Friday, June 30, 2006

The Heart Stabilizer

One of my most recent interesting experiences has been, working with doctors and residents at the Hahnemann Hospital. During the course of my interaction, I was exposed to so many new medical devices, one of which being the Heart Stabilizer; a perfect example of a simple yet effective device. It is used in Coronary Bypass surgery, and is a substitute for the heart lung machine that is normally used. Hence the name, *Off Pump* surgery. Medtronic seems to have made an excellent choice of name; they call it the Octopus®. The tissue stabilizer has hands and suction pods like an octopus. I think its a great name!
The suction pods hold the surface tissue of the heart stable while the surgeon attaches a transplanted vessel around blockages in the coronary arteries.
It is used in conjunction with the Medtronic Starfish® or Urchin Heart Positioner. Go! Medtronic!

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