Abstract: Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. A clamping ablation tool can include an upper arm having an upper neck, a link assembly, and an upper actuator. The link assembly can include a distal electrode and a proximal electrode. The clamping ablation tool can include a lower arm that mates with the upper arm. The lower arm can include a lower neck, a distal jaw, and a lower actuator. The distal jaw can include a jaw electrode, and the lower actuator can control movement of the distal jaw.

Abstract: A hemostat-type device for ablative treatment of tissue, particularly for treatment of atrial fibrillation, is constructed with features that provide easy and effective treatment. The device may include a swiveling head assembly that allows the jaws to be adjusted in pitch and/or roll. The device may include a malleable or articulating handle shaft, as well as, malleable or curved rigid jaws that can permit curved lesion shapes. A locking detent can secure the jaws in a closed position during the procedure. The device may include one or more remote actuators making the hemostat-type device useful for minimally invasive procedures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. A clamping ablation tool can include an upper arm having an upper neck, a link assembly, and an upper actuator. The link assembly can include a distal electrode and a proximal electrode. The clamping ablation tool can include a lower arm that mates with the upper arm. The lower arm can include a lower neck, a distal jaw, and a lower actuator. The distal jaw can include a jaw electrode, and the lower actuator can control movement of the distal jaw.

Abstract: Structure and method for using a sub-xiphoid ablation clamp for ablating tissue of a patient. The clamp has an elongate shaft having a major axis, first and second opposing jaws configured to open and close along a first plane, a first and second ablation element positioned along the first and second jaws configured to ablate the tissue positioned therebetween, an actuable joint operatively coupled between the shaft and the opposing jaws and configured to move the opposing jaws to a selectable angle relative to the major axis of the elongate shaft along a second plane orthogonal to the first plane. The ablation clamp has a handle operatively coupled to the shaft having an actuator configured to actuate the actuable joint and a trigger mechanism to open and close the opposing jaws.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. The ablation device can include a lower jaw assembly including a proximal jaw having a proximal electrode and a distal jaw having a distal electrode, and an upper jaw assembly including an upper jaw having an upper electrode. A proximal actuator can be movable between a first position in which the proximal jaw is open and a second position in which the proximal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw. A distal actuator can be movable between a third position in which the distal jaw is open and a fourth position in which the distal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a system for occluding a left atrial appendage of a patient. Some embodiments of the system can include a ring occluder that can be positioned around the left atrial appendage and a ring applicator to position the ring occluder with respect to the left atrial appendage. One embodiment discloses a method of accessing endocardial surfaces of the heart through the atrial appendage. Additional embodiments of the invention provide a clip occluder that can be positioned around the left atrial appendage. A clip applicator can position the clip occluder with respect to the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. The ablation device can include a lower jaw assembly including a proximal jaw having a proximal electrode and a distal jaw having a distal electrode, and an upper jaw assembly including an upper jaw having an upper electrode. A proximal actuator can be movable between a first position in which the proximal jaw is open and a second position in which the proximal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw. A distal actuator can be movable between a third position in which the distal jaw is open and a fourth position in which the distal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. A clamping ablation tool can include an upper arm having an upper neck, a link assembly, and an upper actuator. The link assembly can include a distal electrode and a proximal electrode. The clamping ablation tool can include a lower arm that mates with the upper arm. The lower arm can include a lower neck, a distal jaw, and a lower actuator. The distal jaw can include a jaw electrode, and the lower actuator can control movement of the distal jaw.

Abstract: A system and method of making a lesion on living tissue including providing an electrosurgical system, determining a desired lesion depth, selecting a power setting, and applying electrical energy to the living tissue. The system includes an instrument having an electrode at a distal portion thereof, and a power source having multiple available power settings. The power source is electrically connected to the electrode. The step of applying electrical energy includes energizing the electrode at the selected power setting for a recommended energization time period that is determined by reference to predetermined length of time information and based upon the desired lesion depth and the selected power setting. The system preferably further includes a fluid source for irrigating the electrode at an irrigation rate. In this regard, the predetermined length of time information is generated as a function of irrigation rate.

Abstract: A hemostat-type device for ablative treatment of tissue, particularly for treatment of atrial fibrillation, is constructed with features that provide easy and effective treatment. A swiveling head assembly can allow the jaws to be adjusted in pitch and roll. Malleable jaws can permit curved lesion shapes. A locking detent can secure the jaws in a closed position during the procedure. An illuminated indicator provides confirmation that the device is operating. A fluid delivery system simplifies irrigated ablation procedures.

Abstract: A hemostat-type device for ablative treatment of tissue, particularly for treatment of atrial fibrillation, is constructed with features that provide easy and effective treatment. A swiveling head assembly can allow the jaws to be adjusted in pitch and roll. Malleable jaws can permit curved lesion shapes. A locking detent can secure the jaws in a closed position during the procedure. An illuminated indicator provides confirmation that the device is operating. A fluid delivery system simplifies irrigated ablation procedures.

