Methods & devices for minimally invasive cardiac surgery for atrial fibrillation
AssigneeESTECH, Inc. (Endoscopic Technologies, Inc.)
InventorArthur A. Bertolero
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices for enhancing minimally invasive cardiac surgery include a visualization device including an inflatable balloon at or near the distal end. Some visualization devices also include one or more lumens for allowing the introduction of one or more devices to a surgical site through the visualization device. Systems of the invention involve a visualization device which has at least one lumen for allowing introduction of an ablation device and/or other devices. A visualization device with an inflatable balloon may be positioned to create a space between a heart and pericardium when the balloon is inflated.
Claims56
A method for enhancing visualization of a surgical procedure on a heart of a patient, the method comprising:
- introducing an elongate visualization device into the patient;
- advancing the visualization device to position at least one inflatable balloon on the visualization device between the heart and a layer of pericardium adjacent the heart;
- inflating the at least one inflatable balloon;
- and
- using the visualization device to visualize the heart during the surgical procedure.
A visualization device for enhancing minimally invasive heart surgery, the visualization device comprising:
- an elongate visualization member having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- at least one inflatable balloon coupled with the visualization member at or near the distal end.
A clip applier for applying at least one clip to a left atrial appendage of a heart of a patient, the device comprising:
- an elongate shaft defining a proximal end and a distal end;
- clip applying means coupled with the shaft at or near the distal end;
- and
- an actuator coupled with the shaft at or near the distal end and also coupled with the clip applying means so as to actuate the applying means to apply the at least one clip to the left atrial appendage.
A system for performing an ablation procedure on a heart of a patient, the system comprising:
- a visualization device comprising;
- an elongate visualization member having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- at least one inflatable balloon coupled with the visualization member at or near the distal end;
- and
- an ablation device for ablating a portion of the heart.
A control unit for enhancing a minimally invasive surgical procedure on a heart of a patient, the device comprising:
- a light source for providing light to the visualization device;
- and
- an ablative energy source for providing ablative energy to the ablation device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.