Method and apparatus for transesophageal cardiovascular procedures

A method of performing a transesophageal cardiovascular procedure, said method comprising the steps of

• providing an elongated tubular main access device having a first lumen with an open proximal end and a side opening distal end, and a second lumen with open ends;
• passing said main access device into a patient's esophagus so that said distal end is positioned adjacent to the esophageal wall opposite the patient's heart while said proximal end is located outside the patient's mouth;
• forming barriers between the main access device and the esophageal wall above and below said distal end;
• passing a first monitoring device through said second lumen into the patient's esophagus to monitor the procedure;
• passing an elongated flexible tubular side access unit having open proximal and distal ends and at least one lumen extending between said ends into said first lumen of the main access device until the distal end of said side access unit exits the main access device through said distal end opposite the esophageal wall;
• introducing a cutting device through the lumen of the side access unit to form an opening in the esophageal wall thereby providing access to the patient's mediastinal cavity from said lumen of the side access unit;
• establishing a seal between the side access unit and the esophageal wall around said opening to inhibit fluid leakage between the esophagus and the mediastinal cavity, and
• performing a procedure in said cavity using one or more surgical devices introduced through said lumen of the side access unit into said cavity.