Methods and devices for minimally invasive cardiac surgery for atrial fibrillation
AssigneeAtriCure, 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.
Claims20
A method of reducing blood flow through a left atrial appendage of a heart of a patient, comprising:
- introducing an elongate visualization device into the patient;
- introducing a left atrial appendage clip applier through a lumen of the elongate visualization device via a first incision;
- and
- applying at least one clip to the left atrial appendage of the patient with the left atrial appendage clip applier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.