Bipolar cardiac ablation system and method

1. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation of heart tissue comprising:

a flexible epicardial lead having an interior surface comprising an ablating surface along a portion thereof to be placed in contact with tissue to be ablated, and an integral fastener disposed proximate a distal end thereof;

a sliding lock collar having an aperture therein through which said epicardial lead passes, and a complementary fastener secured thereto for engaging the fastener of said epicardial lead, thereby securing said lead in place around tissue to be ablated;

a mitral valve slide having a central aperture therein through which said epicardial lead passes; and

a mitral valve lead extending from said mitral valve slide having an electrically conductive surface thereon.

2. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive surface of said mitral valve lead has a plurality of discrete segments capable of being individually connected to a source of radio frequency energy.

3. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 2 further comprising:

a plurality of radiopaque conductive markers spaced along said mitral valve lead discrete segments whereby said radiopaque markers are visible using standard fluoroscopic techniques.

4. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mitral valve slide includes a mitral valve lead passage therein, said lead passage having an entrance aperture for inserting said mitral valve lead and an exit aperture oriented to guide said mitral valve lead proximate a left atrial wall and an atrioventricular groove of said heart tissue.

5. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 4 wherein said mitral valve slide comprises:

an air port having an entrance aperture in fluid communication with a source of compressed air and an exit aperture proximate the exit aperture of said mitral valve lead; and

wherein an inflatable balloon is secured in fluid communication with the exit aperture of said air port to positively locate said mitral valve lead proximate a left atrial wall and an atrioventricular groove of said heart tissue when inflated.

6. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 1 wherein a portion of a conductive surface of said mitral valve slide is capable of contacting said heart tissue, wherein said conductive surface of said mitral valve slide is in electrical contact with the electrically conductive surface of said mitral valve lead.

7. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 6 wherein said mitral valve slide conductive portion forms an uninterrupted conductive surface with said mitral valve lead conductive surface.

8. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of rod guides extending from said epicardial lead; and

a plurality of control rods engaging said rod guides to aid in the placement of said epicardial lead and said mitral valve slide.

9. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 8 wherein said mitral valve slide comprises:

a plurality of apertures for accepting an end of said plurality of control rods.

10. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mitral valve slide comprises:

a central irrigation port for accepting a source of irrigation fluid, said irrigation port in fluid communication with a plurality of irrigation passages in said mitral valve slide for delivery of irrigation fluid to a plurality of points proximate said epicardial lead.

11. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 10 wherein one of said irrigation passages is in fluid communication with the exterior surface of said epicardial lead for delivery of irrigation fluid.

12. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 10 wherein one of said irrigation passages is in fluid communication with the ablating surface of said epicardial lead for delivery of irrigation fluid.

13. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 10 wherein one of said irrigation passages is in fluid communication with a plurality of points along a surface of said mitral valve slide in contact with said heart tissue.

14. An apparatus for bipolar radio frequency ablation as claimed in claim 1 comprising:

an endocardial catheter containing an ablating lead having an ablating surface at a distal end thereof for conducting radio frequency energy between said epicardial lead conductive surface and said ablating lead ablating surface.