Octopus Heart Stabilizers

The challenge in off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery is that suturing or “sewing” a beating heart can be difficult. The surgeon needs to use a “stabilization” system to keep the heart still.

The stabilization system consists of a heart positioner and tissue stabilizer. The heart positioner guides and holds the heart in a position that provides the best access to the blocked arteries. The tissue stabilizer keeps a small area of the heart immobile while the surgeon works on it.

Heart positioners are designed to position and hold the heart to provide the surgeon with easy access to the blocked vessel that requires the bypass graft. Tissue stabilizers limit the movement of a small area of the heart while the rest of the heart continues to beat normally. This allows the surgeon to perform the revascularization surgery without stopping the heart or using the heart-lung machine.