Pericardiotomy devices and related methods

An electrosurgical pericardiotomy device configured to create an opening through a pericardium, the electrosurgical pericardiotomy device comprising:

• an end effector comprising:
• a shaft with a distal tip delineating distal opening, the distal tip configured to engage a target portion of a pericardium, wherein the distal tip is configured, upon application of vacuum to the fixed distal tip, to separate the target portion of the pericardium from an epicardium of a heart;
• and
• a first electrode recessed within and extending entirely across a diameter of the distal tip so that, with vacuum applied to the distal tip, the target portion of the pericardium contacts the first electrode, wherein the first electrode is configured to create an opening through the target portion of the pericardium using electrosurgical energy delivered to the first electrode.

An electrosurgical pericardiotomy device configured to create an opening through a pericardium, the electrosurgical pericardiotomy device comprising:

• an end effector comprising:
• a shaft with a distal tip delineating an opening, the distal tip configured to engage a target portion of a pericardium, wherein the distal tip is configured, upon application of vacuum to the distal tip, to separate the target portion of the pericardium from an epicardium of a heart;
• and
• a first electrode radially inset from a wall of the distal tip, the first electrode comprising a ring shape, and a second electrode centered within and circumscribed by the first electrode, both recessed within the distal tip so that, with vacuum applied to the distal tip, the target portion of the pericardium contacts the first electrosurgical electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to create an opening through the target portion of the pericardium using electrosurgical energy delivered to the first electrode and the second electrode.