Patent ID: 8114075
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method for ablating the pulmonary veins of a patient with first and second guide facilities, each having corresponding first and second ends and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second ends and an ablation instrument including at least a pair of relatively movable first and second clamping jaws adapted to be connected to an ablation activation source, the jaws being disposed to engage cardiac tissue at a selected cardiac location to ablate tissue therebetween, the steps including: making at least one percutaneous incision to define at least one opening of an instrument receiving passage; introducing the first end of the first guide facility through selected one of the at least one opening of the instrument receiving passage to a first side of a selected cardiac location adjacent one of the right and left pulmonary veins; introducing the first end of the second guide facility through one of the at least one opening of the instrument receiving passage to a second side of a selected cardiac location adjacent one of the right and left pulmonary veins; advancing the guide facilities to the respective selected cardiac location such that the intermediate portions engage the respective selected cardiac location; extending the first ends of the guide facilities through selected one of the at least one opening of the instrument receiving passage to a position disposed outside the instrument receiving passage such that the first and second ends of each guide facility are positioned outside of the instrument receiving passage and the intermediate portion engage the respective selected cardiac location; engaging the first jaw of the ablation instrument with one of the ends of the first guide facility; engaging the second jaw of the ablation instrument with one of the ends of the second guide facility; inserting the ablation instrument through the instrument receiving passage; guiding the ablation instrument to the selected cardiac location with the aid of the guide facilities such that the cardiac tissue at the selected location is disposed between the jaws; and ablating the cardiac tissue at the selected location.