Patent ID: 7794460
Filing Date: 2010-09-14
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of creating an ablation lesion in tissue of a patient for treating atrial fibrillation, the method comprising: creating an opening in the patient's chest; inserting a distal portion of a tissue ablation device through the opening in the patient's chest, the distal portion comprising a tissue ablating element; positioning the ablating element adjacent tissue to be ablated; delivering a pressurized fluid from a fluid source through a device lumen to the ablating element to cool the ablating element while ablating tissue; and, forming an ablation lesion in the tissue with the ablating element without burning or charring the tissue while continuing the delivery of fluid to cool the ablating element, wherein the ablation lesion interrupts potential re-entry circuit patterns that could occur in atrial tissue and cause atrial fibrillation and wherein the ablation lesion replaces at least one surgical incision of a Maze procedure for treating atrial fibrillation.