ORGAN MANIPULATOR

摘要

An organ manipulator including at least one suction member or adhesive disc mounted to a compliant joint, a flexible locking arm for mounting such sucti on member or compliant joint, and a method for retracting and suspending an org an in a retracted position using suction (or adhesive force) so that the organ is free to move normally (e.g., to beat or undergo other limited-amplitude motion) in at least the vertical direction during both steps. In preferred embodiments, a suction member exerts suction to retract a beating heart and suspend it in a retracted position during surgery. As the retracted heart beats, the compliant joint allows it to expand and contract freely (and otherwise move naturally) at least in the vertical direction so that hemodynamic function is not compromised.