초록 ▼

The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart

The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing device, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing device such that the contraction of the beating heart causes only minimal excess motion at the surgery site. By fixing the position of the stabilizing device in a configuration where the motion of the beating heart is effectively eliminated, the surgeon is able to stabilize the beating heart for the duration of the procedure. The stabilizing device may be attached to a rigid support or may be attached to a semi-rigid support which is rendered motionless mechanically, chemically, or by human intervention. In certain preferred embodiments, the stabilizing device is affixed to a semi-rigid support which is caused to become rigid, by any of a variety of techniques, such that the position of the stabilizing device becomes fixed by the support, and the heart remains substantially motionless for the duration of the procedure.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method to perform a coronary artery bypass surgical procedure to create an anastomosis to a target coronary artery of the beating heart comprising:(1) making an incision in the chest cavity,(2) inserting a retractor into the incision to access the beating heart,(3) secu

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method to perform a coronary artery bypass surgical procedure to create an anastomosis to a target coronary artery of the beating heart comprising:(1) making an incision in the chest cavity,(2) inserting a retractor into the incision to access the beating heart,(3) securing the retractor in a position to provide access to the target coronary artery of the beating heart,(4) introducing through the incision a shaft means having at least one contact member at a distal end thereof,(5) adjusting the orientation of at least one contact member such that the contact member is positioned to engage the beating heart proximate to the target coronary artery,(6) adjusting the position of the shaft means relative to the retractor by adjusting a mechanism operably associated with the shaft means,(7) exerting a mechanical stabilizing force on the beating heart proximate to the target coronary artery by manipulating the shaft means,(8) fixing the position and orientation of the shaft means relative to the retractor by locking the shaft means into position and,(9) maintaining the mechanical stabilizing force on the beating heart proximate to the target coronary artery for a duration of the surgical procedure sufficient to complete the anastomosis to the target coronary artery.