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AssigneeCardiothoracic Systems, Inc.
InventorsLawrence W. Hu, David J. Paul, Eugene Edward Reis, Harry Leonard Green, II
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In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed surgical methods and apparatus for accessing and stabilizing the heart. The methods and apparatus facilitate access to an anastomosis site, allows various instruments or devices to be maneuvered and secured in place, and provide stabilization of the heart. In particular, the apparatus involves a retractor apparatus having one or more opposing blades having a channel adapted to engage an incision in a patient. The retractor blades may have features to cooperatively engage an instrument mount. The instrument mount preferably is configured to hold an instrument, such as a tissue stabilizer, and allows the instrument to be easily maneuvered. The retractor blades may have a number of suture locks for securing sutures used during surgery. The retractor system is particularly useful in accessing, positioning and stabilizing the beating heart for coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
A surgical retractor blade for attaching to a drive mechanism, said retractor blade comprising a polymeric body having a first end, a second end, and a channel adapted to engage one side of an incision in a patient, said first end having a first cavity, wherein said first cavity becomes progressively smaller in a direction away from said first end and is adapted to receive a support member extending from said drive mechanism.
A surgical retractor blade, said retractor blade having a first end, a second end, a channel adapted to engage one side of an incision in a patient, and a rail extending along at least a portion of said retractor blade wherein said rail has a top portion and a bottom portion, said bottom portion having a narrowed region adjacent said top portion forming, first and second tabs on said top portion, and said rail is curved along, its length.
A surgical retractor blade for attaching to a drive mechanism, said retractor blade comprising:
A surgical retractor blade for attaching to a drive mechanism, said retractor blade comprising a polymeric body having a first end, a second end, a channel adapted to engage one side of an incision in
A surgical retractor system for creating an opening through an incision in a patient comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.