The BOSS Study: An Acute Evaluation of Anatomical and Geometric Changes Using the Bladder on a Stick System (BOSS)

The BOSS will be comprised of a flexible, medical grade silicone handle and interchangeable inflatable medical grade silicone chambers. The inflatable chambers will vary in geometry and will have silicone tubing attached to them to allow inflation and deflation of the chamber while in the pericardial space. During open chest cardiac surgery, a small incision will be made in the pericardium to allow for insertion of the BOSS device into the pericardial space. Once inserted, the BOSS device will be positioned in different locations around the outside of the heart and anatomical and geometric changes will be observed echocardiographically. Use of the BOSS device is expected to lengthen the procedure by an average of 15 minutes, and in rare instances may be extended beyond 15 minutes as deemed appropriate by the investigator. The BOSS will be removed prior to continuing with the planned surgery.