Loop Ablation Apparatus and Method

A method of ablating target tissue of the left atrium of a patient, the patient having a superior vena cava, an inferior vena cava, a transverse sinus, an oblique sinus, a pericardium, left pulmonary veins, and right pulmonary veins, the method comprising:

• performing a right thoracotomy;
• providing a tube constructed of a porous and flexible material;
• inserting the tube through the right thoracotomy under the superior vena cava into the transverse sinus of the pericardium until the tube loops around the left pulmonary veins;
• visualizing the tube through the oblique sinus;
• and
• pulling the tube until it extends below the inferior vena cava.

An ablation apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient, the ablation apparatus comprising:

• an arm including articulating segments and a conduit including at least one electrode, the articulating segments having at least one length;
• an insertion tool coupled to the arm;
• and
• a knob coupled to the insertion tool, the knob being rotatable in order to lock the articulating segments in an ablating position, the at least one electrode receiving energy to ablate the target tissue adjacent the articulating segments in the ablating position.

A method of ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient, the method comprising:

• attaching a conductive loop electrode tubing to the target tissue on an ablation path;
• advancing a power and guide wire along the conductive loop electrode tubing, the power and guide wire being sheathed by a substantially low friction material;
• and
• transmitting power to the power and guide wire to ablate the target tissue along the ablation path.

An ablation apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient, the ablation apparatus comprising:

• an arm capable of being advanced around the pulmonary veins,
• the arm including at least one electrode and at least one tube,
• one of the at least one tubes receiving the at least one electrode,
• one of the at least one tubes receiving and providing a liquid to the target tissue, and
• the at least one electrode receiving energy to ablate the target tissue.

An ablation apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient, the ablation apparatus comprising:

• an arm capable of being advanced around the pulmonary veins,
• the arm including at least one electrode and at least one tube,
• one of the at least one tubes receiving the at least one electrode,
• one of the at least one tubes receiving at least one light marker to aid in positioning of the at least one electrode, and
• the at least one electrode receiving energy to ablate the target tissue.