Methods and devices for cardiac surgery

A system for enhancing minimally invasive heart surgery, the system comprising:

• at least one retractor device for enhancing access to a patient's heart through a first incision;
• a heart stabilizing device having a tissue contacting surface and at least one suction aperture adjacent the surface;
• a first coupling device for coupling with the heart stabilizing device through a second incision at a location on the patient apart from the first incision, the first coupling device comprising:
• an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one flexible, rigidifying portion comprising a plurality of pieces and a wire that when tightened locks the pieces of the rigidifying portion into place;
• and
• means for coupling the elongate shaft with the heart stabilizing device adjacent the distal end of the elongate shaft;
• and
• a first flexible arm for coupling the first coupling device with at least one stable object, wherein the first flexible arm comprises a distal clamp configured to clamp the first coupling device, and a proximal clamp configured to clamp the at least one stable object,
• wherein the at least one retractor device comprises:
• a retractor frame for movably holding at least two retractor blades;
• at least two retractor blades coupled with the retractor frame, for retracting tissue adjacent an incision;
• and
• means for moving the retractor frame so as to move the blades to retract the tissue.

A system for enhancing minimally invasive heart surgery, the system comprising:

• at least one retractor device for enhancing access to a patient's heart through a first incision;
• a heart stabilizing device having a tissue contacting surface and at least one suction aperture adjacent the surface;
• a first coupling device for coupling with the heart stabilizing device through a second incision at a location on the patient apart from the first incision, the first coupling device comprising:
• an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one flexible, rigidifying portion comprising a plurality of pieces and a wire that when tightened locks the pieces of the rigidifying portion into place;
• and
• means for coupling the elongate shaft with the heart stabilizing device adjacent the distal end of the elongate shaft;
• and
• a first flexible arm for coupling the first coupling device with at least one stable object, wherein the first flexible arm comprises a distal clamp configured to clamp the first coupling device, and a proximal clamp configured to clamp the at least one stable object,
• wherein the heart stabilizing device comprises:
• at least one tissue contacting surface;
• at least one suction aperture for applying suction force to enhance contact between the tissue contacting surface and heart tissue;
• and
• at least one suction port for connecting with a source of suction.

A system for enhancing minimally invasive heart surgery, the system comprising:

• at least one retractor device for enhancing access to a patient's heart through a first Incision;
• a heart stabilizing device having a tissue contacting surface and at least one suction aperture adjacent the surface;
• a first coupling device for coupling with the heart stabilizing device through a second incision at a location on the patient apart from the first incision, the first coupling device comprising:
• an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one flexible, rigidifying portion comprising a plurality of pieces and a wire that when tightened locks the pieces of the rigidifying portion into place;
• and
• means for coupling the elongate shaft with the heart stabilizing device adjacent the distal end of the elongate shaft;
• and
• a first flexible arm for coupling the first coupling device with at least one stable object, wherein the first flexible arm comprises a distal clamp configured to clamp the first coupling device, and a proximal clamp configured to clamp the at least one stable object,
• an actuation device coupled with the first coupling device, and
• a distal coupling means that couples the coupling device with the heart stabilizing device,
• wherein the actuation device can tighten and loosen the distal coupling means.

A system for enhancing minimally invasive heart surgery, the system comprising:

• at least one retractor device for enhancing access to a patient's heart through a first incision;
• a heart stabilizing device having a tissue contacting surface and at least one suction aperture adjacent the surface;
• a first coupling device for coupling with the heart stabilizing device through a second incision at a location on the patient apart from the first incision, the first coupling device comprising:
• an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one flexible, rigidifying portion comprising a plurality of pieces and a wire that when tightened locks the pieces of the rigidifying portion into place;
• and
• means for coupling the elongate shaft with the heart stabilizing device adjacent the distal end of the elongate shaft;
• and
• a first flexible arm for coupling the first coupling device with at least one stable object, wherein the first flexible arm comprises a distal clamp configured to clamp the first coupling device, and a proximal clamp configured to clamp the at least one stable object,
• wherein the plurality of pieces comprises a plurality of beads.