Importance

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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. The coronary stabilizer according to this first embodiment preferably has a pull-type handle and is best suited to immobilize a posterior or inferior portion of the beating heart surface, during posterior coronary artery revascularizations. In a second embodiment, a coronary stabilizer with a substantially cup-shaped body contacting surface is provided and preferably configured with a push-type handle. It is best suited to immobilize an anterior portion of the beating heart surface, during anterior coronary artery revascularizations. The coronary stabilizers according to the present invention are preferably configured with an array of surgical wire attachment fittings for engaging an elastic surgical wire, that may be looped about a target artery, in order to create a substantially bloodless surgical field during a beating heart anastomosis. The contact surfaces of the coronary stabilizers preferably have a tread or tissue-engaging texture which may be configured to provide a tractive gradient.

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First Claim