Cooled stabilizer for surgical procedures

Abstract

A cooled stabilizer is provided for use in coronary bypass grafting surgical procedures. The cooled stabilizer can be attached to a surgical retractor for providing localized traction, stabilization and/or hemostasis to a predetermined area of body tissue. The stabilizer includes cooling channels and/or pads forming a continuous bottom surface for providing a chilled surface to contact body tissue. In one example, the cooled stabilizer can be shaped as a horseshoe with chilled surfaces over horseshoe sections and optionally over a heel.

1 - 50 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         51 . A stabilizer for use in surgical procedures, said stabilizer comprising: 
 (a) a first member having an upper surface and a bottom surface;    (b) a second member having an upper surface and a bottom surface;    (c) a channel for circulating fluid through at least a portion of the first member and the second member;    wherein the first member is substantially parallel to the second member; and wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface of the first member and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the second member are interconnected by an interconnecting member to form a contiguous surface on a single plane.    
     
     
         52 . The stabilizer of  claim 51 , wherein the interconnecting member further comprises a joint for pivotally attaching the stabilizer to an arm.  
     
     
         53 . The stabilizer of  claim 51 , wherein the interconnecting member further comprises a bottom surface and wherein at least a portion of the interconnecting member bottom surface is an insulated surface.  
     
     
         54 . The stabilizer of  claim 51 , wherein the interconnecting member further comprises a downwardly extending portion that is aligned generally perpendicular to a lengthwise dimension of the first member.  
     
     
         55 . The stabilizer of  claim 51 , wherein the interconnecting member further comprises a bottom surface comprising an insulated surface and a groove running through the insulated surface.  
     
     
         56 . The stabilizer of  claim 55 , further comprising a thermally conductive surface portion positioned in the groove.  
     
     
         57 . The stabilizer of  claim 51 , wherein the bottom surface of the first member comprises a surface portion made of thermally conductive material.  
     
     
         58 . The stabilizer of  claim 57 , wherein the surface portion covers substantially the entire bottom surface of the first member.  
     
     
         59 . The stabilizer of  claim 51 , wherein the channel comprises a thermally conductive material.  
     
     
         60 . The stabilizer of  claim 59 , wherein the channel is formed generally adjacent to the bottom surface of the first member and the second member.  
     
     
         61 . A system for stabilizing and cooling a predetermined area of body tissue during surgical procedures, comprising: 
 an elongated arm connected to a surgical retractor; and    a stabilizer attached to a distal end of the elongated arm, the stabilizer comprising:    (a) a first member having an upper surface and a bottom surface;    (b) a second member having an upper surface and a bottom surface;    (c) a channel for circulating fluid through at least a portion of the first member and the second member;    wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface of the first member and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the second member are interconnected by an interconnecting member to form a contiguous surface on a single plane; and wherein the first member comprises a surface portion made of thermally conductive material positioned generally along the bottom surface and adjacent to the cooling channel, the surface portion for contacting and reducing the temperature of the body tissue.    
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the first member and the second member are sized to be positioned adjacent to a grafting site.  
     
     
         63 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the interconnecting member further comprises a bottom surface comprising an insulated surface and a groove running through the insulated surface.  
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the stabilizer further comprises a thermally conductive surface portion positioned in the groove.  
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the surface portion substantially covers the bottom surface of the first member.  
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the surface portion covers an elongate portion of the bottom surface of the first member.  
     
     
         67 . A method for stabilizing a predetermined area of body tissue to perform a surgical operation, comprising steps of: 
 attaching a cooled stabilizer to an arm, said stabilizer comprising: 
 (a) a first member having an upper surface and a bottom surface;  
 (b) a second member having an upper surface and a bottom surface;  
 (c) a channel for circulating fluid through at least a portion of the first member and the second member;  
   wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface of the first member and at least a portion of the bottom surface of the second member are interconnected by an interconnecting member to form a contiguous surface on a single plane;    positioning the arm along a retractor;    circulating cooling fluid through the cooled stabilizer; and    arranging the cooled stabilizer over the predetermined area of body tissue.    
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 67 , further comprising a step of circulating fluid having a temperature greater than the cooling fluid to remove the stabilizer from the predetermined area.  
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 67 , further comprising attaching flexible tapes to the cooled stabilizer and threading the tapes through tissue adjacent the predetermined area to reduce movement of the adjacent tissue.  
     
     
         70 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the cooling fluid has a temperature of between approximately −30° C. and 10° C.  
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the cooling fluid has a temperature of between approximately −20° C. and 0° C.  
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the cooling fluid has a temperature of between approximately −10° C. and 0° C.  
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the cooling fluid is a saline solution.  
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the cooling fluid is a saline/alcohol solution.  
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein the cooled stabilizer includes a pad to provide traction in the predetermined area.  
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 67 , wherein while the cooled stabilizer is arranged on the predetermined area, it can provide traction and quiescence in the predetermined area.  
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 67 , further including the step of drying the tissue along the predetermined area of body tissue.  
     
     
         78 . A stabilizer for use in surgical procedures, said stabilizer comprising: 
 (a) a first plate with a with a first inner surface wherein said first inner surface has a first channel portion formed therein;    (b) a second plate with a with a second inner surface wherein said second inner surface has a second channel portion formed therein;    such that said first and second plates are joined to form a continuous channel for circulation of fluid through said stabilizer.    
     
     
         79 . The stabilizer of  claim 78 , wherein the channel comprises a thermally conductive material.  
     
     
         80 . The stabilizer of  claim 79 , wherein a cooling fluid is circulated through the channel.  
     
     
         81 . The stabilizer of  claim 78 , wherein both the plates comprise a thermally conductive material.  
     
     
         82 . The stabilizer of  claim 78 , wherein at least a portion of the first plate comprises an insulating material.  
     
     
         83 . The stabilizer of  claim 78 , wherein the first plate receives at least one fluid line that is connected to the channel.  
     
     
         84 . A method for forming a stabilizer for use in surgical procedures, said method comprising 
 (a) providing a first plate with a with a first inner surface;    (b) forming a first channel portion within said first inner surface;    (c) providing a second plate with a with a second inner surface;    (d) forming a second channel portion within said second inner surface; and    (e) connecting said first plate to said second plate such that a continuous channel for circulation of fluid through said stabilizer is formed.    
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 84 , wherein the channel portions are formed by milling.  
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 84 , further comprising connecting the channel to a fluid line.