Systems, devices, and methods for endoscopically retracting a target tissue. The device includes a first shaft and a second shaft slidably coupled thereto. An internal member extends in a transverse direction from the first shaft and is configured for advancement through a penetration in the target tissue to atraumatically engage a distal surface of the target tissue after being advanced therethrough. A pair of external members extend from the second shaft generally parallel to the transverse direction. The external members are spaced apart and are configured to atraumatically engage a proximal surface of the target tissue when the internal member is moved longitudinally relative to the external members. The internal member applies traction to the target tissue when retracted past the pair of external members, which apply counter-traction to the target tissue on opposing lateral sides of the internal member, to re-shape the target tissue and enable subsequent suture placement.

Disclosed are various embodiments for an atrial retractor designed to expose the valves of the heart. The device is made in the shape of an interrupted ring with inset legs to reach into the atria. Segments of the ring, legs, and feet may be made of an elastic material to provide force for retraction of tissue to allow the workspace to be accessible for any surgical procedure to the valves.

A percutaneous sub-xiphoid lifting device is disclosed. Also disclosed is a percutaneous sub-xiphoid lifting device including a beam assembly and a lifting assembly. The percutaneous sub-xiphoid lifting device includes a pair of beams, pivotably coupled at a distal end and configured to be releasably attached to the lifter block coupled to a handle. The percutaneous sub-xiphoid lifting device may further include a light source used for improved visualization. A method of using the percutaneous sub-xiphoid lifting device for increasing space beneath the sternum during a minimally invasive surgical procedure is also disclosed.

A thoracic structure access system for retracting biological tissue and providing access to internal biological structures; particularly, intrathoracic structures, e.g., the heart and internal mammary arteries, to facilitate entry through the biological tissue with surgical instruments and interaction of the surgical instruments with the intrathoracic structures during a thoracic surgical procedure; particularly, minimally invasive CAGB and OPCAB procedures. The system facilitates coronary artery bypass graft (CAGB and OPCAB) procedures via a simple incision at a transxiphoid incision site and, hence, without fully transecting the sternum, i.e., performing a full sternotomy, or performing a thoracotomy. The system includes modular retractor and retention arm assemblies in communication with a ratchet assembly. When the system is disposed proximate a transxiphoid incision site and the modular retractor and retention arm assemblies are releasably engaged to opposing biological tissue portions at the transxiphoid incision site, the ratchet assembly can be actuated to apply opposing forces to the biological tissue portions to provide an access space at the transxiphoid incision site.

Several unique intra-cardiac pressure devices, placement catheters, methods of placement and methods of treating heart failure are presented. The intra-cardiac pressure devices presented allow sufficient flow from the left atrium to the right atrium to enable the relief of elevated left atrial pressure and resulting patient symptoms. The intra-cardiac pressure devices are made of a non-braided material.

A surgical instrument includes a mount body, a joint member, an arm, and a working end. The mount body has a top portion, a distal end, a proximal end and a bottom portion. The joint member is pivotally mounted at a distal end portion of the mount body, to allow positioning of a proximal portion of an arm extending distally from the joint member. The joint member is also configured to at least partially constrain movement of the proximal portion of the arm to a plane. The working end is mounted to a distal end portion of the arm. The surgical instrument can be configured as a heart stabilizer or a heart positioner. The joint member may further be configured as a slotted ball, a disk member, or a combination thereof.

The present invention relates to a device for transcatheter treatment for tricuspid regurgitation. The device for transcatheter treatment for tricuspid regurgitation, according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention, includes: the coronary sinus tube inserted into the coronary sinus; and the tricuspid valve tube traversing the tricuspid valve, wherein the coronary sinus tube and the tricuspid valve tube communicate with each other or are adjacent to each other within a range of predetermined length at an upper side and are separate from each other at a lower side, and a blocking member for blocking a space generated by incomplete closing of the tricuspid valve is provided at a lower part of the tricuspid valve tube or between the coronary sinus tube and the tricuspid valve tube.

A retraction apparatus increases flexibility of retracting tissues around a surgical site, such as during cardiac surgery including mitral valve repair or other surgical procedures. A holder is configured to mount to a fixed rail such as a sternal retractor. A rake element comprises a strap segment having a proximal end slidably received in a slot in the holder. The rake element has a primary rake finger at a distal end of the strap segment configured to grasp and retract tissue at a surgical site and a sub-finger extending perpendicularly via a bendable wing from a side of the primary rake finger adapted to retract adjacent tissue around the surgical site.

A device for cardiac surgery is disclosed. The device for cardiac surgery includes an aortic root retractor frame, an introducer, and one or more suture locking apparatuses. The device for cardiac surgery also includes an actuator for releasing the aortic root retractor frame, as well as a deployment mechanism for fully expanding the aortic root retractor frame. Multiple suture locking apparatuses used for releasable locking and unlocking of suture during a cardiac surgery procedure may be included in the device for cardiac surgery.

A heart treatment device includes a delivery device allowing for simultaneous ablation of the left atrial appendage and delivery of an occluder into the left atrial appendage. The device includes a steerable catheter, an occluder releasably disposed within the catheter, an inflatable balloon coupled to a distal end of the catheter, and an array of electrodes coupled to the balloon. The balloon may be inflated to bring the electrodes into contact with the interior wall of the left atrial appendage. Energy supplied to the electrodes through the catheter ablates the tissue of the left atrial appendage to electrically isolate the left atrial appendage from the heart, and the delivery device deploys the occluder in the left atrial appendage.