Tissue stabilizer having an articulating lift element

A device for stabilizing tissue within a patient's body for performing a surgical procedure on said tissue comprising:

• a base member having an interior chamber and a substantially cylindrical bore, said bore having a first end in fluid communication with said interior chamber and a second end open to the exterior of said base member;
• a stabilizer foot having a substantially cylindrical fitting having a longitudinal axis, at least a portion of said fitting positioned within said bore and being rotatable within said bore about said longitudinal axis;
• and
• said stabilizer foot having a first foot portion adapted to engage a first portion of tissue and a second foot portion adapted to engage a second portion of tissue adjacent said first portion of tissue, said second foot portion being flexibly coupled to said first foot portion.

A method of stabilizing a coronary artery on a beating heart for performing a surgical procedure on the coronary artery comprising the steps of:

• providing a tissue stabilizer having at least one stabilizer foot having a first portion adapted to engage a first area on the surface of the heart adjacent said coronary artery and a second portion adapted to engage a second area on the surface of the heart, said second portion being coupled to said first portion and moveable relative to said first portion;
• engaging said first area with said first portion to substantially stabilize at least a portion of the heart;
• engaging said second area with said second portion;
• moving said second portion relative to said first portion whereby said second area or said heart is moved relative to said first area of said heart