Abstract: An intervention is performed on a target anatomic structure of a patient body by first altering the configuration of the diaphragm through displacement or puncturing of the latter, in order to create a passageway leading into the thoracic cavity. An implement is introduced into the thoracic cavity through the passageway. The implement is then used while extending through the passageway to alter a biological tissue of the target structure or manipulate the latter. Optionally, a separating component having a peripheral wall encompassing a component channel is introduced into the passageway for receiving the implement and separating the latter from the non-target anatomic structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved coronary stabilizer for use in cardiac surgery, and more particularly during a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery performed directly on a beating heart. The coronary stabilizer is comprised of a body contact member and a handle. An opening or arterial window is provided in the body contact member, in order to allow surgical access to a target coronary artery which is exposed through said arterial window. In a first embodiment, the body contact member is a bifurcated hand comprising first and second body contacting portions, for placement alongside a target artery. Each of said body contacting portions is contoured to provide a coronary stabilizer with a substantially saddle-shaped body contacting surface, thereby tending to promote the extrusion of immobilized myocardium tissue through the arterial window generally disposed between first and second contacting portions.

Abstract: The invention provides a surgical apparatus and method for performing less-invasive, closed chest cardiac surgery through a transabdominal approach, without cardiopulmonary bypass. In a preferred embodiment the invention provides a heart manipulator and a coronary stabilizer which are deployed through an access cannula and secured relative to a stationary support through a surgical arm. Heart manipulator and coronary stabilizer cooperate together to enable access to all the coronary artery territories of the heart through a single access cannula. Also provided is a diaphragm tissue retractor.

Abstract: A retractor for performing surgery, for instance cardiac surgery on the coronary organs of a patient, which has a driving member to which the surgeon input is applied in the form of a mechanical force or torque, a thoracic structure engaging member which interfaces and retracts the patient's thoracic structure when surgeon input is applied to the movable driving member, and a surgeon input load-reducing and load-normalizing mechanism provided in at least one mechanical interface between retractor components where relative motion therebetween occurs. The load-reducing and load-normalizing mechanisms are preferably non-lubricated, thereby tending to ensure an inert and sterile environment during surgery. The retractor is comprised of a locking arrangement allowing a retractor spreader arm to be secured at any longitudinal position along the rack bar, independently of the pinion's position.

Abstract: A retractor for performing surgery, for instance cardiac surgery on the coronary organs of a patient, which has a driving member to which the surgeon input is applied in the form of a mechanical force or torque, a thoracic structure engaging member which interfaces and retracts the patient's thoracic structure when surgeon input is applied to the movable driving member, and a surgeon input load-reducing and load-normalizing mechanism provided in at least one mechanical interface between retractor components where relative motion therebetween occurs. The load-reducing and load-normalizing mechanisms are preferably non-lubricated, thereby tending to ensure an inert and sterile environment during surgery. The retractor is comprised of a locking arrangement allowing a retractor spreader arm to be secured at any longitudinal position along the rack bar, independently of the pinion's position.

Abstract: A retractor for performing surgery, for instance cardiac surgery on the coronary organs of a patient, which has a driving member to which the surgeon input is applied in the form of a mechanical force or torque, a thoracic structure engaging member which interfaces and retracts the patient's thoracic structure when surgeon input is applied to the movable driving member, and a surgeon input load-reducing and load-normalizing mechanism provided in at least one mechanical interface between retractor components where relative motion therebetween occurs. The load-reducing and load-normalizing mechanisms are preferably non-lubricated, thereby tending to ensure an inert and sterile environment during surgery. The retractor is comprised of a locking arrangement allowing a retractor spreader arm to be secured at any longitudinal position along the rack bar, independently of the pinion's position.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus is described for performing cardiac surgery on the coronary organs of a patient. It has a contacting means capable of providing a mechanical load on at least a portion of said coronary organ, a positioning means which allows the setting of either or both the contacting means and coronary organ in a large number of positions or orientations within a surgical workspace. The apparatus also has a manipulation means serving as a single point control to position and orient the contacting means onto the coronary organ tissue. An adjustment means serves to bias the range of at least one motion degree of freedom of the surgical apparatus within a the limits of a restricted range that is less than the full range of motion of that degree of freedom of motion that would be otherwise achievable when the bias is not present or overridden.

Abstract: A deflector for redirecting cooling air leakage to improve the efficiency of a gas turbine engine rotors. Adjacent rotor blades have a radially extending gap between each adjacent rotor blade and cooling air leaks into the gaps resulting in engine inefficiency. A deflector, disposed circumferentially on a forward face of the coverplate, deflects cooling air leakage, flowing from the running seal through the cooling air leakage path, away from the gaps between the blades, onto the outward surface of the blade platform, and into the gaspath at an acute angle relative to rearwardly axial flow. A forwardly extending flange deflects cooling air leakage forwardly around the blade platform lip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blade retention apparatus for a bladed rotor in a turbine section of a gas turbine engine which comprises a rivet grip which has serration at one end and an upset head at the other end, and a sleeve made of a soft metal which is compressed to the serration actually against the surfaces of the disk and the blade. The retention apparatus of the present invention provides a reliable attachment and only requires a simple hand-held pneumatic riveting tool to install.