Endoscopic beating-heart stabilizer and vessel occlusion fastener

A tissue stabilizer for endoscopically stabilizing a target tissue within a patient's body, the tissue stabilizer comprising:

• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft sized to allow insertion through an endoscopic cannula;
• an adjustable ankle connected with the distal end of the shaft;
• a manipulable foot connected with the ankle, wherein the foot comprises a first toe portion rotateably joined with a second toe portion, each toe portion comprising at least one suction port to apply suction to the target tissue during stabilization, the first toe portion and second toe portion rotateable to a first arrangement wherein the foot is insertable through the endoscopic cannula;
• and
• a tension cable passing through the shaft wherein applying tension to the cable locks the ankle in position.

A system for endoscopically stabilizing a target tissue within a patient's body, the system comprising:

• an endoscopic cannula;
• and
• a tissue stabilizer comprising
• a shaft sized to allow insertion through the endoscopic cannula, and
• a manipulable foot connected with the shaft, wherein the foot comprises a first toe portion rotateably joined with a second toe portion, each toe portion comprising at least one suction port to apply suction to the target tissue during stabilization, the first toe portion and second toe portion rotateable to a first arrangement wherein the foot is insertable through the endoscopic cannula.

A method of endoscopically stabilizing a target tissue within a patient's body, the method comprising:

• inserting a tissue stabilizer through an endoscopic cannula wherein the tissue stabilizer comprises
• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and
• a manipulable foot connected with the shaft wherein the foot comprises at least two toe portions, each toe portion comprising at least one suction port;
• positioning the manipulable foot against the target tissue;
• and
• applying suction to the target tissue through the at least one suction port to stabilize the target tissue.

A method of endoscopically stabilizing a target tissue within a patient's body, the method comprising:

• inserting a tissue stabilizer through an endoscopic cannula wherein the tissue stabilizer comprises
• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end,
• an adjustable ankle connected with the distal end of the shaft,
• a manipulable foot connected with the shaft wherein the foot comprises at least two toe portions, each toe portion comprising at least one suction port, and
• a tension cable passing through the shaft wherein applying tension to the cable locks the ankle in position;
• positioning the manipulable foot against the target tissue;
• and
• applying suction to the target tissue through the at least one suction port to stabilize the target tissue.

A method of controlling blood flow in a blood vessel, said method comprising:

• providing a vessel occlusion device comprising
• a plate-like body having a bore intersecting a radial slot, and
• a flexible member having a free end and fixed end, wherein the fixed end is fixedly attached to the body;
• passing the free end of the flexible member around the blood vessel and through the bore so that the blood vessel is encircled by the flexible member and the plate-like body;
• pulling the flexible member so that the blood flow is restricted in the blood vessel;
• and
• sliding the flexible member into the radial slot so that the member is frictionally held.

A tissue stabilizer for endoscopically stabilizing a target tissue within a patient's body, the tissue stabilizer comprising:

• a shaft sized to allow insertion through an endoscopic cannula;
• and
• a manipulable foot connected with the shaft, wherein the foot comprises a first toe portion and a second toe portion,
• the first and second toe portions being rotatably coupled with the shaft by a rotating joint assembly, the rotating joint assembly providing that at least one of the first and second toe portions are rotatable with respect to the shaft and providing that the first and second toe portions are rotatable with respect to each other,
• the first toe portion and second toe portion rotatable to at least a first toe arrangement wherein the foot is insertable through the endoscopic cannula.

A joint assembly for adjustably supporting a portion of an endoscopic surgical instrument, comprising:

• at least one ball member having a generally axially symmetrical convex external surface portion;
• at least one socket member having a generally axially symmetrical concave internal surface portion;
• and
• the ball member matin g with the socket member by contact of the convex surface portion with the concave surface portion.

A method of endoscopically stabilizing a target tissue within a patient's body, the method comprising:

• inserting a tissue stabilizer through an endoscopic cannula wherein the tissue stabilizer comprises
• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and
• a manipulable foot connected with the shaft wherein the foot comprises at least two toe portions;
• and
• positioning the tissue stabilizer with the use of a robotically operated surgical instrument from within the patient's body.