Apparatus and method for cardiac stabilization and arterial occlusion

An assembly for stabilizing the epicardium of the heart and occluding a section of an artery, comprising:

• a platform having a top surface and a bottom surface, at least a portion of the bottom surface configured for contacting the epicardium of the heart;
• at least one occluding member configured for adjustable movement relative to the platform;
• and
• an adjustable arm having a first end for removable attachment to the top surface of the platform longitudinal axis of the and a second end for removable attachment to a support that is stationary relative to the platform, the adjustable arm having a first flexible configuration for adjusting the distance between the platform and the support, and a second rigid configuration for fixing the platform relative to the support;
• whereby the epicardium is stabilized by applying compressive force to the platform, the distance between the platform and the support defined by the adjustable arm to increase or decrease the compressive force on the epicardium by adjusting the distance between the platform and the support;
• and
• whereby a section of an artery can be occluded by positioning at least one occluding member into engagement with the artery or the epicardium above the artery, thereby temporarily occluding the artery.

An assembly for stabilizing the epicardium of the heart and occluding a section of an artery, comprising:

• a platform having a top surface and a bottom surface, at least a portion of the bottom surface configured for contacting the epicardium of the heart;
• a first slot and a second slot disposed in the platform;
• a first occluding member and a second occluding member retained respectively in the first slot and the second slot, the first and the second occluding members configured for adjustable movement relative to the platform;
• and
• an adjustable arm having a first end for removable attachment to the top surface of the platform and a second end for removable attachment to a support that is stationary relative to the platform, the adjustable arm having a first flexible configuration for adjusting the distance between the platform and the support, and a second rigid configuration for fixing the platform relative to the support;
• whereby the epicardium is stabilized by applying compressive force to the platform, the distance between the platform and the support defined by the adjustable arm which will increase or decrease the compressive force on the epicardium by adjusting the distance between the platform and the support;
• and
• whereby a section of an artery can be occluded by positioning the first and the second occluding members into engagement with the artery or the epicardium above the artery, thereby temporarily occluding the artery.

A method for stabilizing the heart and occluding an artery, the method steps comprising:

• providing a platform having a top surface and a bottom surface, at least a portion of the bottom surface configured for contacting the epicardium of the heart, a first occluding member and a second occluding member configured for slidable and vertical movement within the platform;
• positioning the platform on the epicardium;
• positioning the first and the second occluding members over a section of artery;
• temporarily occluding the section of artery with the occluding members;
• performing a medical procedure;
• releasing the occluding members and detaching the platform from the epicardium;
• and
• removing the tool from the patient.