Described here are devices, systems, and methods for moving and/or supporting an internal organ or other tissue, such as during minimally-invasive surgery. Generally, a system for moving and/or supporting tissue may comprise a magnetic control component and a retractor having at least one magnetic portion. The retractor may have a first low-profile configuration for passing through an incision into a surgical site within a patient and a second expansive configuration for engaging tissue. The magnetic control component may be placed over the surgical site external to the patient and generate a magnetic field to manipulate the retractor and engaged tissue.

A retractor having a pair of blades is disclosed. A ring having an opening is attached to one end of the blades. The blades define a channel therebetween. The blades may be pivotally coupled to the ring. The retractor may have at least two conditions. In a first condition, the retractor is insertable through an incision in a patient's skin to an operative site. In a second condition, the retractor may be manipulated for retracting tissue surrounding the operative site. Instruments, prostheses, or tissue may be inserted or removed through the channel of the retractor.

A tubular retractor securement frame is disclosed including a mounting bracket, two flexor arms, and a device emplacement oriented to receive and hold in-place a surgical tool. The mounting bracket includes an elastically deformable plate, rails extending about orthogonal from the elastically deformable plate and about parallel to one another, and receptacles facing one another in the rails which are arranged to receive a retractor arm extending from a tubular retractor at a fixed angle. The flexor arms extend from the mounting bracket adjacent to the rails. The flexor arms are positioned so as not to occlude visualization through the tubular retractor and such that applying pressure to flex the flexor arms toward one another shifts the rails to accept or remove the retractor arm into or from the receptacles, and releasing the pressure reverts the rails so as to inhibit the retractor arm from being inserted or removed.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for assisting with submucosal dissections include a retraction strip body. The retraction strip body is formed at least partially from a deformable material. The retraction strip body is capable of being selectively moved between a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition, the retraction strip body is capable of engaging a target patient tissue. In the second condition, the retraction strip body is capable of retracting the target patient tissue. At least one tissue engagement member is located on the retraction strip body.

A trans-xiphoid procedure for gaining entry to the chest cavity of a patient, sometimes also referred to herein as a “TRAX” procedure. The procedure may be used for, among other things, mobilization of the mammary arteries and performing coronary artery bypass surgery in which the mammary artery of the patient or other conduit is joined to a coronary artery of the patient, such as the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery.

Some devices for atraumatic retraction of tissue include a transcatheter deployable mesh hammock that is well-suited for laparoscopic, endoscopic, and robotic surgeries. Methods for atraumatic retraction of tissue include wrapping a mesh material around the tissue in a cradle-like fashion. In some embodiments, magnetic coupling of the proximal and distal ends of the mesh material can provide tissue containment and retractor securement to facilitate tissue retraction.

A vein harvesting device is disclosed. The vein harvesting device includes a handle assembly, at least one elongated portion, first and second end effectors, and a tip. Each end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the at least one elongated portion. Each end effector includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member, and at least one jaw member is movable toward the other jaw member. The tip is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the elongated portion. A distal end of the tip extends distally beyond a distal-most end of the first end effector. The first end effector is movable independently of the tip, and the second end effector is movable independently of the tip.

Exemplary embodiments of devices and method for affecting at least one anatomical tissue can be provided. A configuration can be provided that includes a structure which is expandable (i) having and/or (ii) forming at least one opening or a working space through which the anatomical tissue(s) is placed in the structure. For example, the structure, prior to being expanding, can have at least one partially rigid portion. In addition, or as an alternative, upon a partial or complete expansion thereof, the structure can be controllable to have a plurality of shapes. Further, the structure can be controllable to provide the working space with multiple shapes and/or multiple sizes.

The present disclosure relates to the field of tissue dissection. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to medical devices that lift and retract tissue during a dissection procedure to improve visualization of the target tissue and mitigate obstructions for dissection tools. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices that transition from a constrained to an unconstrained bowed configuration to immobilize and retract the dissected portion of target tissue during a dissection procedure.

A surgical instrument, and methods for its use, is described that includes clamp heads that can be nestled within or extended from a tubular sheath by longitudinal movement of the clamp heads' tines with respect to the tubular sheath. One of the tines includes an arch that slides against a mouth and inside wall of the tubular sheath, causing the clamp heads to open or close. The clamp heads close lightly, to within a predetermined (or zero) distance from one another, gently grasp an ultrathin polymer substrate seeded with cells, and pulls it within the sheath such that the substrate curls and folds to protect the cells.