Suction stabilized epicardial ablation devices
A suction assisted ablation device having a support surface, suction elements disposed adjacent the support surface, at least one electrode and at least one suction conduit is provided. The device may further include fluid openings, which allow fluid to irrigate target tissue and aid in ablation. A method for ablating tissue using suction is also provided.
1. 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 tissue penetrating elements disposed adjacent the support surface, the tissue penetrating elements having one or more fluid openings;
placing the support surface adjacent an area of tissue;
conducting suction to the suction elements;
grasping the tissue with the suction;
penetrating the tissue with the tissue penetrating elements
releasing a fluid into the tissue via the fluid openings; and
electrical mapping the tissue via the device.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the tissue penetrating elements are needles.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the tissue penetrating elements are conductive.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the tissue penetrating elements are needle electrodes.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of applying radio frequency energy to the tissue via the plurality of needle electrodes.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein a lesion is formed in the tissue following the step of applying radio frequency energy to the tissue.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the device further comprises a sensing element disposed adjacent the support surface.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the sensing element is a temperature sensing element.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of stopping the application of radio frequency energy when the temperature monitored by the temperature sensing element reaches a given level.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the device is placed by manipulating an apparatus operatively connected to the support surface.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the device is manipulated by activating at least one pull wire.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein the device is manipulated by moving a handle.
13. The method of claim 10 wherein the device is manipulated by a catheter.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid is an energy-conducting fluid.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid includes a diagnostic agent.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid includes a therapeutic agent.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid includes a blood component.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid includes saline.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the fluid includes a gene therapy agent.
20. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of applying microwave energy to the tissue via the device.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein a lesion is formed in the tissue following the step of applying microwave energy to the tissue.
22. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of applying ultrasound energy to the tissue via the device.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein a lesion is formed in the tissue following the step of applying ultrasound energy to the tissue.
24. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of pacing the tissue via the device.
25. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of ablating the tissue via the device.
26. 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 tissue penetrating elements disposed adjacent the support surface, the tissue penetrating elements having one or more fluid openings;
placing the support surface adjacent an area of tissue;
conducting suction to the suction elements;
grasping the tissue with the suction;
penetrating the tissue with the tissue penetrating elements;
releasing a fluid into the tissue via the fluid openings; and
pacing the tissue via the device.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the tissue penetrating elements are needles.
28. The method of claim 26 wherein the tissue penetrating elements are conductive.
29. The method of claim 26 wherein the tissue penetrating elements are needle electrodes.
30. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of applying radio frequency energy to the tissue via the plurality of needle electrodes.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein a lesion is formed in the tissue following the step of applying radio frequency energy to the tissue.
32. The method of claim 30 wherein the device further comprises a sensing element disposed adjacent the support surface.
33. The method of claim 32 wherein the sensing element is a temperature sensing element.
34. The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of stopping the application of radio frequency energy when the temperature monitored by the temperature sensing element reaches a given level.
35. The method of claim 26 wherein the device is placed by manipulating an apparatus operatively connected to the support surface.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein the device is manipulated by activating at least one pull wire.
37. The method of claim 35 wherein the device is manipulated by moving a handle.
38. The method of claim 35 wherein the device is manipulated by a catheter.
39. The method of claim 26 wherein the fluid is an energy-conducting fluid.
40. The method of claim 26 wherein the fluid includes a diagnostic agent.
41. The method of claim 26 wherein the fluid includes a therapeutic agent.
42. The method of claim 26 wherein the fluid includes a blood component.
43. The method of claim 26 wherein the fluid includes saline.
44. The method of claim 26 wherein the fluid includes a gene therapy agent.
45. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of applying microwave energy to the tissue via the device.
46. The method of claim 45 wherein a lesion is formed in the tissue following the step of applying microwave energy to the tissue.
47. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of applying ultrasound energy to the tissue via the device.
48. The method of claim 47 wherein a lesion is formed in the tissue following the step of applying ultrasound energy to the tissue.
49. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of electrical mapping the tissue via the device.
50. The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of ablating the tissue via the device.