Cooling net for cardiac or transplant surgery

A device for cooling a heart during surgery, comprising:

• a. a net made of a water-permeable fabric having a size and shape that allow the net to be fitted in a conforming manner around at least a portion of the heart and,
• b. a conduit having (1) an inlet adapted to be coupled to a source of a chilled liquid during use, and (2) at least one outlet for the chilled liquid to exit the conduit,
• wherein, when the net is in use during surgery, at least one outlet of the conduit is in fluid communication with the fabric of the net and positioned in a manner which directs chilled liquid exiting the conduit through said outlet into the fabric of the net, thereby causing the liquid to permeate into and diffuse through the fabric of the net so that the chilled liquid will contact a surface of the heart, and wherein a cut can be made in the fabric to expose a portion of the surface of the heart without substantially altering the ability of the net to convey the chilled liquid to other portions of the surface of the heart.

An article of manufacture comprising packaging material and a net for cooling an internal organ during surgery, wherein the net is made of a water-permeable fabric having a size and shape that allow the net to be fitted in a conforming manner around an internal organ, and wherein the net is provided with a securing device which allows the net to be secured around at least a portion of the organ, and wherein the net and securing device are enclosed within the packaging material, and wherein the article of manufacture has been sterilized, and wherein the packaging material maintains the sterility of the net and securing device until the packaging material is opened.

A method of chilling an internal organ during surgery, comprising the following steps:

• a. securing a net made of water-permeable fabric in a conforming manner around at least a portion of an internal organ;
• b. infusing a chilled liquid into the fabric of the net so that the chilled liquid will permeate throughout the fabric of the net and directly contact the surface of the organ, thereby chilling the organ.