Patent ID: 8753266
Filing Date: 2014-06-17
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A heart positioning device for use in cardiac surgery on a beating heart, comprising: a suction head adapted to positively engage the beating heart, said suction head including at least one suction element adapted to engage the surface of the heart by suction; and an arm supporting said suction head, said arm having a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being further from said suction head than said distal end, said arm connected to said suction head and said distal end being directly connected to a distal end portion of said device, said arm being configurable to be flexible in an unlocked condition and rigid in a locked condition; wherein said suction head is releasably attachable to the beating heart, and when said suction head is positively engaged with the beating heart, and said arm is rigid and positioned to orient the beating heart in an unnatural position or orientation, the beating heart is maintained in the unnatural position and continues to beat and said suction head is movable, relative to said heart, by a force generated by the beating heart, whereby the beating heart, in a location engaged by said suction head, thereby remains movable relative to said arm.