Patent ID: 8052676
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. A surgical apparatus, comprising: a flexible tube defining a central axis and having a proximal end and a distal end through which suction is applied; a flexible suction device, the suction device being connected to and coaxial with the distal end of the tube and having a flexible distal portion that includes a flexible peripheral sealing surface having a shape and a size for being removably securable to myocardial tissue by suction applied through the flexible tube, the suction device extending from the tube distal end such that the peripheral sealing surface is located distally of the tube distal end and extends outwardly beyond an outer surface of the tube distal end such that the suction device across the peripheral sealing surface is wider than the tube distal end; a metallic or metal-based tissue stimulation element configured to emit stimulation energy and that is too small to form a transmural lesion in myocardial tissue and that is used to stimulate tissue and sense electrical activity in the tissue, the tissue stimulation element being supported on the peripheral sealing surface of the distal portion of the suction device such that the tissue stimulation element is not located within an inner space defined by the suction device, wherein the tissue stimulation element is a discrete tissue stimulation element that does not extend around the peripheral sealing surface; and a signal line extending from the tissue stimulation element and into the flexible tube for connection to a source of stimulation energy, wherein the suction device does not carry an apparatus that is capable of forming a transmural lesion in myocardial tissue.