Patent ID: 6551242
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for stabilizing a predetermined area of the heart, the apparatus comprising:a rib retractor having an elongate slide segment thereon and wherein the slide segment is spaced apart from the rib retractor; a stabilizing device having a first surface sized to contact a predetermined area of the heart of a patient and a second surface thereon; an elongated handle member having a first end portion, an opposite second end portion and an elongate bore extending therebetween; a connecting member for pivotally connecting the second surface of the stabilizing device to the first end portion of the handle member so that the stabilizing device is at least partially rotatable about the handle segment; and a swivel head having a first member, a second member, and a tightening member, the first portion defining a slot therethrough which is of a size to slidably and adjustably receive a portion of the handle segment therein, the second section defining an opening therethrough which is sized to detachably and slidably engage the slide segment of the rib retractor, and the tightening member being adapted to secure the handle segment at a desired position in the slot of the first member and to secure the swivel head at a desired position on the slide segment of the rib retractor and the tightening member is movable between tight and loose positions wherein the swivel head is movable relative to the rib retractor in the loose position of the tightening member and is fixedly retained relative to the rib retractor in the tight position of the tightening member; and wherein the stabilizing device is movable relative to the handle segment in the loose position of the tightening member and is movable relative to the handle segment in the tight position of the tightening member; and wherein the connecting member is movable between first and second positions wherein the stabilizing device is movable relative to the handle segment in the first position and is fixedly retained relative thereto in the second position; and wherein the stabilizing device is removable from the handle segment in a further position of the connecting member.