EXPANDABLE SPACEMAKER AND RELATED METHODS

1 . A surgical spacemaking device, comprising:

an elongated connecting portion; and

an expandable spacemaking portion disposed distally on the connecting portion, the spacemaking portion comprising

an expandable base portion,

an expandable first lateral portion coupled to the base portion, and

an expandable second lateral portion coupled to the base portion;

wherein, when expanded, a first exterior surface of the first portion faces a second exterior surface of the second portion;

wherein, when expanded, the first and second exterior surfaces cooperate with an exterior surface of the base portion to define a working space;

wherein a tension element is couples the first portion to the second portion

2 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 1 , wherein, when expanded, the base portion, the first lateral portion, and the second lateral portion generally form a C-shape.

3 . (canceled)

4 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 1 , wherein the tension elements comprises a distal tension element extending between distal aspects of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion.

5 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 4 , wherein the tension elements comprises a proximal tension element extending between proximal aspects of the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion.

6 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 1 , wherein the tension element is generally elastic.

7 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 1 , wherein tension element is generally inelastic.

8 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises an inflatable element.

9 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 1 ,

wherein the first lateral portion comprises a first inflatable element; and

wherein the second lateral portion comprises a second inflatable element.

10 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 1 ,

wherein the base portion and the first lateral portion are interposed by a first fold line; and

wherein the base portion and the second lateral portion are interposed by a second fold line.

11 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion comprises a tether operatively coupled to the spacemaking portion.

12 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 11 , wherein the tether is fluidically coupled to at least one of the base portion, the first portion, and the second portion.

13 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 11 ,

wherein the connecting portion comprises a sheath;

wherein the tether extends through the sheath.

14 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 13 , wherein the sheath is configured to receive at least one of an endoscope and an ablation device therethrough.

15 . A method of creating a surgical working space, the method comprising:

advancing a spacemaking device to a surgical site proximate a target tissue; and

expanding a spacemaking portion of the spacemaking device to create a working space;

wherein expanding the spacemaking portion comprises inflating at least two lateral inflatable elements coupled to a base element, the at least two lateral inflatable elements being coupled by at least one tension element.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein expanding the spacemaking portion comprises expanding the spacemaking portion so that exterior surfaces of the at least two inflatable elements and the base element generally form a C-shape with the working space at least partially therein.

17 . The method of claim 15 ,

wherein the spacemaking device comprises a sheath; and

wherein the method further comprises, before expanding the spacemaking portion,

distally unsheathing the spacemaking portion from the sheath.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising advancing at least one of an endoscope and an ablation instrument through the sheath to the working space.

19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein expanding the spacemaking portion comprises sequentially inflating the base element and the at least two lateral inflatable elements in a desired order.

20 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising deflating the base element and the at least two lateral inflatable elements.

21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein deflating the base element and the at least two lateral inflatable elements comprises applying a vacuum to the base element and the at least two lateral inflatable elements.

22 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising shielding an anatomical structure other than the target tissue from injury using the spacemaking portion while utilizing a surgical instrument on the target tissue.

23 . The method of claim 15 ,

wherein the surgical site comprises an oblique sinus; and

wherein the target tissue comprises a left atrium.

24 . (canceled)

25 . (canceled)

26 . The surgical spacemaking device of claim 1 ,

wherein the base portion, the first lateral portion, and the second lateral portion comprise an inflatable bladder in fluid communication with the elongated connecting portion.