TRANSMURALITY CLAMP SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Tissue clamp systems and methods assess the transmurality of a lesion created by ablation. Exemplary clamp systems for ablating tissue include a first jaw, an ablation element mounted on the first jaw, a second jaw, and a sensing element mounted on the second jaw. The sensing element can be configured to assess transmurality of a lesion created by the ablation element. Systems may also include a connection mechanism that connects the ablation element and the sensing element to a connector for connecting the ablation element and the sensing element to an ablation system.
1 . A clamp assembly for ablating tissue, comprising:
a first jaw;
an ablation element mounted on the first jaw;
a second jaw;
a sensing element mounted on the second jaw, wherein the sensing element is configured to assess transmurality of a lesion created by the ablation element; and
a connection mechanism that connects the ablation element and the sensing element to a connector for connecting the ablation element and the sensing element to an ablation system.
2 . A clamp assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the connection mechanism comprises one or more wires.
3 . A clamp assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the sensing element comprises a temperature sensor.
4 . A clamp assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the sensing element comprises a pacing electrode.
5 . A clamp assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the sensing element comprises an optical sensor.
6 . A clamp assembly as in claim 5 , wherein the optical sensor detects tissue color change that occurs as tissues are heated to above 60° C.
7 . A clamp assembly as in claim 5 , wherein the optical sensor detects changes to near-field microwave that occur as tissues temperatures rise or fall.
8 . A clamp assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the sensing element penetrates a tissue surface of a tissue as the tissue is clamped between the first and second jaws of the clamp assembly.
9 . A clamp assembly as in claim 8 , wherein the sensing element comprises a temperature sensor.
10 . A clamp assembly as in claim 8 , wherein the sensing element comprises a pacing electrode.
11 . A clamp assembly as in claim 8 , wherein the sensing element comprises an electrode that senses tissue impedance.
12 . A clamp assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the ablation element heats tissue using radiofrequency energy.
13 . A clamp assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the ablation element heats tissue using microwave energy.
14 . A clamp assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the ablation element heats tissue using ultrasonic energy.
15 . A clamp assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the ablation element freezes tissue to achieve ablation.
16 . A clamp assembly as in claim 8 , further comprising one or more ablation elements coupled with the second jaw.
17 . A system for ablating tissue, comprising:
an ablation clamp comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, one or more ablation elements mounted on the first jaw, and a sensing element mounted on the second jaw that assesses transmurality of a lesion created by the ablation element;
an ablation control system for controlling an ablation process provided by the ablation clamp; and
means for connecting the ablating element and the sensing element with the ablation control system.
18 . A system as in claim 17 , wherein the ablation control system stops the ablation process when the sensing element carried by the second jaw indicates that a transmural lesion has been created.
19 . A system as in claim 17 , wherein the ablation control system stops the ablation process if a predetermined maximum time limit has been reached.
20 . A clamp assembly for ablating tissue, comprising:
a first jaw;
an ablation element mounted on the first jaw;
a second jaw;
a sensing element mounted on the second jaw, wherein the sensing element comprises a temperature sensor, a pacing element, or an optical sensor, wherein the sensing element penetrates a tissue surface of a tissue as the tissue is clamped between the first and second jaws of the clamp assembly, and wherein the sensing element is configured to assess transmurality of a lesion created by the ablation element; and
a connection mechanism that connects the ablation element and the sensing element to a connector for connecting the ablation element and the sensing element to an ablation system.