Patent ID: 8715174

Claim:
A method for grasping and holding tissue comprising: i) providing an apparatus including a flexible sheet and a first fluid path and a second fluid path, the flexible sheet with walls that define internal top and bottom chambers that adjoin one another and that are moved together as a unitary part during use, the walls including a major top wall opposite a major bottom wall that are both adapted to conform to tissue during use, the top wall constructed of a material impermeable to air flow therethrough and having a first set of holes that allow for air flow therethrough, and the bottom wall constructed of a material impermeable to air flow therethrough and having a second set of holes that allow for air flow therethrough, the first fluid path supplying a source of suction to the top chamber and the first set of holes in a manner that is independent to suction supplied the second set of holes, and the second fluid path supplying a source of suction to the bottom chamber and the second set of holes in a manner that is independent to suction supplied to the first set of holes; ii) supplying suction to the top chamber and the first set of holes via the first fluid path to engage and hold tissue adjacent the top wall by suction forces applied through the first set of holes; and iii) supplying suction to the bottom chamber and the second set of holes via the second fluid path to engage and hold tissue adjacent the bottom wall by suction forces applied through the second set of holes.