Abstract: A hemostat-type device for ablative treatment of tissue, particularly for treatment of atrial fibrillation, is constructed with features that provide easy and effective treatment. The device may include a swiveling head assembly that allows the jaws to be adjusted in pitch and/or roll. The device may include a malleable or articulating handle shaft, as well as, malleable or curved rigid jaws that can permit curved lesion shapes. A locking detent can secure the jaws in a closed position during the procedure. The device may include one or more remote actuators making the hemostat-type device useful for minimally invasive procedures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. The ablation device can include a lower jaw assembly including a proximal jaw having a proximal electrode and a distal jaw having a distal electrode, and an upper jaw assembly including an upper jaw having an upper electrode. A proximal actuator can be movable between a first position in which the proximal jaw is open and a second position in which the proximal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw. A distal actuator can be movable between a third position in which the distal jaw is open and a fourth position in which the distal jaw is clamped with respect to the upper jaw.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ablating target tissue adjacent pulmonary veins of a patient. A clamping ablation tool can include an upper arm having an upper neck, a link assembly, and an upper actuator. The link assembly can include a distal electrode and a proximal electrode. The clamping ablation tool can include a lower arm that mates with the upper arm. The lower arm can include a lower neck, a distal jaw, and a lower actuator. The distal jaw can include a jaw electrode, and the lower actuator can control movement of the distal jaw.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a system for occluding a left atrial appendage of a patient. Some embodiments of the system can include a ring occluder that can be positioned around the left atrial appendage and a ring applicator to position the ring occluder with respect to the left atrial appendage. One embodiment discloses a method of accessing endocardial surfaces of the heart through the atrial appendage. Additional embodiments of the invention provide a clip occluder that can be positioned around the left atrial appendage. A clip applicator can position the clip occluder with respect to the left atrial appendage.

Abstract: A system and method for creating lesions and assessing their completeness or transmurality. Assessment of transmurality of a lesion is accomplished by monitoring the impedance of the tissue to be ablated. Rather than attempting to detect a desired drop or a desired increase impedance, completeness of a lesion is detected in response to the measured impedance remaining at a stable level for a desired period of time, referred to as an impedance plateau. The mechanism for determining transmurality of lesions adjacent individual electrodes or pairs may be used to deactivate individual electrodes or electrode pairs, when the lesions in tissue adjacent these individual electrodes or electrode pairs are complete, to create an essentially uniform lesion along the line of electrodes or electrode pairs, regardless of differences in tissue thickness adjacent the individual electrodes or electrode pairs.

Abstract: A system and method of making a lesion on living tissue including providing an electrosurgical system, determining a desired lesion depth, selecting a power setting, and applying electrical energy to the living tissue. The system includes an instrument having an electrode at a distal portion thereof, and a power source having multiple available power settings. The power source is electrically connected to the electrode. The step of applying electrical energy includes energizing the electrode at the selected power setting for a recommended energization time period that is determined by reference to predetermined length of time information and based upon the desired lesion depth and the selected power setting. The system preferably further includes a fluid source for irrigating the electrode at an irrigation rate. In this regard, the predetermined length of time information is generated as a function of irrigation rate.

Abstract: A system and method of making a lesion on living tissue including providing an electrosurgical system, determining a desired lesion depth, selecting a power setting, and applying electrical energy to the living tissue. The system includes an instrument having an electrode at a distal portion thereof, and a power source having multiple available power settings. The power source is electrically connected to the electrode. The step of applying electrical energy includes energizing the electrode at the selected power setting for a recommended energization time period that is determined by reference to predetermined length of time information and based upon the desired lesion depth and the selected power setting. The system preferably further includes a fluid source for irrigating the electrode at an irrigation rate. In this regard, the predetermined length of time information is generated as a function of irrigation rate.

Abstract: A hemostat-type device for ablative treatment of tissue, particularly for treatment of atrial fibrillation, is constructed with features that provide easy and effective treatment. A swiveling head assembly can allow the jaws to be adjusted in pitch and roll. Malleable jaws can permit curved lesion shapes. A locking detent can secure the jaws in a closed position during the procedure. An illuminated indicator provides confirmation that the device is operating. A fluid delivery system simplifies irrigated ablation procedures.

Abstract: A system and method for creating lesions and assessing their completeness or transmurality. Assessment of transmurality of a lesion is accomplished by monitoring the impedance of the tissue to be ablated. Rather than attempting to detect a desired drop or a desired increase impedance, completeness of a lesion is detected in response to the measured impedance remaining at a stable level for a desired period of time, referred to as an impedance plateau. The mechanism for determining transmurality of lesions adjacent individual electrodes or pairs may be used to deactivate individual electrodes or electrode pairs, when the lesions in tissue adjacent these individual electrodes or electrode pairs are complete, to create an essentially uniform lesion along the line of electrodes or electrode pairs, regardless of differences in tissue thickness adjacent the individual electrodes or electrode pairs.