INDIFFERENT ELECTRODE PAD SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TISSUE ABLATION
Systems and methods for transmitting energy through patient tissue involve the use of an indifferent pad assembly in conjunction with an ablation probe. Systems may include an electrical surgical unit having a power output connector, a first power return connector, and a second power return connector. Systems may also include an ablation probe coupleable with the power output connector of the electrical surgical unit, and an indifferent pad assembly having a conductive mechanism coupled with an electrical and thermal insulator mechanism, and a wire assembly coupled with the conductive mechanism. The wire assembly can include a first connector coupleable with the first power return connector of the electrical surgical unit, and a second connector coupleable with the second power return connector of the electrical surgical unit.
1 . A method of transmitting energy through a left atrial wall tissue of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning an indifferent pad assembly within the patient's pericardial space, so that a conductive mechanism of the pad assembly faces toward an external side of the left atrial wall tissue, an insulative mechanism of the pad assembly faces toward the patient's esophagus, and a return line of the pad assembly is coupled with the conductive mechanism;
advancing an ablation probe of an electrophysiological device through an opening in the patient's left atrium;
positioning the ablation probe within the left atrium at an internal side of the left atrial wall tissue, so that the left atrial wall tissue is disposed between the ablation probe and the conductive mechanism of the pad assembly;
transmitting energy from the ablation probe of the electrophysiological device through the left atrial wall tissue and to the conductive mechanism of the pad assembly, while shielding the esophagus with the insulative mechanism of the pad assembly; and
returning energy from the conductive mechanism of the pad assembly to an electrosurgical unit via the return line.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of transmitting energy comprises transmitting RF energy from the ablation probe of the electrophysiological device through the left atrial wall tissue and to the conductive mechanism of the pad assembly.
3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of transmitting energy through the left atrial wall tissue creates a lesion in the left atrial wall tissue.
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of transmitting energy through the left atrial wall tissue creates a lesion in a posterior aspect of the left atrial wall tissue.
5 . A system for transmitting energy through a tissue of a patient, the system comprising:
an electrical surgical unit having a power output connector, a first power return connector, and a second power return connector;
an ablation probe coupleable with the power output connector of the electrical surgical unit; and
an indifferent pad assembly comprising a conductive mechanism coupled with an electrical and thermal insulator mechanism, and a wire assembly coupled with the conductive mechanism, wherein the wire assembly comprises a first connector coupleable with the first power return connector of the electrical surgical unit, and a second connector coupleable with the second power return connector of the electrical surgical unit.
6 . The system according to claim 5 , wherein the conductive mechanism and the electrical and thermal insulator mechanism are configured for placement between the pulmonary veins of the patient.
7 . The system according to claim 5 , wherein the electrical surgical unit is configured to sense current individually through the first and second power return connectors, and to shut off power if current to either return connector exceeds a predetermined amount of current.
8 . The system according to claim 7 , wherein the predetermined amount of current comprises one ampere.
9 . A method of transmitting energy through a left atrial wall tissue of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:
positioning an indifferent pad assembly within the patient's pericardial space, so that a conductive mechanism of the pad assembly faces toward an external side of the left atrial wall tissue, and an insulative mechanism of the pad assembly faces toward the patient's esophagus;
advancing an ablation probe of an electrophysiological device through an opening in the patient's left atrium;
positioning the ablation probe within the left atrium at an internal side of the left atrial wall tissue, so that the left atrial wall tissue is disposed between the ablation probe and the conductive mechanism of the pad assembly; and
transmitting energy from the ablation probe of the electrophysiological device through the left atrial wall tissue and to the conductive mechanism of the pad assembly, while shielding the esophagus with the insulative mechanism of the pad assembly.
10 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the step of transmitting energy comprises transmitting RF energy from the ablation probe of the electrophysiological device through the left atrial wall tissue and to the conductive mechanism of the pad assembly.
11 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the step of transmitting energy through the left atrial wall tissue creates a lesion in the left atrial wall tissue.
12 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the step of transmitting energy through the left atrial wall tissue creates a lesion in a posterior aspect of the left atrial wall tissue.