Patent ID: 6610055
Filing Date: 2003-08-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of creating an epicardial lesion, comprising the steps of:positioning a closed loop structure including an operative element around a portion of the epicardium by positioning a first loop structure member defining a distal portion adjacent to the epicardium, positioning a second loop structure member defining a distal portion adjacent to the epicardium with the distal portion of the second loop structure member disconnected from the distal portion of the first loop structure member without any physical structures extending beyond the distal portion of the first loop structure member to the distal portion of the second loop structure member, and connecting the distal portion of the second loop structure member to the distal portion of the first loop structure member to form the closed loop structure; tightening the closed loop structure around the portion of the epicardium after the closed loop structure has been formed; and actuating the operative element to create a lesion.