Patent ID: 11369357

Abstract:
A thoracic structure access system for retracting biological tissue and providing access to internal biological structures; particularly, intrathoracic structures, e.g., the heart and internal mammary arteries, to facilitate entry through the biological tissue with surgical instruments and interaction of the surgical instruments with the intrathoracic structures during a thoracic surgical procedure; particularly, minimally invasive CAGB and OPCAB procedures. The system facilitates coronary artery bypass graft (CAGB and OPCAB) procedures via a simple incision at a transxiphoid incision site and, hence, without fully transecting the sternum, i.e., performing a full sternotomy, or performing a thoracotomy. The system includes modular retractor and retention arm assemblies in communication with a ratchet assembly. When the system is disposed proximate a transxiphoid incision site and the modular retractor and retention arm assemblies are releasably engaged to opposing biological tissue portions at the transxiphoid incision site, the ratchet assembly can be actuated to apply opposing forces to the biological tissue portions to provide an access space at the transxiphoid incision site.