Surgical devices for stabilizing the heart are disclosed which facilitate
anastomosis under beating heart conditions. Various instruments or
devices may be maneuvered and secured on a retractor device to provide
stabilization of the heart. An instrument mount is provided which is
preferably configured to accept a surgical instrument, such as a tissue
stabilizer, and to allow the instrument to be easily maneuvered to a
desired position and subsequently locked into position with a simple
operation of a single locking actuator. Further disclosed are stabilizer
devices each having at least one surface for contacting the heart and
each being adapted to be mounted to the retractor while having the
ability to be positioned in the desired location against the heart.