Abstract: A kit and method are described for treating congestive heart failure. The kit may comprise multiple components including a shaping device, deployment tool, patch, and suture. The method may utilize one or more of these components.

Abstract: A kit and method are described for treating congestive heart failure. The kit may comprise multiple components including a shaping device, deployment tool, patch, and suture. The method may utilize one or more of these components.

Abstract: A kit and method are described for treating congestive heart failure. The kit may comprise multiple components including a shaping device, deployment tool, patch, and suture. The method may utilize one or more of these components.

Abstract: A kit and method are described for treating congestive heart failure. The kit may comprise multiple components including a shaping device, deployment tool, patch, and suture. The method may utilize one or more of these components.

Abstract: The invention includes linkage assemblies comprising coupled links with metallic contact surfaces with improved stiffness. The inventors found significant mechanical problems with all previous descriptions of metallic contact links sufficient to preclude their commercial use. These metallic contact links are a significant improvement over existing plastic ball and metal joint, or all plastic beads as found in the prior art. The invention includes methods providing these links and high friction couplings between them, as well as the linkage assemblies and flexible arms resulting from these processes.

Abstract: Methods for performing minimally invasive heart surgery include accessing a heart of a patient through a first incision on the left thorax of the patient, contacting the heart through the incision with a heart stabilizing device and/or a heart positioning device, introducing at least one coupling device through a second incision on the patient located apart from the first incision, coupling the coupling device with the heart stabilizing device or the heart positioning device, and performing a surgical procedure on the heart. Systems may include a retractor device, a heart stabilizing device, and a coupling device, for enhancing cardiac surgery. Any suitable heart surgery may be performed using methods, devices or systems of the present invention. In one embodiment, a CABG procedure is performed.

Abstract: The invention includes linkage assemblies comprising coupled links with metallic contact surfaces with improved stiffness. The inventors found significant mechanical problems with all previous descriptions of metallic contact links sufficient to preclude their commercial use. These metallic contact links are a significant improvement over existing plastic ball and metal joint, or all plastic beads as found in the prior art. The invention includes methods providing these links and high friction couplings between them, as well as the linkage assemblies and flexible arms resulting from these processes.