Surgical instruments and procedures for stabilizing the beating heart during coronary artery bypass graft surgery

A device for use in a cardiovascular surgery on the beating heart comprising:

• a means for stabilizing the beating heart comprising a contact member shaped to engage the surface of the beating heart;
• and
• wherein said contact member has a hollow portion containing a conformable material therein.

A device for use in a cardiovascular surgery on the beating heart comprising:

• a means for stabilizing the beating heart comprising a contact member shaped to engage the surface of the beating heart;
• and
• wherein said contact member is formed of a single continuous wire.

A device for use in a cardiovascular surgery on the beating heart comprising:

• a means for stabilizing the beating heart comprising a contact member shaped to engage the surface of the beating heart;
• and
• wherein said contact member is inflatable.

A device for use in cardiovascular surgery on the beating heart, comprising:

• a shaft means for adjusting the position and orientation of said device, having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
• and
• at least one continuously adjustable contact member connected to said distal end portion of said shaft means for adjusting the position and orientation of said device, said at least one continuously adjustable contact member comprising a flexible tube and adapted to be adjusted to change a conformation of said at least one continuously adjustable contact member and to maintain the changed conformation, to substantially conform to a surface of the heart.

A device for use in cardiovascular surgery on the beating heart, comprising:

• a shaft means having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a central lumen disposed therethrough;
• and
• a preformed inflatable member connected to said distal end portion of said shaft means, said preformed inflatable member being inflatable to form a contact member adapted to contact a surface of the heart.

A method of preparing a device for use in cardiovascular surgery on the beating heart, wherein the device has at least one continuously adjustable contact member adapted to be adjusted to substantially conform to a surface of the heart, said method comprising the steps of:

• manipulating the at least one continuously adjustable contact member into a desired configuration;
• and
• applying a vacuum to the at least one continuously adjustable contact member to substantially fix the desired configuration.