Suction stabilized epicardial ablation devices

1. A suction assisted ablation device comprising:

a support surface;

at least three suction ports disposed adjacent the support surface, each of said at least three suction ports positioned adjacent the support surface in a substantially linear arrangement with respect to each other; and

a plurality of needle electrodes disposed adjacent the support surface and extending adjacent the suction ports, the plurality of needle electrodes disposed such that a linear transmural lesion may be formed in tissue by applying radio frequency energy to the tissue via the plurality of electrodes.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a maneuvering apparatus operatively connected with the support surface.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the maneuvering apparatus comprises at least one pull wire.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one thermocouple element adjacent the suction elements.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the needle electrodes are arranged with a first series of the needle electrodes along a first side of the suction ports and a second series of the electrodes arranged along a second side of the suction ports.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein at least some of the needle electrodes are centered between the suction ports.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one fluid opening disposed adjacent the support surface.

8. A suction assisted ablation device comprising:

a support surface;

at least three Suction ports disposed adjacent the support surface, each of said at least three suction ports positioned adjacent the support surface in a substantially linear arrangement with respect to each other;

a plurality of conductive elements disposed adjacent the support surface and extending adjacent the suction ports, at least a portion of the conductive elements having a fluid opening therein; the plurality of conductive elements disposed such that a linear transmural lesion may be formed in tissue by applying radio frequency energy to the tissue via the plurality of conductive elements.

9. The device of claim 8 further comprising:

a maneuvering apparatus operatively connected with the support surface.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the maneuvering apparatus comprises at least one pull wire.

11. The device of claim 9 further comprising:

at least one thermocouple element adjacent the suction elements.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein the conductive elements are arranged with a first portion of the conductive elements along a first side of the suction ports and a second portion of the conductive elements arranged along a second side of the suction ports.

13. The device of claim 9 wherein at least some of the conductive elements are centered between the suction ports.

14. A method of ablating tissue comprising:

providing a suction assisted ablation device comprising a support surface, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, a plurality of needle electrodes disposed adjacent the support surface and at least one suction conduit operatively connected with the suction elements;

placing the device adjacent an area of tissue;

penetrating the tissue with the needle electrode;

conducting suction to the suction elements via the suction conduit;

grasping the tissue with the suction; and

applying radio frequency energy to the tissue via the plurality of electrodes such that a linear transmural lesion is formed in the tissue grasped with the suction.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the device is placed by manipulating an apparatus operatively connected to the support surface.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the device is manipulated by activating at least one pull wire.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the device is manipulated by moving a handle.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the device is manipulated by a catheter.

19. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

stopping the ablation of the tissue when the temperature monitored by a temperature sensing element adjacent the suction element reaches a given level.

20. A method of treating tissue comprising:

providing a suction assisted device comprising a support surface, a plurality of suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, and a plurality of conductive element disposed adjacent the support surface, at least some of the conductive elements having a fluid opening;

placing the support surface adjacent an area of tissue;

conducting suction to the suction element;

grasping the tissue with the suction;

penetrating the tissue with the conductive elements;

releasing fluid via the fluid opening; and

ablating the tissue.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the fluid is an energy-conducting fluid.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the device is placed by manipulating an apparatus operatively connected to the support surface.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the device is manipulated by activating at least one pull wire.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the device is manipulated by moving a handle.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the device is manipulated by a catheter.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein the conductive element is a needle.

27. The method of claim 20 further comprising monitoring temperature with a temperature-sensitive element in communication with at least one suction element.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising discontinuing the ablation of tissue when the temperature being monitored reaches a given level.