METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STABILIZING TISSUE

摘要

A tissue stabilizer (10) includes a pneumatic rigidifying bladder (14) which is flexible when at ambient pressure, and rigid when at negative pressure or evacuated. Structures such as straps (112) with hook-and-eye fasteners (122) attach the rigidifying bladder (14) to tissue to be stabilized, such as a broken arm. When positioned on the tissue, the bladder (14) is evacuated, thereby rigidifying the bladder (14), and supporting the tissue. The tissue stabilizer (10) may be configured for use in surgical procedures, such as coronary artery bypass grafting on a warm beating heart.