Method and Devices for Improved Tissue Stabilization

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed for accessing and stabilizing an unstable or moving tissue structure within a patient's body, and in particular, for temporarily stabilizing a target site on the beating heart. The devices generally involve tissue stabilizers having at least one multiple link support member operably connecting a stabilizer foot to a retractor. The tissue stabilizer may have a stabilizer foot allowing for additional members to be connected to the stabilizer foot at discreet locations. The support member and the additional members may be attachable to a retractor. The support member and the additional members may be operably associated with attachments or mounts which provide additional degrees of freedom at a connection to the retractor.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . An apparatus for stabilizing a portion of a patient's heart comprising:
 a stabilizer foot adapted to engage the surface of the heart, the stabilizer foot having a proximal portion and a distal portion;   a first support member having a distal end connectable to the stabilizer foot at a first articulating joint located on the proximal portion of the stabilizer foot, and a proximal end connectable to a stable support; and   a second joint located on the stabilizer foot distally to the first articulating joint, the second joint is capable of receiving a second member.   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the stable support is a retractor. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the second articulating joint is different than the first articulating joint. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , further comprising a second member having a distal end connectable to the second articulating joint. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 36 , wherein the second member further comprises a proximal end connectable to the stable support. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the stabilizer foot has at least one textured contact surface adapted to frictionally engage the surface of the heart. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the stabilizer foot has a first contact surface and second contact surface, the second contact surface being spaced apart from and oriented substantially parallel to the first contact surface. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the first and second contact surfaces extend distally from the proximal portion of the stabilizer foot. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 40 , wherein the second articulated joint of the stabilizer foot is located dorsally to the first contact surface. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41 , further comprising a third articulating joint, wherein the third articulating joint is located dorsally to the second contact surface. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the stabilizer foot is adapted to engage the surface of the heart using negative pressure. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the second joint is an articulating joint. 
     
     
         45 . A method for stabilizing a portion of a patient's heart with a stabilizer device having a stabilizer foot operably connected to a support member, the support member having a flexible condition and a relatively rigid condition; the stabilizer foot having a proximal joint and a distal joint located distal to the proximal joint, the method comprising the steps of:
 creating an access opening into the thoracic cavity;   positioning the stabilizer foot to engage the surface of the heart adjacent a coronary artery;   causing the support member to assume the relatively rigid condition to thereby resist movement of the stabilizer foot; and   securing a distal end of an additional member to the distal joint on the stabilizer foot.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , further comprising:
 securing the support member to a stable support, and securing the additional member to the stable support.   
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the stable support is a retractor configured for coronary artery bypass grafting procedures.