Medtronic, Inc.

Gerard C Forest

Steven C Christian

Roderick E Briscoe

Christopher P Olig

Douglas H Gubbin

Tom P Daigle

Michael J Hobday

Patrick Cloutier

Robert Reetz

Christopher Plott

Adam Podbelski

William Steinberg

Andrew Olson

Gary W Guenst

Tissue stabilizers including a clamp assembly, a turret assembly, an articulating arm having a tension element extending therethrough, a collet assembly and a head-link assembly are disclosed. Methods of stabilizing tissue are also disclosed.

Methods and devices for stabilizing tissue

An epicardial lead installation tool having an elongated tool body extending between a tool body proximal and distal ends and encloses a tool body lumen. At least one suction pad supported by a suction pad strut extends distally to a distal end surface of the tool body distal end. A lead implantation tool extending between implantation tool proximal and distal ends is inserted through the tool body lumen to dispose the implantation tool distal end proximate to the tool body distal end. The lead implantation tool distal end is adapted to engage the distal electrode head of an epicardial lead to enable the extension of the assembly of the of the lead installation tool, the lead implantation tool and the epicardial lead through a skin incision and to apply the suction pad against the epicardium. Suction is applied through the suction pad to affix it to the epicardium while the implantation tool proximal end is manipulated to affix the distal fixation mechanism to the myocardium at the implantation site.

Methods and apparatus for accessing and stabilizing an area of the heart

Growing community of inventors

Whispering Pines, NC, United States of America

Gerard C Forest