Biological tissue position location and marking
Methods of performing surgical operations and associated devices are disclosed. An example method may include locating a first position on a first surface of a biological tissue; locating a second position on a second opposing surface of the biological tissue, the second position corresponding to the first position; and marking the second position on the second surface. The second surface may be generally opposite the first surface. An example method may include, after marking the second position, performing a therapeutic procedure on the biological tissue in the vicinity of the second position.
1. A method of performing an operation, the method comprising:
locating a first position on a first interior surface of a heart wall responsive to an electrophysiological mapping performed on the first interior surface;
using a surgical instrument to apply pressure to the first interior surface and create a protrusion on a second exterior surface of the heart wall without through puncturing the heart wall, the protrusion corresponding to a second position; and
marking the second position on the second exterior surface using a location of the protrusion.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, after marking the second position, performing a therapeutic procedure on the biological tissue in the vicinity of the second position.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein performing the therapeutic procedure comprises ablating a portion of the biological tissue.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein performing the therapeutic procedure comprises performing the therapeutic procedure on the biological tissue near but not at the second position.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein performing the therapeutic procedure comprises performing the therapeutic procedure on the biological tissue at the second position.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein marking the second position comprises marking a point on the second surface.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein marking the second position comprises marking a line on the second surface.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein marking the second position comprises marking an area on the second surface.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein marking the area comprises marking a perimeter of the area.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein marking the area comprises marking substantially all of an internal area defined by the perimeter.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein marking the second position comprises disposing a marker on the second surface.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the marker comprises a marking sub stance.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the marking substance comprises at least one of an ink and a dye.
14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the marking substance comprises a radionuclide.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the marking substance comprises a radiopaque substance.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the marking substance comprises a magnetic substance.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the marker comprises an object.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the object comprises a magnetic sub stance.
19. The method of claim 17 ,
wherein the object is electrically insulative; and
wherein the method further comprises applying RF energy to the tissue while at least a portion of the tissue is protected from the RF energy by the marker.
20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the object is bioabsorbable.
21. The method of claim 11 , wherein disposing the marker on the second surface comprises at least partially penetrating the second surface.
22. The method of claim 1 , wherein marking the second position comprises heating the tissue to create a lesion that is detectable on the second surface.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein heating the tissue comprises at least one of applying RF energy, microwave energy, and laser energy.
24. The method of claim 23 , further comprising visually detecting the lesion on the second surface.
25. The method of claim 24 , further comprising electrically detecting the lesion on at least one of the first surface and the second surface.
26. The method of claim 1 , wherein marking the second position comprises applying cold to the tissue to create an ice formation that is detectable on the second surface.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein applying cold to the tissue comprises applying cold to at least one of the first surface and the second surface.
28. The method of claim 27 , further comprising visually detecting the ice formation on the second surface.
29. The method of claim 27 , further comprising mechanically detecting the ice formation on the second surface.
30. The method of claim 1 , wherein locating the first position comprises locating at least one of a sinoatrial node, an atrioventricular node, a ganglionic plexi, and an arrhythmogenic area.
31. A method of performing an operation, the method comprising:
locating a first position on an interior surface of a biological tissue;
using a surgical instrument to apply pressure to the interior surface and create a protrusion on an exterior surface of the biological tissue, the protrusion corresponding to a second position; and
applying a patch to the second position on the exterior surface.
32. The method of claim 31 , wherein locating the first position on the interior surface of the biological tissue includes electrophysiological mapping the first interior surface.
33. The method of claim 31 , further comprising, after applying the patch, performing a therapeutic procedure on the biological tissue at or in the vicinity of the second position.
34. The method of claim 33 , wherein performing the therapeutic procedure comprises ablating a portion of the biological tissue to form a lesion.
35. The method of claim 34 , further comprising electrically detecting the lesion on at least one of the interior surface and the exterior surface.
36. A method of performing an operation, the method comprising:
locating a first position on an interior surface of a biological tissue;
using a surgical instrument to apply pressure to the interior surface and create a protrusion on an exterior surface of the biological tissue, the protrusion corresponding to a second position; and
applying a marking substance beneath the exterior surface corresponding to the second position.
37. The method of claim 36 , wherein locating the first position on the interior surface of the biological tissue includes electrophysiological mapping the first interior surface.
38. The method of claim 36 , further comprising, after applying the marking substance, performing a therapeutic procedure on the biological tissue at or in the vicinity of the second position.
39. The method of claim 38 , wherein performing the therapeutic procedure comprises ablating a portion of the biological tissue to form a lesion.
40. The method of claim 39 , further comprising electrically detecting the lesion on at least one of the interior surface and the exterior surface.
41. The method of claim 36 , wherein the marking substance comprises at least one of an ink, a dye, a radionuclide, a radiopaque substance; and a magnetic sub stance.