ORGAN TISSUE MANIPULATOR

摘要

Devices and methods of manipulating and stabilizing organ tissue, such as heart tissue. The devices, which are of varying sizes, shapes and conformations, generally include a seal member having a chamber with a wall and a skirt-like member that extends outward from the chamber wall for contact with a surface of an organ. The skirt-like member is substantially compliant and tacky, thereby promoting adhesion with the organ surface. Adherence of the device to the tissue may be enhanced by the mechanical or hydraulic application of vacuum pressure. The methods describe steps for manipulating, including moving, lifting, immobilizing, turning and reorienting organ tissues. Additional methods describe steps for manipulating the heart.