Transmural ablation device with spring loaded jaws
AssigneeAtriCure, Inc.
InventorsMichael D. Hooven, Jeffrey David Messerly
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for transmural ablation using an instrument containing two electrodes or cryogenic probes. A clamping force is exerted on the two electrodes or probes such that the tissue of the hollow organ is clamped therebetween. Bipolar RF energy is then applied between the two electrodes, or the probes are cryogenically cooled, thus ablating the tissue therebetween. A monitoring device measures a suitable parameter, such as impedance or temperature, and indicates when the tissue between the electrodes has been fully ablated.
Claims8
A device for clamping and ablating cardiac tissue comprising:
- a first handle member;
- a second handle member;
- first and second mating jaw members associated with the first and second handle members, the jaw members being movable by the handle members between a first open position spaced from the fixed jaw member and a second clamped position;
- a first elongated electrode extending along the first jaw member;
- a second elongated electrode extending along the second jaw member;
- the first and second electrodes being adapted to be connected to an RF energy source so that, when activated, the first and second electrodes are of opposite polarity;
- and at least one of the jaw members being biased by a spring so as to urge the jaw members toward the clamped position with a force that increases as the separation of the jaws increases.
A tissue grasping apparatus comprising:
- first and second grasping jaws, one of the grasping jaws being relatively moveable between a first, open position spaced from the other jaw and a closed position in proximity to the other jaw;
- each jaw including a raised electrode and a receding clamping surface in face-to-face relation with the electrode and clamping surface of the other jaw;
- the clamping surfaces of the jaws comprising an insulating material and the raised, face-to-face electrodes being of opposite polarity and connectible to a power source for providing an electrical current between the electrodes, whereby when tissue is grasped between said clamping surfaces, the electrodes are substantially entirely contacted by the tissue;
- and
- the moveable jaw being supported on a drive member having a proximal end and a distal end, the drive member being biased by a spring so as to urge the moveable jaw toward the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.