Patent ID: 7507235

Claim:
A method of performing an electrode placement procedure on a patient's heart, comprising: providing a first tissue contact device comprising: a rigid tissue contact member sized and shaped to fit through a small incision in a region of the patient's chest; an illumination device coupled to the rigid tissue contact member; a maneuvering apparatus having a rigid shaft and a handle; and a remotely actuatable joint moveably coupling the tissue contact member to the maneuvering apparatus; introducing the rigid contact member of the first tissue contact device to the patient's thoracic cavity through a small incision in the patient's chest; providing illumination; actuating the joint remotely from outside the thoracic cavity of the patient; maneuvering the tissue contact member of the first tissue contact device to position pericardium away from a surface of the heart to create space between the surface of the heart and the pericardium using the first tissue contact device, the space providing exposure of the heart; providing a second tissue contact device comprising: a rigid tissue contact member having an ablation electrode; and a maneuvering apparatus having a shaft and a handle coupled to the rigid contact member; introducing the rigid contact member of the second tissue contact device into the thoracic cavity of the patient through an incision in the region of the patient's chest; and placing the ablation electrode on or within the exposed heart.