Systems and methods for performing minimally invasive cardiac medical procedures

Abstract

Systems and methods for creating space within the chest cavity to more easily perform minimally invasive cardiac procedures.

1 . An apparatus for facilitating closed-chest cardiac medical procedures, comprising: 
 an insufflation system capable of introducing fluid into the chest cavity of a patient in an amount sufficient to create space within said chest cavity; and    a blood pumping system for providing at least one of right heart support and left heart support during beating heart surgery to unload at least one of the right ventricle and left ventricle, thereby creating additional space within said chest cavity.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said insufflation system is capable of providing said fluid having a temperature sufficiently lower than that of said patient so as to cool the organs within said chest cavity during surgery.