Flexible stabilizer arm for forcibly holding an object against a surface

A flexible stabilizer arm assembly is provided that can be positioned in a desired three-dimensional attitude and then fixed in place to forceably hold an object against an undulating surface. In one embodiment, the invention assembly comprises a mounting base for attachment of the arm to a stationary fixture, a flexible arm of multiple articulated elongate links rotatably joined to adjacent links, a freely rotatable turret joint at the distal end of the arm that is adapted to attach an appendage in freely rotatable fashion to the distal end of the arm. Once positioned, a tightening mechanism is actuated to fix the attitude of the arm with respect to the mounting base. Optionally, the appendage is a two-tined foot adapted for holding a surgical instrument, such as a suction body, against a beating heart. The flexible arm, which ranges up to 12 inches in length, can withstand an undulating force exerted against the distal end of up to 20 pounds while remaining in the fixed position. To stabilize the arm under these conditions, the arm preferably comprises multiple articulated elongate links and a joining piece that substantially increases the friction fit of the arm to the mounting base so as to withstand a counter-force of up to 150 pounds.