Methods and apparatus providing suction-assisted tissue engagement through a minimally invasive incision

A method of performing a medical procedure on a body organ, accessed through first and second incisions into a body cavity comprising:

• providing an elongated shaft having a shaft body extending between a proximal shaft handle and a shaft body distal end, the shaft body distal end supporting a shaft fastener element, providing a suction head having a suction pad adapted to be coupled to a source of suction to engage the body organ through the application of suction to the body organ and a suction head fastener element adapted to be attached to or detached from the shaft fastener element;
• advancing the elongated shaft through the first incision to dispose the shaft body distal end within the body cavity or inserted through both the first and second incision to dispose the shaft body distal end outside the body adjacent the second incision while the shaft handle is disposed outside the body adjacent the first incision;
• attaching the suction head fastener element to the shaft fastener element to form a suction-assisted tissue-engaging device;
• positioning the suction pad of the suction head against the body organ;
• applying suction through the suction pad to engage the body organ;
• performing the medical procedure on the body organ via the second incision;
• and
• further comprising upon completion of the medical procedure:
• discontinuing application of suction;
• repositioning the suction pad of the suction head away from the body organ;
• detaching the suction head fastener element from the shaft fastener element;
• and removing the shaft body from the chest cavity through the first incision.

A method of performing a medical procedure on a body accesses through first and second incisions into a body cavity comprising:

• providing an elongated shaft having a shaft body extending between a proximal shaft handle and a shaft body distal end, the shaft body distal end supporting a shaft fastener element, providing a suction head having a suction pad adapted to be coupled to a source of suction to engage the body organ through the application of suction to the body organ and a suction head fastener element adapted to be attached to or detached from the shaft fastener element;
• advancing the elongated shaft through the first incision to dispose the shaft body distal end within the body cavity or inserted through both the first and second incision to dispose the shaft body distal end outside the body adjacent the second incision while the shaft handle is disposed outside the body adjacent the first incision;
• attaching the suction head fastener element to the shaft fastener element to form a suction-assisted tissue-engaging device;
• positioning the suction pad of the suction head against the body organ;
• applying suction through the suction pad to engage the body organ;
• performing the medical procedure on the body organ via the second incision;
• and
• further comprising upon completion of the medical procedure:
• discontinuing application of suction;
• advancing the coupled together shaft body distal end and suction head of the suction-assisted tissue-engaging device through the second incision from the body cavity outside the body;
• detaching the suction head fastener element from the shaft fastener element;
• and removing the shaft body from the chest cavity through the first incision.

A method of performing a medical procedure on a body organ, accessed through first and second incisions into a body cavity comprising:

• providing a first portion and a second portion of a suction-assisted tissue-engaging device;
• advancing the first portion of the suction-assisted tissue-engaging device through the first incision into the body cavity and from the first incision through the second incision outside the body;
• coupling the second portion of the suction-assisted tissue-engaging device to the first portion of the suction-assisted tissue-engaging device outside the body;
• retracting the second portion through the second incision into the body cavity;
• positioning the second portion of the suction-assisted tissue-engaging device against the body organ;
• applying suction through the second portion of the suction-assisted tissue-engaging device to engage the body organ;
• and,
• performing the medical procedure on the body organ via the second incision.