Patent ID: 6517536
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A bipolar left atrium clamp for forming transmural lesions in the wall of the left atrium in a human, the clamp comprising:first and second substantially rigid jaws having facing surfaces, the jaws being moveable between an open position in which the facing surfaces of the jaws are spaced apart a distance sufficient to receive therebetween opposed walls of the left atrium at a location in proximity to selected pulmonary veins and a clamped position in which opposed wall portions of the left atrium are brought together in a compressed state between the facing surfaces of the jaws, the jaws having a length sufficient to capture a substantial portion of opposing walls of the left atrium therebetween and the jaws being sufficiently rigid so that the facing surfaces are substantially parallel in the clamped position; a first continuous, elongated electrode carried on the facing surface of the first jaw member and a second continuous, elongated electrode carried on the facing surface of the second jaw member, the electrodes being positioned to be in directly opposed relation in contact with opposed portions of the left atrial wall when said jaws are in the clamped position; the first and second electrodes being adapted to be connected to an RF energy source so that the first and second electrodes are of opposite polarity; whereby, when the jaws are clamped about the left atrium and the electrodes are activated with RF energy, an elongated, thin, transmural lesion is simultaneously created in both portions of the clamped left atrial wall.