A device for cardiac surgery is disclosed, having a) a plurality of pairs of suture guides spaced about the frame; b) a plurality of suture tubes, with one suture tube corresponding to each pair of suture guides; c) a plurality of snares, each corresponding to and passed through one of the plurality of suture tubes so that a handle at one end of the snare protrudes from a proximal end of the corresponding suture tube and a snare loop at another end of the snare protrudes through a distal end of the corresponding suture tube, and wherein the snare loop further protrudes through one of the suture guides in the corresponding pair of suture guides; and d) a plurality of sutures, each corresponding to one of the pairs of suture guides and coupled to the suture guide in the corresponding pair of suture guides which does not have the snare loop passing through it.

An irrigation cannula is provided for irrigating a chest cavity during thoracoscopic surgery. The cannula includes a bowl with a drain opening, and a hollow leg extending from the bowl beneath the drain opening. An obturator has an upper handle and a lower end which is manually pushed through the drain opening and into the leg so that a handle resides in or above the bowl and a tip extends beyond the end of the leg. The obturator facilitates insertion of the cannula leg through the incision and into the chest cavity. After the cannula is in position, an irrigation solution is added to the bowl, and drain through the leg into the chest cavity.

A surgical stabilizer arm ends with a hybrid quick connect mechanism capable of holding tissue manipulator tools of either the ball type or the shaft type. The single integrated mechanism allows users to choose the type of attachment mechanism they prefer on a case-by-case basis. The mechanism has a spring-loaded sleeve that can be pulled back to enable an attachment (manipulator tool) to be inserted. A ball-style attachment is inserted through an opening in a grip cage, and a shaft-style attachment is inserted into an actuator (e.g., spring detent) through the claws of the grip cage. When the sleeve is released, a compression spring pushed the actuator forward, either pressing the ball attachment against the grip cage or pressing the spring detent against the shaft attachment to partially lock the attachment in place. Tightening a tension cable increases the pressure to fully lock the attachment in place.

A device for cardiac surgery includes a first frame member having a first end that is pivotably coupled to a first end of a second frame member, and two or more apertures are disposed through each of the first and second frame members that are each configured to receive a corresponding portion of suture. The first frame member and the second frame member are pivotably displaceable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a second end of the first frame member and a second end of the second frame member are separated by a first distance, and in the second position, the second end of the first frame member and the second end of the second frame member are separated by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.

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.

A heart rotator tool uses a malleable guide rail with a distal end adapted to conform to a desired shape along a surface of a heart tissue. A suction cup is adapted for grasping the heart tissue. A slider is slidably mounted on the guide rail which is flexible to conform to the shape of the guide rail while sliding, the slider having a distal end connected to the suction cup and having a proximal end for providing a handgrip. A vacuum tube is joined to the suction cup and carried by the slider. The vacuum tube is adapted to selectively (i.e., selectably couple a vacuum source to the suction cup. After arranging the guide rail around the heart and sliding the suction cup to a desired position, the vacuum is activated and subsequent sliding of the suction cup via movement of the handgrip rotates the heart as desired.

A retractor is configured to manipulate for vascular structures during minimally invasive surgical procedures such as mitral valve repair. A long wire has a spring loop at one end surrounded by a helical spring coil forming a toroidal ring. The spring maintains a circular shape while expanding and shrinking under manual control to a desired size for initiating and maintaining the retraction. The looping end of the spring wire is enclosed by the helical coil spring. The other end of the long wire is mounted through a frame with two hollow support arms carrying separate sides of the long wire and guiding them through a long support tube to a proximal end of the tube where each separate portion of the long wire attaches to a coupler. The coupler includes a handle or other push/pull mechanism to adjust the size of toroidal ring.

A surgical rib retractor is disclosed. The surgical rib retractor has a housing and a body pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between a closed position and an open position. The surgical rib retractor further has a first arm unit pivotably coupled to the first shoulder and configured to receive one rib. The first arm unit may include a first arm, and a first strut movable relative to the first arm in a first plane defined by the first arm. The surgical rib retractor also has a second arm unit pivotably coupled to the second shoulder and configured to receive another rib. The second arm unit may include a second arm and a second strut movable relative to the second arm in a second plane define by the second arm, where the second plane is not parallel to the first plane when the body is in the closed position.

A sternal elevator apparatus is disclosed. The sternal elevator may include a panel, a support beam traversing the panel, and a post coupled to a proximal end of the panel. The apparatus may also include an indicator handle coupled to the sternal elevator, an actuator drive pivotably coupled to the indicator handle, and a housing movably coupled to the actuator drive. The sternal elevator apparatus may have an actuator drive incorporating a linear rack. The housing further may include a cylindrical gear where the cylindrical gear is engaged with the linear rack.

A device for cardiac surgery is disclosed, having a frame which forms a substantially continuous periphery with one open side and a plurality of suture guides spaced about the frame.