Patent ID: 7682305

Claim:
A system for enhancing minimally invasive heart surgery, the system comprising: at least one retractor device for enhancing access to a patient's heart through a first incision; a heart stabilizing device having a tissue contacting surface and at least one suction aperture adjacent the surface; a first coupling device for coupling with the heart stabilizing device through a second incision at a location on the patient apart from the first incision, the first coupling device comprising: an elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one flexible, rigidifying portion comprising a plurality of pieces and a wire that when tightened locks the pieces of the rigidifying portion into place; and means for coupling the elongate shaft with the heart stabilizing device adjacent the distal end of the elongate shaft; a first flexible arm for coupling the first coupling device with at least one stable object, wherein the first flexible arm comprises a distal clamp configured to clamp the first coupling device, and a proximal clamp configured to clamp the at least one stable object; a heart positioning device having a tissue contacting surface and at least one suction aperture; and a second coupling device for coupling with the heart positioning device through a third incision at a location on the patient apart from the first and second incisions.