Patent ID: 6837848

Claim:
A suction tool for accessing the epicardium of the heart through an incision through the pericardium and into the pericardial space to implant an electrode of an epicardial cardiac lead within the myocardium or against the epicardium comprising: a suction tool body extending between a suction tool body proximal end and a suction tool body distal end; and an elongated suction pad extending between a suction pad proximal end and a suction pad distal end, the suction pad proximal end attached to the suction tool body distal end, the suction pad shaped to have a suction cavity adapted to be applied against tissue, the suction cavity defined by an elongated, substantially concave suction cavity wall bounded by a suction cavity rim, a plurality of suction ports extending through the suction cavity wall into the suction cavity, the suction pad distal end shaped with a leader to fit through a pericardial incision and a tissue dilator to be inserted through the pericardial incision to facilitate advancement of the suction pad into the pericardial space, the suction tool body further comprising: a suction lumen extending from a proximal suction fitting adapted to be coupled to a vacuum source and to the plurality of suction ports through which suction is applied to the pericardium to draw a pericardial bleb of the pericardium into the suction cavity when the suction cavity wall is applied against the pericardium and through which suction is applied to the epicardium to draw an myocardial bleb of the myocardium into the suction cavity when the suction pad is inserted through an incision of the pericardium into the suction cavity wall and applied against the epicardium; and a working lumen extending between a working lumen proximal end opening and an working lumen distal end opening into the suction cavity, the working lumen adapted to receive a cutting instrument having a cutting element for cutting into the pericardial bleb to form a pericardial incision through which the suction pad can be advanced into the pericardial space, the working lumen further adapted to receive a cardiac lead having a distal electrode and a lead fixation mechanism for maintaining the distal electrode in contact with the myocardium.