US 2004/0106918 A1 · Surgical system and procedure for treatment of medically refractory atrial fibrillation

Abstract

The invention provides surgical systems and methods for ablating heart tissue within the interior and/or exterior of the heart. A plurality of probes is provided with each probe configured for introduction into the chest for engaging the heart. Each probe includes an elongated shaft having an elongated ablating surface of a predetermined shape. The elongated shaft and the elongated ablating surface of each probe are configured to ablate a portion of the heart. A sealing device affixed to the heart tissue forms a hemostatic seal between the probe and the penetration in the heart to inhibit blood loss therethrough.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for treatment of a heart comprising the steps of:

forming a penetration through a muscular wall of the heart into an interior chamber thereof;
positioning a distal end of an elongated ablating device having an elongated ablating surface through the penetration;
and
contacting the elongated ablating surface of the ablating device with a first selected portion of an interior surface of the muscular wall for transmural ablation thereof.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/171,411Filed 12 Jun 2002

Priority

22 Oct 1996

Published

3 Jun 2004

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification66 codes

A61B 17/00234
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: for minimally invasive surgery
A61B 17/0057
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: implements for plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ, e.g. for sealing a vessel…
A61B 17/0218
For holding wounds open, e.g. retractors; Tractors: for minimally invasive surgery
A61B 17/0469
For suturing wounds; Holders or packages for needles or suture materials: suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g.…

Family

Application08/735,036Continuation in part · filed 22 Oct 1996

Application08/943,683Continuation · filed 15 Oct 1997

Application08/943,683Continuation in part · filed 15 Oct 1997

Application09/606,742Continuation · filed 29 Jun 2000

Application10/171,411Continuation · filed 12 Jun 2002

US 6,161,543 ARelated patent

US 7,387,126 B2Related patent

US 2004/0106918 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Surgical system and procedure for treatment of medically refractory atrial fibrillation

Life of this patent

Surgical system and procedure for treatment of medically refractory atrial fibrillation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20