinge allows the C-shaped elements to be separated so that, after surgery in which a tubular graft connected to the organ extends through the loop, the stabilizer can be released from the graft. The C-shaped elements are connected to a stem which consists of two lockably articulating parts, one of which is immediately connected to one of the C-shaped elements and aligned with the hinge axis. A spring-loaded sleeve, surrounding the last-mentioned part of the stem, has pins which engage recesses in the C-shaped parts to lock them in the closed condition, while allowing them to be opened quickly by manipulation of the sleeve. Removable, disposable pads form the organ wall-contacting surfaces.