"Octopus" Aids Open-Heart Surgery.

Patients who need cardiac bypass surgery now have hope for a healthy future, thanks to a medical procedure using an "Octopus," a new piece of equipment that allows surgeons to perform open-heart surgery on a beating heart. This state-of-the-art instrument uses a suction cup-like mechanism to lift and stabilize the heart, reducing movement so suturing can be performed safely. Meanwhile, the heart continues to function and to pump blood.

Traditional open heart surgery is performed using a cardio-pulmonary bypass machine that takes over the function of the patient's own heart and lungs while the heart is stopped during surgery. Because the heart is stopped, cardio-pulmonary bypass leaves patients (especially the elderly)...