Suction stabilized epicardial ablation devices

A method of ablating tissue, comprising

• providing a suction assisted ablation device comprising a support surface, having a first and a second face, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face and at least one conductive element disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face;
• placing the first face of the device adjacent an area of tissue;
• conducting suction to the suction elements via the suction conduit;
• grasping the tissue with the suction;
• and
• ablating the tissue.

A tissue ablation system comprising:

• at least two support surfaces, each support surface having a first and a second face;
• a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face;
• at least one conductive element disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face;
• at least one suction conduit operatively connected with the suction elements;
• and
• at least one maneuvering apparatus along which the support surfaces are disposed.

A method of mapping the heart, comprising:

• providing a suction assisted ablation device comprising a support surface, having a first and a second face, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face, at least one electrode disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face and at least one suction conduit operatively connected with the suction elements;
• placing the first face of the device adjacent an area of tissue;
• conducting suction to the suction elements via the suction conduit;
• grasping the tissue with the suction;
• sending a signal through a first electrode;
• receiving the signal through a second electrode;
• and
• mapping the distance based on the signal from the first electrode to the second electrode.

A method of pacing a heart, comprising:

• providing a suction assisted ablation device comprising a support surface, having a first and a second face, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face, at least one electrode disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face and at least one suction conduit operatively connected with the suction elements;
• placing the first face of the device adjacent an area of tissue;
• conducting suction to the suction elements via the suction conduit;
• grasping the tissue with the suction;
• sending electrical impulses through the electrode at regular intervals;
• and
• pacing the heart to beat with the impulses.

A method of ablating tissue, comprising:

• providing a suction assisted ablation device comprising a support surface, having a first and a second face, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face, at least one needle electrode disposed adjacent the support surface on the first face and at least one suction conduit operatively connected with the suction elements;
• placing the first face of the device adjacent an area of tissue;
• penetrating the tissue with the needle electrode;
• conducting suction to the suction elements via the suction conduit;
• grasping the tissue with the suction;
• and
• ablating the tissue.

A suction assisted ablation device for creating a tissue ablation site, the device comprising:

• at least one tissue contact surface;
• one or more suction openings positioned along the at least one tissue contact surface;
• at least one suction conduit for providing suction from a suction source to the one or more suction openings, the at least one suction conduit operatively connected with the one or more suction openings;
• one or more energy transfer elements positioned along the at least one tissue contact surface;
• at least one connector operatively connected with the one or more energy transfer elements for connecting the one or more energy transfer elements to an energy source;
• and,
• at least one sensor positioned along the at least one tissue contact surface.